Why is Temperature Mapping needed?

Temperature mapping, often known as thermal mapping, is a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) meant to assist firms monitor and maintain the bounds of an entire environment. It is the act of installing data loggers that record temperature data for monitoring and analysis, as the products can become unsafe or worthless if maintained in the wrong circumstances. 

This technique is designed to keep temperature and humidity levels stable in a controlled environment, such as a warehouse, refrigerator, or vehicle. It aids in identifying hot places, understanding how climatic changes affect internal temperature, and better managing storage. Temperature mapping can be performed using a variety of equipment. Refrigerators, freezers (including ULTs), and incubators are a few examples. These kinds of instruments are quite little. However, far larger regions, such as those found in warehouses or cold storage rooms, can also be mapped.

Temperature mapping is used to examine whether a storage space can keep its temperature within specified parameters (Fridges, Freezers, Rooms, Warehouses and Incubators etc.). Sensors are placed in pre-defined positions across the unit/room to ensure that it performs within predefined set points. 

Where Should Temperature Mapping be Conducted?

temperature mapping

Temperature mapping should be conducted in any conditions where the products can be affected by temperature or humidity. Even if most of the products come with inbuilt thermometers these days, they track the temperature of one fixed location. This may vary the temperature of the products which are placed in the front row and those in the back. These temperature incompatibilities can cause products placed in different areas to fluctuate above or below the required temperatures, considering them to be unsafe. This can lead to damage to the products and be costly for manufacturers too.

For example, if a syringe distributor only mapped a few areas throughout the warehouse, they may fail to identify the temperature of every area. Syringes placed in those unnoticed areas could be distributed with harmful side effects or even could be entirely ineffective.

How Temperature Mapping Works?

To obtain a complete picture of the overall temperature, data loggers should be dispersed equally throughout the room. For a 10 cubic meter room, users will typically select a 9 or 10-point mapping. This means that one data logger will be installed in each corner at the top and bottom of the room, with one sensor in the center, for a total of nine points. In addition, some users will want to monitor the room’s ambient temperature, for a total of 10-points.

After that, the data loggers are left in position for a predetermined amount of time. This could be for as short as 24 hours or for several days in the case of larger locations such as a transport vehicle or warehouse.

Mapping research has no defined time limit. Typically, it should be run for at least seven consecutive days in warehouses and other ambient storage spaces, including five working days and two weekends.

After completing mapping research, it is critical to compile all of the data and present it in a relevant manner. This is done so that internal personnel and an external auditor can appropriately analyze it. Data is typically shown as a graph, with the raw data stored in Excel format. Data must be presented clearly so that it can be reviewed during an external audit.

The aim of temperature mapping is to discover hot spots, understand how climatic changes affect internal temperature, and better manage your product’s storage. Temperature mapping should be done twice a year, once in the summer and once in the winter, according to the MHRA. Temperature mapping is needed for various reasons and some of them are:- 

  1. to identify any potential hot or cold locations that may jeopardize temperature-sensitive contents
  2. to assess the impact of individuals interacting with the area, such as door openings
  3. assess the impact of a power outage or fan failure on the contents
  4. understanding the temperature distribution when the area is filled or vacant

A temperature mapping survey can disclose a ton of knowledge about your installation’s dynamics and performance. This is all the information you need to confirm the system’s proper operation or to discover and remedy potential performance flaws. Contact us today, as this mapping activity  not only assures compliance, but also allows proper warehouse utilization and a better understanding of temperature-sensitive products.

Posted in Miscellaneous, Temperature Mapping, Temperature Mapping & Validation, temperature qualification
One comment on “Why is Temperature Mapping needed?
  1. Hi, do you have an example of this thermal mapping of the reefer unit available? We are a Global FFW and this questions is popping up frequently

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