With a maintenance contract, you’re not only protecting valuable products but securing peace of mind.

And who wouldn’t want that?

At ICE, we understand that pharmaceutical products stored in temperature-controlled settings can be worth millions of pounds, and the consequences of system failure – or even a small deviation from the desired conditions – can be disastrous.

That’s why ensuring pharmaceutical refrigeration systems operate effectively, efficiently, and reliably is essential.

Doing so protects essential inventory, and also ensures that you remain compliant.

Contact us to learn more about our

Why pharmaceutical refrigeration maintenance is essential

Ensuring strict temperature control is vital in the pharmaceutical industry, where even minor fluctuations can render vaccines and drugs unusable.

Guidelines from The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) state that medicinal products must be stored within precise temperature ranges.

This will typically be between +2°C and +8°C for vaccines.

In the UK, cold chain failures have led to serious financial and clinical consequences.

During 2022, the NHS reported £5.7 million in vaccine wastage, much of it from preventable issues like equipment failures and power outages.

This is a loss that can be avoided through preventative maintenance.

Regular and proactive upkeep of pharmaceutical refrigeration systems ensures that essential equipment is reliable, and that any potential issues are detected early.

It also makes certain that systems are compliant with relevant regulations, including MHRA, GDP, GMP, and F-Gas.

These require regular equipment checks, calibration, and leak detection, with non-compliance leading to fines and potential legal action.

Our operations director Lee Hopkins explains how to protect against cold room failure with a maintenance contract.

Pharmaceutical refrigeration maintenance: The steps involved

At ICE, we follow a tried and tested process for regular preventative maintenance of our customers’ pharmaceutical refrigeration systems.

They are:

  • Refrigerant leak detection

Even tiny leaks can quickly compromise performance, so routine leak checks are essential. All refrigeration components are checked, including the compressor, seals, pipe joints, and valves. Visual signs like oil residue can also indicate slow leaks. Any leak needs to be repaired immediately prior to topping up the refrigerant. Refrigerant logs and leak certificates need to be kept, ensuring compliance and preparedness for an audit.

  • Clean coils and drain lines

Dirty evaporator and condenser coils reduce efficiency and can cause temperature fluctuations, possibly causing system failures. Coils should be cleaned using brushes, or non-corrosive cleaning solutions. Drain lines and pans must also be cleared to prevent water buildup, ice formation, or microbial growth. Ensuring free-flowing drains and clean coils supports reliable operation and greater efficiency.

  • Inspect refrigerant levels and components

The pressure and temperature need to be checked to make sure the system remains optimally charged. Compressors, fans, wiring, and defrost elements will all be inspected for any signs of significant wear, failure, or potential failure. Mounts and door seals are also inspected. This process helps to identify any early signs of component fatigue that could lead to more serious breakdowns or costly temperature fluctuations.

  • Test alarms and controls

Alarm systems and temperature controls are essential components of any pharmaceutical refrigeration system, giving early warning signs of potential problems. Maintenance includes verifying thermostat set-points, calibrating sensors, and ensuring alarms activate when parameters are breached. Remote alert systems and backup batteries are tested to guarantee notifications work during faults or outages.

  • Review logs and documentation

Our technicians review temperature logs and system records to detect any anomalies or trends that might indicate developing problems. Stored alarms, error codes, or power outage logs are cross-checked with on-site reports. A full maintenance report is created, including pressure readings, actions taken, and compliance documentation such as leak check certificates. These records are essential for audits and regulatory reviews.

Pharmaceutical refrigeration from ICE: What makes us different

A maintenance contract with ICE is designed to keep your cold storage operations running smoothly – no matter the circumstances.

Our experience and know-how in this sector means that we don’t just respond to issues; we prevent them happening at all.

Not only that, our comprehensive and detail-orientated approach has delivered real world results for our clients, including the cold room for one remaining within the required +2°C to +8°C range for two decades thanks to regular preventative maintenance.

Our routine checks have prevented critical failures, often caused by relatively minor issues, that had the potential to compromise high-value stock.

Our proactive, compliance-focused maintenance offers expert care, a rapid emergency response, and a comprehensive approach to documentation.

ICE’s service includes:

  • 24/7 support and rapid response

ICE guarantees a four-hour emergency call-out time for contract customers at any time of the day or night. Technical support is always on hand to ensure that you’re never without help if a fault occurs or an alarm is triggered.

  • Digital reporting and compliance documentation

We provide a detailed digital report after each maintenance visit. This includes completed tasks, observations, photos, and clear recommendations to improve performance and increase resilience. The report also includes everything that’s required to ensure compliance, including leak test results, calibration certificates, and a comprehensive audit-ready maintenance record, so there’s no need to chase any paperwork.

  • Refrigerant asset logging and F-Gas compliance

We manage all refrigerant records for you, with every gram that’s added or removed being logged in a master refrigerant asset log. This includes F-Gas classification. Our scheduled F-Gas compliance package covers scheduled leaks, certification, and proper handling to ensure that you remain compliant all year round.

If keeping your medicine products protected and compliant is a priority, then why not start a conversation with a member of our team today?

Alternatively, to find out more about our comprehensive range of pharmaceutical refrigeration services fill in our online contact form.