What Is a Calibration Laboratory?
Calibration laboratories, as can be found at Labcold, provide essential services to multiple industries, ensuring that measurement instruments deliver accurate results. They support testing laboratories, manufacturers, engineers and medical facilities by verifying that equipment meets required performance standards.
A UKAS accredited temperature calibration laboratory is one that has been independently assessed and approved by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS), which is the only government-recognised accreditation body in the UK. This accreditation is important because:
- It is recognised by the UK Government - UKAS is the sole body responsible for assessing and accrediting calibration laboratories in the UK.
- Follows international standards - UKAS accredited labs work to ISO/IEC 17025, the globally recognised standard for testing and calibration.
- Guarantees accuracy - Ensures all calibration services meet the highest levels of precision and reliability.
What Is Medical Fridge Calibration?
Medical fridge calibration is the process of verifying that your fridge’s temperature display matches the actual internal temperature. This is done using a pre-calibrated UKAS accredited testing device to ensure accuracy. In the calibration process a trained Labcold engineer will compare the fridges temperature readout against a UKAS calibrated measuring instrument. They will also be checking the secondary monitoring device and check that for accuracy. And then, if necessary, the fridge and monitoring device are recalibrated to meet ISO 17025 standards. This process guarantees that your pharmacy refrigeration or medical fridge is operating within the correct temperature range.
Medical fridges store critical supplies, including vaccines. While pharmacy refrigeration is vital for the storage of refrigerated medicinal products. Blood storage is also critical as it helps maintain the quality of blood. Therefore, if temperatures fluctuate outside the required range, stored products may become ineffective, leading to waste, financial loss and potentially compromised patient safety. Reliable temperature control is therefore non-negotiable.
The Risks of Incorrect Calibration:
- Medicines and vaccines that are exposed to incorrect temperatures may lose potency and must be discarded.
- Spoiled vaccines can cost medical practices thousands of pounds.
- If cold chain regulations are not followed, patient safety may be compromised.
What are the Correct Medical Fridge Temperatures?
According to the NHS Green Book (2013) medical fridges must maintain a temperature between +2°C and +8°C, with the ideal target set at +5°C.
To comply with UK regulations Labcold recommend:
- Daily temperature checks should be recorded.
- Periodic internal checks should be performed using a secondary monitoring device.
- Annual calibration must be conducted to ensure ongoing accuracy.
Why Choose a UKAS Accredited Calibration Laboratory?
Not all calibration providers offer the same level of assurance. Some companies use UKAS traceable instruments but are not fully UKAS accredited laboratories. Unlike companies that simply use UKAS calibrated instruments, Labcold is a UKAS accredited temperature calibration laboratory.
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Every calibration follows a strict quality management system.
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Our engineers receive ongoing specialist training.
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Our processes and technical capabilities are regularly assessed by UKAS auditors.
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We provide traceable, verifiable and internationally recognised calibration results.
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Labcold offers on-site UKAS accredited calibrations for newly manufactured Labcold products, including calibration before despatch. This means your new Labcold refrigerator, freezer, or incubator can arrive complete with its UKAS calibration certificate, saving you time and hassle. Our engineers can also calibrate non-Labcold fridges using UKAS-approved procedures.
Choose Labcold for UKAS Accredited Calibration
With over 90 years of experience, Labcold provides expert calibration for medical, pharmacy and blood fridges across the UK, including Scotland and the Channel Islands.
Choose a UKAS accredited laboratory and ensure accuracy every time. Contact (/contact) Labcold today to book your UKAS accredited calibration.
