Dual-Compressor Lab Refrigerator-Freezer
The CP171TOV-MED laboratory refrigerator/freezer
Research labs, healthcare facilities and similar organizations faced with limited storage capabilities for drugs, vaccines and other valuable perishables can solve the problem with a 2-foot square x 79-inch high combination scientific refrigerator-freezer with separate compartments each with its own door, temperature control and compressor.
The combination CP171TOV-MED medical refrigerator/freezer available from Tovatech has approximately 7.2 cubic feet of refrigerator space and 3.6 cubic feet of freezer space, each compartment with its own digital thermostat and high/low temperature alarm. The upper auto-defrost refrigerator has a temperature range of 2 – 8˚C (35.6 – 46.4˚F) and is equipped with three adjustable wire shelves, two crispers and door-mounted shelves. The lower manual-defrost freezer unit has a temperature range of -15 to – 18˚C (5 to -.4˚F) and is equipped with three transparent slide out drawers that help maintain temperature stability. The unit’s doors are reversible to open left to right or right to left and are individually locked.
Defrosting Cycles
Defrosting procedures should be spelled out in your organization’s operations manual in order to protect contents from degradation. The CP171TOV-MED scientific refrigerator section is automatically defrosted. Defrost water is collected in a tray at the base of the unit where compressor heat causes it to evaporate. This tray should be cleaned on a regular basis.
If your facility does not have a backup freezer, the recommended procedure for manually defrosting the CP171TOV-MED laboratory freezer section is initiated by pressing the Super Freeze button 4 to 5 hours before defrosting. This lowers the temperature to approximately – 25˚C (-13˚F) to prolong their hold time while the unit is defrosted. Be certain that the contents can be safely frozen at that temperature. Turn off the freezer thermostat, place the freezer’s contents in the refrigerator section, pull out the drain spout from the bottom of the cabinet and direct it into a bowl to collect the defrost water. Placing a bowl of hot water in the freezer section will help speed the cycle. Take this time to wipe down the inside walls with a mild detergent solution then dry it.
At the conclusion of the defrost cycle reset the thermostat button to the required setting. You can speed things up by activating the Super Freeze button, but remember to turn that off when the desired temperature is reached.
Select the Correct Refrigerator-Freezer Combination
Proper storage is the first step in protecting pharmaceutical products that represent a substantial investment for healthcare facilities and laboratories. The CP171TOV-MED combination laboratory refrigerator and laboratory freezer is one of the many options available for proper storage. Tovatech’s staff of scientists is familiar with these options and should be contacted for consultation on selecting equipment giving the best balance of price and performance.
How does your facility store pharmaceutical and biological products? Do you have a combination refrigerator/freezer unit? What procedures are in place to safeguard the contents?
