FAQ

1. How long should a cabinet be allowed to stand after transportation?
   This depends on how the cabinet is transported. Wherever possible the cabinet needs to be kept upright. When they are transported in an upright position it is advisable to let them stand for approximately 2 hours to settle.
   
   If this is not possible and the cabinet is laid down, then it needs to stand for at least 8 hours (preferably overnight) in order for the compressor oil to settle back past the reed valves. Failure to allow this time can lead to the reed valves being damaged causing the compressor to fail.
2. What temperature are Lec Medical refrigerators?
   Lec Medical refrigerators are pre-set to the following temperatures to ensure they are suitable for their intended use:
   
   • Pharmacy refrigerators maintain an internal temperature between +2 to +8°C
   • Ward refrigerators maintain an internal temperature between +1 to +5°C
   • Laboratory refrigerators maintain an internal temperature between +2 to +10°C and freezers -18 to -25°C (-6 to -9°C on ISR27 ice box).
3. Do all Lec Medical products have locks?
   Yes, all of our products have locks as standard and come with 2 keys.
4. Are any of the Lec Medical pharmacy refrigerators wall mountable?
   Yes, the PE102 is wall mountable. The PE102 has keyholes at the rear as standard to allow the product to be mounted directly onto the wall. This will incur an additional lead time and cost.
5. Why is ambient (surrounding air) temperature important?
   Because you cannot destroy heat, only move it, we are taking unwanted heat from inside the cabinet and moving it to the condenser on the outside of the cabinet. Therefore the air surrounding the cabinet affects the efficiency and the performances.
   
6. Why should a customer incur the extra expense of buying a professional pharmacy, ward or laboratory fridge when domestic refrigeration is cheaper?
   Domestic refrigeration operates wider temperature parameters, typically between -2 to +12°C. Lec Medical pharmacy refrigerators operate strictly between +2 to +8°C, adhering to the guidelines set by The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) for the storage of medicines at low temperatures. The electronic controller displays the current sample temperature as well as allowing the maximum/minimum temperature to be read since the last re-set. All models are lockable and have an audible and visual alarm facility. Most products can be connected through supplied jack connectors to a remote powered alarm system. As vaccines are very expensive, if they were ever destroyed due to refrigeration failure some insurance companies may not pay compensation for vaccines kept in domestic refrigeration units.
   
   Ward refrigerators maintain between +1 to +5°C, and provide an external visual display of the current air temperature. Locks are fitted as standard; they have forced air cooling and are fully compliant with the latest food hygiene regulations.
   
   Lec Medical laboratory products are spark free to reduce the risk of internal explosions whereas domestic refrigeration is not. These products are also fitted with locks as standard to prevent unauthorized access.
   
7. How do I check or re-set the maximum/minimum temperature of the unit?
   To check the maximum temperature the unit has been at since the last re-set, press and hold the up arrow on the control panel. To check the minimum temperature since the last re-set, press and hold the down arrow button on the control panel. To re-set the temperature recordings, press and hold both the up and down arrows for a few seconds. To check that this has worked, press the down arrow and then the up arrow and they should both read the same temperature that the display is currently showing.
   All the settings and how to access them are fully covered in the operating instruction booklet supplied with the product. If you require and electronic copy of a manual, please call 0844 815 3755 or email sales@gdpa.co.uk.
   
8. How often should I monitor the temperature in my pharmacy cabinet?
   The National Pharmaceutical Association (NPA) recommends the operating temperature range of pharmacy cabinets should be monitored at regular intervals. Good practice would be to check and record the maximum/minimum temperature in the cabinet on a daily basis and re-set the temperature recordings.
   
9. Are there any guidelines for the spacing of vaccines in pharmacy cabinets?
   An air gap must be maintained between containers to allow cool air circulation; also warm products should be allowed to cool before being placed into the cabinet. The NPA and vaccine manufacturer’s guidelines should be followed where available.
10. Are there any guidelines for storage of vaccines?
    Vaccine life varies so follow the NPA, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain or manufacturers guidelines.
    The NPA represents over 90% of community pharmacies and recommends that fridges for the storage of vaccines must meet the following criteria:
    
    • Should only be used for the storage of pharmaceutical products and medicines, which require refrigeration.
    • Maintain the stored pharmaceuticals within the temperature range +2°C and +8°C
    • Have a means of indicating the temperature of the products stored in the refrigerator
    • Have the means of recording the maximum and minimum temperature in the refrigerator