fluid
warming cabinets uk, blanket
warming cabinets uk, solution warming
cabinets, Moisture Extraction Ovens,
patient
Warming systems, blood and fluid warmers, laboratory
incubators,
laboratory
ovens, blood
bank fridges, platelet
incubators uk, stability
cabinets, humidity cabinets
< Website
Promotion UK by QED Scientific Limited.
Home Page
Contact Us
Download Info
Site Map
What’s New?
Special Offers
Call QED on: (Int. +44) 0-844 846 6435
Welcome to QED Scientific!
Click on the photos to explore our site
Low cost call in UK
Exhibitions
Blood
Transfusion
Transfusion
Laboratory
Incs & Ovens
Incs & Ovens
Patient
Warming
Warming
Operating
Theatres
Theatres
Pharmacy fridges and the inherent danger of
ammonia as a refrigerant
ammonia as a refrigerant
Labcold, EverMed and SM pharmacy refrigerators supplied by QED Scientific are guaranteed 100% free from CFC,
HCFC and ammonia refrigerants.
Fridges from some other manufacturers use ammonia as the refrigerant - and this is a very hazardous gas if released.
In 1998 and again in 2003 HAZARD NOTICES about absorption fridges that use ammonia as the coolant were
issued by the UK NHS warning of the potential risks of ammonia leaks. These notices put the onus firmly on the users
to make regular checks of refrigerant pipe work for signs of any corrosion that could result in the leakage of ammonia
(do you know what to look for anyway?).
Recently a health centre in Scotland was closed and the Chemical Incidence Unit called when ammonia was detected
leaking from a fridge. This will surely have been an embarrassing and expensive incident.
Apparently there have been several other similar incidents as the Fire Brigade are familiar with the problem!
The message seems to be -
DON’T BUY A FRIDGE IF THE REFRIGERANT IS AMMONIA.
BUY A PROPER, SAFE, COMPLIANT PHARMACY FRIDGE FROM QED SCIENTIFIC
HCFC and ammonia refrigerants.
Fridges from some other manufacturers use ammonia as the refrigerant -
In 1998 and again in 2003 HAZARD NOTICES about absorption fridges that use ammonia as the coolant were
issued by the UK NHS warning of the potential risks of ammonia leaks. These notices put the onus firmly on the users
to make regular checks of refrigerant pipe work for signs of any corrosion that could result in the leakage of ammonia
(do you know what to look for anyway?).
Recently a health centre in Scotland was closed and the Chemical Incidence Unit called when ammonia was detected
leaking from a fridge. This will surely have been an embarrassing and expensive incident.
Apparently there have been several other similar incidents as the Fire Brigade are familiar with the problem!
The message seems to be -
DON’T BUY A FRIDGE IF THE REFRIGERANT IS AMMONIA.
BUY A PROPER, SAFE, COMPLIANT PHARMACY FRIDGE FROM QED SCIENTIFIC
Labcold pharmacy refrigerators have capacities from 36 to 490 litres
These Labcold models have incorporated all the benefits of absorption fridges (small size, low cost, etc) with the full
specifications advocated by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain code of ethics.
Click this link to the Labcold pharmacy fridges page.
specifications advocated by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain code of ethics.
Click this link to the Labcold pharmacy fridges page.
Labcold models have incorporated all the benefits of absorption fridges (small size, low cost, etc) with the full
specifications advocated by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain code of ethics.
Click this link to the Labcold pharmacy fridges page.
specifications advocated by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain code of ethics.
Click this link to the Labcold pharmacy fridges page.
In October 2007 30 staff members at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London had to be taken to hospital following a
leak of ammonia from the site’s ice rink cooling system. This incident readily highlights the need for managers as well
as specifiers to be fully aware of all the risks as well as benefits of using ammonia-based refrigeration systems.
For sound engineering considerations ammonia is commonly used as a commercial refrigerant. However, sometimes
it is used in smaller fridges designed primarily for use in caravans or and doctor’s surgeries (for example Dometic
pharmacy refrigerator models DS300H and DS600H). The risks of a leak of this poisonous ammonia gas have been
reported on many occasions including Perth (2004), South Wales (2005) and more recently at both The University of
Edinburgh and a West Lothian health centre. In every case the leak resulted in evacuation of buildings, calling the
emergency services and taking affected personnel to hospital for treatment.
Ammonia has been used for over 150 years in refrigeration systems but there are obviously situations where it can
pose a major risk to staff and patients. Whilst ammonia based refrigerators are quiet and cheap to make, the potential
risks to Health and Safety must not be ignored.
It is to be strongly recommended that before purchasing an ammonia based refrigerator expert advice is taken.
Even better is simply to purchase a refrigerator that does not use a poisonous refrigerant gas. All Labcold and SM
models offered by QED Scientific are guaranteed to be totally CFC and ammonia free.
leak of ammonia from the site’s ice rink cooling system. This incident readily highlights the need for managers as well
as specifiers to be fully aware of all the risks as well as benefits of using ammonia-
For sound engineering considerations ammonia is commonly used as a commercial refrigerant. However, sometimes
it is used in smaller fridges designed primarily for use in caravans or and doctor’s surgeries (for example Dometic
pharmacy refrigerator models DS300H and DS600H). The risks of a leak of this poisonous ammonia gas have been
reported on many occasions including Perth (2004), South Wales (2005) and more recently at both The University of
Edinburgh and a West Lothian health centre. In every case the leak resulted in evacuation of buildings, calling the
emergency services and taking affected personnel to hospital for treatment.
Ammonia has been used for over 150 years in refrigeration systems but there are obviously situations where it can
pose a major risk to staff and patients. Whilst ammonia based refrigerators are quiet and cheap to make, the potential
risks to Health and Safety must not be ignored.
It is to be strongly recommended that before purchasing an ammonia based refrigerator expert advice is taken.
Even better is simply to purchase a refrigerator that does not use a poisonous refrigerant gas. All Labcold and SM
models offered by QED Scientific are guaranteed to be totally CFC and ammonia free.