Winter mapping - ensuring the quality of temperature-sensitive products
Discover how mapping works and why it is necessary to deal with the challenges that controlled environments bring with them.
What is a winter mapping?
Winter mapping is an essential part of complying with GMP guidelines. Parameters such as temperature and relative humidity must be monitored and controlled during production, but also during storage and distribution of your products.
A winter mapping is a specific form of temperature mapping that focuses on the challenges which is brought by the colder season. Think of changing temperature conditions during storage and transport of products that are subject to GMP.
A winter mapping contributes to monitoring the temperature and relative humidity during more extreme weather conditions. Is the quality still guaranteed if there is a large difference between the indoor and outdoor temperature? During this mapping, for example, the temperature in a warehouse is accurately mapped to determine whether the required conditions are met. A winter mapping also maps out any risks for which proposals for improvement can be drawn up.
Winter mapping – in which types of spaces is it needed?
Winter mapping (and also summer mapping) is necessary in areas that are subject to external temperature differences. Typically, these are storage facilities that are adjacent to at least one external wall. This makes the areas more susceptible to the risks that the external conditions entail. The types of areas where winter mapping is essential are diverse, from warehouses, cold rooms, heat ovens and climate rooms to distribution centres.
When is temperature mapping necessary in these spaces?
Temperature mapping is of great importance in spaces that are adjacent to one external wall, but when is it applicable?
When a new space that is subject to external temperatures and humidity comes into operation, mapping is an important step. Temperature mapping is also best performed again when such spaces are modified.
Why is winter mapping so important?
Winter mapping is a form of temperature mapping that recurs annually. In winter, the weather conditions outside are different, and this can affect the conditions in an indoor space when it is adjacent to external walls.
As soon as the outside temperatures drop, winter mapping is on the agenda to rule out that outside temperatures cause temperature fluctuations in the storage or distribution spaces.
After all, the winter period brings various challenges. One important challenge is maintaining a stable temperature in controlled environments. Cold temperatures can also cause malfunctions in certain devices and machines, which affects the storage of temperature-sensitive products.
Another important factor that is monitored in winter mapping is the humidity. Because the outside air is often more dry in winter, the humidity in indoor spaces can be compromised, which is also detrimental to the quality of stored products.
Only by monitoring and controlling temperatures and humidity using winter mapping can the quality of your products be maintained in controlled spaces. These spaces must continuously meet the required storage conditions.
How does temperature mapping work?
In order to correctly map and control the temperature in a space, at Advipro we work according a few different steps:
- Accurate data loggers are placed to map the temperature in warehouses, cold stores, distribution spaces, etc.
- The collected data ensures that certain risks in the winter are made clear and that they can be avoided. This is a proactive approach.
- The mapping file proves the suitability of the storage space throughout the year, in normal and more extreme conditions. This is a necessary document for any audits.
