ACR Journal

IOR aims to widen support The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) is launching an initiative supporting its members to encourage others to join and access resources. With so many people currently looking to get online information and training, the IOR believes membership is an invaluable tool providing access to a comprehensive and reliable collection of on line technical and training resources. Aimed at those wanting to learn more or refresh existing technical knowledge, members can access independent and up-to-date material which has been created by and for other professionals in the RACHP sector. As part of this initiative, the IOR will be oering payment holidays on fees for those not currently in employment and a reduced joining fee of £20 for all. Anyone who joins online will get immediate access to the online library and news whilst their membership application is being processed. Further details on this initiative will be released to existing members shortly – in the meantime, find out more about the benefits of IOR membership at www.ior.org.uk/membership NEWS 08 INCREASED HOSPITAL DEMAND FOR PHARMACEUTICAL COLDROOMS Williams Refrigeration has reported increased demand from hospitals for its specialist range of pharmaceutical coldrooms. Garry Allitt, National Sales Manager for Williams, said: “We’ve installed units all over the country – from Fife to Weston Super Mare.” Pharmaceutical coldrooms require a variety of specialist features, with temperature control critical. Typically the range will be 2°C to 8°C, but it may be outside this range, depending on the requirements of the contents. Most pharmaceutical coldrooms will have a 100% backup system – in other words, two identical refrigeration systems, one working and one on standby. Allitt explained: “There will always be a ‘belt and braces’ backup system, but sometimes the specification will be dierent. For example, at Darlington Memorial Hospital we installed two independent systems, each designed for a minimum 60% refrigeration duty. Either individual system would be able to maintain product temperature for long enough to ensure the both systems were up and running again.” The control panel features visual and audible high and low temperature alarms. It can be connected to BMS or other remote monitoring packages that can send alerts to managers and engineers, both on-and o-site. Guides to decommissioning Williams, meanwhile, has produced guides to decommissioning coldrooms, to go alongside its guides on freezers and refrigerators. The company has issued two versions of all the guides – a quick guide, which gives the essentials, and an engineer’s guide, which goes into more depth. www.williams-refrigeration.co.uk/guides June | July 2020 Volume 6 No.4 HEMSEC DELIVERS RAPID RESPONSE Insulated panel manufacturer Hemsec has changed its production schedules to help organisations and businesses cope with the public health emergency. The move is enabling the Merseyside-based firm to respond promptly to calls for urgent building projects requiring structural insulated panels. Hemsec is geared up to support demand for many types of buildings such as those supporting medical emergency capabilities, provisions for food storage and distribution, increasing production capabilities for vital equipment or converting an arena/exhibition/event space for emergency facilities. Commercial Manager Chris Gri¡n said: “This is a di¡cult time for everyone, and if we can play a small part in making things easier then we’re here to do what we can. As these panels are particularly suited for hygiene/clean-rooms and food production we’re keeping a minimal team volunteers running the line to be able to help out those who need it. As we have focused our production team on panels required for Key Work, we can manufacture and deliver quickly to order with fewer sta within the factory. Everyone else has been sent home and where their jobs allow for it, we have geared our employees up to work remotely.”