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Understanding the difference of LabRepCo Futura/Ultra Laboratory Refrigerators & Freezer vs CliniCool Medical Refrigerators & Freezers
With a large selection of laboratory and medical refrigerators and medical freezers offered by the LabRepCo brand, it can sometimes be complicated to know which product is right for your facility and application needs. LabRepCo cold storage is typically divided into two categories, one being for Laboratory applications and the other for pharmacy & medical applications. A lot of these refrigerators and freezers may look like the same unit with a different label and also even have very similar part numbers with the only difference being one ends with “-PH” and one does not (For example: LHP-3-URG & LHP-3-URG-PH). In this article we will explain the difference between Laboratory & Medical Refrigerators
Laboratory Refrigerators & Freezers
LabRepCo refrigerators and freezers for laboratory storage includes the Futura & Ultra series* product lines that offer a variety of features. These features allow for safe storage of biological samples use within life science research, biotech/pharmaceutical and other laboratory applications. These products are the refrigerators & freezers who’s part number does not have a “-PH” at the end (aka not the CliniCool units).
The features for these products typically include:
- Controller & Alarm Features:
- Microprocessor temperature controller
- Digital temperature display
- Audible and visual high and low temperature alarms
- Remote alarm contacts
- Adjustable operating temperature range
- Interior Features:
- Interior light (select units)
- 2 probes; 1 in air and 1 in glycol bottle
- Adjustable Shelves
- Forced draft air circulation
- Exterior Features:
- Keyed door lock
- Probe access port (3/8″)
- Casters (Select Upright Units Only, Leveling legs on all other units)
- Door handle
- Powder coat exterior
- High density urethane foam cabinet and door insulation
- Additional Features:
- HFC-free refrigerant
- ENERGY STAR Certified (Select Units)
- Warranty: 2 years parts and labor plus an additional 3 years for compressor parts only (with the exception of Ultra Elite Glass Door Units which are 3 year parts and labor plus an additional 2 year compressor parts only)
Medical Refrigerators & Freezers
The LabRepCo CliniCool brand refrigerators and freezers are listed with part numbers that include “-PH” at the end. The CliniCool brand was designed for safe vaccine storage for use in a pharmacy, medical office or other clinical facilities. Although they are specified for these applications, they can actually be use for laboratory storage as well since they offer nearly the same features as well as strict temperature control for safe storage of critical samples. In fact, the only big differences between the laboratory cold storage units vs the “CliniCool”, or medical cold storage, are the items that the CliniCool units comes with which includes:
- Cord label stating Warning! Do not unplug the appliance or break circuit. Expensive vaccine in storage
- Pharmacy refrigerator/freezer toolkit and temperature logs
- (1) temperature data logger with 3-year certificate of calibration, with min/max memory, °F/°C switchable
The extra features above that are included with the CliniCool refrigerators and freezers allow your facility to meet safe practices for vaccine storage. Although, purchasing the laboratory version of the same unit would also qualify, as long as the customer purchases or already has the above items to use in conjunction with the laboratory refrigerator or freezer.
For more detailed information on laboratory vs medical refrigeration, contact your local sales rep today. For more information on available Laboratory Refrigerators or Freezers or Medical-Grade refrigerators or freezers, select from the links below.
*some products within these product lines do not include the same features, please refer to the product page to double check features or speak with your local rep for more information.
