FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. ENLAKE can help you choose vaccine fridges for new clinics, pharmacies, hospitals, universities, laboratories and other healthcare or research facilities. This is useful when the fridge location, room size, ventilation, power supply, door swing, stock volume or monitoring requirements need to be considered before the site is finalised. Choosing the right model early can help avoid clearance, access, temperature control or capacity problems later. ENLAKE can also assist where multiple fridges, vaccine monitoring equipment, UPS systems or other medical and laboratory refrigeration products are being planned as part of the same fit out.

Generally yes, but check what temperature the drug manufacturers recommend. A vaccine fridge will hold the temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius.

Currency of transaction is Australian Dollars (AUD) only.

Goods will be dispatched after payment for the goods has been received. Typically a vaccine fridge will take around one to two weeks to arrive. The time frame does depend on your location as well as the brand of the fridge as some brands require testing before they can be shipped.

Please contact ENLAKE if you require your new fridge in a hurry.

Blood fridges used for the storage of blood and blood products must be included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) before they can be supplied in Australia. The ARTG is administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and blood refrigerators appear in the ARTG as Class IIa medical devices.

ARTG inclusion is separate from AS 3864 compliance. AS 3864 deals with blood storage performance, equipment requirements, temperature recording, alarms, testing and ongoing verification. ARTG inclusion relates to whether the medical device can be lawfully supplied in Australia.

When choosing a blood fridge, check that the model has the correct ARTG status, complies with AS 3864.1-2012, and can be installed, verified, calibrated and maintained in line with AS 3864.2-2012.

ENLAKE blood fridges are included in the ARTG and are supplied with the documentation needed to support compliant installation and use.
Yes. Strive for 5 requires continuous temperature monitoring for vaccine refrigerators. This is usually done with a data logger, an inbuilt fridge logger, or an automated temperature monitoring system. A data logger should be set to record temperatures at minimum 5-minute intervals and should be programmed to alert staff when a temperature outside +2°C to +8°C is recorded. Data logger information should be downloaded and reviewed at least weekly, or more often if required by your organisation, state or territory health department, or the equipment manufacturer. If an automated monitoring system is used instead, reports must still be reviewed at least weekly. Twice daily manual checks of the current, minimum and maximum temperatures are still required, even when a data logger, inbuilt logger or wireless monitoring system is in use. This is because automated systems can fail, and manual records help identify issues and support cold chain assessment.

Plasma freezers used for storing frozen blood products must be included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) before they can be supplied in Australia.

ARTG inclusion is separate from AS 3864 compliance. ARTG relates to supply of the medical device in Australia, while AS 3864 relates to freezer performance and suitability for frozen blood product storage.

When choosing a plasma freezer, confirm that the model has the correct ARTG status and can be installed, verified and maintained in accordance with AS 3864.

Yes. Platelet components require continuous, gentle agitation during storage. The motion helps keep the contents of the bag moving and helps reduce settling and clumping.

A platelet shaker provides this agitation using a gentle reciprocating motion.

Yes, platelet bags are normally stored in a controlled temperature environment. Platelets are not stored like red blood cells or frozen plasma. They are typically kept between 20°C and 24°C and require continuous gentle agitation during storage. A platelet shaker is often used inside a compatible platelet incubator or refrigerated incubator to maintain the required storage temperature.

Medical centres, pharmacies, hospitals and other facilities that store vaccines need a documented backup plan for power failures. A power outage can cause a vaccine fridge to rise above +8°C, and the time available before vaccines are at risk depends on the fridge design, room temperature, door openings and the amount of stock inside the cabinet.

A backup plan may include a generator, battery backup, UPS, alternative monitored purpose-built vaccine refrigerator, or prepared cooler. Any alternative storage must keep vaccines between +2°C and +8°C and be monitored with a minimum/maximum thermometer or data logger.

A UPS system can help reduce risk during short power interruptions by keeping selected equipment operating for a limited period. It does not replace a full cold chain procedure, but it can form part of a broader power failure plan.

Facilities should practise their backup plan, including packing vaccines into alternative monitored storage, so staff can respond quickly in a real power failure. The Strive for 5 guidelines include a power failure checklist that can be used as a reference for local procedures.

Wireless temperature monitoring can add another layer of protection by sending alerts when the fridge temperature moves outside the required range, including after hours. This is especially useful where vaccine stock is high value, access is limited, or staff need early warning of a possible cold chain issue.