Author: Ivo Frank

Church facilities benefit from the SenseING complete service for temperature monitoring

The Wirtschaftsgesellschaft der Kirchen in Deutschland (WGKD) is a central organisation that supports church, diaconal and social institutions in the procurement of goods and services. With its broad network and expertise, the WGKD helps its members to purchase efficiently and cost-effectively through attractive framework agreements and partnerships.

WGKD members as versatile customers

The Protestant and Catholic churches are not only active in traditional church organisations, but also maintain a large number of social institutions such as kindergartens, hospitals, youth and retirement homes and care services. In the welfare organisations alone, they employ around 1.3 million people. Our solutions are therefore not only aimed at churches, but primarily at care homes, day care centres and other social institutions.

The challenge of temperature documentation

Wherever temperature-sensitive goods are stored, temperatures must be monitored and documented. This includes foodstuffs that require refrigeration and medicines. Members of the WGKD, such as hospitals, retirement and nursing homes, must also monitor and document storage temperatures:

• Regulations for the storage of medicines:In order to ensure the efficacy and safety of medicines, they must be stored under constant temperature conditions. Deviations can lead to loss of quality or even unusability. According to § 11 (1) No. 10 of the Heimgesetzes nursing home operators must ensure that medicines are stored properly and in relation to the residents.

• Regulations for the storage of food:Precise temperature control is also essential for food to ensure freshness and safety. Incorrect storage can have harmful effects on health. The German Society for Hospital Hygiene writes in the Hygiene requirements when handling food in hospitals, care and rehabilitation facilities stipulates that a daily temperature check and documentation of foodstuffs requiring refrigeration must be carried out.

It should also be noted that once-daily documentation only represents a snapshot and does not record continuous temperature curves. In addition, manual documentation with pen and paper is very error-prone due to the high workload and ties up human resources that are urgently needed elsewhere.

The solution: Automated temperature monitoring

SenseING's automated temperature monitoring offers an efficient solution to the challenges of temperature documentation. Our aim is to relieve the burden on care staff and eliminate time-consuming and error-prone paper documentation to save valuable time. Our advanced solution can be used in medicine and food refrigerators as well as in patient rooms and is ready for use in just a few steps. After commissioning, temperature sensors in conjunction with our software ensure precise and continuous monitoring and documentation of temperatures.

To make things as easy as possible for the organisations, SenseING acts as a full-service provider:

• SenseING provides the necessary hardware and software
• We take care of the maintenance and recalibration of the devices
• PDF reports are generated automatically or on demand
• In the event of critical deviations, our alarm system informs the customer by e-mail, SMS or voice call

With SenseING, you can be sure that your temperature monitoring is always precise and reliable, while you can concentrate on the essential tasks.

More information

For more information about our co-operation with the WGKD and the benefits of automated temperature monitoring, visit our WGKD page: WGKD-SenseING

Nowadays, temperature control is a crucial factor in many industries, especially in the food industry, healthcare, logistics and catering. Whether it's to ensure the freshness of food or the efficacy of medication, accurate control is essential. In this blog post, we look at the key regulations, methods and benefits of automated temperature monitoring and why a managed service provider can help you to optimally fulfil these requirements.

What is temperature control?

Temperature control refers to the continuous monitoring and documentation of temperature conditionsto ensure that they remain within a specified range. This is particularly important in areas where temperature deviations can lead to significant quality or safety issues. Thermostats, sensors, data loggers or automated systems can be used for temperature control, making it possible to record data in real time and take immediate action in the event of deviations. Temperature control is therefore an essential part of quality management and risk minimisation in many industries.

Who has to check the temperature?

The need to record storage temperatures depends on various factors, including the type of products stored and the regulations that apply in the respective industry and region. As a rule, companies that store food, pharmaceuticals, biological products or other temperature-sensitive goods must record the storage temperatures. Here are some examples:

• Food industry: Producers, processors and retailers are responsible for ensuring that food is stored and transported under optimum temperature conditions to prevent spoilage and contamination.
• Healthcare: Hospitals, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies must ensure that medicines and vaccines are always stored within the prescribed temperature ranges in order to guarantee their effectiveness and safety. In addition, the storage temperatures of food must also be controlled in fully inpatient facilities.
• Logistics company: Companies that transport temperature-sensitive goods such as food or pharmaceutical products must ensure that the cold chain is maintained throughout the entire transport.
• Gastronomy: Restaurants, cafés and catering companies must regularly monitor the temperatures of their storage and cold storage rooms to ensure the safety and quality of the food.
• Retail: Supermarkets and other retailers that sell perishable goods are responsible for maintaining the cold chain all the way to the end consumer.

Responsibility for controlling temperatures normally lies with the operator or quality management. It is important to define clear responsibilities and ensure that staff are appropriately trained and understand the importance of correct temperature control.

How should the temperature be controlled?

Temperature monitoring can be carried out in various ways, whereby a basic distinction is made between random checks and continuous monitoring methods.

Random checks

During random checks, manual measurements are carried out with insertion thermometers or infrared thermometers at fixed times. This method is often used in incoming goods and quality control to ensure that the delivered products meet the required temperature standards. Samples can also be taken when food is served to check the heating or core temperature after cooking and to ensure that the food is safe to eat.

Continuous monitoring

Continuous monitoring uses sensors and data loggers that monitor and record the temperature in real time. These systems are particularly important for the transport and storage of goods requiring refrigeration. By automatically recording and storing the data, an alarm can be triggered immediately in the event of temperature deviations and appropriate measures can be taken. These technologies are essential for both storage and transport to ensure the integrity of the cold chain and the quality of the products.

Temperature control regulations

The requirements for temperature control are specified in various regulations depending on the industry and area of application. In the food industry, for example, the EU-Verordnung 852/2004 on food hygiene and the Food Hygiene Ordinance (LMHV) are decisive. The International Featured Standards (IFS), in particular the IFS Food Standard, which contains detailed requirements for food safety and quality. In the health sector, there are special requirements from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and national health authorities for the storage of medicines and vaccines. The regulations of the International Agreement on the Transport of Perishable Foodstuffs (ATP), among others, apply to the transport of goods requiring refrigeration. These regulations ensure that temperature control is carried out at the highest level in order to guarantee the safety and quality of the products.

Manual vs. automated control

As already mentioned in the previous text, temperature control can be roughly divided into random and continuous checks. Spot checks are always carried out manually, e.g. with insertion thermometers. In the case of continuous measurements, a distinction can be made between manual and automated methods.

Manual control

With manual control, monitoring is usually carried out using an offline thermostat that continuously measures the temperature. Staff read this thermostat once or twice a day and document the temperature in a table. This method is simple and inexpensive, but requires regular manual intervention and is prone to human error.

Automated control

Wireless sensors with an internet connection are used for automated control. These sensors continuously record a data point, e.g. every 20 minutes, and automatically send it to a cloud via the internet. There, the data is evaluated, visualised and stored long-term. This method offers a high level of accuracy and enables an immediate alarm in the event of temperature deviations, but requires a higher initial investment and ongoing technical support.

Managed service provider - your solution for seamless temperature control

A managed service provider takes over the complete management and maintenance of your temperature monitoring systems. This includes the provision of hardware, installation and configuration of devices, technical support, alarm systems and the annual recalibration of sensors. Such a service offers you the following benefits:

• All-round carefree package:You don't have to worry about technical administration and can concentrate on your core business.
• Expert knowledge:Professional providers have the necessary expertise and experience to ensure optimum system performance.
• Continuous improvementManaged Services are constantly evolving to keep pace with the latest technologies and regulations.

Experience digitalisation in Karlsruhe!

For the third time, Karlsruhe as a digital location is inviting visitors to experience innovations and highlights of digitalisation up close. On 7 June from 3 pm present about 60 Karlsruhe-based projects and companies their exciting contributions to digitalisation at various hotspots.

SenseING - An invitation behind the scenes

We are also taking part in the Colourful Night of Digitalisation! Visit us at the Grill & Chill and take an exclusive look behind the scenes at SenseING. Discover innovative products for Asset Tracking and Temperature monitoring and find out more about our latest developments.

Discover diversity

In addition to our offer, we invite you to explore the offers of all partners. Use public transport and nextbike free of charge on 7 June to commute comfortably between the various hotspots. Get your participation ribbon from us or at central distribution points.

Become part of digitalisation

Find out more about the Colourful Night of Digitalisation and get all the important information on the initiative's website karlsruhe.digital.

Calibration ensures reliable measurement results

Calibration is the be-all and end-all in the world of measuring devices. But what exactly does that mean? How can we ensure that our devices provide reliable measurements? This blog post looks at the implications of calibration, its necessity and how it can be carried out.

What is calibration?

In the calibration process, experts check the accuracy and reliability of measuring devices and adjust them if necessary.

Why do sensors need to be calibrated regularly?

To ensure the accuracy of e.g. Temperature sensors operators must regularly calibrate the sensors. This is particularly important in industries such as the food, pharmaceutical and automotive industries, where even small measurement deviations can lead to quality problems or safety risks. Environmental influences, wear and tear, ageing and manufacturing errors can affect accuracy and therefore require regular checking and adjustment. In addition, strict regulations in some industries require the use of calibrated measuring devices to ensure high quality.

How is calibration performed?

Calibration is usually carried out by comparing the measurement results of a measuring device with those of a known reference standard, the so-called standard. Based on the differences found, adjustments are made to optimise the accuracy of the test device. Depending on the device type and requirements, this can be done manually or automatically. The procedure usually involves setting or adjusting various device parameters to ensure that the device delivers the desired measured values with high accuracy.

A common method of calibrating a temperature sensor is to use a temperature-controlled water bath, for example. The sensor is immersed in the water bath, the temperature of which is known as the reference value. The temperature measured by the sensor is compared with the reference value and, if necessary, adjustments are made to optimise accuracy. The results are documented and recorded in a calibration certificate.

How often do you calibrate?

The frequency of calibration depends on various factors, including the type of device, frequency of use and industry-specific requirements. In many industries, annual calibrations are common. Devices that are used frequently or in demanding environments may require more frequent calibration.

SenseING calibration service

All SenseING temperature measurement products go through our calibration service to ensure their accuracy and reliability. Our specialists perform calibrations that meet industry-specific requirements and ensure that our customers always receive accurate and reliable measurements. Further information can be found in the Service area.

In industries where the storage of temperature-sensitive goods is critical to quality, safety and regulatory compliance, refrigerator temperature loggers play a crucial role. Whether in the food industry, healthcare or pharmaceutical facilities, ensuring optimal storage and transportation conditions is not only a business necessity, but also an ethical obligation. In this article, we explain what you should look for when purchasing data loggers to ensure that the storage temperature of your temperature-sensitive goods is always reliably documented.

Offline temperature logger and online temperature logger

Temperature data loggers can be divided into two basic categories: Loggers that are not integrated into a network, i.e. are read out manually via interfaces such as USB, and loggers that are integrated into a network, i.e. send data wirelessly, e.g. to a cloud.

The choice between offline and online temperature loggers depends on your specific requirements. Offline loggers are easier to integrate, but involve considerable effort in terms of evaluation and allocation. Online loggers enable automatic data transmission via the Internet and, depending on the wireless connection, transmission in real time.

Comparison table: Offline vs. online temperature logger

In addition to the general classification into offline or online loggers, other requirements play an important role in selecting the ideal logger for your application.

1. Measuring accuracy

Different areas of application place different demands on the measuring accuracy of temperature loggers. When monitoring the temperature of rooms such as offices or lounges, a measuring accuracy of +/-1 °C may be sufficient. In research laboratories or the food industry, on the other hand, the precession requirements can be considerably higher. When selecting data loggers, it is therefore particularly important to ensure that the devices meet the measurement accuracy required for the respective application. In addition, you can save costs for measuring accuracy that you may not even need.

2. Battery life

Wählen Sie einen Temperaturlogger mit niedrigem Stromverbrauch, um eine längere Betriebsdauer zu gewährleisten und somit die Kosten für Batteriewechsel zu minimieren. Zudem gibt es Anbieter welche im Rahmen eines Servicevertrags Batteriewechsel- oder Wartungen durchführen.

3. Connectivity/Integration

Ensure simple and user-friendly integration of your temperature logger by choosing a system that can be easily integrated into your existing infrastructure. Especially when using online data loggers, choosing the right wireless technology is crucial. For interference-free data transmission, it is important that the wireless network has sufficient coverage. Technologies such as LoRaWAN which are characterized by a long range, low energy consumption and good building penetration. If you already have a software system, make sure that the data loggers can be easily integrated into it.

4. Real-time monitoring and alerting

Check whether an alarm function is required for your application in accordance with the certification requirements. Advanced temperature loggers with real-time monitoring and alarm configuration enable an immediate response to temperature fluctuations or device failures, which helps to minimize potential damage. It should be noted that these alarm functions are only available with online loggers, as a continuous network connection is required for real-time transmission.

5. Compliance and documentation

Compliance with legal regulations is mandatory in many industries. Your temperature logger or the associated software should therefore have automatic data recording and easy-to-understand reporting functions. This facilitates documentation for audits and inspections.

6. Flexibility for different requirements

Take the specific requirements of your industry into account. Some temperature loggers offer functions that are specifically tailored to the needs of food businesses or care facilities. For example, choose a model that can record multiple parameters to be more flexible and better meet your individual requirements.

Temperature logging with SenseING

We would be happy to advise you on your specific requirements and offer you customized solutions in the field of temperature logging with our products. Contact us for further information and individual advice.

The cold chain of food is of crucial importance to ensure the freshness, quality and safety of products. The correct handling and maintenance of the cold chain plays a key role for the entire food industry. In this article, you will learn what a cold chain is, what challenges exist and how compliance with the cold chain can be documented.

What is a cold chain?

The process that describes the uninterrupted cooling of food or goods requiring refrigeration on the way from production to the end consumer is known as the cold chain. The cold chain extends from production, storage and transport through to storage and display in retail outlets. To ensure that the cold chain is maintained, technologies for permanent temperature control, refrigerated vehicles and insulated containers are used.

Regulations on the cold chain

Compliance with strict food cold chain regulations is crucial to ensure the safety and quality of food. An integral part of these regulations is the HACCP concept, which stands for "Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points". All food businesses involved in the cold chain must follow this systematic approach, which requires the identification and assessment of potential hazards at all stages of food production, storage and distribution. Critical control points (CCPs) are then defined to ensure that hazards are reduced to an acceptable level. The HACCP concept is not only used to optimise processes, but also for self-monitoring.

With regard to compliance with temperatures, the Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 stipulates that food business operators must ensure that appropriate measures are taken throughout the food supply chain to ensure that food, particularly perishable food, is stored and transported at temperatures that guarantee its safety and quality. This includes closely monitoring temperatures to ensure compliance with established standards and to minimise the risk of harmful micro-organisms multiplying.

The TLMV stipulates that the basic cold chain temperature of -18 °C may be subject to upward deviations, including short-term fluctuations of no more than 3 °C during dispatch and deviations of no more than 3 °C during local distribution and in retail freezers as part of bona fide storage and distribution procedures. Strict application makes it possible to proactively manage risks, improve food safety and effectively control the entire cold chain process.

Why must the cold chain not be interrupted?

Interrupting the food cold chain can have serious consequences:

Maintaining an uninterrupted cold chain is crucial for the quality, safety and shelf life of perishable food. Any interruption in the cold chain carries the risk of temperature fluctuations, which in turn can favour the growth of microorganisms. This can lead to loss of freshness and even health risks for the consumer. The cold chain must be unbroken from production to transport to storage at retail and finally to the consumer's home in order to avoid premature spoilage, microbial growth or loss of quality.

Challenges in the cold chain

a. Energy consumption: Maintaining the cold chain requires considerable amounts of energy. This high energy consumption raises environmental concerns as it contributes to increased CO2 emissions. The food industry is therefore looking for sustainable solutions to minimise energy consumption while meeting refrigeration requirements.

b. Transport risks: Interruptions during transport pose a significant risk to the cold chain. Power failures, technical defects or unplanned stops can affect temperature control and therefore jeopardise the quality of the food. Companies rely on advanced technologies and monitoring systems to minimise such risks and ensure an uninterrupted cold chain.

c. Temperature documentation: Companies often use disposable data loggers to document the transport temperature. This unsustainable solution generates waste and can be a financial burden. In addition, the manual evaluation of offline data loggers is time-consuming and prone to errors. The lack of real-time monitoring makes it difficult to recognise temperature deviations in good time. In addition, temperature documentation requirements are becoming increasingly stringent, further increasing the need for innovative solutions to ensure quality and safety in the cold chain.

Technology for automatic monitoring of the cold chain

In view of increasing requirements for temperature documentation, companies are increasingly relying on advanced technologies to automatically monitor the cold chain. Intelligent sensors, IoT (Internet of Things) and wireless transmission systems enable a fully automatic and permanent Documentation of the temperature conditions during the entire logistics process. The integration of automated monitoring systems therefore not only improves efficiency, but also the sustainability of the cold chain, as the use of disposable data loggers is reduced.

Conclusion

The cold chain is crucial for the safety and quality of food. By investing in IoT sensors for automatic temperature documentation, companies ensure continuous monitoring of the cold chain. This not only ensures compliance with regulations, but also maintains the freshness and quality of the food - a crucial contribution to consumer safety and satisfaction.