UKAS TEMPERATURE MAPPING SERVICES

UKAS Temperature Mapping for Controlled Environments

A single calibration point only tells you that your sensor is accurate. It doesn't tell you whether every part of your storage space stays within limits like temperature mapping does.

We provide UKAS accredited temperature mapping studies for a wide range of controlled environments, carried out to ISO/IEC 17025, with clear reporting designed to stand up at audit.

Want to discuss your requirements or get a quote? Get in touch

📞 01244 638 150 or ✉️ info@calibrio.co.uk

What is temperature mapping?

Temperature mapping is the process of placing multiple calibrated sensors throughout a controlled space, a fridge, freezer, cold room, warehouse, or laboratory environment, and recording temperature data over a defined period of time.

The study shows how temperature is distributed across the whole space, identifies any hot or cold spots and confirms whether the environment consistently stays within your required limits.

This allows you to see how the entire storage space performs versus knowing the display reads correctly.

UKAS Accreditation

We are able to offer single or

multipoint temperature mapping of chambers, fridges, freezers, cold rooms, hot rooms and plasma thawers

(-90 °C to 100 °C) — on site .

Find out more about our accreditation

When do you need a temperature mapping study?

Most mapping studies are carried out:

When installing new equipment or setting up a new facility
After relocating equipment or making layout changes
Following repairs, maintenance or significant airflow changes
When product or process requirements change
If monitoring has identified unexplained excursions
As part of routine re-qualification (typically annually, and often seasonally)

Some environments are mapped in both summer and winter to demonstrate performance across different ambient conditions.

If you're unsure whether your environment needs mapping, or how frequently it should be repeated, we're happy to advise. defects or malfunctions.

Environments we map

We carry out UKAS temperature mapping studies across a wide range of controlled environments, including:

Laboratory fridges and freezers
Medical fridges and vaccine storage
Incubators and laboratory chambers
Cold rooms and walk-in fridges
Warehouses and distribution spaces
Low-temperature freezer storage
Manufacturing and processing zones
Transport vehicles and trailers

If your environment isn't listed, get in touch and we'll tell you if we can help.

How a mapping study works

Every environment is different, so we scope each study individually before we start. The number of sensors, their placement, and the duration of the study all depend on the size and layout of the space, airflow patterns, racking or load arrangement, door locations and usage and the regulatory framework you're working to.

Studies typically run from 24 hours to 7 days depending on requirements. We can map empty, loaded, or both, this depends on your quality system and what your audit requires.

Once the study is complete, you'll receive a clear, documented report with the mapped data and analysis of any temperature variation identified. Everything is traceable and UKAS accredited to ISO/IEC 17025

What happens if the mapping finds a problem?

If hot or cold spots or temperature instability are identified, the report will clearly show where the variation is occurring and what the data looks like. Understanding what that means for your specific environment and processes is up to you but if you have questions about the results, we're happy to talk them through with you.

Why UKAS accreditation matters for temperature mapping

UKAS accreditation means our approach to temperature mapping has been independently assessed and approved so you can be confident the study has been carried out to a verified, internationally recognised standard. Our accredited reports are exactly what your auditor needs to see.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of a temperature mapping study?

To confirm that the entire storage space or environment stays within required limits, not just at the point where a display sensor sits. It identifies temperature variation across the space and gives you documented evidence of performance for audit and compliance purposes.

Do you map under loaded or empty conditions?

Both approaches give you different and useful information.

An empty mapping study shows you how the space performs under ideal conditions — with nothing in it to obstruct airflow or affect temperature distribution. A loaded study shows you how it performs under real working conditions, with product, racking or equipment in place, which can significantly change how air moves around the space.

For many regulated environments, a loaded study is more meaningful because it reflects the conditions your product is actually stored in. Some quality systems require both — an empty study to qualify the space itself, and a loaded study to validate it under normal use.

We'll advise on the right approach when we scope the study, based on your regulatory requirements and what your audit needs to demonstrate.

Do I still need continuous monitoring after mapping?

Mapping validates that your environment can perform within limits under the conditions tested. Continuous monitoring is what maintains that control day to day and detects excursions in real time. The two work together; mapping alone isn't a substitute for ongoing monitoring, if you require this.

What's the difference between temperature mapping and calibration?

Calibration confirms that your temperature sensor or probe is reading accurately. Mapping confirms that the whole space performs within limits. For critical or regulated storage, you typically need both; calibration to verify your monitoring equipment, and mapping to verify the environment itself.

Find out more about how our calibration process works here