Industrial freezers

Tender description

NHSBT intend to increase it plasma freezing capability across its three manufacturing sites (Manchester, Colindale and Filton). The intention will be to freeze plasma packs to a core temperature of -25 °C within 6 hours of preparation. The expected volume of packs to be processed will be 2000 a day depending on the site. These units will be produced in discreet batches for loading into the equipment over 12 hours. This specification requires a solution for each site. Outline specification. 1) One solution for each of the three sites taking into consideration: • the space available • the environmental requirements of the department • the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements of the department • hygiene requirements of the department. 2) The equipment must be capable of freezing: • packs of a volume of 265 ml • dimensions of 200 x 140 x 10 mm • up to 2000 units over a 12-hour period. • to a core temperature below -25 °C within 6 hours • the temperature must maintain the core temperature of the component until it is removed from the equipment. 3) Handling and loading must consider. • the risk to the operator. • repeated batch loading must not affect the units within the equipment. • a method of identifying batches to unload once they have reached their freezing cycle time. 4) Contingency for downtime. • The supplier must consider how down time can be managed. • If this a requirement for multiple units point one must be considered. 5) Maintenance and repair. • the supplier must offer a preventative maintenance schedule • the supplier must offer a breakdown and repair service • the supplier must consider how down time can be reduced for both maintenance and repair • the supply must offer a temperature mapping service • the temperature must be maintained and calibrated. 6) Data and regulatory requirements • the equipment must meet all relevant regulatory requirements • the equipment must be CE marked • data must be provided to demonstrate consistent freezing cycles • the number of defrosts per 24 hours must be stated • the time taken for the equipment to be operational from switching on at room temperature must be stated • the time taken for the equipment to be operational from completion of defrost cycle must be stated • data must be provided to show how long the unit can be used to store the products at below -25 deg C post cycle. 7) Volumes per freezing cycle • the supplier must state the maximum batch volume per load • the supplier must t if the batch must complete the cycle before the next batch is loaded • the supplier must state how may batches can be loaded into a machine over time. 8) Integrity of the frozen component • the equipment must produce a frozen flat uniform pack suitable for labelling • the equipment must produce a clean dry frozen pack • the supplier should note the post frozen packs are brittle and a method should be designed to ensure minimal damage. 9) Data integrity. • the supplier must ensure that any data is covered by NHSBT’s data integrity policy. 10) Environmental consideration. • the supplier should provide equipment with a refrigerant with a lower Global Warming Potential.