Fast Delivery 
Global Compliance 
Long Term SupportGeneral Questions
What is a blood bank refrigerator?
A blood bank refrigerator is a specialised medical refrigerator designed for the safe storage and preservation of blood and blood products. It maintains a stable, uniform temperature to help ensure that stored blood remains viable and safe for transfusion.
Unlike standard refrigerators, blood bank refrigerators are built to support healthcare and laboratory environments, with features that promote consistent cooling, fast temperature recovery and secure storage. They are available in a range of sizes and configurations, including pass-through models for controlled access, and may include options such as lockable doors, alarms and temperature recording systems.
These refrigerators play a critical role in blood banks, hospitals and transfusion services by supporting proper blood storage practices and reducing the risk of temperature-related spoilage.
What are blood bank refrigerators used for?
Blood bank refrigerators are used to store whole blood, blood components, and other critical blood products at controlled refrigeration temperatures. Proper storage is essential to maintaining the safety, quality, and usability of blood intended for transfusions.
By keeping blood products within a consistent temperature range, these refrigerators help:
– Preserve blood viability
– Extend shelf life
– Reduce the risk of bacterial growth
– Support safe transfusion practices in clinical settings
Blood bank refrigerators are commonly used in hospitals, blood donation centres, laboratories, and transfusion services where reliable blood storage is essential.
For a more detailed explanation of why specialised blood storage is important, see our guide on the importance of blood bank refrigerators.
Temperature & Storage Standards
What temperature should a blood bank refrigerator maintain?
Blood bank refrigerators are designed to store whole blood, red blood cells, plasma and other blood components at tightly controlled refrigeration temperatures. In most clinical settings, this range is between +2 °C and +6 °C, although some guidelines and applications allow storage up to +8 °C.
Maintaining this narrow temperature range helps ensure blood products remain safe and effective for transfusion. When blood is removed from the refrigerator, transfusion protocols typically require that red blood cells are administered within a limited time window to minimise temperature exposure and reduce risk.
Consistent temperature control, rapid recovery after door openings, and uniform cooling throughout the cabinet are essential to supporting safe blood storage practices.
For a more detailed look at blood storage requirements, see our guide on blood bank storage standards.
Why is the 2-6 °C range important for blood storage?
The 2-6 °C temperature range is critical because it slows metabolic activity in blood cells while preventing damage caused by freezing. Storing blood within this range helps preserve red blood cell integrity, maintain oxygen-carrying capacity and reduce the risk of haemolysis.
Temperatures above the recommended range can encourage bacterial growth and accelerate the degradation of blood components, while temperatures below it may damage cells or render blood unsuitable for transfusion. Maintaining this balance is essential to protecting patient safety and ensuring stored blood remains viable throughout its approved shelf life.
Can blood bank refrigerators freeze blood?
No. Blood bank refrigerators are specifically designed to prevent blood from freezing. Freezing can cause irreversible damage to red blood cells, leading to cell rupture and loss of viability.
These refrigerators are engineered to maintain stable refrigeration temperatures with minimal fluctuations, even during frequent door openings or high-use periods. This controlled environment ensures blood products remain within the required temperature range and are not exposed to freezing conditions that could compromise their safety or effectiveness.
Compliance & Safety
Are ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerators compliant with medical standards?
Yes. All ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerators are designed and manufactured as medical-grade devices that meet recognised regulatory requirements for safe blood storage.
– ARCTIKO’s blood bank refrigerators are certified under the Medical Device Directive (MDD) 93/42/EEC Class IIA, meaning they conform to harmonised safety and performance standards for medical devices in the EU.
– This compliance demonstrates that ARCTIKO units undergo documented design, testing and quality control processes specific to medical refrigeration, helping ensure they meet clinical expectations for blood storage.
– As regulatory frameworks evolve, ARCTIKO continues progression toward full certification under the newer Medical Device Regulation (MDR), further strengthening conformity with contemporary healthcare requirements.
Because they are built and certified as medical devices, ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerators provide confidence that your blood storage equipment aligns with relevant healthcare quality and safety standards.
What safety features do ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerators have?
ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerators are equipped with integrated safety and monitoring features designed to support reliable blood storage in clinical environments. Depending on the model, these include visual and acoustic alarms for temperature deviations, power failure and door opening, helping staff respond quickly if storage conditions change.
Most ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerators also feature built-in temperature monitoring and data logging, providing continuous documentation of internal conditions. This supports traceability, quality assurance and audit requirements without the need for additional systems.
Selected models, such as those in the BBR-D range, incorporate ARCTIKO’s TRUE DUAL™ cooling technology, which uses two independent cooling systems to provide added operational security.
For facilities that require extended monitoring or external documentation, ARCTIKO also offers dedicated temperature data loggers and monitoring solutions, which can be used alongside blood bank refrigerators to strengthen compliance and reporting.
Maintenance & Monitoring
Do blood bank refrigerators require regular maintenance?
Yes. ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerators require routine maintenance to ensure reliable performance and long-term temperature stability. Regular checks help confirm that cooling systems, alarms, and monitoring functions are operating as intended.
ARCTIKO designs its blood bank refrigerators for durability and consistent operation in clinical environments, but periodic inspection and servicing are recommended to support safe blood storage and extend equipment lifespan. Maintenance requirements may vary by model and usage conditions, and ARCTIKO provides product-specific guidance to support correct upkeep.
What happens if the temperature goes out of range?
If the temperature in an ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerator moves outside the set range, the unit’s integrated alarm system is designed to alert users immediately. Depending on the model, this includes visual and acoustic alarms that notify staff of temperature deviations, power interruptions, or door-related issues.
Many ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerators also record temperature data through built-in monitoring and logging, allowing deviations to be reviewed and documented. This helps users identify when the deviation occurred and supports appropriate follow-up actions.
For facilities requiring additional oversight, ARCTIKO offers external temperature monitoring and data logging solutions that can be used alongside the refrigerator to provide independent records and enhanced traceability.
Product & Use Considerations
How is a blood bank refrigerator different from a medical refrigerator?
ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerators are specifically designed for storing blood and blood components, where stable temperatures and uniform cooling are critical. Unlike general medical refrigerators, they are built to support the stricter storage requirements associated with blood handling, including consistent temperature control and integrated monitoring features.
What size blood bank refrigerator is needed?
The size of an ARCTIKO blood bank refrigerator depends on the volume of blood stored and how frequently the unit is accessed. ARCTIKO offers a range of sizes to suit different facility needs, from smaller clinics to high-capacity hospital and blood bank environments.
To explore ARCTIKO’s range of blood bank refrigerators, including different sizes and configurations, view our Blood Bank Refrigerators.