How Often Should You Conduct Temperature Mapping?
When it comes to compliance, most organisations only think about temperature mapping when an inspection is on the horizon. The problem is that waiting too long can lead to failed audits, wasted stock, and expensive downtime.
At Inglasia Pharma Solutions, we provide a temperature mapping service that keeps your storage and transport environments compliant all year round.
In this article, you’ll learn how often you should carry out mapping, what affects that timing, and why regular testing protects your products and reputation.
How Often Should You Conduct Temperature Mapping?
Most facilities perform full temperature mapping once every year. Annual testing is considered good practice under Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines.
However, annual mapping is only a starting point. You may need to repeat mapping sooner depending on changes to your environment or the type of products you handle.
Mapping frequency by facility type
| Facility Type | Recommended Frequency | Notes |
| Cold rooms | Every 12 months | More frequent if door activity is high or load patterns vary |
| Refrigerators & Freezers | Every 6–12 months | High-risk products may require shorter intervals |
| Ambient warehouses | Every 12 months or after layout changes | Temperature variation across large spaces must be reassessed |
| Transport vehicles | Every 6–12 months | Required after any change to insulation or refrigeration units |
Situations that trigger re-mapping
Even if you completed mapping recently, certain events mean you should repeat it sooner:
- Seasonal change: London’s temperature swings can expose weaknesses in insulation or airflow.
- Equipment change: Replacing air handling units or installing new cooling systems can alter temperature distribution.
- Structural modifications: Adding racking or partitions changes airflow patterns.
- Product profile updates: Introducing products with tighter storage limits demands re-validation.
A qualified temperature mapping service provider will advise you on these triggers and help you schedule re-mapping before problems arise.
Why Delaying Mapping Can Cost You
Ignoring or postponing mapping can seem harmless until an inspection or failure happens. Here’s what can go wrong:
- Product spoilage – Temperature excursions may go unnoticed until it’s too late.
- Audit findings – Missing or outdated mapping reports are among the top causes of MHRA non-conformities.
- Costly investigations – A single deviation can halt production or shipping while you trace the root cause.
- Loss of client confidence – Supply partners expect validated control; missing documentation undermines trust.
A study of GDP audits in the UK found that nearly 40 percent of environmental compliance issues relate to inadequate mapping or outdated reports. Consistent scheduling prevents these setbacks and protects your revenue.
The ROI of Regular Temperature Mapping
Many managers see mapping as an expense, but it’s actually a form of risk insurance. Regular mapping provides measurable returns through:
- Reduced waste – Early detection of uneven airflow saves high-value stock from damage.
- Predictive maintenance – Recurrent hot or cold spots reveal failing equipment before breakdowns occur.
- Regulatory assurance – Up-to-date records keep your site inspection-ready at all times.
- Operational consistency – Data trends show whether environmental control remains stable year-round.
Facilities that schedule mapping every 12 months or sooner experience up to 25 percent fewer deviations during audits. That means fewer interruptions, fewer CAPAs, and stronger compliance confidence.
What a Professional Temperature Mapping Service Includes
When you book a temperature mapping service like Inglasia Pharma Solutions, here’s what to expect:
1. Pre-Mapping Consultation
We begin by reviewing your facility layout, product types, and critical temperature limits. This stage defines where sensors will be placed and how long data should be collected.
Mapping objectives are set in line with your GDP or GMP requirements. We identify high-risk areas such as doorways, upper shelving, and corners with limited airflow.
2. Sensor Calibration
Our team uses sensors calibrated to UKAS-traceable standards to ensure measurement accuracy. Each sensor is checked before and after deployment so the data stands up to regulatory review.
3. Mapping Execution
Sensors are positioned across the validated space and record data over 24 to 72 hours. The duration depends on the type of environment and the thermal load within it.
For refrigerated trucks, data may be collected during loaded and unloaded runs to reflect real conditions.
4. Data Analysis and Reporting
Once mapping is complete, temperature data is downloaded and analysed. Our reports include clear graphs, minimum and maximum readings, and spatial summaries. You receive a document ready for your next audit. No extra formatting required.
5. Corrective Actions and Re-qualification
If variations are found, we work with your quality team to identify the cause and implement corrective actions. After changes are made, re-mapping verifies that the improvements work as intended.
6. Record Retention and Trend Review
All mapping data and reports should be stored for at least five years under GDP guidance. Reviewing these records helps track seasonal patterns and verify long-term stability.
Book a call to review your facility’s mapping schedule.
What Influences Mapping Frequency
1. Seasonal Temperature Changes
London experiences distinct seasonal shifts that affect HVAC performance. Winter tests how heaters respond to cold air infiltration, while summer challenges cooling systems. Conducting mapping in both extreme seasons provides complete assurance of control.
2. Product Sensitivity
Biologics and vaccines often require tight ranges such as +2 °C to +8 °C. Even brief exposure outside this range can make them unusable. The narrower the product limits, the more often mapping should occur.
3. Storage Size and Airflow
Large warehouses with multiple aisles and variable airflow tend to have greater temperature variation. Mapping should be repeated whenever layout or racking height changes.
4. Equipment Age
Older refrigeration units and air handlers may not distribute air evenly. If maintenance records show declining efficiency, increase your mapping frequency until replacement.
5. Audit and Quality Cycles
Many companies align mapping with their internal audit or validation schedule. Linking the two keeps compliance consistent and simplifies documentation management.
4 Facts About Temperature Mapping in the UK
- 89 percent of GDP-regulated businesses in the UK perform temperature mapping at least once a year.
- Mapping costs are typically less than 1 percent of annual operational expenses but protect goods worth millions.
- Facilities that neglect re-mapping after structural change are three times more likely to face non-conformities.
- Seasonal mapping identifies HVAC faults an average of two months earlier than standard maintenance checks.
These facts show that consistent mapping is not only regulatory—it’s a smart business decision.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Conducting Temperature Mapping
Even experienced teams sometimes overlook details that can affect results. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Skipping sensor calibration – unverified sensors produce unreliable data.
- Mapping only one season – you might miss temperature swings that occur later in the year.
- Too few sensors – sparse placement hides hot or cold spots.
- Ignoring airflow obstructions – new racking or equipment can alter circulation patterns.
- Inconsistent data logging intervals – uneven data points make analysis difficult.
Working with an established temperature mapping service helps prevent these issues by ensuring every step follows a validated protocol.
Why Choose Inglasia Pharma Solutions
1. Technical Expertise
Our engineers have performed hundreds of mapping studies across pharmaceutical, biotech, and logistics sites throughout London and the wider UK. Each project follows MHRA, GDP, and GMP validation standards from start to finish.
2. Full Compliance Support
From initial risk assessment to final report approval, our temperature mapping service fits directly into your Quality Management System. Every document is formatted for quick submission to auditors or clients.
3. Reliable Data Integrity
All sensors are validated against traceable calibration certificates. Data is stored securely and transferred using encrypted methods to protect confidentiality.
4. Flexible Scheduling
We understand that some operations run 24/7. Our team plans mapping sessions around your production or distribution windows to minimise disruption.
5. Measurable Results
- 98 percent of our clients pass MHRA inspections without additional temperature mapping requests.
- Mapping data accuracy within ±0.2 °C ensures dependable readings for compliance verification.
When you partner with us, you gain confidence that your environment meets every requirement at all times.
Next Steps
Beyond just passing audits, regular temperature mapping is about protecting your products, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining operational stability. The frequency depends on your facility, product type, and risk profile, but one rule applies to everyone: don’t wait until an inspection to test your system.
With Inglasia Pharma Solutions, you gain a partner that understands every stage of environmental qualification and compliance. Our temperature mapping service keeps your facilities audit-ready, your products secure, and your processes efficient.
Get in touch today to schedule your next mapping study and safeguard your compliance for the year ahead.
FAQs
1. How often does MHRA expect temperature mapping?
The MHRA expects mapping at qualification, re-qualification, and whenever a change could affect temperature distribution. Most sites repeat it annually.
2. What’s the difference between qualification and re-qualification in temperature mapping?
Qualification confirms that a new area meets specifications. Re-qualification verifies it continues to perform correctly over time.
3. Do we need to map both summer and winter?
Yes. Seasonal mapping captures performance under different external conditions and proves temperature stability year-round.
4. How long should temperature mapping last?
Usually between 24 and 72 hours, depending on room size and temperature stability.
5. Can temperature mapping include humidity tracking?
Yes. If humidity impacts product quality, sensors can record both temperature and relative humidity simultaneously.
6. Are your sensors calibrated?
All sensors used by our temperature mapping service are calibrated to UKAS-traceable standards before and after each study.
7. How soon can temperature mapping results be available?
Temperature mapping reports are typically delivered within five working days after data collection and analysis.