Emergency Refrigeration Checklist
Immediate steps to protect food, stock, equipment and staff when refrigeration temperatures rise.
Protect people first
Isolate equipment if there is smoke, a burning smell, exposed wiring, severe vibration or water around electrical parts.
Keep doors closed
Reduce unnecessary door openings to retain cold air while you assess the fault or arrange temporary storage.
Record temperatures
Note the current temperature, when the problem began, alarm codes and whether the equipment is still running.
Protect stock
Move high-risk products to verified cold storage where possible and follow your food-safety or product-handling procedures.
Do not charge blindly
A sealed refrigeration system should not require routine refrigerant additions. Leakage should be located and repaired before accurate evacuation and charging.
More useful refrigeration resources
Refrigeration Help Centre
Practical guides for fridge faults, commercial cooling, cold rooms, freezers, chillers and ice machines.
Fridge Troubleshooting Guide
Understand common fridge symptoms, safe first checks and when professional diagnosis is needed.
Repair or Replace Refrigeration Equipment?
A practical decision guide covering age, fault severity, efficiency, parts availability and operating risk.
Preventive Refrigeration Maintenance Guide
Maintenance priorities for domestic fridges, commercial cabinets, cold rooms, freezer rooms, chillers and ice machines.
Commercial Refrigeration Buyer’s Guide
Planning guidance for selecting, sizing and installing commercial refrigeration equipment.