Research Specimen Storage - Blood/Saliva

The College owns a large sub-zero (-80^o) freezer located in room 12C NB.  The sub-zero freezer is kept locked and is connected to an alarm system that notifies CON Faculty in the event of a power outage or machine malfunction.  The system automatically contacts a list of people in the CON who can then access appropriate assistance.

Access to this freezer is available to all faculty who collect bodily fluids as a part of their research and need to store the same for extended periods of time.  Faculty are responsible for providing the necessary storage trays/receptacles to hold their specimens.

Once a need for access to the room and freezer is identified, faculty should contact the ONR (Nancy Goldsmith) who will arrange for keys to the room and freezer.   All faculty who have access to the sub-zero freezer agree to have their name and contact information (cell phone and email) added to the contact tree in the event of a power outage or machine malfunction.

Instructions on programming and reprogramming the freezer.  The freezer is programmed to trigger an alert if the temperature increases to -40degrees F or if the electricity goes out. 

If the alert sounds but the freezer temperature remains within a few degrees of -80 then it is a false alarm and wait and watch.  This has happened.  It may be that the alarm code needs to be reset or the phone alarm needs to be reset.

Specs on the Temperature Monitor:  ACC Sense model number A2-05a. http://www.accsense.com/p_p_A2.html [1]

A copy of the manual:  http://www.accsense.com/files/A2-05%20User_Manual_A2-05.pdf [2]

Freezer data are transmitted via the Ethernet connection on the monitor. All of the data on the freezer can be viewed online.

What to do if a power outage is anticipated. 

1. Get about 50 pounds of dry ice from Med Labs or HyVee (1^st Avenue in Iowa City) and put it in Freezer prior to the programmed outage.
2. Keep freezer door shut during the outage
3. If outage will be more than 10 hours, should arrange with Physical plant to get a back-up generator

What to do during unanticipated power outage:

1. Try to find out when the electricity will go on again, as many outages are short.  If power will be out for less than 4 hours, keep the freezer door CLOSED the entire time and the blood should be fine.
2. If power is anticipated to be out for more than 4 hours than follow instructions above for planned power outage.

Breakage.  In the event that the freezer alarm call needs to be reset or if the temperature increases in the absence of a power outage, call RM Boggs for evaluation and repair:  (800) 272-5001 or  (319) 665-3500.