Liebherr SRFvh 5501 Laboratory Refrigerator

Overview

The Liebherr SRFvh 5501 is a high-precision laboratory refrigerator engineered specifically for the secure, compliant, and thermally stable storage of biologics, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, clinical specimens, and research-grade reagents. Designed and manufactured in Austria, this unit operates on forced-air convection cooling — ensuring uniform temperature distribution across its entire 441 L net storage volume. Its microprocessor-controlled system maintains setpoint accuracy within ±2.0 °C under ambient conditions ranging from +10 °C to +35 °C, satisfying the stringent thermal stability requirements defined in DIN 13277 for laboratory and medicinal refrigeration equipment. The cabinet’s robust steel construction, white epoxy-coated exterior, and double-glazed insulated door minimize thermal bridging and external heat ingress. With an annual energy consumption of only 171 kWh and use of environmentally benign refrigerant R600a, the SRFvh 5501 aligns with both operational efficiency goals and EU F-Gas Regulation compliance.

Key Features

• Thermal Safety Architecture: Integrated +2 °C Safety Device triggers immediate visual and audible alarms if internal temperature drops below +2 °C — preventing accidental freezing of temperature-sensitive materials such as monoclonal antibodies or live attenuated vaccines.
• Dual-Mode Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi and LAN interfaces enable seamless integration with Liebherr SmartMonitoring software for remote real-time monitoring, alarm forwarding (email/SMS), and audit-ready data logging — supporting 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records when paired with validated server infrastructure.
• Intuitive Human-Machine Interface: A 2.4-inch full-color touchscreen provides intuitive navigation, setpoint adjustment, alarm history review, and status diagnostics — all accessible without tools or secondary devices.
• Enhanced Physical Security: Mechanical lock with two physical keys ensures access control in shared lab environments; door-open detection activates persistent alerts to prevent unauthorized access or prolonged exposure.
• Optimized Storage Ergonomics: Five adjustable plastic-coated wire shelves (600 × 536 mm usable area each, 60 kg load capacity per shelf) allow flexible configuration for vials, trays, or stacked containers; vertical LED lighting strips mounted on left side wall provide shadow-free illumination with independent on/off control.
• Reliability-Centric Design: Hermetic compressor, low-noise fan assembly (<49 dB[A]), and auto-defrost cycle minimize maintenance intervals while preserving long-term calibration integrity and reducing user intervention.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SRFvh 5501 is validated for continuous operation within the +3 °C to +16 °C range — ideal for storing WHO-prequalified vaccines (e.g., HPV, influenza), blood-derived products, enzyme solutions, cell culture media, and reference standards requiring ISO 8573-1 Class 3 air quality-equivalent thermal environments. Its design conforms fully to DIN 13277:2021, which specifies performance thresholds for temperature uniformity (≤2.2 °C gradient), recovery time after door opening (<10 min to return within ±1.5 °C), and maximum allowable fluctuation (≤1.7 °C peak-to-peak). Units are factory-tested per EN 61000-6-3 (EMC immunity) and EN 60335-1 (safety), with documentation available for GLP/GMP audits. Optional IQ/OQ protocols can be executed onsite by certified Liebherr service engineers.

Software & Data Management

Temperature data is continuously recorded at user-configurable intervals (1–60 min) and stored internally for up to 30 days. Export occurs via USB port in CSV format, compatible with LIMS, ELN, and QMS platforms. When connected to Liebherr SmartMonitoring cloud service, users gain role-based dashboard access, customizable alert thresholds, automated PDF report generation, and tamper-evident audit trails meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 requirements. All firmware updates are digitally signed and delivered over secure TLS 1.2 channels. No proprietary software installation is required on client workstations — browser-based access supports Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

Applications

• Vaccine cold chain management in clinical trial sites and central laboratories
• Stabilization of diagnostic reagents, including PCR master mixes and antibody conjugates
• Short-to-medium term storage of primary human tissue samples prior to cryopreservation
• Quality control sample holding for pharmaceutical manufacturing (ICH Q5C stability studies)
• Secure archiving of reference standards used in analytical method validation (USP , ISO/IEC 17025)
• Backup refrigeration for biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) containment labs where redundancy is mandated

FAQ

Does the SRFvh 5501 support validation documentation (IQ/OQ)?

Yes — Liebherr provides standardized IQ/OQ templates and offers on-site execution by trained field service engineers upon request.
Is the unit suitable for GMP-regulated environments?

Yes — when deployed with SmartMonitoring and configured for electronic signature and audit trail retention, it meets core elements of EU Annex 11 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for computerized system validation.
What happens during a power outage?

The integrated battery-backed alarm system activates immediately and sustains audible/visual alerts for up to 12 hours; temperature drift is minimized by high-density polyurethane insulation (55 mm thick walls).
Can I integrate this refrigerator into my existing BMS?

Yes — Modbus TCP and HTTP API endpoints are available for integration with third-party building management systems and enterprise monitoring platforms.
How often does the auto-defrost cycle occur?

The system initiates defrost automatically every 12–24 hours based on evaporator frost accumulation sensors — no manual intervention or downtime required.