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Walk-In or Reach-In Chamber?

Which should I buy, a Walk-In or Reach-In Chamber? This is a question that sometimes comes from Pharmaceutical Customers but is also relevant for Plant Growth Chambers.

The names of these chambers tell you the difference and the points below will add detail.

Let’s deal with it as pros and cons.

Walk-In

Pros

Size is virtually unlimited so a lot of shelf space/samples can be accommodated
One qualification covers a lot of shelf space
Conditions tend to be more stable in walk-in chambers due to their volume

Cons

A faulty chamber causes issues for a lot of samples
They are immovable. Although Weiss Technik can provide crane lifting supports for some walk-in chambers
Installation often requires building, electronic and refrigeration skills
The compressor adds to the foot print or will be remote, therefore adding cost
Extra probes are required for qualification
Spare parts may be particular to a special build
They often require 3 phase power and extra water supplies
Operator time spent inside may be limited for safety reasons
Isle space is a necessary waste of footprint

Reach-In

Pros

Can be easily delivered in one piece
The foot print is tiny
Can be moved easily, our PharmaEvents come on castors as standard
If a reach-in chamber goes faulty samples can often be accommodated in another reach-in chamber
As the refrigeration system is smaller the chamber service is easier, faster and cheaper
As they are an ‘off the shelf’ or ‘serial’ product, spare parts are usually in stock
They are single phase powered
They have no isle space
Lighting is unnecessary
They are often available from stock for an urgent sale or for rent

Cons

Size is usually limited to 2000 Litres
Each unit must be separately qualified
Conditions are slightly less stable than walk-in chambers but are still a multiple of times better than ICH limits for stability testing

Conclusion

So……there are the pros and cons as we see it, of one versus the other. We hope you have found this information useful and that it will help you decide which is the best option for you, a Walk-In or Reach-In Chamber. Of course, it can also depend on budget, space and long-term plans but if you would like to discuss it further or have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us.