Refrigerated vans during Covid-19

The last 18 months have changed how many of us live our lives. After multiple lockdowns, the furlough scheme and much worrying for friends and family, many people are now looking back at how life has changed. In ways big and small, there is almost no one unaffected by the events of the last 18 months, in a similar way to how no industry has gone unchanged. We have changed the way we workshop and interact with each other. Much of this has been accomplished by utilising modern technology. One piece of technology which has played a significant supply role is the refrigerated van. Moderns refrigerated vans are very reliable when maintained correctly. In this article, we will outline precisely how refrigerated vans have changed over the choice of the pandemic. You have many options when it comes to refrigerated vans from new and used to hire.

Why are refrigerated Vans Important?

The role filled by refrigerated van is not numerous to count. These can range from a simple convince to being a fundamental part of saving lives. Many of us will never even sit in a refrigerated van. However, there are vital for the delivery of chilled produce at one end and the transport of lifesaving organs and blood suppliers for the medical industry.

How there were used pre lockdown?

The use of refrigerated vans goes back many years, and their use cases have changed over time. Thanks to their versatility and reliability, it is straightforward to use a refrigerated van in many ways. Like many pieces of modern technology, they commonly go unnoticed and are taken for granted by many. However, they are surprisingly complex and refined in their design. They are significantly more potent than your typical home fridge will also be durable enough to handle the continual vibration of the van driving between locations.

Medical Use

Possible the most important use case for refrigerated vans is their use in the medical industry. Many medications commonly used in hospitals must be transported at a low temperature to ensure continued effectiveness. In addition, they are also vital in transporting donated blood and organs where higher temperatures can result in the donated blood and organs becoming useless.

Food Deliveries

On far, less heroic use of refrigerated vans is the transport of food and drink from the farm or production facility to home, shops and businesses. I’m sure you would agree you would be unhappy if your weekly shop arrived and everything was defrosted. In many cased, the vans used for domestic food delivery are divided into sessions with some space dedicated to frozen food, some to chilled food and the rest left at an ambient temperature.

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How there use has changed?

The use of refrigerated vans has changed radically during the pandemic. Many of the vaccines we know use must be refrigerated from production to ensure no loss ineffectiveness. As a result, refrigerated van use has been vital in the role of the vaccine in the UK. Additionally, the dramatic increase in the number of home deliveries during lockdown has been unprecedented. These two factors have resulted in the most significant increase in the number of refrigerated vans on the roads in history. In many cases, preexisting vans have been retrofitted with the refrigeration system to mean demand.

What effect will this have on society?

The number of people still using home deliveries for their weekly shop shows perfectly how much of an effect the pandemic has had on how we live our lives. The need for refrigerated vans will likely continue for the foreseeable future. The pandemic has also undoubtedly affected society in countless ways, and we will continue to notice these changes for many years to come.

What effect will this have on the environment?

Over time people have voiced concern regarding refrigerated vans and the effect this may have on the environment. With the ever-increasing focus on the environment and reducing our carbon footprint,t it may surprise us that the use of refrigerated vans is helping to reduce greenhouse emissions. Primarily this is thanks to the ability for one refrigerated van to deliver to many homes in one well-planned journey rather than several individual journeys. Additionally, refrigerated vans ensure that produce is kept chilled for the entirety of the trip rather than being allowed to warm during transport.

Important Things To Consider

When looking back on the changes we have experienced, it is essential to hold onto the improvement we have discovered while also returning to normality. As more and more people rely on daily delivery, the vehicle we use must stay at the head of demand. Many companies will look to change to eclectic cars to reduce their effect on the environment in the years to come.

With the recent lockdown in place, it’s essential to have a clear plan for how you will be able to keep your food fresh and safe. If this is an issue that affects your business, contact BHRV today! We offer refrigerated vans with tailgate service that can help solve these issues. You won’t need any permits or licenses because we will come right into the loading dock of your building without ever having our truck on public property. If you have any questions or are interested in a refrigerated van, Contact our friendly team here at BHRV

How Does A Refrigerator Van Work

When it comes to refrigerated vans, they are exactly what they sound like. Here at BHRV we are experts when it comes to refrigerated vans, they come boasting the same properties as a household refrigerator but slightly different and on a larger scale. Used across the country as a way to transport goods and products for distribution they are often spotted on our roads.

If you are interested in how refrigerated vans work, our team here at BHRV have put together this blog post regarding how they work so you can work out which model of the refrigerated van will work best for you.

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How Do They Work?

Believe it or not, they work in the same way household refrigerators do, using airtight containers to lock in the cold and block out the heat, keeping the inside cold and refrigerated. They offer a way to transport products and goods that need to be kept at a low temperature, enabling an easy way of distribution across the country. Long haul deliveries have been made possible because of the refrigerated vans available on the market today.

Similarly to a household refrigerator, vans also come fitted with a condenser, this has been designed to condense air into a liquid, and forces the heat to dissipate. The liquid that is leftover from this process cools and makes its way to the evaporator.

When it comes to refrigerated vans, the air evaporates inside the cavity where the stored goods are put for transportation. This moves air into the area and is evaporated at a low temperature, keeping all heat absorbed and ensuring the van is kept at a cool temperature. The air circulating allows for the backspace of the refrigerated van to stay cold and keep at a low temperature with only minor fluctuations.

The gas that is leftover moves back to the compressor, the heart of the system, it turns the low-pressure gas into hot, high-pressure gas. Which is then forced out of the condenser and the whole process starts again. It is basically the same as your conventional fridge at home in your kitchen, except on a larger scale. Giving you the perfect option for transporting and distributing cold goods.

Insulated Vans

When it comes to insulation, household refrigerators and refrigerated vans are slightly different to each other, this is because refrigerators in your home are more often than not subject to fairly consistent temperatures. Whereas vans that are travelling on the road are subject to not only cold temperatures especially overnight but also very hot temperatures during the summer.

The most important part of a refrigerated van is the insulation, for a high-quality van you need thick, high-quality insulation. The more insulation your van has, the better refrigeration it will offer. Not only will it keep the cold in, but it will also stop the heat from moving in, vacuum locked doors also prevent this but that is an add on you can choose when purchasing your van.

There are a lot of vans on the market today, all of which come with different standards of insulation, different levels of freezer systems and also, in general, can be used for different needs.

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How Do You Choose The Right Van

When it comes to all of the different makes and models on the market today it can be difficult to choose the right one for you based on how they work. You need to take into consideration what van would be suitable for you and your company, it all depends on what type of temperature you need the van to be. Another thing you need to consider is choosing a van that will work the product you have, whether it be food products or goods that need to be stored at the right temperature.

Choose from a range of refrigerated vans on the market today, they are; insulated vans, conversion chiller vans, semi-freezer vans and full-freezer vans. If you want to know more about the different van options, take a read of one of our other blogs right here. It has all the information you need about the different options available to you.

Here at BHRV we can offer you new and used refrigerated vans as well as full conversion options, get in touch with our team today to find out more.

Transporting Food Safely in Fridge Vans and Vehicles

There’s a lot of legislation, rules and regulations involved when it comes to transporting food in and around the UK. So any business that is involved in this sector needs to be strict and adhere to all regulations. Should you be thinking about starting up a business as a supplier of perishable food, such as meals, meats, fish, poultry and frozen products, the safety of these products is a lot to consider and think about.

Here at BHRV we are experts when it comes to providing refrigerated vans for the food and drinks industry, our professional team knows everything that is needed to know about both the safety and efficiency of food transportation. We will help you to choose the best fridge van for your needs.

Times and Temperatures

Should you be moving food over a short distance across the UK, or you’re travelling further to Europe, you’ll need to consider how long certain goods will be in your vehicle for.

  • The van will need to be cleaned and made sure it is safe before you use it for deliveries.
  • Businesses will also need to make sure that there is no cross-contamination when it comes to different foods and that the food is kept at the correct temperature.
  • Raw food should be kept away from cooked food and the containers that they are packed in, will need to be kept at the right temperature.
  • When it comes to chilled food, the maximum temperature is 8℃, 5℃ is also recommended.
  • For frozen food, -12℃ is an acceptable, however good practice generally means keeping a temperature of -18℃.

The Challenges of Transporting Food

Over the years, there has been an increase in the number of small food establishments that are supplying markets and customers. A major challenge of this includes online businesses struggling with deliveries to local markets. They will need their own delivery vans or will need to hire logistics companies to transport their food goods. By hiring a fridge van company, this can cause issues such as multiple handling of food.

For those highly perishable goods like seafood and fish, they will present a bigger challenge, whereas maintaining the right temperature during delivery can be even more critical as usual. It’s essential that you work with the correct partners when it comes to organising your food delivery structure, this includes where you buy and hire your vans from.

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The Right Fridge or Freezer Van

Should you be a small business or a large organisation, when it comes to maintaining your fleet of fridge and freezer vans, this will be one of the most important areas to consider. When it comes to finding the right transport, it can be challenging to find freezer vans for hire, as some providers may not specialise in this area at all.

Here at BHRV we are experts when it comes to providing freezer and refrigerated vans and vehicles for food and catering. We have years of experience and can provide you with all of the help, support and advice that you need to ensure that you choose the right refrigerated truck or freezer van for your food and catering needs. A refrigerated van is a big investment and we can help you to choose the right one, check out our refrigerated van buying guide.

At BHRV we aim to provide the best service for all of our customers and clients, from fridge vans for business including food and catering, florists and the pharmaceutical sector, to freezer vehicles and fridge van conversions. Make sure that you call our team today.

Refrigerated Vans for the Pharmaceutical Industry

When it comes to delivering medicines and medical equipment to patients, professionals and organisations, it’s a key area of health and healthcare services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, prescription deliveries to homes and households have been essential for those people who have been shielding due to chronic illnesses.

Refrigerated vehicles play a super important part when it comes to deliveries, this is because a lot of medicines will need to kept at specific temperatures, without a suitably adapted commercial fridge van or vehicle, pharmacies and expert couriers can’t provide their roles efficiently, this can create logistical issues and also impact patient wellbeing.

The home delivery of medicines in those areas with local lockdowns has overall been very successful, volunteers have been great and provided a constant flow of deliveries in areas where lockdown has stopped patients from accessing key medical services.

With a yearly turnover of around £60 billion, the UK’s pharmaceutical sector has become one of the most profitable business areas in the world. This also means that there’s never been more of a demand for safety and that better health has increased the requirement for seasonal vaccination programmes as well as revolutionary new vaccines.

It’s essential that vaccines and medicines are kept in the right condition, they will be very fragile, the NHS has issued strong warnings regarding this, failure to follow and comply with these regulations can put user’s health at risk and will also put healthcare organisations at risk of any reputational damage and legal penalties. In order to avoid this, pharmaceutical companies need to ensure that their fleets of refrigerated vans meet all specified standards.

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Keeping Medicines and Vaccines at the Right Temperature

Pharmaceutical products tend to lose their effectiveness when they’ve not been stored at the right temperature, with this in mind they can have a fatal effect, especially when they have been administered to patients. This is all in line with Public Health England and The Royal College of Nurses – all vaccines and medication should be stored in bespoke fridges during transportation. The temperature requirements will range from +2℃ and +8℃. However this will all depend on the manufacturer’s recommendations, another reason why this is essential is that failure to comply can result in wastage and unwanted costs to the NHS.

The temperature must be consistent at all times of transportation, in order to achieve this, vehicles will need to be fitted with an effective and high-quality temperature-controlled unit or system. If a van was to break down, the refrigerator unit and system must still be able to keep pharmaceuticals cool as well as avoid any permanent damage. The cost of damaged medical products can be really high, research has shown that this was at around £255 million in 2017 alone, which is huge. Temperature fluctuations are a big factor when it comes to spoiling medicines and vaccines, even without the financial loss, it could also put patients in danger. All the more reason to ensure that only the best quality refrigeration vehicles and vans are used for pharmaceuticals.

It’s essential that temperature-sensitive cargo has only the very best care, pharmaceutical couriers need to utilise refrigerated and freezer vans that use a range of temperature applications, as well as multiple temperature compartments that will help to cater for complex needs.

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For Fridge Vans for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment, Call BHRV Today

Should you be looking for refrigerated vans, the team at BHRV have got you covered. We offer a full range of fridge, freezer vans and vehicle services, whatever your requirements, we have
got you covered. Our new refrigerated vans and vehicles also undergo chiller, freezer and bespoke conversions and fridge van conversion kits, all of which are provided in our workshops by trained technicians and specialists. At BHRV when it comes to fridge vans and vehicles, we will meet your every need, it’s our priority to ensure that our customers receive a van or vehicle that is of the highest standards. Simply get in touch with BHRV’s team today, we are always available to take your call.

What To Consider When Investing in a New Fridge Van

Should you be considering buying a new fridge van, this isn’t always straightforward, there is so much to consider, especially when a refrigerated van is going to be a big investment. There’s no need to worry though, at BHRV our team can be on hand to assist and help you with any questions or queries that you may have regarding purchasing a brand new refrigerated van.

As experts in refrigerated trucks and vans, we understand that choosing a new fridge vehicle for your business is going to be an important investment. Choosing the right freezer van for your needs will increase your business’s efficiency as well as helping to keep your items safe and secure.

Before you invest in a new van, we recommend considering your needs and requirements including what you need the van for as well as the best freezer or fridge unit.

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Choosing the right van

When it comes to buying a new refrigerated van, it’s not always as easy as it may seem, there are so many options out there, this includes different freezer and fridge van options that cover a range of specifications. You need to choose the right van for your requirements and make sure that it’s the right investment.

Buying the right van will provide you with more sales, it will also expand your reach and your customer base. In order to make the most out of your fridge van, we recommend that you think about the van and its lifespan over time. Your freezer van is an investment so you’ll want to be in it for as long as possible, making sure that you get the most out of it.

Temperature

The temperature of your refrigerated vehicle is the temperature, different vans will provide and maintain different temperatures. All of this will depend on your cargo and what you need when it comes to the temperature for its contents. The majority of refrigerated vans will have temperature controls, however, you’ll want to ensure that they offer the right variation for your needs.

Food and catering – should you be carrying food or catering productions, it may be worth considering different compartments in the van. One to maintain your products at the right temperature and another section to chill them. If products haven’t been chilled correctly, then you could be putting yourself and your team at risk of breaching health and safety conditions when it comes to your products.

Pharmaceuticals and healthcare – it’s important that when transporting medicines and medical equipment or samples that they are kept at a constantly cool temperature. If they aren’t then, like food produced, they can be deemed unsafe and harmful to those who consume them.

Sampling – when it comes to sample products being transported, strict protocols and precautions will need to be followed. Samples need to be kept at regular temperatures and must also stay in the same condition that they have been loaded in. For these types of items, dual refrigeration is necessary.

Flowers and florals – if you’re transporting flowers, you will need to maintain a chilled temperature, this will usually be between 5 and 7 degrees centigrade, it’s also important to make sure that your products stay in tip-top condition. Should the temperature be lower or higher, it could have a detrimental effect on your flowers.

What are you transporting?

Temperature is very important but so are the goods that you’re moving, along with the temperature of the van, the type of goods that you’re transporting will also be paramount. They will be a deciding factor when it comes to choosing which van or vehicle is going to be suitable for your needs and requirements. There are so many different refrigeration vehicles to consider, so you must weigh this up.

The type of products you are moving is also going to have a big impact on the sort of van you decide to purchase, as well as its size. There are a number of refrigerated vans available, from insulation only to vehicles that have been designed to maintain a cooler temperature and stop overheating.

Chiller vans, semi-freezer vans and full freezer vehicles that deliver a range of temperatures, all depending on your requirements.

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Load

How big do you need to load the van to be? How heavy are your products going to be? Do you need to hang items? Should you be transporting meat, you may need to hang this, so you will need a bigger chiller van. This is super important and will have a big impact on the van you choose to invest in.

If you are looking to increase space, then you should make sure that your items can be loaded on and off safely and securely. Loads are important because the last thing that you will want is your goods becoming damaged from the vehicle’s poor design or misjudgment. When it comes to understanding the right load that you will need for your van, you will also need to consider keeping passengers safe.

Price

When deciding on the right fridge van for your business, you will need to know exactly what you require, should you be fully prepared with all of the right information, you won’t need to worry about being upsold on features that you don’t necessarily need. You’ll also be focused on exactly what your business needs to run efficiently and effectively.

Extra features

Lots of refrigerated vans include customisable features, so should you need the doors changing or you require extra storage space at the front of the van or vehicle, there are so many options to consider. If you buy a larger van then you may want to think about slip-resistant flooring. You may also need to think about shelving or compartments for different products and keeping things organised, you will need to maximise that space that you have the best way possible.

International rules and regulations

Before moving your products to another country, you will need to see which regulations should be followed. If you’re within the EU and you’re travelling to the UK, the regulations will be different than those for travelling to the EU. It’s also important that you consider the requirements you need to meet before you go to your destination. All of this will save valuable time and money and you’ll also be guaranteed a successful and efficient journey.

Contact BHRV today

Now you know and understand that to consider when it comes to investing in a new fridge van, maybe you are starting a brand new business or you need a replacement fridge vehicle, you can start the purchasing process. At BHRV we are home to a team of refrigerated vehicle experts, with this in mind, we can be on hand to answer any questions or queries that you may have. Simply get in touch today!

Choosing A Refrigerated Van

Do you need a new fridge van, maybe for your business? Are you unsure of exactly what to go for? Don’t worry, at BHRV we have put together everything you need to know when it comes to choosing a refrigerated van. At BHRV we are experts when it comes to fridge vans and refrigerated vehicles, we also provide refrigerated van conversions. So should you run a pharmacy that you need the van for, or a food or catering company, a freezer van is going to provide you with a number of benefits. Different vehicles and vans will come with different specifications, so you’ll always find an option that’s going to suit your needs and requirements.

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What temperature do my products or items need to be at?

Certain vans will have individual temperature controllers, and there are different temperatures for different requirements. For example, if you are transporting flowers, then your temperature needs will be totally different to those of the pharmaceutical sector. It’s essential that you choose the right refrigerated van for your individual company’s needs.

We recommend that you consider the temperature that is needed for your products, what exactly will you be transporting? What temperature will you need to maintain for the journey to ensure that your goods will be OK. It’s important that this is one of the main things that you consider before you choose your refrigeration van.

Food

For food and catering items, whether they are going to be hot or cold during transport, the temperature will depend entirely on the product or foot item itself. Fridge and cooler vans can carry food that will need to be stored at a temperature over zero degrees. Freezer vans are built to maintain lower temperatures, as a catering firm we recommend that you go for a dual temperature vehicle as this can support a range of goods, all at the same time.

Samples

Handling and transporting samples includes strict protocols, samples should be kept at the necessary temperature and in a similar quality condition of the sample’s time of sampling. Refrigerated vans with partitions are a great option, or vehicles with dual refrigeration units will be best suited for these products. This is so that samples can be kept at a constant temperature.

Healthcare

When it comes to transporting pharmaceuticals such as medicines or equipment, it’s essential that they’re stored in the most hygienic way, they should be at a constant cool temperature. If they are not then they will be seen as unsafe to use. A fridge van that has different compartments and can provide different temperatures is going to be the best option for this. We also advise considering a van that has a backup power source for emergencies, these types of vehicles will be best suited for this industry sector.

When you have more information about the items and goods that you’ll be transporting, you’ll be more clued up on the temperatures and van specifics that you’ll need. At BHRV we have access to a large range of fridge and freezer vans that are available to our customers, this includes new and used vehicles as well as a bespoke conversion service.

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Why choose BHRV?

As experts, at BHRV we are the team to contact when you need refrigerated vans in the UK, we provide a large range of freezer vans and fridge vehicles which also include new, used and second hand. We are home to extensive experience and have over 60 years of industry experience. Our company has been established for 20 years, so when you need fridge vans, BHRV is the team to call on. We can also provide you top quality vans and vehicles, we provide a dedicated service. Simply get in touch with our friendly team today.

Call BHRV today!

Get in touch today if you need any advice about refrigerated vans or vehicles that we provide; our professionals are happy to help. You can also check out what’s available at BHRV, we offer a range of freezer vans, refrigerated vehicle and van conversions, it’s also worth knowing that we are specialists in refrigerated vans and vehicles and with this in mind, we stock a range of products that are available on our website, so should you have any questions or queries, simply call our professional team today, they will be more than happy to assist.

Fridge and Freezer Van Conversions Explained

When it comes to refrigerated van and freezer van installation & vehicle conversions, they are vehicles that have been converted into fridge and freezer vans, making them suitable and capable of transporting different goods and products that need specific temperatures. This could be pharmaceutical products and equipment, to a range of catering and food supplies.

Fridge Van Conversions

By using top manufacturing techniques and top of the range quality control systems, at BHRV we provide approved refrigerated vehicle conversions. We utilise a vehicle’s components so that we can optimise its productivity. Our vehicles aim to be flexible and can match a range of requirements such as different temperatures. Each and every refrigerated van conversion will be tested to ensure it has been carried out correctly and to the highest standards. We also do this to make sure that the converted fridge van is suitable for usage, whatever that may be – perishables, samples, medicines and pharmacy equipment for catering and food products.

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The Vehicle Conversion Process

Insulation

We use high-quality insulation, all of which have been provided to the best manufacturing standards, these materials include low thermal conductivity and will also be fire-resistant, we will also make sure that they prevent any water or fluid absorption.

Refrigeration

The refrigeration unit will be installed and it is essential that it does not penetrate the vehicle lining. At BHRV when it comes to refrigeration solutions, we aim to make sure that the refrigerated van conversions will also maintain the right temperature in a range of environments.

Interior

We will only use materials that are going to be strong and durable, as well as options that are reinforced, we do this to avoid more weighty options as well as make sure we don’t compromise on strength and durability. We may also reinforce certain areas if necessary, but this will depend on the vans usage.

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Refrigeration Van Conversions from BHRV

At BHRV we provide high-quality fridge van conversions, all of which are always being updated in order to provide the best finish possible. From a standard build to different designs, our customer specifications can always be met to help you to achieve a conversion that will suit your business requirements. As professionals, we believe that we can convert any panel van into either a chiller or freezer refrigerated van conversion depending on what products you carry. We will take into account factors before your new fridge van conversion starts. We don’t just build the conversions ourselves, we also fit the refrigeration system, so lead times are reduced as we have an in-house engineer.

The preferred refrigeration manufacturer that we use is GAH Transport Refrigeration, which has over 25 years of experience of working closely with customers, from supermarkets home delivery vehicles, transporting fresh or frozen food or pharmaceuticals. GAH Refrigeration provides the best solutions to meet every transport refrigeration requirement and service as well as being temperature controlled. All new GAH Refrigerations come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. We care about providing you with the best conversion possible and meeting all your needs, as well as offering value for money. You can find out more about ‘what is a freezer or fridge van conversion’ here.

Call BHRV today to find out more

If you need to know more about converted freezer vans and vehicles, as well as fridge van conversion kits, just get in touch with the professional experts at BHRV today. You can also view our selection of stock and freezer vans on our website today, should you have any questions or queries, simply call our professional team today and they will be more than happy to help.

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Coming April 2021