What a temperature mapping report should contain
A report is a technical record that lets a reader who was not present understand what was done, what was found and what was decided.
The report closes the loop opened by the protocol. Its reader may be an auditor years later, so it has to stand alone.
Structure
- Study information: space, dates, protocol reference, personnel, loading condition.
- Dataset: loggers used, calibration evidence, sampling interval, total records, unit of temperature.
- Data preparation and quality: gaps, duplicates, sensor faults, exclusions and the reason for each.
- Configuration: acceptance limits, excursion definition, analysis criteria.
- Per-sensor statistics: minimum, maximum, mean and spread, with the study-wide summary.
- Hot and cold spots, with the sensors, locations and values that identify them.
- Excursions: sensor, start, end, duration, peak, and assessment.
- Limitations: what the study could not show (season, loading, events).
- Findings and recommendations, including monitoring locations.
- Review and approval with names, roles and dates; version history.
A draft report should be visibly marked as not approved until the review is complete. ValiTrac's mapping engine produces exactly this structure and keeps the draft flag until a reviewer signs off.
Frequently asked questions
- What statistics should a mapping report include?
- Per-sensor minimum, maximum, mean and spread (standard deviation or range), a study-wide summary, the identified hot and cold spots, and every excursion with start, end, duration and peak.
- Should raw data be attached to the mapping report?
- Yes — or referenced with a retrievable identifier. The raw export is the original record; the report is a derived document.
References
- [1]WHO Technical Supplement 8 to TRS 961 Annex 9: Temperature mapping of storage areas (2015)
General technical guidance written against the cited sources. It is not regulatory or legal advice and does not replace the applicable standard, guideline or a qualified reviewer's judgement.
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