Ernest McGhee Center

1) Call an emergency refrigeration technician immediately. 2) Take and document temperature readings. 3) Move the most temperature-sensitive items (proteins, dairy) to alternate refrigeration first. 4) Contact your health department if temperatures approach 40°F+ — they can advise on food safety decisions. 5) Document all food temps for insurance claims. 6) Consider dry ice or portable refrigeration units for critical inventory. 7) Alert your supplier you may need emergency replacement products.

Signs of a refrigerant leak: unit runs but doesn't reach temperature, ice buildup on evaporator coil, hissing or bubbling sounds from refrigerant lines, oily residue near connections or fittings, and higher than normal electricity consumption. Only EPA-certified technicians can legally handle refrigerant. If you suspect a leak, call a technician promptly — operating a refrigerator with low refrigerant damages the compressor.

Chemical dispensing problems are typically caused by: clogged or faulty chemical pumps, incorrect dilution ratios, empty chemical containers, broken injection lines, or control board issues. In low-temperature machines, proper chemical concentration is essential for sanitization — test strips should verify concentration after every repair. Many chemical distributors offer free testing; alternatively, a technician can verify and repair the dispensing system.