Fluid Warming Cabinets FAQs

Sizing & Configuration

Can I swap the internal shelves for baskets?

Is there a cost to swap shelves for baskets?

What are the dimensions for internal shelves/baskets?

Which orientation should I store the fluid bags?

Should I store fluid bags on shelves or in baskets?

How many 1-litre fluid bags can I fit in each basket?

How many fluid bags can I fit in each cabinet?

General Use & Safety

Can QED Fluid Warming Cabinets be used to warm blood or blood products?

Is the cabinet safe to use in volatile environments?

What should I do if fluid spills inside the cabinet?

Installation & Operation

How do I install the cabinet?

How do I change the operating temperature?

How long does it take for the cabinet to warm up?

Loading & Storage

How should items be loaded into the cabinet?

How long does it take for items to reach the set temperature?

Troubleshooting

What should I do if the cabinet doesn’t power on?

What should I do if the Overheat light is on?

Why is the cabinet silent or noisy with no airflow?

Items seem warmer or cooler than expected. What should I check?

Maintenance & Warranty

What is the warranty period for QED Fluid Warming Cabinets?

How often should the cabinet be serviced?

How should the cabinet be cleaned?

Sizing & Configuration

One of the most common questions we receive is: “How many fluid bags can I store in each warming cabinet?”

While this may seem like a straightforward query, the answer is dependent on a number of factors, including:

• Size of fluid bag
• Orientation fluid bags are stored
• Shelf or basket configuration
• Whether cabinets are filled conservatively or optimistically

With these factors in mind, we've answered some of the top FAQs below in relation to the capacity of our Fluid Warming Cabinets to help you determine which size might be best for your needs.

Can I swap the internal shelves for baskets?

Yes. The QED Fluid Warming Cabinets come with internal shelves as standard, however these can be swapped out for baskets if desired.

Is there a cost to swap shelves for baskets?

Yes. There is a small surcharge to swap shelves for baskets. Baskets can also be purchased at an additional cost to be used as well as shelves.

What are the dimensions of the internal shelves/baskets?

Shelves

The dimensions of the shelves for each cabinet model are as follows:

• FW50: 480mm x 270mm
• FW75 & FW130: 480mm x 416mm
• FW120, FW150, FW240 & FW355: 480mm x 510mm
• FW210: 480mm x 600mm
• FW340 & FW440: 590mm x 510mm
• FW420 & FW575: 758mm x 540mm

Baskets

The back and sides of each basket are 150mm in height. Each basket has a front lip of 50mm. The width of the basket is dependent on the width of the cabinet:

• Baskets for models FW50-FW240 & FW355 have a width of 480mm
• Baskets for models FW340 & FW440 have a width of 590mm
• Baskets for models FW420 & FW575 have a width of 760mm

Which orientation should I store fluid bags?

For optimum storage, you should store the fluid bags with their length along the basket depth (i.e., bags lying front-to-back).

This orientation gives equal or greater capacity for all cabinet models except the FW50 and the FW575, where rotating the bags (length across the width) can increase capacity.

Should I store fluid bags on shelves or in baskets?

Baskets should be used when warming bags of fluid. These prevent the outer pouch from blocking the air flow.

How many 1-litre fluid bags can I fit in each basket?

On average, each basket can hold approximately 4 to 12 one-litre fluid bags, depending on how high you stack them:

• Conservative (1 layer) – 4 bags

• Typical working capacity (2.5 layers) – 10 bags

• Maximum (3 layers) – 12 bags

Conservative capacity assumes fluid bags are stored in a single layer per basket. Maximum capacity allows for three layers throughout the basket, while still maintaining airflow at the top of the cabinet. However, because the front lip of the basket is shallower than the sides and back, fully loading the front may cause bags to fall out when the cabinet is opened. To address this, typical capacity assumes fewer bags are layered at the front and more toward the back, offering a more practical storage approach.

Larger baskets, such as in the FW575, fit more bags (about 6 / 15 / 18 per basket for the same stacking levels).

Please note, this is based on an average 1-litre IV bag measuring at 35cm x 11cm x 6cm. These figures will differ depending on the size of the fluid bag.

How many fluid bags can I fit in each cabinet?

The amount of fluid bags that can fit into each cabinet is dependent on the internal size of the cabinet, the number of internal baskets, the orientation fluid bags are stored and whether they are stored conservatively or to maximum capacity.

As an example, here are our most popular cabinet sizes. Each cabinet can hold the following approximate numbers of 1-litre fluid bags:

Bottom Line

We strongly recommend that you focus on measurable specifications like internal capacity dimensions and basket layout when choosing your Fluid Warming Cabinet, not just fluid bag capacity. What matters most is that your warming cabinet works for your environment, with your supplies. Focusing on dimensions and shelving availability allows you to ensure just that.

General Use & Safety

Can QED Fluid Warming Cabinets be used to warm blood or blood products?

No. These cabinets are not blood warmers and must not be used to warm blood or blood products.

Is the cabinet safe to use in volatile environments?

No. The appliance must not be used in volatile environments due to safety risks.

What should I do if fluid spills inside the cabinet?

If fluid spills inside the cabinet, you should:

• Disconnect the cabinet from the mains immediately.
• Clean and check for electrical safety before reuse.
• Do not place opened bottles or bags back into the cabinet.

Installation & Operation

How do I install the cabinet?

To install your cabinet:

• Place on a level surface or use QED stand (see here for optional extras).
• Connect to mains supply and ensure plug is accessible.
• Turn on the power switch; the cabinet will warm to the pre-set temperature.

How do I change the operating temperature?

To change the operating temperature:

• Press the P button once.
• Use the arrow buttons to adjust the temperature.
• Press P again to save.
• The overheat cut-off is automatically set 3°C above the new temperature.

How long does it take for the cabinet to warm up?

It can take up to 30 minutes for your cabinet to warm up from cold, however this time is also dependent on the size of your cabinet.

Loading & Storage

How should items be loaded into the cabinet?

It's important to consider the following when loading your cabinet:

• Do not overfill shelves
• Ensure airflow is unrestricted
• Use baskets for storing fluids bags
• Store bottles upright and away from fan ducts

How long does it take for items to reach the set temperature?

The time it takes for items inside your cabinet to reach the set temperature is dependent on a number of factors, such as the number of items inside your cabinet, the size of these items and the temperature you have set the cabinet to.

As such, we recommend you ideally leave items overnight to warm up sufficiently for next-day use.

Troubleshooting

What should I do if the cabinet doesn’t power on?

If your cabinet doesn't power on, you should check the following as firs steps:

• Check the power cable is not damaged and is connected properly.
• Check the plug is firmly in the plug socket.
• Check the plug socket is working.

If your cabinet is till not working, then please get in touch with us.

What should I do if the Overheat light is on?

If the temperature of your cabinet is rising, wait and monitor to see if it continues to rise over the set temperature. If the temperature is >3°C above set point: turn the cabinet off, open the door, wait 3 minutes, then restart.

If the issue persists, then please get in touch with us.

Why is the cabinet silent or noisy with no airflow?

If your cabinet is silent or noisy with no airflow, this is likely due to a fan motor issue. Please turn your cabinet off and get in touch with us.

Items seem warmer or cooler than expected. What should I check?

If the fluids stored inside your cabinet do not seem to be the right temperature, then check that the chamber is loaded correctly. You should also check that the set temperature and actual temperature of the cabinet match. You can then use a calibrated thermometer for verification.

Maintenance & Warranty

What is the warranty period for QED Fluid Warming Cabinets?

All QED Warming Cabinets come with a 5-year warranty. Please click the link below for more information on warranty.

How often should the cabinet be serviced?

Your cabinet should be serviced annually by a qualified engineer. Please click the link below for more information on servicing.

How should the cabinet be cleaned?

To clean your cabinet, use a soft, damp cloth or hospital-approved disinfection wipe (e.g. Clinell wipe). It's important to always disconnect from mains before cleaning and to leave the door open to dry before turning your cabinet back on.

Please click the link below for more information on cleaning.