Precise Temperature & Humidity Control for Crucial Medical Supplies

The National Critical Care Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) was established following Darwin's response to the 2002 Bali Bombings. Since its establishment in 2004, the NCCTRC has become a key component of the Australian Government's disaster and emergency medical preparedness and response capability to natural and man-made incidents of local, national, and international significance.

The NCCTRC, is in Darwin, Northern Territory, a state known for its humid environment where humidity can push past 80%. For this reason, the NCCTRC required a heating, ventilation, and cooling system to maintain space temperature and control humidity in their new storage facility for critical supplies in an emergency or disaster.

The challenge faced was that the chosen system had to be built for harsh climates to ensure the space temperature was constant and the relative humidity was maintained at 55% or less.

The solution to humidity and temperature control was the Temperzone OPA 2100 – 200 kW Inverter Package unit with De-humidification & Re-heat. This OPA unit can maintain a specific temperature and humidity, which is crucial when preventing mould growth over critical supplies during the wet season in the Northern Territory. Mould growth would compromise the supplies and make them not fit for purpose. 

Since being installed in February 2019, the OPA 2100 – 200kW Inverter Package Unit has maintained a maximum of 57.3% relative humidity at 24°C all year round, preventing mould growth over critical medical supplies.



Temperzone’s OPA 2100 won the prestigious 2020 AIRAH “Product of the Year” Award. The OPA 2100 was also recognised internationally at the CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) awards in the United Kingdom, receiving a Highly Commended Award in the Thermal Comfort Innovation category.

The OPA 2100 package unit has recently been superseeded by the Econex Pro OPA 2110. The Econex Pro OPA 2110 has the same unique award winning temperature and humidity control functionality but now utilises R32 refrigerant as a lower GWP solution.

Mechanical Contractor: Select Services Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Consulting Engineer: Building Services Group