---
title: Log a temperature deviation
description: Record a reading outside the limit, acknowledge the deviation with the corrective action you took, and recover it.
order: 16
updated: 2026-09-16
keywords: temperature, deviation, fridge, corrective action, alert, HACCP
---

A reading outside a unit's limit opens a deviation. This guide records it, acts on it and closes it with evidence.

**Before you start:** safety write access. The unit must be registered with a limit policy.

## Record the reading

1. Open **Safety › Temperature**.
2. Choose the unit and enter the reading. Sensor units show the latest automatic reading beside the manual field.
3. Submit. A reading inside the limit is recorded. A reading outside opens a **deviation** and raises an alert.

## Acknowledge the deviation

1. Open the deviation from the temperature screen, from **Safety › Alerts**, or from **Today**.
2. Choose or type the corrective action you took, for example "moved chilled stock to chiller 2, called technician, tagged unit".
3. Acknowledge. Your name and the time are recorded with the action.

The alert shows the product-decision band: under two hours, two to four hours, over four hours. Use it to decide whether food that was in the unit can be used.

## Recover or void

- Enter a new reading inside the limit. The deviation recovers and the alert resolves.
- If the reading was a mistake, choose **Void deviation** with a reason. The void is recorded, not deleted.

## Escalate

If the unit cannot be brought back into limit, open a corrective action from the deviation. See [Corrective actions](/docs/reference/statuses-and-outcomes#corrective-actions).

> **Warning:** A silent sensor is noticed when someone opens the temperature screen. Push escalation for silent sensors is on the roadmap, so keep the manual check in the closing checklist.

## Related

- [Set up food safety for one outlet](/docs/tutorials/set-up-food-safety)
- [Run a cleaning checklist](/docs/how-to/run-a-cleaning-checklist)