Undercounter Flammable-Storage Refrigerator

What is the Undercounter Flammable-Storage Refrigerator?

A compact 2–8 °C refrigerator with ignition sources removed or relocated from the storage space, for small quantities of flammable liquids such as solvents, reagents and extracts. It suits laboratories that need safer cold storage but do not require a certified explosion-proof enclosure.

Overview

A flammable-storage, or laboratory-safe, refrigerator is built so that electrical components that could spark, such as thermostats, switches, fans and lights, are located outside the storage compartment or are sealed. The interior has no exposed sparking parts, and the compressor and controls sit in a separate enclosure beneath. It is not explosion-proof in the sense of surviving an internal explosion, and it is unsuitable for installation within a hazardous area classified as Zone 1 or Zone 2, where the exterior must also be certified. Typical volume is 100–250 L at 2–8 °C, with a lockable door, magnetic gasket and often a door-ajar alarm. The cabinet is intended for sealed or capped containers, and vapour build-up still needs ventilation in the room.

How does it work?

Standard refrigerators contain sparking components, such as thermostats, door switches, light bulbs and fan motors, that can ignite vapours from flammable liquids stored inside. Flammable-storage refrigerators relocate or seal these parts outside the storage compartment, preventing an internal ignition. Fully explosion-proof refrigerators go further, using flameproof, increased-safety or encapsulated protection for every electrical component according to IEC 60079 or GB 3836, so neither the interior nor the exterior can ignite a surrounding explosive atmosphere. The cooling process itself is conventional vapour compression, but the compressor, controller and wiring are built to certified standards. Labels show gas group, temperature class and protection level, which must match the site classification.

What are the key features?

• Thermostat, switches and fan relocated outside the storage compartment
• Compact undercounter format for benches and fume-hood areas
• Magnetic door gasket and lockable door
• Door-ajar alarm and high/low temperature alarm
• Smooth coated interior that resists solvent exposure and is easy to clean

What are the technical specifications?

A typical undercounter flammable-storage refrigerator configuration offers temperature range of 2–8 °C, net volume of 100–250 L, interior ignition sources of None; controls and fan outside storage space, explosion-proof certification of Not certified; laboratory-safe design, cooling method of Static or fan-assisted (external evaporator) and refrigerant of R600a or R290. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Undercounter Flammable-Storage Refrigerator is used in small-volume solvent cold storage, flammable reagents in research laboratories, extraction solvents and volatile sample storage. Across the wider Explosion-Proof Refrigerators class, laboratories also deploy it for flammable solvent storage, hazardous area laboratories and reactive reagent cold storage.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include IEC 60079-0, IEC 60079-1, IEC 60079-17, GB 3836.1, NFPA 45, NFPA 30, ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU and IEC 61010-2-011. Certification candidates for this model are CE and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Install on a level, load-bearing floor with ventilation clearance, and ground the cabinet as instructed. Keep containers sealed and labelled, use secondary containment, and respect quantity limits from fire codes. Do not add unapproved electrical devices inside. Inspect regularly and record findings, including gasket condition and alarm function. Certified units must be serviced by trained personnel using approved parts, and changes can invalidate the certification. Calibrate temperature displays at least annually, and plan for power-failure response because stored solvents and reagents may be temperature-sensitive.

How do I select the right Undercounter Flammable-Storage Refrigerator?

Choose this variant when sealed flammable containers need cold storage in a general laboratory and no classified hazardous area is involved. Specify volume, door lock, alarms and temperature range. If the room is classified or bulk flammable liquids are stored, choose a certified explosion-proof model.

How does it compare with other Explosion-Proof Refrigerators variants?

Start with the hazard. If containers are sealed, quantities are small and the room is not a classified zone, a flammable-storage refrigerator may be adequate. If the area is classified Zone 1 or Zone 2, or large volumes are stored, specify a certified explosion-proof model with the right gas group and temperature class. Decide on capacity, upright or undercounter format, whether sub-zero storage is needed, and the alarm and signalling arrangement. Check the certificate against the area classification, confirm power supply and floor loading, and involve your safety officer. Never convert or modify a standard unit.