Upright Flammable-Storage Refrigerator

What is the Upright Flammable-Storage Refrigerator?

A floor-standing 2–8 °C flammable-storage refrigerator of about 300–700 L with interior ignition sources eliminated. It gives research, pharmaceutical and chemistry laboratories more capacity for sealed solvent and reagent containers than an undercounter unit, with the same ignition-source control.

Overview

The upright flammable-storage refrigerator uses the same principle as the undercounter model, with thermostats, fans and switches kept out of the storage space, but offers 300–700 L across four to six shelves. The evaporator is sealed, and condensate is collected in an external tray. The interior has no light, or has a sealed light fitted behind a glass cover. Shelves are coated to resist solvents, and a lockable solid or glass door is fitted. Temperature control is 2–8 °C with a digital display outside. A vent or purge option reduces vapour accumulation, and some models have spill trays on shelves. As with smaller units, it is not certified for hazardous areas, so it should sit in a general laboratory with ventilation and regular checks of the contents.

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?

• Four to six coated shelves with spill-tray option
• Controls, fan and switches outside the storage compartment
• Sealed evaporator and external condensate tray
• Optional vent or purge connection to reduce vapour build-up
• Lockable door with external digital temperature display

What are the technical specifications?

A typical upright flammable-storage refrigerator configuration offers temperature range of 2–8 °C, net volume of 300–700 L, shelves of 4–6, solvent-resistant coated, interior ignition sources of None; sealed evaporator, explosion-proof certification of Not certified; laboratory-safe design and interior light of None or sealed behind glass cover. 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 Upright Flammable-Storage Refrigerator is used in chemistry laboratory solvent storage, pharmaceutical R&D reagent storage, temperature-sensitive flammable reagents and teaching laboratories. 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 Upright Flammable-Storage Refrigerator?

Select the upright model when sealed flammable containers exceed what an undercounter cabinet holds and the room is not classified as hazardous. Specify volume, shelf count, spill trays, vent option and alarm needs. Check quantities against your fire code, and consider certified models if you store large volumes.

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.