Flammable Materials Storage Refrigerators And Freezers; Overview - VWR VWH07CESA Installation And Operation Manual

Flammable Materials Storage
Refrigerators and Freezers

Overview

Conventional refrigerators and freezers are not suitable for
storing flammable materials. Such units have components in
their electrical and refrigeration systems that can trigger
explosions of flammable air-vapor mixtures inside the unit.
Flammable Materials Storage (FMS) Refrigerators and
Freezers are designed for use in locations, which are
classified by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) as not
hazardous. Under normal operating conditions the build up or
presence of flammable vapors will not occur in the
environment external to the unit. (Commonly known as
"Ordinary Locations")
FMS Refrigerators and Freezers are NOT designed for
use in Class I, Groups C and D environments, which
require an Explosion-Proof Refrigerators and Freezers.
This is not an Explosion Proof Refrigerator and Freezer but it
has been designed to permit safe storage of materials
producing flammable vapors. Containers should be well-
stoppered or tightly closed.
FMS Refrigerators and Freezers are designed and evaluated
by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to meet the requirements of
the National Fire Protection Association Standards Nos. 45
and 70. These units have no internal electrical components
that could trigger an explosion or fire of hazardous materials
inside the unit.
As this unit uses R600a refrigerant. This unit is intended for
use in laboratories in commercial, industrial or institutional
occupancies defined in the safety standard for Refrigeration
Systems ASHRAE 15.
These units are ideal for storing cyclopropane, ethyl ether,
ethylene, acetone, alcohol, benzene, butane, gasoline,
hexane, lacquer solvent vapors, naphtha, natural gas or
propane along with many other potentially hazardous
materials.
4 | Flammable Material Storage and Explosion Proof Laboratory Refrigerators and Freezers
WARNING: For Flammable Materials Storage
Refrigerators and Freezers where flammable
materials are stored in the cooling chamber, the
cooling chamber is considered a Class I Div 1 or
Class I Zone 1 hazardous location. Any
monitoring devices placed in the cooling
chamber must have an intrinsically safe rating
from an appropriate certification body, such as
UL, CSA, FM etc. (this includes battery or solar
powered devices).
Thermocouples for building monitoring systems must be
wired through an electrical barrier designed to provide
isolation against voltage and current spikes.
These could cause a spark resulting in fire or explosion. It is
your responsibility to meet these requirements. Thermo
Scientific cannot assist with the selection of devices,
recommend, approve or design any device or monitoring
circuit.