People frequently confuse flammable-safe and explosion-proof.  Fl ammable safe refrigerators are those where there are no ignition sources in side the refrigerator.  Flammable materials may be stored inside witho ut any issue.  An explosion-proof refrigerator is used where the exter nal atmosphere is potentially dangerous in terms of flammability or other e xplosive hazards (dust, organic peroxides etc.).  It is also flammable -safe, since there are no ignition sources inside.  An explosion-proof refrigerator in a room that has explosive hazards and is not explosion-pro of in every other aspect is pointless.  An explosion-proof refrigerato r used only as a flammable-safe refrigerator is merely a lot more expensive than you need.

 

Just my two cents.

 

regards,

Rigel

Apr 13, 2010 07:15:37 PM, DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu wrote:
< /DIV>

I have a similar discussion with sales rep from Fis her. They are making the distinction between "flammable material storage" a nd "explosion proof" refrigerators. Usually any explosion proof equipment h ave to be installed in an "explosion proof" environment. i.e. that all elet rical devices and setup have to be rated "explosion proof" as well. This ha ve to do with the building code that may vary with the regions, states or p rovinces.

Hope this help

Pierre Chantal
Section Hea d-Chemistry
Product Safety Laboratory
1800 Walkley road
A.L.6402A2
Ottawa, On, K1A0K9

drsamples**At_Symbol_Here**COMCAST.NET Sent by: DCHAS-L Discussio n List 2010-04-13 01:21 PM Please respond to D CHAS-L Discussion List To DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU cc Subject [DCHAS-L] Explosion Proof Refrigerator s I have a question about "explosion proof" or "explosion resi stant" refrigerators/freezers.  Where is the best place to put one in a lab? Where are places to avoid putting them in a lab? What kind of igniti ons sources should be avoided and how far away from these sources can the f lammable or explosion proof refrigerator be safely installed? Do we have to worry about nearby lights and electrical outlets? Another question that has come up for us is this: if the MSDS sheet states that mechanical v entilation is needed for a flammable solvent, does Cal OSHA mandate that th is MSDS be followed? Obviously, for safety reasons we should, but we are ha ving trouble getting our facilities people to understand this. The only thi ng they understand is when we say "it's the law".  We are purchasing n ew stand-alone flam cabinets and we would like mechanical ventilation, but they don't want to go to the trouble and expense. Currently, the only mecha nically ventilated flam cabinets we have are the small ones underneath fume hoods. These are in the teaching labs and they have no locks, so we are he sitant about using them to store larger quantities of flammable solvents. Thanks for any help! Marjorie Samples Chemistry Dept. Fo lsom Lake College Previous post  |  Top of Page  |  Next post The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org. The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.