SubscribeBorolabs, the specialist in temperature control, alerts laboratory staff to the use of well designed safe and secure freezers to guard against the possible dangers from explosion and fires through the low temperature storage of flammable chemicals.
Domestic freezers are unsuitable for use in laboratories. They include sources of ignition which can ignite solvents and flammable vapours, causing damage to the building and laboratory staff. In one particular incident, a freezer fire destroyed an entire chemical laboratory and adjacent offices.
According to accident investigators, a spark from the arching of an internal air circulation fan, used in the freezer design, probably ignited flammable vapours that escaped from the broken seal of a stored ether compound. Fortunately, no one was injured from the incident.
For this reason, Borolabs has designed a range of LabcoldTM freezers with spark-free interiors. All potentially hazardous electrical contacts are moved outside the chamber to be replaced by remote sensing temperature controllers.
For additional safety, interior lights and air circulation fans are omitted from the design and efficient door gaskets avoid the need for electrically heated strips around the door.
There are literally thousands of Labcold spark free freezers and refrigerators around the world and there is no record of any fire or explosion caused by any one of them. Chest and front loading models are available in a range of sizes with a host of safety features including lockable lids and temperature alarms.
A leaflet entitled 'Top Tips on How to Avoid Lab Fires' can be obtained by contacting Borolabs on 01256 347049.
