SafetyNet #31 - Use of Refrigerators and Freezers in Laboratories
This SafetyNet outlines requirements for the safe use of refrigerators and freezers in laboratory settings. Key items to consider include:
- Domestic (household type) refrigerators and freezers constitute a hazard when used for storage of flammable or unstable chemicals.
- Only "Lab-Safe" or flammable storage refrigerators and freezers can be used for the storage of flammable or explosive materials. The interior of a lab-safe unit has no switches that could arc or other spark points to provide a source of ignition.
- In most cases, a "Lab-Safe" refrigerator rather than an "Explosion-Proof" refrigerator will be sufficient for storage of flammable materials. "Explosion-Proof" refrigerators are more costly but are designed to operate in areas where even the air outside the refrigerator may be explosive.
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Those who have refrigerators and/or freezers in their laboratories should follow the guidelines below:
- Only "Lab-Safe" or flammable storage refrigerators and freezers should be used for storage of flammable or explosive materials. Note: Ethanol/water solutions containing more than 75% ethanol are considered flammable.
- Household-type refrigerators and freezers are permitted in laboratories only for exclusive storage of aqueous solutions or other nonflammable or non-explosive materials. However, fire codes require that all refrigerators and freezers located in hospital or clinical laboratories be “Lab-Safe.”
UC Davis P&P Section 290-20 - Fire Safety, requires that a "Caution - Do Not Store Flammable Liquids in this Unit" label be placed on all household-type refrigerators and freezers. When you receive your refrigerator, call EH&S (530-752-1493) and request that you be sent a label to place on the unit. If the label gets removed or is defaced, call EH&S for a replacement label.- Refrigerators and freezers should be cleaned on a regular basis and old chemicals should be properly discarded through the EH&S hazardous waste program.
- Do not store food in any refrigerator or freezer used to store chemicals.
- Refrigerators and freezers use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), such as Freon, as a refrigerant. Before discarding old equipment, the CFCs must be removed by a certified technician. Call the Operations and Maintenance work order desk (530-752-1655) for assistance.
- Only "Lab-Safe" or flammable storage refrigerators and freezers should be used for storage of flammable or explosive materials. Note: Ethanol/water solutions containing more than 75% ethanol are considered flammable.
For additional information, contact your EH&S Safety Advisor, EH&S at 530-752-1493 or ehsdesk@ucdavis.edu.
Reviewed/Revised. 01/2007
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