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/freezers are designed for
use in locations, which are not classified by the Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ) as 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 units are NOT designed for use in Class I,
Division 1,
Groups C
and D
environments, which require an Explosion- Proof
Refrigerator/Freezer.
FMS units are designed and evaluated by Under
w
riter
s
Laboratories (UL)
to meet the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association
Standards Nos. 45, 70 and 99. These units have no internal electrical
components that could trigger an explosion or fire of hazardous materials
inside the unit.
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.
All models have heavy-gauge, rigid, steel construction with a durable
enamel finish. Interiors have epoxy enamel or ABS plastic construction.
Each unit is insulated throughout for energy-efficient operation.
WARNING
: For FMS and EXP units where flammable
materials are stored in the cooling chamber, the cooling
chamber is considered a Class I Div1 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, which could cause a spark resulting
in fire or explosion. It is the end user's responsibility to meet
these requirements. Therm
o
Scientific cannot assist with
the
selection of devices, recommend, approve or design any
device
or monitoring circuit.
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