ARES Cool 30 Cu. Ft. General Purpose Flammable Storage Refrigerator ARS-FRB-30

Description

ARS-FRB-30 – Product Highlights

• NFPA 45 and OSHA 1910 compliant flammable storage: Designed to meet NFPA and OSHA guidelines 45 and 70 for refrigerated storage of volatile materials in general laboratory work areas.
• Spark-free interior with vapor-proof compressor: No electrical components inside the storage compartment, and the compressor's electrical components are sealed in a vapor-proof enclosure for ignition-source isolation.
• 30 cu. ft. upright cabinet: Five adjustable shelves and a single solid right-hinged door provide flexible organization for bulk reagent inventories, large solvent stocks, and routine sample storage.
• 1°C to 10°C operating range: A mechanical thermostat holds the cabinet within the range required for reagent stability, vaccine-adjacent storage, and chilled solvent inventories.
• Cycle defrost and R404a refrigerant: The cycle-defrost refrigeration system maintains steady cabinet temperatures without the warm cycles associated with auto-defrost freezers.
• ETL / C-ETL listed and ENERGY STAR certified: Independent listing to UL 471 plus ENERGY STAR certification distinguishes this upright laboratory refrigerator on both safety and efficiency.
• Keyed door lock and 3/4-inch rear probe access port: Secured access supports controlled-substance protocols and pharmaceutical chain-of-custody documentation, while the rear port accepts independent NIST-traceable monitoring probes.
• Foamed-in-place urethane insulation: EPA-compliant high-density foam improves temperature stability, energy efficiency, and pull-down recovery after door openings.
• NEMA 5-15 plug for standard installation: Operates on 115V, 60 Hz at 6 amps using a UL 471 conforming plug — no facility electrical retrofit required.
• One-year parts and labor warranty: Distributed by ARES Scientific with U.S.-based customer service and full warranty support.

Frequently Asked Questions – ARS-FRB-30

What is a flammable storage refrigerator?

A flammable storage refrigerator is a laboratory refrigerator designed to safely chill flammable and volatile liquids inside ordinary lab spaces. It contains no electrical components inside the storage compartment, and the compressor's electrical components are sealed in a vapor-proof enclosure. The ARS-FRB-30 meets NFPA 45 and NFPA 70 for refrigerated storage of class I flammables in general laboratory work areas at 1°C to 10°C.

What is the difference between a flammable storage refrigerator and an explosion-proof refrigerator?

A flammable storage refrigerator like the ARS-FRB-30 is built for ordinary lab rooms where flammables are stored inside the cabinet and the surrounding air is not normally hazardous. An explosion-proof (hazardous location, Class 1 Division II) refrigerator is built for rooms where flammable vapors may be present in the surrounding air, requires hardwiring instead of a plug, and uses sealed exterior components throughout. Select based on your room classification.

Does the ARS-FRB-30 require any special infrastructure to install?

No special infrastructure is required. The unit operates on standard 115V, 60 Hz power at 6 amps via a NEMA 5-15 plug. It needs the indoor ambient conditions specified for most lab refrigeration — 18°C to 26°C and below 70 percent relative humidity — plus 4 inches of clearance around back and sides for compressor airflow.

Why can’t I store flammable reagents in a regular lab refrigerator?

Per NFPA 45 and OSHA 29 CFR 1910, class I flammable liquids must be stored only in cold storage units that have been engineered to eliminate ignition sources. Regular lab or household refrigerators have interior lights, thermostats, and defrost heaters that can ignite flammable vapors that escape from a container. Flammable storage refrigerators like the ARS-FRB-30 remove or seal those ignition sources.

Is the ARS-FRB-30 rated for hazardous-location use?

No. The ARS-FRB-30 is a general-purpose flammable storage refrigerator for unclassified laboratory work areas. It is NOT designed for environments where volatile or explosive conditions could exist outside the cabinet. Facilities requiring Class 1 Division II protection should review hazardous-location, explosion-proof cold storage instead.

What capacity and shelving does the ARS-FRB-30 provide?

The cabinet is 30 cubic feet with five adjustable interior shelves, a single solid right-hinged door, and a 32-inch by 22.5-inch interior. Adjustable shelving accommodates varied container heights, from quart-size solvent bottles to larger reagent vessels and reference standards.