ARES Cool 5 Cu. Ft. Basic Series Undercounter Flammable Storage Refrigerator with Natural Refrigerants

Description

ARS-FRP-04 – Product Highlights

• NFPA 45 and OSHA 1910 compliant undercounter refrigerator: Meets 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.
• Microprocessor temperature controller with digital display: Delivers precise control, verification, and recovery versus mechanical thermostats — the foundation for traceable, audit-ready cold storage.
• Dual probe monitoring — air and sample bottle: Two factory probes give operators visibility into cabinet air temperature and a buffered, sample-representative temperature for more reliable trending.
• 5 cu. ft. undercounter footprint: Three adjustable interior shelves and a 20.25-inch by 17-inch interior fit standard 36-inch lab benches while still delivering NFPA-rated flammables storage.
• State-switching remote alarm contacts: Route audible/visual high and low temperature alarms to a centralized monitoring system, BMS, or facility alarm dialer.
• R600a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant: Low global warming potential, EPA SNAP aligned, and consistent with modern sustainability targets for pharmaceutical and biotech facilities.
• Keyed door lock and rear 3/4-inch probe access port: Secured access for controlled-substance workflows and a dedicated port for independent NIST-traceable monitoring probes.
• UL/C-UL listed under UL 471: Independent certification to North American electrical safety requirements for laboratory refrigerated equipment.
• Two-year parts and labor warranty: Distributed by ARES Scientific with full warranty support and U.S.-based customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions – ARS-FRP-04

What is the ARS-FRP-04 designed for?

The ARS-FRP-04 is a 5 cu. ft. undercounter laboratory refrigerator for safe cold storage of flammable and volatile materials between 1°C and 10°C in general laboratory work areas. It meets NFPA 45 and NFPA 70 and pairs a vapor-proof compressor enclosure with a microprocessor temperature controller for precise, verifiable temperature management at undercounter scale.

What is the difference between the Basic Series and a hazardous-location refrigerator?

The Basic Series ARS-FRP-04 is built for ordinary lab rooms where flammables are stored inside a sealed cabinet but the surrounding air is not hazardous. A hazardous-location (Class 1 Division II, explosion-proof) refrigerator is built for rooms where flammable vapors may be present in the air outside the unit, requires hardwiring instead of a plug, and uses sealed exterior electrical components throughout. The correct selection is driven by your room classification, not by what is stored inside.

Does the ARS-FRP-04 require specific ventilation or clearance?

Freestanding installation requires 4 inches of clearance around the back and sides of the unit for proper compressor ventilation. The refrigerator is designed for indoor use only in ambient conditions of 18°C to 26°C (65°F to 78°F) and below 70 percent relative humidity. Improper installation will void the warranty and lead to temperature maintenance issues.

Can I connect the ARS-FRP-04 to a building monitoring system?

Yes. The refrigerator includes state-switching remote alarm contacts that can be wired to a building monitoring system, a third-party temperature logger, or a facility alarm dialer, allowing high/low temperature events to be relayed beyond the on-board audible and visual alarms.

What applications use undercounter flammable storage refrigerators?

Common applications include pharmaceutical and biotech R&D, organic and analytical chemistry, cannabis processing labs, anatomy and pathology suites, forensic toxicology, and any general lab workflow that requires NFPA-compliant cold storage of solvents and flammable reagents at undercounter scale, close to the point of use.

Why is microprocessor control preferred over a mechanical thermostat?

A microprocessor controller delivers tighter set-point accuracy, faster recovery after door openings, and the ability to integrate with digital displays, audible/visual alarms, and remote alarm contacts. For audit-ready cold storage in regulated environments — pharmaceutical compounding, clinical research, and cannabis testing — microprocessor control supports more reliable temperature verification than mechanical thermostats.