Overview
Flammable liquids refrigerators and freezers
NFPA 45 states that refrigerators and freezers used to store or cool, even temporarily, flammable liquids must meet certain design requirements and that domestic models are not to be used to store or cool flammable liquids. All potential ignition sources have been removed from a specially designed refrigerator/freezer. You can identify a unit meeting the design requirements by the label that manufacturer installs on the unit.
When conducting an audit, look inside regular, domestic models to see if flammable liquids are stored within. If so, this checklist item should be cited, and the PI/room owner asked to remove the container and find an alternate storage location for the chemical. If flammable liquids are found in a regular refrigerator and the container is not securely closed to prevent the escape of vapor, immediate action should be taken - e.g., ask the lab workers to remove the items, contact the PI, etc.
If flammable liquids are being used in a cold room, note the specific chemical and quantities that are in process. Consult with a Senior Specialist on whether to cite this checklist item.