Labcold's spark-free refrigerators, including a high-performance fan circulated model, demonstrates innovative approach to product development and ongoing commitment to establishing a safer workplace
Inappropriate refrigerators, often domestic designs, used in laboratories have been the cause of potentially fatal explosions over the years.
Minimising the risk of fire, therefore, through appropriate handling and storage of any potentially flammable materials, as well as the installation of proper electrical equipment, is of paramount importance within the medical, laboratory and scientific sectors.
Addressing the issue head-on, creating an all-round safer working environment, is Labcold - a UK specialist manufacturer of professional laboratory refrigeration equipment.
With over 40 years experience in the supply of temperature control products for scientific and medical use, the company introduced one of the first ever 'spark-free' refrigerators.
Robin Gregson, sales and marketing director at Labcold, explains the innovation: "The Labcold range was designed so there is no possible point of ignition internally; having remote sensing temperature controllers and no internal switches, heaters or lights inside, removes all electrical contacts to the outside of the chamber.
"Our products therefore are intrinsically safe in this regard, hence there has never been a single reported instance of a Labcold unit causing a fire anywhere in the world".
Sadly, that same safety element does not apply to most domestic-type products, still in use at many scientific establishments, despite the horror stories that occasionally hit the headlines.
Domestic appliances usually contain fairly simple devices, including low-tech internal thermostats as well as an internal light and the door switch to operate it - all of which can cause a spark.
This presents a huge risk of any flammable vapours igniting when in normal operation and also to personnel even when simply opening and closing a door.
Labcold's spark-free fan circulated model uses an externally mounted motor, driving the fan blades via a shaft that passes into the spark-free chamber.
"Fridges, particularly large ones, have poor temperature uniformity if they do not have some form of forced air circulation," adds Robin, "But normally the installation of a fan renders the inside non spark-free.
"Our model has excellent temperature control characteristics and is also completely safe".
Labcold's comprehensive product portfolio includes chest and front-loading models in varying sizes with a host of safety features such as lockable doors and temperature alarms.
