The potential areas in which laboratory refrigerators can be used are many and varied. Depending on the intended use, the corresponding device must meet certain guidelines and standards as well as provide constant performance in different temperature ranges. Different DIN standards apply depending on the area of use, and users must adhere to these.
A blood bank refrigerator requires a constant internal temperature of between 2 °C and 6 °C. The ambient temperature may only lie within a range of ten to 35 degrees Celsius. Such guidelines are laid down in DIN 58371. It also specifies that the temperature curve must be documented and that the door of the unit must be lockable. Furthermore, it states that the interior should be easy to clean and disinfect. This is achieved through the design, which relies on rounded corners where less dirt can accumulate. In addition, special materials and antibacterial coatings are used to reduce the risk of contamination.
Extra safety precautions are prescribed for the storage of blood banks. In case of a power failure, a corresponding alarm must be able to continue for at least twelve hours. Temperature fluctuations must always be indicated by an audible and visual alarm. Other safety devices in the laboratory refrigerator must ensure, that stored blood banks never cool below two degrees Celsius.
Laboratory deep freezers for particularly sensitive samples
Some applications require significantly lower temperatures. When storing blood plasma, a laboratory deep freezer is used that allows an operating temperature of at least -30 degrees Celsius. DIN 58375 provides precise guidelines on how the sensitive material must be handled in a freezer for blood plasma.
Even higher demands are placed on a laboratory deep freezer when storing tissue or DNA samples, bones, bacteria or viruses. Such biological materials used for research purposes are stored at temperatures below -80 degrees Celsius.
Medical refrigerator according to DIN 58345
Vaccines and medications that must be stored refrigerated are subject to DIN 58345. This standard dictates that medical refrigerators must ensure a stable temperature of 2 °C to 8 °C. In addition, a safety thermostat is mandatory to prevent deviations in the negative temperature. According to the standard, refrigerators for medicines must be lockable.
For some pharmaceuticals, however, the exact storage in terms of temperature is not set by DIN 58345. In some cases, it is even enough to store them at room temperature. In these cases, a climatic cabinet is used, which can reliably fulfil these requirements.
Spark resistant refrigerator for chemicals
Certain chemicals also require refrigerated storage. To prevent the substances from causing damage and becoming a hazard to people and the laboratory, advanced safety measures are needed here. A spark resistant laboratory refrigerator is equipped with a special interior that enables the safe storage of chemicals.
In general, there must not be any ignition sources inside. The components inside must be made of glass and plastic or have a plastic coating. If there are any metal parts inside, they must have a protective grounding connection.
If a laboratory refrigerator is spark resistant, EU Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX) applies. Devices that are built accordingly enable safe working with highly flammable liquids. At tritec® you can obtain a wide selection of laboratory refrigerators that comply with the standards and directives described here. We also offer climatic cabinets such as the neutralization system, the hot air drying cabinet, or an incubator room. We will be happy to advise you so that you can find the ideal equipment for your laboratory.