Refrigerator Blast in Chemical Lab Safety News Blog (for additional information on refrigerator safety see the “Equipment: Refrigerators and Freezers” safety moment)

Refrigerator Blast A refrigerator door blew off and hit an inner pane of a double-paned window in a chemical lab at the University of South Florida. No one was injured in the blast, which set off a fire alarm about 2:45 a.m. Wednesday. The building did not catch on fire. Tampa Fire Rescue's hazardous materials team responded: - no one was inside the building (no injuries) - no hazardous chemicals spilled - cause of the blast is being investigated. Chem lab refrigerator blast sets off fire alarm at USF. Tampa Bay Times. Accessed 8 March 2014 http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/fire/refrigerator-blast-prompts-fire-alarm-at-usf/2168615

Chemicals in Fridges and Freezers The atmosphere of a refrigerator could contain an explosive mixture of air & chemical vapors To avoid inhaling vapors, don’t stick your head inside Seal containers tightly (parafilm or tape are good options) Use a refrigerator approved for storage of these materials Modified to not spark inside Approved for “flammable storage” Store incompatible chemicals separately Oxidizers and highly reactive in a separate unit from flammables. Use secondary containment Air- and moisture- sensitive materials stored at low temp. are prone to problems exacerbated by condensation. Peroxide-forming chemicals are also often stored in fridges. Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. Section5.E.4 Cold Storage. Accessed 8 March 2014 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK55868/#ch5.s29