Dear Rebecca,

It is highly unlikely that any cryostats manufactured today (much less
those manufactured 10 or more years ago) will be rated (and labeled) for
use in an explosive environment.  That is a rating that can be found on
freezers and refrigerators that are specially designed for "storage of
volatile materials or for use in fire/explosive hazardous areas."  And
those products will be clearly labeled for any user or inspection agent
to see.  

I am sure that when Bayer manufactured the Tissue-Tek Cryostats no
considerations were made for operating the unit in a chemically laden
environment.  

There are several testing agencies that place their qualifying label of
approval on the Sakura cryostat that is currently being manufactured.
None are for an explosion proof rating.  I'm sorry that this may not be
the answer you were seeking.

But I do send kind regards and wishes for a happy 2004. 

Nancy Klemme
Mgr, Technical Support
Sakura Finetek USA, Inc.
800-725-8723 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Riesen,
Rebecca
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 1:54 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: [Histonet] tissue tek cryostat 4553

I've got one for you all!  We had a fire marshal come through the other
day.  We have a very small room in one of our satellite facilities where
we do frozen sections.  When he opened the door, he smelled xylene and
alcohol fumes (imagine that!)  He then proceeded to ask if this machine
( the tissue tek cryostat 4553) was made to be safely operated in an
"explosive environment"?  Well, I said I was sure it was ok for the
level of fumes in the room (which has been tested to be within safety
limits).  He wants DOCUMENTATION.  I called Sakura Finetek who says that
they do not support this piece of equipment and Bayer had until 2000.
But as far they know, no one is around to help out with real technical
questions on these cryostats.  The fire marshal wants something in
writing that says something to the effect of.....Store flammable or
explosive materials X feet away from this equipment.  Or something of
that nature.   Help me if you can.. someone out there in histo land.
THANKS!!!!

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