You are correct, especially if it is full. It should maintain temperature for 24-48 hours if it is not opened. A refrigerator doesn't maintain temperature as well as a freezer.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Robin M. Izzo
Director
Environmental Health and Safety
Princeton University
609-258-6259 (office)
Visit the EHS website at ehs.princeton.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of Stuart, Ralph
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2017 8:41 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Freezers and power outages

Does anyone have a planning rule of thumb for how long a scientific freezer can be expected to maintain temperature for biological sample storage during a power outage?

I recognize that there are many details being overlooked in such a broad brush question, but I believe that if they are undisturbed, well-maintained freezers should be able to maintain temperatures without power for a a day or two. I recognize that "well-maintained" may not describe all freezers found in laboratories. And that older freezers may not come back on after power restored. And many other factors are involved... but for practical planning purposes, am I off-base?

Thanks for any information on this.

- Ralph


Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

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