25 (40)
1. Transport of equipment containing flammable
refrigerants (Annex CC.1)
Compliance with the transport regulations .
2. Marking of equipment using signs
(Annex CC.2)
Compliance with local regulations .
3. Disposal of equipment using flammable
refrigerants (Annex CC.3)
Compliance with national regulations .
4. Storage of equipment/appliances
(Annex CC.4)
The storage of equipment should be in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions .
5. Storage of packed (unsold) equipment
(Annex CC.5)
Storage package protection should be constructed
such that mechanical damage to the equipment
inside the package will not cause a leak of the
refrigerant charge .
The maximum number of pieces of equipment
permitted to be stored together will be determined
by local regulations .
6. Information on servicing (Annex DD.3)
1) Checks to the area
Prior to beginning work on systems containing
flammable refrigerants, safety checks are
necessary to ensure that the risk of ignition is
minimized . For repair to the refrigerating system,
the following precautions shall be complied with
prior to conducting work on the system .
2) Work procedure
Work shall be undertaken under a controlled
procedure so as to minimize the risk of a
flammable gas or vapour being present while the
work is being performed .
3) General work area
All maintenance staff and others working in the
local area shall be instructed on the nature of work
being carried out . Work in confined spaces shall be
avoided . The area around the workspace shall be
sectioned off . Ensure that the conditions within the
area have been made safe by control of flammable
material .
4) Checking for presence of refrigerant
The area shall be checked with an appropriate
refrigerant detector prior to and during work,
to ensure the technician is aware of potentially
flammable atmospheres . Ensure that the leak
detection equipment being used is suitable for
use with flammable refrigerants, i .e . non-sparking,
adequately sealed or intrinsically safe .
5) Presence of fire extinguisher
If any hot work is to be conducted on the
refrigeration equipment or any associated parts,
appropriate fire extinguishing equipment shall be
available to hand . Have a dry powder or CO2 fire
extinguisher adjacent to the charging area .
6) No ignition sources
No person carrying out work in relation to a
refrigeration system which involves exposing
any pipe work that contains or has contained
flammable refrigerant shall use any sources of
ignition in such a manner that it may lead to
the risk of fire or explosion . All possible ignition
sources, including cigarette smoking, should
be kept sufficiently far away from the site of
installation, repairing, removing and disposal,
during which flammable refrigerant can possibly
be released to the surrounding space . Prior to work
taking place, the area
around the equipment is to be surveyed to
make sure that there are no flammable hazards
or ignition risks . “No Smoking” signs shall be
displayed .
7) Ventilated area
Ensure that the area is in the open or that it is
adequately ventilated before breaking into the
system or conducting any hot work . A degree of
ventilation shall continue during the period that the
work is carried out . The ventilation should safely
disperse any released refrigerant and preferably
expel it externally into the atmosphere .
8) Checks to the refrigeration equipment
Where electrical components are being changed,
they shall be fit for the purpose and to the correct
specification . At all times the manufacturer’s
maintenance and service guidelines shall be
followed . If in doubt consult the manufacturer’s
technical department for assistance .
The following checks shall be applied to
installations using flammable refrigerants:
• The charge size is in accordance with the room
size within which the refrigerant containing parts
are installed .
• The ventilation machinery and outlets are
operating adequately and are not obstructed .
• If an indirect refrigerating circuit is being used,
the secondary circuit shall be checked for the
presence of refrigerant .
• Marking to the equipment continues to be visible
and legible . Markings and signs that are illegible
shall be corrected .
• Refrigeration pipe or components are installed
in a position where they are unlikely to be
exposed to any substance which may corrode
refrigerant containing components, unless the
components are constructed of materials which
are inherently resistant to being corroded or are
suitably protected against being so corroded .
Warning
System contains refrigerant under very high
pressure . The system must be serviced by
qualified persons only .
