V 11/21
105
f) Presence of fire extinguisher
If hot work is to be performed on the refrigeration equipment or any associated part, adequate fire fighting equipment must
be available. It is necessary to have a dry powder or CO2 extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
g) Ventilated area
Make sure the area is outdoors or is adequately ventilated before breaking into the system or performing any hot work.
Continuous ventilation must be present during the period in which the work is being carried out. Ventilation should safely
disperse the released refrigerant and preferably expel it to the atmosphere.
h) Controls on refrigeration equipment
When replacing electrical components, they must be fit for purpose and with the correct specifications. The manufacturer's
maintenance and service guidelines should always be followed. If in doubt, consult the manufacturer's technical department
for assistance.
i) Repairs on sealed components
During repairs to sealed components, all electrical supplies must be disconnected from the equipment being worked on
before removing the sealed covers, etc.
If it is absolutely necessary to have an electrical power supply to the equipment during maintenance, then a leak detection
device must be placed at the most critical point to warn of a potentially dangerous situation.
Particular attention must be paid to the following to ensure that, by working on the electrical components, the casing is not
altered in such a way as to compromise the level of protection. This includes damage to cables, excessive number of
connections, terminals not made to original specifications, damage to gaskets, incorrect assembly of cable glands, etc.
• Make sure the appliance is mounted securely.
• Ensure that gaskets or sealing materials are not degraded to the point that they no longer serve the purpose of preventing
the entry of flammable atmospheres. Replacement parts must conform to the manufacturer's specifications.
NOTE: The use of silicone sealant can inhibit the effectiveness of some types of leak detection equipment. Intrinsically
safe components do not need to be isolated before working on them.
l) Repair of intrinsically safe components
Do not apply permanent inductive or capacitive loads to the circuit without ensuring that it does not exceed the voltage and
current allowed for the equipment in use.
The intrinsically safe components are the only ones that can be worked on in the presence of a flammable atmosphere.
The test equipment must be of the correct evaluation.
Replace components only with parts specified by the manufacturer. Other parts can cause the refrigerant to ignite in the
atmosphere due to a leak.
j) Wiring
Verify that the wiring is not subject to wear, corrosion, excessive pressure, vibration, sharp edges, or other adverse
environmental effects.
The control must also take into account the effects of aging or continuous vibrations from sources such as compressors or
fans.
k) Deactivation
Before carrying out this procedure, it is essential that the technician is fully familiar with the equipment and all its details.
Good practice is recommended that all refrigerants be recovered safely. Before the task is performed, a sample of the oil
and refrigerant must be taken in case an analysis is required before reuse of the recovered refrigerant. It is essential that
electricity is available before the start of the activity.
A. Become familiar with the equipment and its operation.
