Climate 5000 – 6720886909 (2018/04)
25
Information Servicing
12
Information Servicing
(Required for the units adopt R32 Refrigerant only)
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
minimised. For repair to the refrigerating system, the following
precautions should be complied with prior to performing work on the
system.
2. Work procedure
Work should be carried out under a controlled procedure in order to
minimise 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 should be
instructed on the nature of work being carried out. Work in confined
spaces should be avoided. The area around the work space should 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 should be checked with an appropriate refrigerant detector
prior to and during work, to ensure that 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. no sparking, adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
5. Presence of fire extinguisher
If any hot work is to be performed on the refrigeration equipment or any
associated parts, appropriate fire extinguishing equipment should be at
hand. Have a dry power 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, should use any sources of ignition in such a
manner that 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 into
the surrounding area. 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 should be displayed.
7. Ventilated area
Ensure that the area is in the open or is adequately ventilated before
breaking into the system or performing any work involving heat.
A degree of ventilation should continue during the period in which 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
Wherever electrical components are being changed, they should be
sufficient for the purpose and should be to the correct specification. The
manufacturer’s maintenance and service guidelines must be followed at
all times. If in doubt, consult the manufacturer’s technical department
for assistance. The following checks should be applied to installations
using flammable refrigerants:
•
the charge size is in accordance with the room size, in 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
circuits should be checked for the presence of refrigerant; marking
to the equipment continues to be visible and legible.
•
marking and signs that are illegible should 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.
9. Checks to electrical devices
Repair and maintenance to electrical components should include initial
safety checks and component inspection procedures. If a fault exists that
could compromise safety, then no electrical supply should be connected
to the circuit until it is satisfactorily dealt with. If the fault cannot be
corrected immediately but it is necessary to continue operation, an
adequate temporary solution should be used. This should be reported
to the owner of the equipment so all parties are advised.
Initial safety checks should ensure:
•
that capacitors are discharged: this should be done in a safe manner
to avoid any possibility of sparking
•
that no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while
charging, recovering or purging the system;
•
that there is continuity of earth bonding.
10. Repairs to sealed components
10.1 During repairs to sealed components, all electrical supplies should
be disconnected from the equipment being worked upon prior to
any removal of sealed covers, etc. If it is absolutely necessary to
have an electrical supply to equipment during servicing, then a
permanently operating form of leak detection should be located at
the most critical point to warn of a potentially hazardous situation.
10.2 Particular attention should be paid to the following to ensure that
by working on electrical components, the casing is not altered
in such a way that the level of protection is affected. This should
include damage to cables, excessive number of connections,
terminals not made to original specification, damage to seals,
incorrect fitting of glands, etc.
•
Ensure that apparatus is mounted securely.
•
Ensure that seals or sealing materials have not degraded such
that they no longer serve the purpose of preventing the ingress
of flammable atmospheres. Replacement parts should be in
accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
NOTE:
The use of silicon sealant may inhibit the effectiveness of some types of
leak detection equipment. Intrinsically safe components do not have to
be isolated prior to working on them.
11. Repair to intrinsically safe components
Do not apply any permanent inductive or capacitance loads to the
circuit without ensuring that this will not exceed the permissible voltage
and current permitted for the equipment in use. Intrinsically safe
components are the only types that can be worked on while live in the
presence of a flammable atmosphere. The test apparatus shall be at the
correct rating.
Replace components only with parts specified by the manufacturer.
Other parts may result in the ignition of refrigerant in the atmosphere
from a leak.
12. Cabling
Check that cabling will not be subject to wear, corrosion, excessive
pressure, vibration, sharp edges or any other adverse environmental
effects. The check shall also take into account the effects of aging or
continual vibration from sources such as compressors or fans.
