Important Safety Information
READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Any person involved with working on the refrigerant
circuit should hold a current, valid certifi cate from
an industry accredited assessment authority which
authorizes their competence to handle refrigerants
safely in accordance with an industry recognized
assessment specifi cation.
Servicing shall only be performed as recommended
by the manufacturer. Maintenance and repair
requiring the assistance of other skilled personnel
shall be carried out under the supervision of
the person competent in the use of fl ammable
refrigerants.
When maintaining or disposing of the appliance the
refrigerant must be recovered properly and should
not be allowed to discharge to the air directly.
Information on servicing
1. Checks to the area:
Prior to beginning work
on systems containing fl ammable 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 fl ammable 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 confi ned spaces shall be
avoided. The area around the work space shall
be sectioned off. Ensure that the conditions
within the work area have been made safe by
removing all fl ammable material.
4. Checking for the presence of refrigerant:
The are shall be checked with an appropriate
refrigerant detector prior to and during work
to ensure the technician is aware of potentially
fl ammable atmospheres. Ensure that the leak
detection equipment being used is suitable
for use with fl ammable refrigerants, i.e. non-
sparking, adequately sealed and intrinsically
safe.
5. Presence of fi re extinguisher:
If any hot work is
to be conducted on the refrigeration equipment
or any associated parts, appropriate fi re
extinguishing equipment shall be available
to hand. Have a dry powder or C0
2
fi re
extinguisher adjacent to the work 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 fl ammable refrigerant shall use
any sources of ignition in such a manner that it
may lead to risk of fi re or explosion. All possible
ignition sources including cigarette smoking,
should be kept suffi ciently far away from the
site of installation, repairing, removing and
disposal during which fl ammable 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 there
are no fl ammable 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 preferable expel it
externally into the atmosphere.
8. Checks to the refrigeration equipment:
Where
electrical components are being changed, they
shall be fi t for the purpose and to the correct
specifi cation. At all times the manufacturer’s
maintenance and service guidelines shall be
followed. If in doubt consult the manufacturer’s
technical department for assistance.
3
