Competence of service personnel
General
Special training additional to usual refrigerating equipment repair
procedures is required when equipment with flammable refrigerants is
affected.
In many countries, this training is carried out by national training organisations
that are accredited to teach the relevant national competency standards
that may be set in legislation.
The achieved competence should be documented by a certificate.
Training
The training should include the substance of the following:
Information about the explosion potential of flammable refrigerants to
show that flammables may be dangerous when handled without care.
Information about potential ignition sources, especially those that are not
obvious, such as lighters, light switches, vacuum cleaners, electric heaters.
Information about the different safety concepts:
Unventilated – (see Clause GG.2) Safety of the appliance does not depend
on ventilation of the housing. Switching off the appliance or opening of
the housing has no significant effect on the safety. Nevertheless, it is
possible that leaking refrigerant may accumulate inside the enclosure and
flammable atmosphere will be released when the enclosure is opened.
Ventilated enclosure – (see Clause GG.4) Safety of the appliance depends
on ventilation of the housing. Switching off the appliance or opening of the
enclosure has a significant effect on the safety. Care should be taken to
ensure a sufficient ventilation before.
Ventilated room – (see Clause GG.5) Safety of the appliance depends on
the ventilation of the room. Switching off the appliance or opening of the
housing has no significant effect on the safety. The ventilation of the room
shall not be switched off during repair procedures.
Information about the concept of sealed components and sealed enclosures
according to IEC 60079-15:2010.
Information about the correct working procedures:
a) commissioning
• Ensure that the floor area is sufficient for the refrigerant charge or that the
ventilation duct is assembled in a correct manner.
• Connect the pipes and carry out a leak test before charging with refrigerant.
• Check safety equipment before putting into service.
b) Maintenance
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