18 Information servicing
Kelvinator Air Conditioning
Information servicing
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 shall be complied with prior to conducting
work on the system.
Work procedure
Work shall be undertaken under a controlled procedure so as to
minimise the risk of a flammable gas or vapour being present while
the work is being performed.
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 work space
shall be sectioned off. Ensure that the conditions within the area
have been made safe by control of flammable material.
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. no sparking, adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Checks to electrical devices
Repair and maintenance to electrical components shall include
initial safety checks and component inspection procedures. If a
fault exists that could compromise safety, then no electrical supply
shall 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 shall be used.
This shall be reported to the owner of the equipment so all parties
are advised.
Initial safety checks shall include:
•
That capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe
manner to avoid possibility of sparking;
•
That there no live electrical components and wiring are
exposed while charging, recovering or purging the system;
•
That there is continuity of earth bonding.