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(1-8) Checks on 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.
• 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 corroded.
(1-9) Checks on Electrical Devices
Repair and maintenance to electrical components shall include initial safety checks and component inspection proce-
dures. 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 ade-
quate 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;
• no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging, recovering or purging the system;
• there is continuity of earth bonding
(2) Repairs to Sealed Components
(2-1) During repairs to sealed components, all electrical supplies shall 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 shall be located at the most critical point to warn
of a potentially hazardous situation.
(2-2) Particular attention shall 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 shall include damage to cables, excessive number of
connections, terminals not made to original specification, damage to seals, incorrect fitting of glands, etc.
Ensure that the apparatus is mounted securely.
Ensure that seals or sealing materials have not degraded to the point that they no longer serve the purpose of prevent-
ing the ingress of flammable atmospheres.
Replacement parts shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
(3) 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 atmos-
phere. 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.
(4) 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.
(5) Detection of Flammable Refrigerants
Under no circumstances shall potential sources of ignition be used in the searching for or detection of refrigerant leaks.
A halide torch (or any other detector using a naked flame) shall not be used.
(6) Leak Detection Methods
Electronic leak detectors may be used to detect refrigerant leaks but, in the case of flammable refrigerants, the sensitivity
may not be adequate, or may need re-calibration. (Detection equipment shall be calibrated in a refrigerant-free area.)
Ensure that the detector is not a potential source of ignition and is suitable for the refrigerant used. Leak detection equip-
ment shall be set at a percentage of the LFL of the refrigerant and shall be calibrated to the refrigerant employed, and the
appropriate percentage of gas (25% maximum) is confirmed.
Leak detection fluids are suitable for use with most refrigerants but the use of detergents containing chlorine shall be
avoided as the chlorine may react with the refrigerant and corrode the copper pipe-work.
If a leak is suspected, all naked flames shall be removed/extinguished.
If a leakage of refrigerant is found which requires brazing, all of the refrigerant shall be recovered from the system, or
isolated (by means of shut off valves) in a part of the system remote from the leak. For appliances containing flammable
refrigerants, oxygen free nitrogen (OFN) shall then be purged through the system both before and during the brazing pro-
cess.
OBH843
