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A N O R D I C B R A N D
flammable refrigerants must not use any sources of ignition in such a manner that there is potential risk of fire or
explosion. All possible ignition sources, including smoking, should be kept sufficiently far away from the site of
installation, repair work, removal and disposal as flammable refrigerant may be released into the surrounding
atmosphere. Before any work takes place, the area around the equipment must be surveyed to make sure that there
are no flammable hazards or ignition risks. No Smoking signs must be displayed.
7) Ventilated area
Ensure that the area is in the open or that it is adequately ventilated before opening the system or conducting any hot
work. Some ventilation must be provided while the work is in progress. The ventilation should safely disperse any
released refrigerant and, ideally expel it to the atmosphere outdoors.
8) Checking the refrigeration equipment
Electrical components that are being replaced must be fit for the purpose and 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 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 system 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;
– The labelling of the equipment is still visible and legible. Labels and signs that are illegible must be replaced;
– Refrigeration pipes or components are installed in a location where they are unlikely to be exposed to any substance
which may corrode components containing refrigerant, unless the components are made of materials which are
inherently resistant to corrosion or are suitably protected against corrosion.
9) Checking electrical devices
Repair and maintenance of electrical components must include initial safety checks and component inspection
procedures. If there is a fault that could compromise safety, no power supply may be connected to the circuit until the
fault has been corrected. If the fault cannot be corrected immediately but continuing operation necessary, an adequate
temporary solution must be used. This must be reported to the owner of the equipment so that all parties are advised.
Initial safety checks must include:
• Discharge of capacitors: this must be done in a safe manner to prevent sparking;
• Ensuring that there are no live electrical components or wiring exposed while charging, recovering or purging the
system;
• That there is continuity of earth bonding.
7. Repairs to sealed components
1) When repairing sealed components, all power supplies must be disconnected from the equipment being worked
upon before any removal of sealed covers, etc. If it is absolutely necessary to maintain a power supply to equipment
during servicing, a permanently operating form of leak detection must be located at the most critical point to provide a
prior warning of any potentially hazardous situation.
2) Particular attention must be paid to the following to ensure that working on electrical components does not result in
alteration of the casing is in such a way that the level of protection is affected.
This must include damage to cables, excessive number of connections, terminals not made to original specification,
damage to seals, incorrect fitting of cable glands, etc.
Ensure that apparatus is mounted securely.
Ensure that seals or sealing materials have not degraded such that they no longer prevent the ingress of flammable
atmospheres. Replacement parts must 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.
8. Repairing 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 must be at the correct rating.
Replace components only with parts specified by the manufacturer. Other parts may result in the ignition of leaked
refrigerant in the atmosphere.
9. Cabling
Check that cabling will not be subject to wear, corrosion, excessive pressure, vibration, sharp edges or any other
adverse environmental effects. The check must also take into account the effects of aging or constant vibration from
sources such as compressors or fans.
