6
displayed.
1.7 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
preferably expel it externally into the atmosphere.
1.8 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.
1.9 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.
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
apparatus is mounted securely. Ensure that seals or sealing materials have not degraded such
that they no longer serve the purpose of preventing the ingress of flammable atmospheres.
Replacement parts shall 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.
