8
Safety precautions
2-3. 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 fl ammable atmospheres.
• Ensure that the leak detection equipment
being used is suitable for use with fl ammable
refrigerants, i.e. non sparking, adequately
sealed or intrinsically safe.
• In case of leakage/spillage happened,
immediately ventilate area and stay upwind
and away from spill/release.
• In case of leakage/spillage happened, do
notify persons down wind of the leaking/
spill, isolate immediate hazard area and keep
unauthorized personnel out.
2-4. Presence of fi re extinguisher
• If any hot work is to be conducted on the
refrigerating equipment or any associated
parts, appropriate fi re extinguishing
equipment shall be available at hand.
• Have a dry powder or CO
2
fi re extinguisher
adjacent to the charging area.
2-5. No ignition sources
• No person carrying out work in relation to a
refrigerating system which involves exposing
any pipe work that contains or has contained
fl ammable refrigerant shall use any sources
of ignition in such a manner that it may lead to
the risk of fi re or explosion. He/She must not
be smoking when carrying out such work.
• All possible ignition sources, including
cigarette smoking, should be kept suffi ciently
far away from the site of installation,
repairing, removing and disposal, during
which fl ammable 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 fl ammable hazards or
ignition risks.
• “No Smoking” signs shall be displayed.
2-6. 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.
2-7. Checks to the refrigerating equipment
• Where electrical components are being
changed, they shall be fi t for the purpose and
to the correct specifi cation.
• 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 fl ammable refrigerants.
- The actual refrigerant charge 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.
- Refrigerating 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 properly protected against being so
corroded.
2-8. Checks to electrical devices
• Repair and maintenance to electrical
components shall include initial safety checks
and component inspection procedures.
• Initial safety checks shall include but not limit
to:-
- 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.
• At all times the manufacturer’s maintenance
and service guidelines shall be followed.
• If in doubt consult the manufacturer’s
technical department for assistance.
• 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.
• The owner of the equipment must be
informed or reported so all parties are advised
thereinafter.
