9
Transport of equipment containing flammable refrigerants
See transport regulations
Marking of equipment using signs
See local regulations
Disposal of equipment using flammable refrigerants
See national regulations.
Storage of equipment/appliances
The storage of equipment should be in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions.
Storage of packed (unsold) equipment
Storage package protection should be constructed such
that mechanical damage to the equipment inside the
package will not cause a leak of the refrigerant charge.
The maximum number of pieces of equipment permitted
to be stored together will be determined by local
regulations.
Information on servicing
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 workspace shall be sectioned off.
Ensure that the conditions within the area have been
made safe by control of flammable material.
4. 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. non-sparking, adequately
sealed or intrinsically safe.
5. 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.
6. 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.
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.
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.
