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being carried out, an oil and refrigerant sample shall be taken in case analysis is required prior to re-use of
recovered refrigerant. It is essential that electrical power is available before the task is commenced.
a) Become familiar with the equipment and its operation.
b) Isolate system electrically.
c) Before attempting the procedure, ensure that:
• mechanical handling equipment is available, if required, for handling refrigerant cylinders;
• all personal protective equipment is available and being used correctly;
• the recovery process is supervised at all times by a competent person;
• recovery equipment and cylinders conform to the appropriate standards.
d) Pump down refrigerant system, if possible.
e) If a vacuum is not possible, make a manifold so that refrigerant can be removed from various parts of the
system.
f) Make sure that cylinder is situated on the scales before recovery takes place.
g) Start the recovery machine and operate it in accordance with instructions.
h) Do not overfill cylinders (no more than 80 % volume liquid charge).
I) Do not exceed the maximum working pressure of the cylinder, even temporarily.
j) When the cylinders have been filled correctly and the process completed, make sure that the cylinders and
the equipment are removed from site promptly and all isolation valves on the equipment are closed off.
k) Recovered refrigerant shall not be charged into another refrigerating system, unless it has been cleaned
and checked.
17. Labelling
Equipment shall be labelled stating that it has been de-commissioned and emptied of refrigerant. The label
shall be dated and signed. For appliances containing flammable refrigerants, ensure that there are labels on
the equipment stating the equipment contains flammable refrigerant.
18. Recovery
When removing refrigerant from a system, either for servicing or decommissioning, it is recommended good
practice that all refrigerants are removed safely.
When transferring refrigerant into cylinders, ensure that only appropriate refrigerant recovery cylinders are
employed. Ensure that the correct number of cylinders for holding the total system charge is available. All
cylinders to be used are designated for the recovered refrigerant and labelled for that refrigerant (i.e. special
cylinders for the recovery of refrigerant). Cylinders shall be complete with pressure-relief valve and associ
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ated shut-off valves in good working order. Empty recovery cylinders are evacuated and, if possible, cooled
before recovery occurs.
The recovery equipment shall be in good working order with a set of instructions concerning the equipment
that is at hand and shall be suitable for the recovery of all appropriate refrigerants including, when applicable,
flammable refrigerants. In addition, a set of calibrated weighing scales shall be available and in good working
order. Hoses shall be complete with leak-free disconnect couplings and in good condition. Before using the
recovery machine, check that it is in satisfactory working order, has been properly maintained and that any
associated electrical components are sealed to prevent ignition in the event of a refrigerant release. Consult
manufacturer if in doubt.
The recovered refrigerant shall be returned to the refrigerant supplier in the correct recoverycylinder, and the
relevant waste transfer note arranged. Do not mix refrigerants in recovery units and especially not in cylinders.
If compressors or compressor oils are to be removed, ensure that they have been evacuated to an accept
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