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extinguishing equipment shall be available to hand. Have a dry
powder or CO2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
No ignition sources
No person carrying out work in relation to a refrigeration system
which involves exposing any pipe work 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 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.
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.
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
:
