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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.
1.4 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. nonsparking, adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
1.5 Presence of fire extinguisher
lf any hotwork 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.
1.6 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 thesurrounding space.
Prior to worktaking 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.
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 extemally 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. lf 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. lf a fault exists that could compromise safety,
then no electrical supply shall be connected to the circuit until it is satisfactorily dealt
with. lf 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. lnitial 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. lf
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.
Summary of Contents for CL 1630
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