– 4 –
Unventilated area
• The appliance shall be stored so as to prevent mechanical damage from occurring.
Information on servicing
1. Check to the area
• Prior to beginning work on systems containing flammable refrigerants, safety checks
are necessary to ensure that the risk of ignition is minimized. For repair to the
refrigerating system, the precautions in item 2 to 6 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 minimize 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 all
applicable 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 on hand.
• Have a dry powder or CO
2
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 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.
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, installer 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 hey 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.
9. Checks to electrical devices
• Repair and maintenance to electrical components shall include initial safety checks and
component inspection procedures.
• 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. This shall be reported to the owner of the
equipment so all parties are advised.
• Initial safety checks shall include;
- That capacitors are discharged 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.
7-EN
8-EN
