The recovered refrigerant shall be returned to the refrigerant supplier in the correct recovery cylinder, 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 acceptable level to
make certain that flammable refrigerant does not remain within the lubricant. The evacuation process shall be carried out
prior to returning the compressor to the suppliers. Only electric heating to the compressor body shall be employed to
accelerate this process. When oil is drained from a system, it shall be carried out safely.
COMPETENCE OF SERVICE PERSONNEL
General
Special training additional to usual refrigerating equipment repair procedures is required when equipment with flammable
refrigerants is affected.
In many countries, this training is carried out by national training organizations that are accredited to teach the relevant
national competency standards that may be set in legislation.
The achieved competence should be documented by a certificate.
Training
The training should include the substance of the following:
Information about the explosion potential of flammable refrigerants to show that flammables may be dangerous when
handled without care.
Information about potential ignition sources, especially those that are not obvious, such as lighters, light switches,
vacuum cleaners, electric heaters.
Information about the different safety concepts:
Unventilated – (see Clause GG.2) Safety of the appliance does not depend on ventilation of the housing.
Switching off the appliance or opening of the housing has no significant effect on the safety. Nevertheless, it is
possible that leaking refrigerant may accumulate inside the enclosure and flammable atmosphere will be
released when the enclosure is opened.
Ventilated enclosure – (see Clause GG.4) Safety of the appliance depends on ventilation of the housing.
Switching off the appliance or opening of the enclosure has a significant effect on the safety. Care should be
taken to ensure a sufficient ventilation before.
Ventilated room – (see Clause GG.5) Safety of the appliance depends on the ventilation of the room. Switching
off the appliance or opening of the housing has no significant effect on the safety. The ventilation of the room
shall not be switched off during repair procedures.
Information about the concept of sealed components and sealed enclosures according to IEC 60079-15:2010.
Information about the correct working procedures:
a)
Commissioning
Ensure that the floor area is sufficient for the refrigerant charge or that the ventilation duct is assembled in
a correct manner.
Connect the pipes and carry out a leak test before charging with refrigerant.
Check safety equipment before putting into service.
b)
Maintenance
Portable equipment shall be repaired outside or in a workshop specially equipped for servicing units with
flammable refrigerants.
Ensure sufficient ventilation at the repair place.
Be aware that malfunction of the equipment may be caused by refrigerant loss and a refrigerant leak is
possible.
Discharge capacitors in a way that won’t cause any spark. The standard procedure to short circuit the
capacitor terminals usually creates sparks.
Reassemble sealed enclosures accurately. If seals are worn, replace them.
Check safety equipment before putting into service.
c)
Repair
