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adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
1.5 Presence of fire extinguisher
If any hot work is to be conducted on the refrigeration equipment or any associated parts,
propriate fire extinguishing equipment shall be available to hand. Have a dry powder or CO 2
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 igarette 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 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.
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 externally 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. 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 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. 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: 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. If 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.
2.2
Particular attention shall be paid to the following to ensure that by working on electrical