- The installation of pipe-work shall be kept to a minimum.
- Pipe-work shall be protected from physical damage and shall not be installed in an unventilated space, if that space is
smaller than Amin(2m2).
- Compliance with national gas regulations shall be observed.
- Mechanical connections shall be accessible for maintenance purposes.
- The minimum floor area of the room: 2 m2.
- The maximum refrigerant charge amount: 1.7 kg.
- Information for handling, installation, cleaning, servicing and disposal of refrigerant.
- Warning: Keep any required ventilation openings clear of obstruction.
- Notice: Servicing shall be performed only as recommended by the manufacturer.
Unventilated areas
- Warning: The appliance shall be stored in a well-ventilated area where the room size corresponds to the room area as
specified.
- Warning: The appliance shall be stored in a room without continuously operating open flames (e.g. an operating gas
appliance) and ignition sources (e.g. an operating electric heater).
Qualification of workers
- Specific information about the required qualification of the working personnel for maintenance, service and repair
operations.
- Warning: Every working procedure that affects safety means shall only be carried out by competent persons.
Examples for such working procedures are:
- breaking into the refrigerating circuit.
- opening of sealed components
- opening of ventilated enclosures.
Information on servicing
- Prior to beginning work on systems, safety checks are necessary to ensure that the risk of ignition is minimized.
- Work shall be undertaken under a controlled procedure so as to minimized the risk of flammable gas or vapor being
present while the work is being performed.
- 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.
Checking for presence of refrigerant
- The area shall be checked with an appropriate refrigerant detector prior to and during work. The leak detection equipment
should be suitable for use with all applicable refrigerants, i.e. non-sparking, adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
Presence of fire extinguisher
- If any hot work is to be conducted, appropriate fire extinguishing equipment shall be available to hand. Have a dry powder
or CO2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
No ignition sources
- All possible ignition sources, including cigarette smoking, should be kept sufficiently far away from the site of installation,
repairing, removing and disposal. 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
- 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.
Cautions
23
