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About The Refrigerant
WARNING
The following applies to R32 refrigerant systems.
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 following precautions shall be complied with prior to conducting
work on the system.
Work shall be undertaken under a controlled procedure so as to minimise the risk of a flammable gas or vapour
being present while the work is being performed.
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.
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. non-
sparking, adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
If any hot work 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.
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 riskof 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
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.
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.
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.
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 no live electrical components and wiring are exposed whiule charging, recovering or purging the system;
-that there is continuity of earth bonding.
