1.Transport of equipment containing flammable refrigerants
See transport regulations
2.Marking of equipment using signs
See local regulations
3.Disposal of equipment using flammable refrigerants
See national regulations.
4.Storage of equipment/appliances
The storage of equipment should be in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
5.Storage of packed (unsold) equipment
Storage package protection should be constructed such
that mechanical damage to the equipment inside the
package will not cause a leak of the refrigerant charge.
The maximum number of pieces of equipment permitted to
be stored together will be determined by local regulations.
6.Information on servicing
1)Checks to the area
Prior to beginning work on systems containing flammable
refrigerants, safety checks are necessary to ensure that the
risk of ignition is minimised. For repair to the refrigerating
system, the following precautions 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 minimise 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 flammable 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 to hand. Have
a dry powder or CO2 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 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 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.
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, 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.
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
Warnings (for using R290/R32 refrigerant only)
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