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Please undertake the following when servicing an appliance that employs a
flammable refrigerant.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
EN
