7
SERVICING
CAUTION
•
Any qualified person who is involved with working on or breaking into a refrigerant
circuit should hold a current valid certificate from an industry-accredited
assessment authority, which authorizes their competence to handle refrigerants
safely in accordance with an industry recognised assessment specification.
•
Servicing shall only be performed as recommended by the equipment
manufacturer. Maintenance and repair requiring the assistance of other skilled
personnel shall be carried out under the supervision of the person competent in
the use of flammable refrigerants.
•
Servicing shall be performed only as recommended by the manufacturer.
•
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, (2) to (6) shall be completed prior to conducting work on
the system.
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) The area shall be checked with an appropriate refrigerant detector prior to and
during work, to ensure the technician is aware of potentially toxic or flammable
atmospheres. Ensure that the leak detection equipment being used is suitable
for use with all applicable refrigerants, i.e. non-sparking, adequately sealed or
intrinsically safe.
(4) If any hot work is to be conducted on the refrigerating equipment or any
associated parts, appropriate fire extinguishing equipment shall be available to
hand. Have a dry powder or CO
2
fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
(5) No person carrying out work in relation to a refrigerating system which involves
exposing any pipe work 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 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.
(6) 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.
(7) 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 actual refrigerant charge 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.
01_350115_EU_Eng.indb 7
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