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PRECAUTION FOR USING R290 REFRIGERANT
• pay careful attention to the following points:
WARNING
The mixing of different refrigerants within a system is prohibited.
Operation, maintenance, repairing and refrigerant recovery should be carried out by trained and certifi ed personnel in the use of fl ammable
refrigerants and as recommended by the manufacturer. Any personnel conducting an operation, servicing or maintenance on a system or
associated parts of the equipment should be trained and certifi ed.
Any part of refrigerating circuit (evaporators, air coolers, AHU, condensers or liquid receivers) or piping should not be located in the proximity of
heat sources, open fl ames, operating gas appliance or an operating electric heater.
The user/owner or their authorized representative shall regularly check the alarms, mechanical ventilation and detectors, at least once a year,
where as required by national regulations, to ensure their correct functioning.
A logbook shall be maintained. The results of these checks shall be recorded in the logbook.
In case of ventilations in occupied spaces shall be checked to confi rm no obstruction.
Before a new refrigerating system is put into service, the person responsible for placing the system in operation should ensure that trained and
certifi ed operating personnel are instructed on the basis of the instruction manual about the construction, supervision, operation and maintenance
of the refrigerating system, as well as the safety measures to be observed, and the properties and handling of the refrigerant used.
The general requirement of trained and certifi ed personnel are indicated as below:
a)
Knowledge of legislation, regulations and standards relating to fl ammable refrigerants; and,
b)
Detailed knowledge of and skills in handling fl ammable refrigerants, personal protective equipment, refrigerant leakage prevention, handling
of cylinders, charging, leak detection, recovery and disposal; and,
c)
Able to understand and to apply in practice the requirements in the national legislation, regulations and Standards; and,
d)
Continuously undergo regular and further training to maintain this expertise.
Ensure protection devices, refrigerating circuit and fi ttings are well protected against adverse environmental effects (such as the danger of water
collecting and freezing in relief pipes or the accumulation of dirt and debris).
CAUTION
1. Installation (Space)
• Must comply with national gas regulations, state municipal rules and legislation. Notify relevant authorities in accordance with all applicable
regulations.
• Must ensure mechanical connections be accessible for maintenance purposes.
• In cases that require mechanical ventilation, ventilation openings shall be kept clear of obstruction.
• When disposal of the product, do follow to the precautions in #12 and comply with national regulations.
• Always contact to local municipal offi ces for proper handling.
2. Servicing
2-1. Service personnel
• Any qualifi ed person who is involved with working on or breaking into a refrigerant circuit should hold a current valid certifi cate from an
industry-accredited assessment authority, which authorizes their competence to handle refrigerants safely in accordance with an industry
recognized assessment specifi cation.
• 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 fl ammable refrigerants.
• Servicing shall be performed only as recommended by the manufacturer.
• The system is inspected, regularly supervised and maintained by a trained and certifi ed service personnel who is employed by the person user
or party responsible.
• Ensure refrigerant charge not to leak.
2-2. Work
• Prior to beginning work on systems containing fl ammable refrigerants, safety checks are necessary to ensure that the risk of ignition is
minimised.
For repair to the refrigerating system, the precautions in #2-2 to #2-8 must be followed before conducting work on the system.
• Work shall be undertaken under a controlled procedure so as to minimize the risk of a fl ammable gas or vapour being present while the work
is being performed.
• All maintenance staff and others working in the local area shall be instructed and supervised on the nature of work being carried out.
• Avoid working in confi ned spaces. Always ensure away from source, at least 2 meter of safety distance, or zoning of free space area of at
least 2 meter in radius.
• Wear appropriate protective equipment, including respiratory protection, as conditions warrant.
• Keep all sources of ignition and hot metal surfaces away.
2-3. 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
fl ammable atmospheres.
• Ensure that the leak detection equipment being used is suitable for use with fl ammable refrigerants, i.e. non sparking, adequately sealed or
intrinsically safe.
• In case of leakage/spillage happened, immediately ventilate area and stay upwind and away from spill/release.
• In case of leakage/spillage happened, do notify persons down wind of the leaking/spill, isolate immediate hazard area and keep unauthorized
personnel out.
