The recovered refrigerant shall be returned to the refrigerant supplier in the correct recovery cylinder, and the relevant Waste
Transfer Note arranged. Do not mix refrigerants in recovery units and especially not in cylinders.
If compressors or compressor oils are to be removed, ensure that they have been evacuated to an acceptable level to make
certain that flammable refrigerant does not remain within the lubricant. The evacuation process shall be carried out prior to
returning the compressor to the suppliers. Only electric heating to the compressor body shall be employed to accelerate this
process. When oil is drained from a system, it shall be carried out safely.
Competence of service personnel
General
Special training additional to usual refrigerating equipment repair procedures is required when equipment with flammable
refrigerants is affected.
In many countries, this training is carried out by national training organisations that are accredited to teach the relevant
national competency standards that may be set in legislation.
The achieved competence should be documented by a certificate.
Training
The training should include the substance of the following:
Information about the explosion potential of flammable refrigerants to show that flammables may be dangerous when handled
without care.
Information about potential ignition sources, especially those that are not obvious, such as lighters, light switches, vacuum
cleaners, electric heaters.
Information about the different safety concepts:
Unventilated – (see Clause GG.2) Safety of the appliance does not depend on ventilation of the housing. Switching off the
appliance or opening of the housing has no significant effect on the safety. Nevertheless, it is possible that leaking refrigerant
may accumulate inside the enclosure and flammable atmosphere will be released when the enclosure is opened.
Ventilated enclosure – (see Clause GG.4) Safety of the appliance depends on ventilation of the housing. Switching off the
appliance or opening of the enclosure has a significant effect on the safety. Care should be taken to ensure a sufficient
ventilation before.
Ventilated room – (see Clause GG.5) Safety of the appliance depends on the ventilation of the room. Switching off the
appliance or opening of the housing has no significant effect on the safety. The ventilation of the room shall not be switched off
during repair procedures.
Information about the concept of sealed components and sealed enclosures ccording to IEC 60079-15:2010.Information about
the correct working procedures:
a) Commissioning
• Ensure that the floor area is sufficient for the refrigerant charge or that the ventilation duct is assembled in a correct manner.
• Connect the pipes and carry out a leak test before charging with refrigerant.
• Check safety equipment before putting into service.
b) Maintenance
• Portable equipment shall be repaired outside or in a workshop specially equipped for servicing units with flammable
refrigerants.
• Ensure sufficient ventilation at the repair place.
• Be aware that malfunction of the equipment may be caused by refrigerant loss and a refrigerant leak is possible.
• Discharge capacitors in a way that won’t cause any spark. The standard procedure to short circuit the capacitor terminals
usually creates sparks.
• Reassemble sealed enclosures accurately. If seals are worn, replace them.
• Check safety equipment before putting into service.
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