In addition to conventional charging procedures,
the following requirements shall be followed:
Ensure that contamination of different
refrigerants does not occur when using charging
equipment. Hoses or lines shall be as short as
possible to minimize the amount of refrigerant
contained in them.
Cylinders shall be kept upright.
Ensure that the refrigeration system is earthed
prior to charging the system with refrigerant.
Label the system when charging is complete (if
not already).
Extreme care shall be taken not to overfill the
refrigeration system.
Prior to recharging the system it shall be
pressure tested with OFN. The system shall be
leak tested on completion of charging but prior to
commissioning. A follow up leak test shall be
carried out prior to leaving the site.
17. Decommissioning
Before carrying out this procedure, it is essential
that the technician is completely familiar with the
equipment and all its detail. It is recommended
good practice that all refrigerants are recovered
safely. Prior to the task being carried out, an oil and
refrigerant sample shall be taken.
In case analysis is required prior to re-use of
reclaimed refrigerant. It is essential that
electrical power is available before the task is
commenced.
a) Become familiar with the equipment and its
operation.
b) Isolate system electrically.
c) Before attempting the procedure ensure that:
mechanical handling equipment is available, if
required, for handling refrigerant cylinders;
all personal protective equipment is available
and being used correctly;
the recovery process is supervised at all times
by a competent person;
recovery equipment and cylinders conform to
the appropriate standards.
d) Pump down refrigerant system, if possible.
e) If a vacuum is not possible, make a manifold so
that refrigerant can be removed from various parts
of the system.
f) Make sure that cylinder is situated on the scales
before recovery takes place.
g) Start the recovery machine and operate in
accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
h) Do not overfill cylinders. (No more than 80 %
volume liquid charge).
i) Do not exceed the maximum working pressure of
the cylinder, even temporarily.
j) When the cylinders have been filled correctly and
the process completed, make sure that the
cylinders and the equipment are removed from site
promptly and all isolation valves on the equipment
are closed off.
k) Recovered refrigerant shall not be charged into
another refrigeration system unless it has
been cleaned and checked.
18. Labelling
Equipment shall be labelled stating that it has been
de-commissioned and emptied of
refrigerant. The label shall be dated and signed.
Ensure that there are labels on the equipment
stating the equipment contains flammable
refrigerant.
19. Recovery
When removing refrigerant from a system, either
for servicing or decommissioning, it is
recommended good practice that all refrigerants are
removed safely.
When transferring refrigerant into cylinders,
ensure that only appropriate refrigerant
recovery cylinders are employed. Ensure that the
correct numbers of cylinders for holding the total
system charge are available. All cylinders to be
used are designated for the recovered refrigerant
and labelled for that refrigerant (i.e. special
cylinders for the recovery of refrigerant). Cylinders
shall be complete with pressure relief valve and
associated shut-off valves in good working order.
Empty recovery cylinders are evacuated and, if
possible, cooled before recovery occurs.
The recovery equipment shall be in good
working order with a set of instructions concerning
the equipment that is at hand and shall be suitable
for the recovery of flammable refrigerants. In
addition, a set of calibrated weighing scales shall
be available and in good working order.
Hoses shall be complete with leak-free
disconnect couplings and in good condition. Before
using the recovery machine, check that it is in
satisfactory working order, has been properly
maintained and that any associated electrical
components are sealed to prevent
ignition in the event of a refrigerant release. Consult
manufacturer if in doubt.
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
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