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5. Presence of fire extinguisher
If any hot work is to be conducted on therefrigeration equipment or any associated parts
appropriate fire extinguishing equipment shall be available to hand. Have adry powder or CO
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fire extinguisher adjacent to thecharging area.
6. No ignition sources
No person carrying out work in relation to arefrigeration system which involves exposing any
pipe work that contains or has contained flammable refrigerant shall use any sources of ignition
in such amanner that it may lead to therisk of fire or explosion. All possible ignition sources,
including cigarette smoking, should be kept sufficiently far away from thesite of installation,
repairing, removing and disposal, during which flammable refrigerant can possibly be released
to thesurrounding space. Prior to work taking place, thearea around theequipment is to be
surveyed to make sure that there are no flammable hazards or ignition risks. “No Smoking” signs
shall be displayed.
7. Ventilated area
Ensure that thearea is in theopen or that it is adequately ventilated before breaking into
thesystem or conducting any hot work. Adegree of ventilation shall continue during theperiod
that thework is carried out. Theventilation should safely disperse any released refrigerant and
preferably expel it externally into theatmosphere.
8. Checks to the refrigeration equipment
Where electrical components are being changed, they shall be fit for thepurpose and to
thecorrect specification. At all times themanufacturer’s maintenance and service guidelines
shall be followed. If in doubt consult themanufacturer’s technical department for assistance.
Thefollowing checks shall be applied to installations using flammable refrigerants:
• thecharge size is in accordance with theroom size within which therefrigerant containing
parts are installed;
• theventilation machinery and outlets are operating adequately and are not obstructed;
• if anindirect refrigerating circuit is being used, thesecondary circuit shall be checked for
thepresence of refrigerant:
• marking to theequipment continues to be visible and legible. Markings and signs that are
illegible shall be corrected;
• refrigeration pipe or components are installed in aposition where they are unlikely to
be exposed to any substance which may corrode refrigerant containing components, unless
thecomponents are constructed of materials which are inherently resistant to being corroded
or are suitably protected against being so corroded.
9. Checks to electrical devices
Repair and maintenance to electrical components shall include initial safety checks and component
inspection procedures If afault exists that could compromise safety, then no electrical supply
shall be connected to thecircuit until it is satisfactorily dealt with. If thefault cannot be corrected
immediately but it is necessary to continue operation, anadequate temporary solution shall be
used. This shall be reported to theowner of theequipment so all parties are advised. Initial safety
checks shall include:
• that capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in asafe manner to avoid possibility of sparking;
• that there no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging, recoveringor
purging thesystem;
• that there is continuity of earth bonding.