Aptitude requirement for maintenance man(repairs should be done only
be specialists).
a. All the work men who are engaging in the refrigeration system should bear the
valid certification awarded by the authoritative organization and the qualification for
dealing with the refrigeration system recognized by this industry.
b. It can only be repaired by the method suggested by the equipment’s manufacturer.
If it needs other technician to maintain and repair the appliance, they should be
supervised by the person who bears the qualification for using the flammable refrigerant.
Safety preparation work before installation
The safety must be inspected before maintaining the appliances with the flammable
refrigerant for reducing the flammable hazard to the lowest.
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.
Environment checking
Detection of flammable refrigerants
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.
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.
No person carrying out work in relation to a refrigeration 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.
If any hot work is to be conducted on the refrigeration equipment or any associated
parts, appropriate fire extinguishing equipment shall be available to hand. Have a dry
powder or CO2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
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.
Under no circumstances shall potential sources of ignition be used in the searching
for or detection of refrigerant leaks. A halide torch (or any other detector using a naked flame)
shall not be used.
Specialist’s Manual
32
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