Safety Work Area and Temporary Flammable Zones
When working on systems using flammable refrigerants, the technician should
consider certain locations as “temporary flammable zones” (see also page 75).
These are normally regions where at least some emission of refrigerant is antici-
pated to occur during the normal working procedures, such as recovery, charg-
ing, and so on; typically where hoses may be connected or disconnected.
In general, the work schedule for refrigerant handling during service and repair
activities, should be arranged in a manner that the release of refrigerant is not
necessary (e.g. “pumping down“ the system and moving the refrigerant charge
to the high site of the system). In anticipation of the maximum quantity of refrig-
erant that may be released during such a procedure (such as disconnecting a
hose whilst it is full of liquid refrigerant), the minimum distance in all directions
and with respect to the occupied working area where the service equipment is
placed, should be a minimum of two metres.
For any reason and under specific circumstances where service or repair activi-
ties have to be carried out on the indoor unit (breaking into the refrigerant carry-
ing system), the designated two (2) metres safety area will apply the same way
as indicated for the outdoor unit!
2 Metres
Safety
Area
Indoor
Unit
Outdoor
Unit
Strategically
plan your work
schedule and
create a SAFTY
WORK AREA of
a minimum of
two (2) metres!
The two (2)
metres safety
working area is
in case of any
accidental
release of
refrigerant that
forms a
flammable
mixture with
air!