Specialist’s Manual
24
a.
Any person who is involved with working on or
Aptitude requirement for maintenance
man(repairs should be done only be
specialists).
b.
Servicing shall only be performed as recomme-
nded by the equipment manufacturer. Mainten-
●
●
Checks to the area
breaking into a refrigerant circuit should hold a
current valid certificate from an industry-accredited
assessment authority,which authorises their co-
mpetence to handle refrigerants safely in acco-
rdance with an industry recognised assessment
specification.
●
●
ance and repair requiring the assistance of other
skilled personnel shall be carried out under the
supervision of the person competent in the use
of flammable refrigerants.
●
Presence of fire extinguisher
Prior to beginning work on systems containing
flammable refrigerants, safety checks are neces-
sary to ensure that the risk of ignition is mini-
mised. For repair to the refrigerating system, the
following precautions shall be complied with prior
to conducting work on the system.
Work procedure
Work shall be undertaken under a controlled
procedure so as to minimise the risk of a flamma-
ble gas or vapour being present while the work is
being performed.
General work area
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.
●
Ventilated area
●
No ignition sources
Checking for presence of refrigerant
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.
If any hot work is to be conducted on the refriger-
ating equipment or any associated parts, appro-
priate fire extinguishing equipment shall be avail-
able to hand. Have a dry powder or CO2 fire
extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
●
– refrigerating pipe or components are installed in
– the actual refrigerant charge is in accordance
–
ing adequately and are not obstructed;
the ventilation machinery and outlets are operat-
–
with the room size within which the refrigerant
containing parts are installed;
if an indirect refrigerating circuit is being used,
– marking to the equipment continues to be visible
Checks to the refrigerating equipment
Where electrical components are being changed,
they shall be fit for the purpose and to the correct
specification. At all times the manufacturer's main-
tenance and service guidelines shall be followed.
If in doubt, consult the manufacturer's technical
department for assistance.
The following checks shall be applied to installa-
tions using flammable refrigerants:
the secondary circuit shall be checked for the
presence of refrigerant;
and legible. Markings and signs that are illegible
shall be corrected;
No person carrying out work in relation to a refrig-
erating 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 explo-
sion. All possible ignition sources, including ciga-
rette smoking, should be kept sufficiently far away
from the site of installation, repairing, removing
and disposal, during which refrigerant can possi-
bly 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.
a position where they are unlikely to be exposed
to any substance which may corrode refrigerant
containing components, unless the components
are constructed of materials which are inherently
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 pref-
erably expel it externally into the atmosphere.
That pipe-work including piping material, pipe
routing, and installation shall include protection
from physical damage in operation and service,
and be in compliance with national and local
codes and standards, such as ASHRAE 15,
ASHRAE 15.2, IAPMO Uniform Mechanical Code,
ICC International Mechanical Code, or CSA B52.
All field joints shall be accessible for inspection
prior to being covered or enclosed.
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