3.7 Precautions in the event of refrigerant gas leaks
D A N G E R
Fitters and the designers of the installations must strictly observe local and national legislation, and local codes
regarding safety requirements in the event of refrigerant gas leaks.
3.7.1 Maximum permissible concentration of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)
The R410A refrigerant gas, used in the equipment, is non-flammable and non-toxic.
D A N G E R
In the event of a leak, the gas will spread around the room, displacing the air, and could therefore result in asphyxia.
According to Standard EN378-1, the maximum permissible concentration of HFC R410A gas in the air is 0.44 kg/m
3
.
Therefore, effective measures must be adopted to maintain the concentration of R410A gas in the air below 0.44 kg/m
3
in
the event of a leak.
3.7.2 Calculation of the concentration of refrigerant gas
1 Calculate the total quantity of refrigerant R (kg) charged in the system; to do so, connect all the indoor units of the rooms
in which you wish to have air conditioning.
2 Calculate the volume V (m
3
) of each room.
3 Calculate the refrigerant concentration C (kg/m
3
) of the room in accordance with the following formula:
R / V = C
R: total quantity of refrigerant charged (kg).
V: volume of the room (m
3
).
C: gas refrigerant concentration ( = 0.44 kg/m
3
for R410A gas).
3.7.3 Countermeasures in the event of refrigerant gas leaks
The room should have the following characteristics in case of a leak of refrigerant gas:
1 Opening without shutter to permit the circulation of fresh air in the room.
2 Opening without door measuring 0.15%, or greater, of the floor surface.
3 A fan with a capacity of at least 0.4 m
3
/minute per ton of Japanese refrigeration (=volume moved by the compressor /
5.7 m
3
/h) or above, connected to a gas sensor in the air conditioning system that uses gas refrigerant.
D A N G E R
Special attention should be given to areas where the refrigerant gas may be deposited and stay in the room, such
as basements or similar, as the gas is heavier than air.
3 Piping work and
refrigerant charge
110
SMGB0063 rev. 1 - 10/2010
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