3)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. 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.
4)Checking for presence of refrigerant
The area shall be checked with an appropriate refrigerating detector prior to and during
work, to ensure the technician is aware of potentially flammable atmospheres. Ensure
that the leak detection equipment being used is suitable for use with flammable
refrigerants, i.e. non-sparking, adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
5)Presence of fire extinguisher
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
CO
2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
6)No ignition sources
No person carrying out work in relation to a refrigerating system which involves exposing
any pipe work that contains or has contained flammable refrigerant 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 flammable
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.
7)Ventilated 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.
8)Checks to the refrigerating equipment
Where electrical components are being changed, they shall be fit for the purpose and to
the correct specifications. At all times the manufacturer's maintenance and service
guidelines shall be followed. If in doubt consult the manufacturer's technical department
for assistance. The following checks shall be applied to installations using flammable
refrigerants: the actual refrigerant charge is in accordance with the room size within which
the refrigerant containing parts are installed; the ventilation machinery and outlets are
operating adequately and are not obstructed; if an indirect refrigerating circuit is being
used, the secondary circuit shall be checked for the presence of refrigerant; marking to
the equipment continues to be visible and legible.
Markings and signs that are illegible shall be corrected; and refrigerating pipe or
components are installed in 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 resistant to being corroded or are
suitably protected against being so corroded.
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