Safety
Precautions
Page 3
2. Information servicing(For
flammable materials)
2.1 Checks to the area
• Prior to beginning work on systems containing flammable
refrigerants, safety checks are necessary to ensure that the
risk of ignition is minimized. For repair to the refrigerating
system, the following precautions shall be complied with
prior to conducting work on the system.
2.2 Work procedure
• Works 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. Technical
personnel in charge of operation, supervision, maintenance
of air-conditioning systems shall be adequately instructed
and competent with respect to their tasks.Works shall
be undertaken with appropriate tools only (In case of
uncertainty, please consult the manufacturer of the tools for
use with flammable refrigerants)
2.3 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 sapces shall be avoided. The area around
the work space shall be sectioned off. Ensure that the
conditions within the area have been made safe by control
of flammable material.
2.4 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 flammable atmospheres. Ensure that
the leak detection equipment being used is suitable for use
with flammable refrigerants, i.e. no sparking, adequately
sealed or intrinsically safe.
2.5 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 CO2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the
charging area.
2.6 No ignition sources
• No person carrying out work in relation to a refrigeration
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.
2.7 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.
2.8 Checks to the refrigeration 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
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 charge size 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;
• refrigeration 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.
2.9 Checks to electrical devices
• Repair and maintenance to electrical components shall
include initial safety checks and component inspection
procedures. If a fault exists that could compromise
safety, then no electrical supply shall be connected to
the circuit until it is satisfactorily dealt with. If the fault
cannot be corrected immediately but it is necessary to
continue operation, and adequate temporary solution
shall be used. This shall be reported to the owner of
the equipment so all parties are advised.
Initial safety checks shall include:
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