31
Safety Precautions
e) If a vacuum is not possible, make a 
manifold so that refrigerant can be 
removed from various parts of the system.
f)  Make sure that cylinder is situated on the 
scales before recovery takes place.
g) Start the recovery machine and operate in 
accordance with instructions.
h) Do not over fi ll cylinders. (No more than 
80 % volume liquid charge).
i)  Do not exceed the maximum working 
pressure of the cylinder, even temporarily.
j)  When the cylinders have been fi lled 
correctly and the process completed, make 
sure that the cylinders and the equipment 
are removed from site promptly and all 
isolation valves on the equipment are 
closed off.
k) Recovered refrigerant shall not be charged 
into another refrigerating system unless it 
has been cleaned and checked.
• Electrostatic charge may accumulate and 
create a hazardous condition when charging 
or discharging the refrigerant. To avoid fi re or 
explosion, dissipate static electricity during 
transfer by grounding and bonding containers 
and equipment before charging/discharging.
11. Labelling
• Equipment shall be labelled stating that it 
has been de-commissioned and emptied of 
refrigerant.
• The label shall be dated and signed.
• Ensure that there are labels on the equipment 
stating the equipment contains fl ammable 
refrigerant.
12. Recovery
• When removing refrigerant from a system, 
either for servicing or decommissioning, 
it is recommended good practice that all 
refrigerants are removed safely.
• When transferring refrigerant into cylinders, 
ensure that only appropriate refrigerant 
recovery cylinders are employed.
• Ensure that the correct number of cylinders 
for holding the total system charge are 
available.
• All cylinders to be used are designated for 
the recovered refrigerant and labelled for 
that refrigerant (i.e. special cylinders for the 
recovery of refrigerant).
• Cylinders shall be complete with pressure 
relief valve and associated shut-off valves in 
good working order.
• Recovery cylinders are evacuated and, if 
possible, cooled before recovery occurs.
• The recovery equipment shall be in good 
working order with a set of instructions 
concerning the equipment that is at hand and 
shall be suitable for the recovery of fl ammable 
refrigerants.
• In addition, a set of calibrated weighing scales 
shall be available and in good working order.
• Hoses shall be complete with leak-free 
disconnect couplings and in good condition.
• Before using the recovery machine, check 
that it is in satisfactory working order, has 
been properly maintained and that any 
associated electrical components are sealed 
to prevent ignition in the event of a refrigerant 
release. Consult manufacturer if in doubt.
• The recovered refrigerant shall be returned to 
the refrigerant supplier in the correct recovery 
cylinder, and the relevant Waste Transfer 
Note arranged.
• Do not mix refrigerants in recovery units and 
especially not in cylinders.
• If compressors or compressor oils are to 
be removed, ensure that they have been 
evacuated to an acceptable level to make 
certain that fl ammable refrigerant does not 
remain within the lubricant.
• The evacuation process shall be carried 
out prior to returning the compressor to the 
suppliers.
• Only electric heating to the compressor body 
shall be employed to accelerate this process.
• When oil is drained from a system, it shall be 
carried out safely.
English