10
Safety Precautions
2-2. Work
•
Prior to beginning work on systems
containing fl ammable refrigerants,
safety checks are necessary to
ensure that the risk of ignition
is minimised.
For repair to the
refrigerating system, the precautions in
#2-2 to #2-8 must be followed before
conducting work on the system.
•
Work shall be undertaken under
a controlled procedure so as to
minimize the risk of a fl ammable gas
or vapour being present while the
work is being performed.
•
All maintenance staff and others
working in the local area shall be
instructed and supervised on the
nature of work being carried out.
•
Avoid working in confi ned spaces.
Always ensure away from source, at
least 2 meter of safety distance, or
zoning of free space area of at least
2 meter in radius.
•
Wear appropriate protective
equipment, including respiratory
protection, as conditions warrant.
•
Keep all sources of ignition and hot
metal surfaces away.
2-3. 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
fl ammable atmospheres.
•
Ensure that the leak detection
equipment being used is suitable for
use with fl ammable refrigerants, i.e.
non sparking, adequately sealed or
intrinsically safe.
•
In case of leakage/spillage
happened, immediately ventilate
area and stay upwind and away
from spill/release.
•
In case of leakage/spillage
happened, do notify persons down
wind of the leaking/spill, isolate
immediate hazard area and keep
unauthorised personnel out.
2-4. Presence of fi re extinguisher
•
If any hot work is to be conducted
on the refrigerating equipment or
any associated parts, appropriate
fi re extinguishing equipment shall be
available at hand.
•
Have a dry powder or CO
2
fi re
extinguisher adjacent to the
charging area.
2-5. 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
fl ammable refrigerant shall use any
sources of ignition in such a manner
that it may lead to the risk of fi re
or explosion. He/She must not be
smoking when carrying out such
work.
•
All possible ignition sources,
including cigarette smoking, should
be kept suffi ciently far away from
the site of installation, repairing,
removing and disposal, during which
fl ammable 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 fl ammable hazards or ignition
risks.
•
“No Smoking” signs shall be
displayed.
2-6. 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.
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