2.
Information servicing
2.1
Checks to the area
•
Prior to beginning work on systems containing flammable
refrigerants,safetychecksarenecessarytoensurethatthe
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
•
Workshallbeundertakenunderacontrolledprocedureso
astominimise the risk ofa flammablegas orvapour being
present while the work is beingperformed.
2.3
Work procedure
•
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 beavoided.
•
The area around the work space shall be sectioned off.
Ensurethattheconditionswithintheareahavebeenmade
safe by control of flammable material.
2.4
Checking for presence of refrigerant
•
Theareashall bechecked withanappropriaterefrigerant
detector prior to and during work, to ensure the technician
is aware of potentially flammableatmospheres.
•
Ensure that the leak detection equipment being used is
suitableforuse withflammablerefrigerants,i.e.nosparking,
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 tohand.
•
Havea drypowder orCO2fireextinguisher adjacentto the
charging area.
2.6
No ignition sources
•
No person carrying out work in relation to a refrigeration
systemwhichinvolvesexposinganypipeworkthatcontains
orhascontainedflammablerefrigerantshalluseanysources
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,removinganddisposal,duringwhich
flammable refrigerant can possibly be released to the
surrounding space.
•
Prior to work taking place, thearea around the equipment
istobesurveyedtomakesurethat therearenoflammable
hazards or ignition risks.
•
NO SMOKING signs shall bedisplayed.
2.7
Ventilated area
•
Ensure that the area isin theopen or that itisadequately
ventilated before breaking into the
•
system or conducting any hot work. A degree of ventilation
shall continue during the period
•
that the workis carried out.The ventilationshouldsafely
disperse any released refrigerant
•
and preferably expel it externally into theatmosphere.
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
maintenanceandserviceguidelinesshallbefollowed.
If in doubt consult the manufacturer’s technical
department for assistance. The following checks
shallbeappliedtoinstallationsusingflammable
refrigerants:
•
thechargesizeis inaccordancewiththeroom size
within which the refrigerant containing parts are
installed;
•
theventilationmachineryandoutletsare operating
adequately and are not obstructed;
•
if an indirect refrigerating circuit is being used, the
secondarycircuitshallbecheckedforthepresence
of refrigerant; marking to the equipment continues
to be visible and legible.
•
markingsandsignsthatareillegibleshallbe
corrected;
•
refrigeration pipe or components are installed in
a position where they are unlikely tobe exposed
to any substance which may corrode refrigerant
containingcomponents, unlessthe components
areconstructedofmaterialswhichareinherently
resistanttobeingcorrodedoraresuitablyprotected
against being so corroded.
2.9
Checks to electrical devices
•
Repairandmaintenancetoelectricalcomponentsshall
includeinitialsafetychecksandcomponentinspection
procedures. If a fault exists that could compromise
safety,thennoelectrical supplyshallbeconnectedto
the circuit until it is satisfactorily dealt with. If the fault
cannotbecorrectedimmediatelybutitisnecessaryto
continue operation, an adequate temporary solution
shall be used. This shall be reported to the owner of
theequipmentsoallpartiesareadvised.Initialsafety
checks shall include:
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