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Idiomas disponibles
Idiomas disponibles
an operating gas appliance) and ignition sources
(for example an operating electric heater).
– The appliance shall be stored so as to prevent
mechanical damage from occurring.
Information on servicing
Information about the credentials of qualified service personnel as follows.
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Any person who is involved with working on or breaking into a refrigerant circuit should hold a current valid certificate from an industry-accredited
assessment authority, which authorises their competence to handle refrigerants safely in accordance with an industry recognised assessment specification.
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Servicing shall only be performed as recommended by the equipment manufacturer. Maintenance and repair requiring the assistance of other skilled
personnel shall be carried out under the supervision of the person competent in the use of flammable refrigerants.
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 minimised. For repair to
the refrigerating system, the following precautions shall be complied with prior to conducting work on the system.
Work procedure
Work 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.
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.
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. non-sparking, adequately sealed or
intrinsically safe.
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
fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
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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.
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.
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:
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the charge size is in accordance with the room size within which the refrigerant containing parts are installed;
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the ventilation machinery and outlets are operating adequately and are not obstructed;
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if an indirect refrigerating circuit is being used, the secondary circuit shall be checked for the presence of refrigerant;
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marking to the equipment continues to be visible and legible. Markings and signs that are illegible shall be corrected;
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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.
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, an 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:
that capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid possibility of sparking;
that no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging, recovering or purging the system;
that there is continuity of earth bonding.
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