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11. It is appropriate that anyone who is called upon to work on a refrigerant circuit should hold
a valid and up-to-date certificate from an assessment authority accredited by the industry
and recognizing their competence to handle refrigerants, in accordance with the assessment
specification recognized in the industrial sector concerned. Service operations should only be
carried out in accordance with the recommendations and components of Cecotec. Maintenance
and repair operations that require the assistance of other qualified persons must be conducted
under the supervision of the person competent for the use of flammable refrigerants.
12. Every working procedure that affects safety means shall only be carried out by competent
persons.
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. When repairing 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 minimize 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
2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
No ignition sources
No person carrying out work in relation to a refrigeration system which involves exposing
any pipe work 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
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sufficiently far away from the site of installation, repairing, removing and disposal, during
which 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, Cecotec's maintenance and service guidelines shall be
followed. If in doubt consult the Technical Support Service of Cecotec.
The following checks shall be applied to installations using flammable refrigerants:
The charge size must be 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.
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 there are no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging, recovering
or purging the system;
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