INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPAIR-
ING APPLIANCES CONTAIN-
ING R290
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
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 REFRIGER-
ANT
- 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
tection equipment being used is suitable for
use with flammable refrigerants, i.e. nonspark-
ing, adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
PRESENCE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER
- If any hot work is to be conducted on the re-
frigeration equipment or any associated parts,
propriate 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 that contains or has contained
(Original instructions)
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 igarette 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 haz-
ards 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 refriger-
ant and preferably expel it externally into the
atmosphere.
CHECKS TO THE REFRIGERATION EQUIP-
MENT
- 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 con-
sult the manufacturer's technical department
for assistance.The following checks shall
be applied to installations using flammable
refrigerants: the charge size is in accordance
with the room size within which the refrigerant
containing parts are installed; the ventilation
machinery and outlets are operating ade-
quately and are not obstructed; if an indirect
refrigerating circuit is being used, the second-
ary 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 corrod-
ed or are suitably protected against being so
corroded.
ENGLISH
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