Information Servicing
1. 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.
2. Work procedure
Works 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.
Technical personnel in charge of operation, supervision, maintenance of air-
conditioning systems shall be adequately instructed and competent with respect
to their tasks. Works shall be undertaken with appropriate tools only (In case of
uncertainty, please consult the manufacturer of the tools for use with flammable
refrigerants).
3. 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 sapces shall be avoided. The area
around the work space shall be sectioned off. Ensure that the conditions within the
area have been made safe by control of flammable material.
4. 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. no sparking, adequately sealed or intrinsically
safe.
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 to hand. Have a
dry power or CO2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
6. 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
7. Ventilated area
Ensure that the area is in the open or that it it 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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