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 ecigarette 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.
1.7 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.
1.8 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 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: 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 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.
1.9 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: Those capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid
possibility of sparking; that there no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging, recovering or
purging the system; that there is continuity of earth bonding.
2 REPAIRS TO SEALED COMPONENTS
2.1 During repairs to sealed components, all electrical supplies shall be disconnected from the equipment
being worked upon prior to any removal of sealed covers, etc. If it is absolutely necessary to have an
electrical supply to equipment during servicing, then a permanently operating form of leak detection
shall be located at the most critical point to warn of a potentially hazardous situation.
2.2 Particular attention shall be paid to the following to ensure that by working on electrical components, the
casing is not altered in such a way that the level of protection is affected.
This shall include damage to cables, excessive number of connections, terminals not made to original specification,
damage to seals, incorrect fitting of glands, etc. Ensure that apparatus is mounted securely. Ensure that seals or
sealing materials have not degraded such that they no longer serve the purpose of preventing the ingress of
flammable atmospheres. Replacement parts shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
NOTE The use of silicon sealant may inhibit the effectiveness of some types of leak detection equipment. Intrinsically
safe components do not have to be isolated prior to working on them.
3 REPAIR TO INTRINSICALLY SAFE COMPONENTS
Do not apply any permanent inductive or capacitance loads to the circuit without ensuring that this will not exceed
the permissible voltage and current permitted for the equipment in use.
Intrinsically safe components are the only types that can be worked on while live in the presence of a flammable
atmosphere. The test apparatus shall be at the correct rating. Replace components only with parts specified by the
manufacturer. Other parts may result in the ignition of refrigerant in the atmosphere from a leak.
S. 183