Publicidad
Idiomas disponibles
Idiomas disponibles
Prior to installation, ensure risk of ignition is minimised and avoid working in confined space.
• When flared joints are reused indoors, the flare part shall be re-fabricated.
• Avoid installation of the air conditioner in a place where there is danger of exposure to continuously operating open flames (for
example an operating electric heaters).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. nonsparking, 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
• No ignition sources
No person carrying out work in relation to a REFRIGERATING 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 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.
• The following checks shall be applied to installations:
– the actual REFRIGERANT CHARGE 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.
• Initial safety checks shall include:
– that capacitors are discharged, this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid possibility of sparking
– there shall be no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging, recovering or purging the system;
– that there is continuity of earth bonding
• 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.
• Cabling
Check that cabling will not be subject to wear, corrosion, excessive pressure, vibration, sharp edges or any other adverse environmental
effects. The check shall also take into account the effects of aging or continual vibration from sources such as compressors or fans.
• Leak detection methods
Ensure that the detector is not a potential source of ignition (for example a halide torch) and is suitable for the refrigerant used. Leak
detection equipment shall be set at a percentage of the LFL of the refrigerant (for R32, LFL is 13%) and shall be calibrated to the
refrigerant employed and the appropriate percentage of gas (25% maximum) is confirmed.
Leak detection fluids are suitable for use with most refrigerants but the use of detergents containing chlorine shall be avoided as the
chlorine may react with the refrigerant and corrode the copper pipe-work. If a leak is suspected, all naked flames shall be removed/
extinguished. If a leakage of refrigerant is found which requires brazing, all of the refrigerant shall be recovered from the system, or
isolated (by means of shut off valves) in a part of the system remote from the leak. Removal of refrigerant shall follow steps below.
Ensure adequate ventilation is available by opening windows or doors.
fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
2
WARNING
1-12
Publicidad
