Labelling
Equipment shall be labelled stating that it has been de-commissioned and emptied of
refrigerant. The label shall be dated and signed. Ensure that there are labels on the
equipment stating the equipment contains flammable refrigerant.
Recovery
When removing refrigerant from a system, either for servicing or decommissioning, it
is recommended good practice that all refrigerants are removed safely.
When transferring refrigerant into cylinders, ensure that only appropriate refrigerant
recovery cylinders are employed. Ensure that the correct number of cylinders for hol-
ding the total system charge is available. All cylinders to be used are designated for
the recovered refrigerant and labelled for that refrigerant (i.e. special cylinders for the
recovery of refrigerant). Cylinders shall be complete with pressure relief valve and as-
sociated shut-off valves in good working order. Empty recovery cylinders are evacuated
and, if possible, cooled before recovery occurs.
The recovery equipment shall be in good working order with a set of instructions con-
cerning the equipment that is at hand and shall be suitable for the recovery of flam-
mable refrigerants. In addition, a set of calibrated weighing scales shall be available
and in good working order. Hoses shall be complete with leak-free disconnect cou-
plings and in good condition. Before using the recovery machine, check that it is in
satisfactory working order, has been properly maintained and that any associated elec-
trical components are sealed to prevent ignition in the event of a refrigerant release.
Consult manufacturer if in doubt.
The recovered refrigerant shall be returned to the refrigerant supplier in the correct
recovery cylinder, and the relevant Waste Transfer Note arranged. Do not mix refrige-
rants in recovery units and especially not in cylinders.
If compressors or compressor oils are to be removed, ensure that they have been
evacuated to an acceptable level to make certain that flammable refrigerant does not
remain within the lubricant. The evacuation process shall be carried out prior to retur-
ning the compressor to the suppliers. Only electric heating to the compressor body
shall be employed to accelerate this process. When oil is drained from a system, it shall
be carried out safely.
Caution: this symbol indicates that you must read the instruction ma-
nual carefully.
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