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Information on Servicing
All replacement parts shall be in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications.
Prior to Beginning Work
Prior to beginning work on systems containing
flammable refrigerants, safety checks are necessary to
ensure that the risk of ignition is minimized. For repair
to the refrigerating system, the following shall be
completed prior to conducting work on the system:
•
Work shall be undertaken under a controlled
procedure to minimize the risk of a flammable gas
or vapor being present while the work is being
performed.
•
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 shall be checked with an appropriate
refrigerant detector prior to and during work, to
ensure the technician is aware of potentially toxic
or flammable atmospheres. Ensure that the leak
detection equipment being used is suitable for use
with all applicable refrigerants, i.e., non-sparking,
adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
•
If any hot work is to be conducted on the
refrigerating equipment or any associated parts,
appropriate fire extinguishing equipment shall be
available to hand. Have a dry powder or CO
extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
•
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.
•
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 using flammable refrigerants:
–
marking to the equipment continues to be
visible and legible. Markings and signs that are
illegible shall be corrected;
18-GF79D1-1A-EN
–
refrigerating 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.
Repairs to Electrical
Components
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.
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:
•
that capacitors are discharged; this shall be done in
fire
a safe manner to avoid possibility of sparking;
2
•
that no live electrical components and wiring are
exposed while charging, recovering or purging the
system;
•
that there is continuity of earth bonding.
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.
Detection of Flammable
Refrigerants
Under no circumstances shall potential sources of
ignition be used in the searching for or detection of
refrigerant leaks. A halide torch (or any other detector
using a naked flame) shall not be used.
The following leak detection methods are deemed
acceptable for all refrigerant systems:
•
Electronic leak detectors may be used to detect
refrigerant leaks but, in the case of flammable
refrigerants, the sensitivity may not be adequate, or
may need re-calibration. (Detection equipment shall
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