Nibe F370 Installer Manual page 6

Ensure that the vacuum pump's outlet is not near to
ignition sources and that there is satisfactory ventilation
by the outlet.
Filling
In addition to the conventional filling procedures, the
following actions must be taken.
Ensure that different refrigerants are not mixed when
filling equipment is used. Hoses and lines must be as
short as possible to minimise the enclosed refrigerant
volume.
Containers must be stored upright.
Ensure that the cooling system is grounded before
the system is filled with refrigerant.
Mark the system once filling is complete (if not
already marked).
Take extra care not to overfill the cooling system.
Before refilling the system, pressure test it with oxygen-
free nitrogen. Leak test the system after filling but be-
fore using the system. Perform an additional leak test
before leaving the installation.
Leak testing
The following leak detection methods are deemed ac-
ceptable for systems containing flammable refrigerants.
Electronic leak detectors shall be used to detect flam-
mable refrigerants, but the sensitivity may not be ad-
equate, or may need re-calibration. (Detection equip-
ment shall be calibrated in a refrigerant-free area.) En-
sure that the detector is not a potential source of igni-
tion and is suitable for the refrigerant used. Leak detec-
tion equipment shall be set at a percentage of the LFL
of the refrigerant and shall be calibrated to the refriger-
ant employed and the appropriate percentage of gas
(25 % maximum) is confirmed.
Leak detection fluids are suitable for use with most re-
frigerants but the use of detergents containing chlorine
shall be avoided as the chlorine may react with the re-
frigerant and corrode the copper pipe-work.
If a leak is suspected, all naked flames shall be re-
moved/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. Oxygen free
nitrogen (OFN) shall then be purged through the sys-
tem both before and during the brazing process.
Decommissioning
Before performing this procedure, the technician must
be familiar with the equipment and all its component
parts. Good practice prescribes that all refrigerant is
collected safely. Before the work is carried out, samples
of oil and refrigerant must be taken, if analyses are re-
quired before collected refrigerant can be reused. There
must be a power supply when this task is started.
1. Familiarise yourself with the equipment and its use.
2. Isolate the system electrically.
3. Before starting the procedure, ensure that:
necessary equipment for mechanical handling of
the refrigerant container is available
4 Chapter 1 | Important information
all necessary personal safety equipment is available
and used correctly
the collection process is continuously supervised
by an authorised person
the collection equipment and containers meet
appropriate standards.
4. Pump the refrigerant system to vacuum, if possible.
5. If it is not possible to pump to vacuum, manufac-
ture a branch, so that the refrigerant can be re-
trieved from different parts of the system.
6. Check that the refrigerant container is on the scales
before starting to collect.
7. Start the collection device and collect according to
the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not overfill the containers (max 80 % (volume)
liquid content).
9. Do not exceed the containers' maximum permitted
working pressure – not even temporarily.
10. When the containers have been filled correctly and
the process is complete, close all shut-off valves in
the equipment and remove and containers and
equipment from the installation immediately.
11. The collected refrigerant must not be filled in any
other system before being cleaned and checked.
Marking
The equipment must be marked stating that it has been
taken out of operation and drained of refrigerant. The
marking must be dated and signed. Check that the
equipment is marked indicating that it contains com-
bustible refrigerant.
Collection
Best practice prescribes that all refrigerant is collected
safely when the refrigerant is drained from a system,
either for servicing or for decommissioning.
The refrigerant must only be collected in suitable refri-
gerant containers. Ensure that the required number of
containers, that can hold the entire volume of the sys-
tem, are available. All containers that are to be used
must be intended for the collection of the refrigerant
and marked for this refrigerant (especially designed
for the collection of refrigerant). The containers must
have the correctly functioning relief valves and shut-
off valves. Empty collection containers must be drained
and, if possible, chilled before collection.
The collection equipment must function correctly and
instructions for the equipment must be to hand. The
equipment must be suitable for the collection of com-
bustible refrigerant.
Fully functioning and calibrated scales must also be to
hand.
Hoses must be in good condition and be equipped with
leak proof quick-couplings. Before using the collecting
machine, check that it works correctly and has been
well maintained, and that corresponding electrical
components are sealed, to prevent ignition if any refri-
gerant should come out. Contact the manufacturer in
the event of any doubts.
Return the collected refrigerant to the refrigerant
supplier in the correct collection container and with
NIBE™ F370