CAUTION
2-4 Presence of fi re extinguisher
• If any hot work is to be conducted on the refrigeration equipment or any associated
parts, appropriate fi re extinguishing equipment shall be available at hand.
• Have a dry powder or CO
fi re extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
2
2-5 No ignition sources
• No person carrying out work in relation to a refrigeration system which involves
exposing any pipe work that contains or has contained fl ammable refrigerant shall
use any sources of ignition in such a manner that it may lead to the risk of fi re or
explosion.
• All possible ignition sources, including cigarette smoking, should be kept suffi ciently
far away from the site of installation, repairing, removing and disposal, during which
fl ammable 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 fl ammable hazards or ignition risks. “No Smoking” signs shall
be displayed.
2-6 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.
2-7 Checks to the refrigeration equipment
• Where electrical components are being changed, they shall be fi t for the purpose
and to the correct specifi cation.
• 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 fl ammable 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 compo-
nents, unless the components are constructed of materials which are inherently
resistant to being corroded or are suitably protected against being so corroded.
2-8 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 con-
nected 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 a safe manner to avoid pos-
sibility 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.
3-Repairs to sealed components
• 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 servic-
ing, then a permanently operating form of leak detection shall be located at the most
critical point to warn of a potentially hazardous situation.
• Particular attention shall be paid to the following to ensure that by working on electri-
cal 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 specifi cation, damage to seals, incorrect fi tting 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 fl ammable atmospheres.
• Replacement parts shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifi cations.
NOTES: 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.