Advertisement
Available languages
Available languages
- General work area
All maintenance personnel and other persons working in the local area must be informed
of the nature of the work performed. Any work in confined spaces must be avoided. The
area surrounding the workspace must be divided into sections. Ensure that conditions
within the area have been made safe by controlling flammable materials.
- Checking the presence of refrigerants
The area must be checked with an appropriate refrigerant detector before and during the
work to ensure that the technician is aware of the existence of potentially explosive
atmospheres. Ensure that the leak detection equipment used is suitable for use with
flammable refrigerants, i.e. it does not produce sparks, is properly sealed and is
intrinsically safe.
- Presence of fire extinguishers
If work causing heat is to be carried out on refrigeration equipment or its associated parts,
appropriate fire protection equipment must be available within easy reach. A dry powder
or CO2 extinguisher must be located near the loading area.
- Absence of ignition sources
No person performing work related to a refrigeration system involving the exposure of
pipes that contain or have contained flammable refrigerants shall use ignition sources in a
manner that may lead to a risk of fire or explosion. All possible sources of ignition,
including a person smoking a cigarette, should be located far enough from the installation,
repair, removal and disposal site during the period when the flammable refrigerant can
flow into the surrounding space. Before carrying out the work, the area surrounding the
equipment must be examined to ensure that there are no dangers or risks of ignition. "No
smoking" signs should be displayed.
- Ventilated areas
Make sure that the area is outdoors or adequately ventilated before working on the
system or performing any work that causes heat. A ventilation of a given degree must
continue during the work. Ventilation should safely disperse any refrigerant emitted and
preferably expel it to the outside into the atmosphere.
- Audits of refrigeration equipment
When electrical components are changed, they must be adapted to their intended use and
to the correct specification. The manufacturer's maintenance and service guidelines must
be followed at all times. In case of doubt, consult the manufacturer's technical support
service.
The following checks shall be applied to installations using flammable refrigerants:
- The size of the charge is in accordance with the size of the room in which the elements
containing a refrigerant are installed;
- the machinery and ventilation valves are working properly and are not obstructed;
- if an indirect refrigeration circuit is used, the secondary circuit must be checked for the
Advertisement
