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- 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
presence of refrigerant;
- the marking of the equipment continues to be visible and legible. Marks and symbols that
are illegible must be corrected;
- the refrigeration pipe or components are installed in a position where they are not likely
to be exposed to a substance that may corrode elements containing refrigerants, unless
these elements are constructed with materials that are inherently resistant to corrosion or
that are adequately protected against corrosion.
- Checking of electrical devices
Repair and maintenance operations on electrical components must include initial safety
checks and component inspection procedures. In the presence of a fault that may
compromise safety, no power supply shall be connected to the circuit until the fault has
been satisfactorily addressed. If the defect cannot be corrected immediately but it is
necessary to continue the operations, an appropriate temporary solution must be used.
This should be communicated to the owner of the equipment so that all parties involved
are aware of it.
Initial security checks should include:
- checking that the capacitors are discharged: this must be done in a safe way to avoid
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