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FURTHER SAFETY INFORMATION
Information on servicing
•
Checks to the work area prior to beginning work on systems containing flammable
refrigerants, safety checks are necessary to ensure that the risk of ignition is
minimised. For repair to the refrigerating system, the following precautions shall be
complied with prior to conducting work on the system.
Work procedure
•
Work shall be undertaken under a controlled procedure so as to minimise the risk
of a flammable gas or vapour being present while the work is being performed.
General work area
•
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 around the workspace shall be sectioned off. Ensure that the conditions
within the area have been made safe by control of flammable material.
Checking for presence of refrigerant
•
The area shall be checked with an appropriate refrigerant detector prior to
and during work, to ensure the technician is aware of potentially flammable
atmospheres. Ensure that the leak detection equipment being used is suitable
for use with flammable refrigerants, i.e. non-sparking, adequately sealed or
intrinsically safe.
Presence of fire extinguisher
•
If any hot work is to be conducted on the refrigeration equipment or any associated
parts, appropriate fire extinguishing equipment shall be available to hand. Have a
dry powder or CO
fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
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No ignition sources
•
Any person carrying out work in relation to a refrigeration system which involves
exposing any pipe work that contains or has contained flammable refrigerant 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 flammable 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.
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.
Checks to the refrigeration equipment
•
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.
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The following checks shall be applied to installations using flammable refrigerants:
1.
The charge size is in accordance with the room size within which the
refrigerant containing parts are installed.
2.
The ventilation machinery and outlets are operating adequately and are not
obstructed.
3.
If an indirect refrigerating circuit is being used, the secondary circuit shall be
checked for the presence of refrigerant.
4.
Marking to the equipment continues to be visible and legible. Markings and
signs that are illegible shall be replaced.
5.
Refrigeration 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 corrosion or are suitably protected against
corrosion.
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 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:
1.
That capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid
possibility of sparking.
2.
That there no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while
charging, recovering or purging the system.
3.
That there is continuity of earth bonding.
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
servicing, 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
electrical 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 specification, damage to seals,
incorrect fitting 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 flammable atmospheres. Replacement parts shall be in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications.
Note: 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.
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