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MAINTENANCE: WARNINGS CONCERNING APPLIANCES CONTAINING R32
REFRIGERANT
Area check
• Before starting work on systems containing flammable refrigerants, safety checks
must be carried out to guarantee a minimal ignition risk.
Work procedure
• The work must be carried out according to a controlled procedure in order to
reduce the risks of releasing a flammable gas or vapour while working.
General work area
• All maintenance staff and other personnel working in the surrounding area must
be made aware of the work carried out. Work conducted in enclosed areas must
be avoided.
Check for the presence of refrigerant
• The area must be analysed using a suitable refrigerant detector before and during
work so that the technician is informed of the presence of a potentially toxic or
flammable atmosphere. Check that the leak detection equipment used is suitable
for use with all refrigerants concerned, i.e. that it does not cause a spark, is correctly
isolated or is entirely safe.
Check for the presence of a fire extinguisher
• If work must be carried out on the cooling equipment or any part associated
therewith at a certain temperature, suitable fire extinguishing means must be
within reach. Place a dry chemical fire extinguisher or CO
the work area.
No source of ignition
• No person carrying out work on a cooling system involving exposing the piping
may use any ignition source, which could create a fire or explosion risk. All possible
ignition sources, in particular cigarettes, must not enter within a sufficient perimeter
of the installation, repair, removal or disposal site, in the event that refrigerant
could be released into the surrounding space. Before starting the work, the area
around the equipment must be examined to check for all fire or ignition risks. "No
smoking" signs must be displayed.
Area ventilation
• Before accessing the unit in any manner whatsoever with the intention of
performing any maintenance task, check that the area is open and well-ventilated.
Suitable ventilation must be provided throughout the maintenance task to allow
any refrigerant that could be released into the atmosphere to be safely dispersed.
Refrigeration equipment check
• The manufacturer's recommendations in terms of care and maintenance must always
be complied with. When replacing electric components, check that components
used are of the same type and category as those recommended/approved by the
manufacturer. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer's technical department
for assistance.
• The following checks must be applied to installations using flammable refrigerants:
- if an indirect cooling circuit is used, the presence of refrigerant in the secondary
circuit must be analysed;
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fire extinguisher near
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