INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPAIR-
ING APPLIANCES CONTAIN-
ING R290
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Checks to the 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 refriger-
ating 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. nonsparking,
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, propriate fire extin-
guishing equipment shall be available to hand. Have a dry
powder or CO 2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging
area.
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 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
(Original instructions)
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 prefer-
ably 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 specifica-
tion. 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
flammable 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 indi-
rect 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 components,
unless the components are constructed of materials which
are inherently resistant to being corroded or are suitably
protected against being so corroded.
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: that capacitors are
discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid
possibility of sparking; that there no live electrical compo-
nents and wiring are exposed while charging, recovering
or purging the system; that there is continuity of earth
bonding.
ENGLISH
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