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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.
1.4 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.
1.5 Presence of fire extinguisher
lf any hotwork 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 2
fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
1.6 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 be released
to thesurrounding space. Prior to worktaking 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.
1.7 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 extemally into the atmosphere.
1.8 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. lf 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;
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if an indirect 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.
1. 9 Checks to electrical devices
Repair and maintenance to electrical components shall include initial safety checks and component
inspection procedures. lf a fault exists that could compromise safety, then no electrical supply shall be
connected to the circuit until it is satisfactorily dealt with. lf 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. lnitial safety checks shall include:
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that capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid possibility of
sparking;
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that there no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging, recovering or
purging the system;
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that there is continuity of earth bonding.
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REPAIRS TO SEALED COMPONENTS
2.1 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. lf it is absolutely
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