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10. LABELLING
Equipment shall be labelled stating that it has been de-commissioned and emptied of refrigerant. The label shall be dated and signed. Ensure
that there are labels on the equipment stating the equipment contains flammable refrigerant.
11. RECOVERY
When removing refrigerant from a system, either for servicing or decommissioning, it is recommended good practice that all refrigerants are
removed safely. When transferring refrigerant into cylinders, ensure that only appropriate refrigerant recovery cylinders are employed. Ensure
that the correct number of cylinders for holding the total system charge are available. All cylinders to be used are designated for the recovered
refrigerant and labelled for that refrigerant (i.e. special cylinders for the recovery of refrigerant). Cylinders shall be complete with pressure relief
valve and associated shut-off valves in good working order. Empty recovery cylinders are evacuated and, if possible, cooled before recovery
occurs.
The recovery equipment shall be in good working order with a set of instructions concerning the equipment that is at hand and shall be suitable
for the recovery of flammable refrigerants. In addition, a set of calibrated weighing scales shall be available and in good working order. Hoses
shall be complete with leak-free disconnect couplings and in good condition. Before using the recovery machine, check that it is in satisfactory
working order, has been properly maintained and that any associated electrical components are sealed to prevent ignition in the event of a
refrigerant release. Consult manufacturer if in doubt. The recovered refrigerant shall be returned to the refrigerant supplier in the correct
recovery cylinder, and the relevant Waste Transfer Note arranged. Do not mix refrigerants in recovery units and especially not in cylinders. If
compressors or compressor oils are to be removed, ensure that they have been evacuated to an acceptable level to make certain that flammable
refrigerant does not remain within the lubricant. The evacuation process shall be carried out prior to returning the compressor to the suppliers.
Only electric heating to the compressor body shall be employed to accelerate this process. When oil is drained from a system, it shall be carried
out safely.
Competence of service personnel
General
Information of procedures additional to usual information for refrigerating appliance installation, repair, maintenance and decommission
procedures is required when an appliance with FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS is affected.The training of these procedures is carried out by
national training organisations or manufacturers that are accredited to teach the relevant national competency standards that may be set in
legislation. The achieved competence should be documented by a certificate.
Training
The training should include the substance of the following:
Information about the explosion potential of flammable refrigerants to show that flammables may be dangerous when handled without care.
Information about potential ignition sources, especially those that are not obvious, such as lighters, light switches, vacuum cleaners, electric
heaters. Information about the different safety concepts:
Unventilated – (see Clause GG.2) Safety of the appliance does not depend on ventilation of the housing. Switching off the appliance or opening
of the housing has no significant effect on the safety. Nevertheless, it is possible that leaking refrigerant may accumulate inside the enclosure
and flammable atmosphere will be released when the enclosure is opened. Ventilated enclosure – (see Clause GG.4) Safety of the appliance
depends on ventilation of the housing. Switching off the appliance or opening of the enclosure has a significant effect on the safety. Care should
be taken to ensure a sufficient ventilation before.
Ventilated room – (see Clause GG.5) Safety of the appliance depends on the ventilation of the room. Switching off the appliance or opening of
the housing has no significant effect on the safety. The ventilation of the room shall not be switched off during repair procedures. Information
about the concept of sealed components and sealed enclosures according to IEC 60079-15:2010.
Information about the correct working procedures:
a) Commissioning
• Ensure that the floor area is sufficient for the refrigerant charge or that the ventilation duct is assembled in a
correct manner.
• Connect the pipes and carry out a leak test before charging with refrigerant.
• Check safety equipment before putting into service.
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