Safety precautions
3
CAUTION
6-5 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 CO2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
6-6 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 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.
6-7 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 externally into the atmosphere.
6-8 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. 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 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
