Loading ...
Loading ...
Loading ...
• A warning that the appliance shall be
stored in a well-ventilated area where the
room size corresponds to the room area
as specified for operation.
• Any person who is involved with working
on or breaking into a refrigerant circuit
should hold a current valid certificate from
an industry-accredited assessment
authority, which authorises their
competence to handle refrigerants safely
in accordance with an industry recognised
assessment specification.
Examples for such working procedures are:
• breaking into the refrigerating circuit;
• opening of sealed components;
• opening of ventilated enclosures.
• No any open fire or device like switch
which may generate spark/arcing shall be
around air conditioner to avoid causing
ignition of the flammable refrigerant used.
Please follow the instruction carefully to
store or maintain the air conditioner to
prevent mechanical damage from
occurring.
• Do not use means to accelerate the
defrosting process or to clean, other than
those recommended by the manufacturer.
• The appliance shall be stored in a room
without continuously operating ignition
sources (for example: open flames, an
operating gas appliance) and ignition
sources or (for example: an operating
electric heater) close to the appliance.
• Do not pierce or burn.
• Be aware that the refrigerants may not
contain an odour.
1. Transport of equipment containing
flammable refrigerants.
See transport regulations.
2. Marking of equipment using signs
See local regulations.
3. Disposal of equipment using flammable
refrigerants
See national regulations.
4. Storage of equipment/appliances
The storage of equipment should be in
accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
5. Storage of packed (unsold) equipment
Storage package protection should be
constructed such that mechanical
damage to the equipment inside the
package will not cause a leak of the
refrigerant charge. The maximum
number of pieces of equipment
permitted to be stored together will be
determined by local regulations.
6. Information on servicing
a) 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 refrigerating system, the following
precautions shall be complied with prior
to conducting work on the system.
b) 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.
c) 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.
d) Checking for presence of refrigerant
The area shall be checked with an
appropriate refrigerating 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. non-sparking,
adequately sealed or intrinsically safe.
e) 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
6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
refrigerant; Marking to the equipment
continues to be visible and legible.
Markings and signs that are illegible shall
be corrected; Refrigerating 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.
i) 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 components and wiring are
exposed while charging, recovering or
purging the system; That there is
continuity of earth bonding.
7. Repairs to sealed components
a) 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.
If it is absolutely necessary to have an
electrical supply to equipment during
servicing, then a permanently operating
form of leak detection shall be located at
the most critical point to warn of a
potentially hazardous situation.
b) Particular attention shall be paid to the
following to ensure that by working on
electrical components, the casing is not
altered in such a way that the level of
protection is affected. This shall include
damage to cables, excessive number of
need re-calibration. (Detection
equipment shall be calibrated in a
refrigerant-free area). Ensure that the
detector is not a potential source of
ignition and is suitable for the refrigerant
used. Leak detection equipment shall be
set at a percentage of the LFL of the
refrigerant and shall be calibrated to the
refrigerant employed and the appropriate
percentage of gas (25 % maximum) is
confirmed. Leak detection fluids are
suitable for use with most refrigerants but
the use of detergents containing chlorine
shall be avoided as the chlorine may react
with the refrigerant and corrode the
copper pipe-work. If a leak is suspected,
all naked flames shall be
removed/extinguished. If a leakage of
refrigerant is found which requires
brazing, all of the refrigerant shall be
recovered from the system, or isolated
(by means of shut off valves) in a part of
the system remote from the leak.
Removal of refrigerant shall be according
to Removal and evacuation.
11. Removal and evacuation
When breaking into the refrigerant circuit
to make repairs – or for any other
purpose–conventional procedures shall
be used. However, for flammable
refrigerants it is important that best
practice be followed, since flammability is
a consideration. The following procedure
shall be adhered to:
a) safely remove refrigerant following local
and national regulations;
b) purge the circuit with inert gas;
c) evacuate (optional for A2L);
d) purge with inert gas (optional for A2L);
e) open the circuit by cutting or brazing.
The refrigerant charge shall be recovered
into the correct recovery cylinders if
venting is not allowed by local and
national codes. For appliances containing
flammable refrigerants, the system shall
be purged with oxygen-free nitrogen to
render the appliance safe for flammable
refrigerants. This process might need to
be repeated several times. Compressed
air or oxygen shall not be used for
connections, terminals not made to
original specification, damage to seals,
incorrect fitting of glands, etc. Ensure
that apparatus is mounted securely.
Ensure that seals or sealing materials
have not degraded such that they no
longer serve the purpose of preventing
the ingress of flammable atmospheres.
Replacement parts shall be in accordance
with the manufacturer's specifications.
NOTE: The use of silicon sealant may inhibit
the effectiveness of some types of leak
detection equipment. Intrinsically safe
components do not have to be isolated
prior to working on them.
8. Repair to intrinsically safe components
Do not apply any permanent inductive or
capacitance loads to the circuit without
ensuring that this will not exceed the
permissible voltage and current
permitted for the equipment in use.
Intrinsically safe components are the only
types that can be worked on while live in
the presence of a flammable atmosphere.
The test apparatus shall be at the correct
rating. Replace components only with
parts specified by the manufacturer.
Other parts may result in the ignition of
refrigerant in the atmosphere from a leak.
9. Cabling
Check that cabling will not be subject to
wear, corrosion, excessive pressure,
vibration, sharp edges or any other
adverse environmental effects. The check
shall also take into account the effects of
aging or continual vibration from sources
such as compressors or fans.
10.Detection of flammable refrigerants
Under no circumstances shall potential
sources of ignition be used in the
searching for or detection of refrigerant
leaks. A halide torch (or any other
detector using a naked flame) shall not be
used.
The following leak detection methods are
deemed acceptable for systems
containing flammable refrigerants.
Electronic leak detectors shall be used to
detect flammable refrigerants, but the
sensitivity may not be adequate, or may
electrical power is available before the
task is commenced.
a) Become familiar with the equipment and
its operation.
b) Isolate system electrically.
c) Before attempting the procedure ensure
that: Mechanical handling equipment is
available, if required, for handling
refrigerant cylinders; All personal
protective equipment is available and
being used correctly; The recovery
process is supervised at all times by a
competent person; Recovery equipment
and cylinders conform to the appropriate
standards.
d) Pump down refrigerant system, if
possible.
e) If a vacuum is not possible, make a
manifold so that refrigerant can be
removed from various parts of the
system.
f) Make sure that cylinder is situated on the
scales before recovery takes place.
g) Start the recovery machine and operate
in accordance with instructions.
h) Do not overfill cylinders. (No more than
80% volume liquid charge).
i) Do not exceed the maximum working
pressure of the cylinder, even
temporarily.
j) When the cylinders have been filled
correctly and the process completed,
make sure that the cylinders and the
equipment are removed from site
promptly and all isolation valves on the
equipment are closed off.
k) Recovered refrigerant shall not be
charged into another refrigeration system
unless it has been cleaned and checked.
14.
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.
15. Recovery
When removing refrigerant from a
system, either for servicing or
decommissioning, it is recommended
purging refrigerant systems. For
appliances containing flammable
refrigerants, refrigerants purging shall be
achieved by breaking the vacuum in the
system with oxygen-free nitrogen and
continuing to fill until the working
pressure is achieved, then venting to
atmosphere, and finally pulling down to a
vacuum (optional for A2L). This process
shall be repeated until no refrigerant is
within the system (optional for A2L).
When the final oxygen-free nitrogen
charge is used, the system shall be vented
down to atmospheric pressure to enable
work to take place. Ensure that the outlet
for the vacuum pump is not close to any
potential ignition sources and that
ventilation is available.
12. Charging procedures
In addition to conventional charging
procedures, the following requirements
shall be followed. Ensure that
contamination of different refrigerants
does not occur when using charging
equipment. Hoses or lines shall be as
short as possible to minimise the amount
of refrigerant contained in them.
Cylinders shall be kept in an appropriate
position according to the instructions.
Ensure that the refrigeration system is
earthed prior to charging the system with
refrigerant. Label the system when
charging is complete (if not already).
Extreme care shall be taken not to overfill
the refrigeration system. Prior to
recharging the system it shall be pressure
tested with OFN. The system shall be leak
tested on completion of charging but
prior to commissioning. A follow up leak
test shall be carried out prior to leaving
the site.
13. Decommissioning
Before carrying out this procedure, it is
essential that the technician is completely
familiar with the equipment and all its
detail. It is recommended good practice
that all refrigerants are recovered safely.
Prior to the task being carried out, an oil
and refrigerant sample shall be taken in
case analysis is required prior to re-use of
reclaimed refrigerant. It is essential that
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 is 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.
Non-duct connected appliances
containing A2L refrigerants with the
supply and return air openings in the
conditioned space may have the body of
the appliance may be installed in open
areas such as false ceilings not being used
as return air plenums, as long as the
conditioned air does not directly
communicate with the air of the false
ceiling.
Loading ...
Loading ...
Loading ...