ENGLISH
(Original instructions)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPAIR-
ING APPLIANCES CONTAIN-
ING R290
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Checks to the area
♦ Prior to beginning work on systems containing flamma-
ble 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.
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 refrig-
erant detector prior to and during work, to ensure the
technician is aware of potentially flammable atmo-
spheres. Ensure that the leak tection 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 igarette smoking, should be kept
sufficiently far away from the site of installation, repair-
ing, removing and disposal, during which flammable
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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.
Ventilated area
♦ Ensure that the area is in the open or that it is ade-
quately 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.
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 mainte-
nance 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 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