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 externally 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. If in
doubt consult the Technical 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.
1.9 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.
2 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. 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.
2.2 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 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.
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