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Idiomas disponibles
Information about the credentials of qualified service personnel as follows.
– 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.
– Servicing shall only be performed as recommended by the equipment manufacturer. Maintenance and repair requiring the
assistance of other skilled personnel shall be carried out under the supervision of the person competent in the use of flammable
refrigerants.
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.
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 refrigerant 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.
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 CO
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.
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.
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
fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
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