1.3 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.
1.4 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. nonsparking, adequately sealed or
intrinsically safe.
1.5 Presence of fire extinguisher
lf any hotwork 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 2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging area.
1.6 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
thesurrounding space. Prior to worktaking 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.
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 extemally
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. lf 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
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