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5.
Presence of re extinguisher. If
any hot work is to be conducted on
the refrigeration equipment or any
associated parts, appropriate re
extinguishing equipment shall be
available to hand. Have a dry powder
or CO2 re extinguisher adjacent to
the charging area.
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 ammable refrigerant shall
use any sources of ignition in such a
manner that it may lead to the risk of
re or explosion. All possible ignition
sources, including cigarette smoking,
should be kept suciently far away
from the site of installation, repairing,
removing and disposal, during which
ammable 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 ammable hazards or ignition risks.
“No Smoking” signs shall be displayed.
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.
8.
Checks to the refrigeration equipment.
Where electrical components are
being changed, they shall be t for the
purpose and to the correct specication.
At all times the manufacturer’s
maintenance 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
ammable 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
theyare 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.
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.
Repairs to sealed components
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
