31
Safety Precautions
e) If a vacuum is not possible, make a
manifold so that refrigerant can be
removed from various parts of the system.
f) Make sure that cylinder is situated on the
scales before recovery takes place.
g) Start the recovery machine and operate in
accordance with instructions.
h) Do not over
fi
ll cylinders. (No more than
80 % volume liquid charge).
i) Do not exceed the maximum working
pressure of the cylinder, even temporarily.
j) When the cylinders have been
fi
lled
correctly and the process completed, make
sure that the cylinders and the equipment
are removed from site promptly and all
isolation valves on the equipment are
closed off.
k) Recovered refrigerant shall not be charged
into another refrigerating system unless it
has been cleaned and checked.
• Electrostatic charge may accumulate and
create a hazardous condition when charging
or discharging the refrigerant. To avoid
fi
re or
explosion, dissipate static electricity during
transfer by grounding and bonding containers
and equipment before charging/discharging.
11. Labelling
• Equipment shall be labelled stating that it
has been de-commissioned and emptied of
refrigerant.
• The label shall be dated and signed.
• Ensure that there are labels on the equipment
stating the equipment contains
fl
ammable
refrigerant.
12. Recovery
• When removing refrigerant from a system,
either for servicing or decommissioning,
it is recommended good practice that all
refrigerants are removed safely.
• When transferring refrigerant into cylinders,
ensure that only appropriate refrigerant
recovery cylinders are employed.
• Ensure that the correct number of cylinders
for holding the total system charge are
available.
• All cylinders to be used are designated for
the recovered refrigerant and labelled for
that refrigerant (i.e. special cylinders for the
recovery of refrigerant).
• Cylinders shall be complete with pressure
relief valve and associated shut-off valves in
good working order.
• Recovery cylinders are evacuated and, if
possible, cooled before recovery occurs.
• The recovery equipment shall be in good
working order with a set of instructions
concerning the equipment that is at hand and
shall be suitable for the recovery of
fl
ammable
refrigerants.
• In addition, a set of calibrated weighing scales
shall be available and in good working order.
• Hoses shall be complete with leak-free
disconnect couplings and in good condition.
• Before using the recovery machine, check
that it is in satisfactory working order, has
been properly maintained and that any
associated electrical components are sealed
to prevent ignition in the event of a refrigerant
release. Consult manufacturer if in doubt.
• The recovered refrigerant shall be returned to
the refrigerant supplier in the correct recovery
cylinder, and the relevant Waste Transfer
Note arranged.
• Do not mix refrigerants in recovery units and
especially not in cylinders.
• If compressors or compressor oils are to
be removed, ensure that they have been
evacuated to an acceptable level to make
certain that
fl
ammable refrigerant does not
remain within the lubricant.
• The evacuation process shall be carried
out prior to returning the compressor to the
suppliers.
• Only electric heating to the compressor body
shall be employed to accelerate this process.
• When oil is drained from a system, it shall be
carried out safely.
English
