This heat pump contains a flammable refrigerant R32.
Any intervention on the refrigerant circuit is prohibited without a valid autho-
rization.
Before working on the refrigerant circuit, the following precautions are neces-
sary for safe work.
1. Work procedure
The work must be carried out according to a controlled procedure, in order to mini-
mize the risk of presence of flammable gases or vapors during the execution of the
works.
2. General work area
All persons in the area must be informed of the nature of the work in progress. Avoid working in a confined
area. The area around the work area should be divided, secured and special attention should be paid to
nearby sources of flame or heat.
3. Verification of the presence of refrigerant
The area should be checked with a suitable refrigerant detector before and during work to ensure that
there is no potentially flammable gas. Make sure that the leak detection equipment used is suitable for
flammable refrigerants, ie it does not produce sparks, is properly sealed or has internal safety.
4. Presence of fire extinguisher
If hot work is to be performed on the refrigeration equipment or any associated part, appropriate fire extin-
guishing equipment must be available. Install a dry powder or CO2 fire extinguisher near the work area.
5. No source of flame, heat or spark
It is totally forbidden to use a source of heat, flame or spark in the direct vicinity of one or more parts or
pipes containing or having contained a flammable refrigerant. All sources of ignition, including smoking,
must be sufficiently far from the place of installation, repair, removal and disposal, during which time a
flammable refrigerant may be released into the surrounding area. Before starting work, the environment
of the equipment should be checked to ensure that there is no risk of flammability. «No smoking» signs
must be posted.
6. Ventilated area
Make sure the area is in the open air or is properly ventilated before working on the system or performing
hot work. Some ventilation must be maintained during the duration of the work.
7. Controls of refrigeration equipment
When electrical components are replaced, they must be suitable for the intended purpose and the appro-
priate specifications. Only the parts of the manufacturer can be used. If in doubt, consult the technical
service of the manufacturer.
The following controls should be applied to installations using flammable refrigerants:
- The size of the load is in accordance with the size of the room in which the rooms containing the
refrigerant are installed;
- Ventilation and air vents work properly and are not obstructed;
- If an indirect refrigeration circuit is used, the secondary circuit must also be checked.
- The marking on the equipment remains visible and legible. Illegible marks and signs must be corrected;
- Refrigeration pipes or components are installed in a position where they are unlikely to be exposed to a
substance that could corrode components containing refrigerant
8. Verification of electrical appliances
Repair and maintenance of electrical components must include initial safety checks and component
inspection procedures. If there is a defect that could compromise safety, no power supply should be
connected to the circuit until the problem is resolved.
Initial security checks must include:
• That the capacitors are discharged: this must be done in a safe way to avoid the possibility of sparks;
• No electrical components or wiring are exposed during loading, recovery or purging of the refrigerant
gas system;
• There is continuity of grounding.
Warning