ROWENTA R290 Portable Air Conditioning Intense Cool 3 in 1 Instructions
- June 5, 2024
- Rowenta
Table of Contents
R290 Portable Air Conditioning Intense Cool 3 in 1
Safety instructions for maintenance
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPAIRING APPLIANCES CONTAINING R290
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 minimized. 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 to minimize the risk of
a flammable gas or vapor being present white 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 CO2 fire extinguisher adjacent to the charging
area.
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. Ail 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 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;
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 white charging, recovering or purging the system;
- that there is continuity of earth bonding
REPAIRS TO SEALED COMPONENTS:
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 be located at the most critical point to warn of a potentially
hazardous situation.
Particular attention shall be paid to the following to ensure that by working on electrical components, the casing is not altered in such a way that the level of protection is affected. This shall include damage to cables, excessive number of connections, terminals not made to original specification, damage to seals, incorrect fitting of glands, etc.
Ensure that apparatus is mounted securely.
Ensure that seals or sealing materials have not degraded such that they no
longer serve the purpose of preventing the ingress of flammable atmospheres.
Replacement parts shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s
specifications.
NOTE The use of silicon sealant may inhibit the effectiveness of some
types of leak detection equipment. Intrinsically safe components do not have
to be isolated prior to working on them. Repair to intrinsically safe
components.
REPAIR TO INTRINSICALLY SAFE COMPONENTS:
Do not apply any permanent inductive or capacitance loads to the circuit
without ensuring that this will not exceed the permissible voltage and current
permitted for the equipment in use.
Intrinsically safe components are the only types that can be worked on white
live in the presence of a flammable atmosphere. The test apparatus shall be at
the correct rating. Replace components only with parts specified by the
manufacturer. Other parts may result in the ignition of refrigerant in the
atmosphere from a leak.
CABLING:
Check that cabling will not be subject to wear, corrosion, excessive pressure,
vibration, sharp edges or any other adverse environmental effects. The check
shall also take into account the effects of aging or continual vibration from
sources such as compressors or fans.
DETECTION OF FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS:
Under no circumstances shall potential sources of ignition be used in the
searching for or detection of refrigerant leaks. A halide torch (or any other
detector using a naked flame) shall not be used.
LEAK DETECTION METHODS:
The following leak detection methods are deemed acceptable for systems
containing flammable refrigerants.
Electronic leak detectors shall be used to detect flammable refrigerants, but the sensitivity may not be adequate, or may need re-calibration. (Detection equipment shall be calibrated in a refrigerant-free area.)
Ensure that the detector is not a potential source of ignition and is suitable for the refrigerant used. Leak detection equipment shall be set at a percentage of the LFL of the refrigerant and shall be calibrated to the refrigerant employed and the appropriate percentage of gas (25 % maximum) is confirmed.
Leak detection fluids are suitable for use with most refrigerants but the use of detergents containing chlorine shall be avoided as the chlorine may react with the refrigerant and corrode the copper pipe-work.
If a leak is suspected, all naked flames shall be removed/extinguished.
If a leakage of refrigerant is found which requires brazing, all the
refrigerant shall be recovered from the system, or isolated (by means of shut
off valves) in a part of the system remote from the leak.
Oxygen free nitrogen (OFN) shall then be purged through the system both before and during the brazing process.
REMOVAL AND EVACUATION:
When breaking into the refrigerant circuit to make repairs — or for any other
purpose — conventional procedures shall be used. However, it is important that
best practice is followed since flammability is a consideration.
The following procedure shall be adhered to:
- Remove refrigerant;
- Purge the circuit with inert gas;
- Evacuate;
- Purge again with inert gas;
- Open the circuit by cutting or brazing.
The refrigerant charge shall be recovered into the correct recovery cylinders. The system shall be “flushed” with OFN to render the unit safe. This process may need to be repeated several compressed air or oxygen shall not be used for this task. Flushing shall be achieved by breaking the vacuum in the system with OFN and continuing to fill until the working pressure is achieved, then venting to atmosphere, and finally pulling down to a vacuum. This process shall be repeated until no refrigerant is within the system. When the final OFN charge is used, the system shall be vented down to atmospheric pressure to enable work to take place. This operation is absolutely vital if brazing operations on the pipe-work are to take place. Ensure that the outlet for the vacuum pump is not close to any ignition sources and there is ventilation available.
CHARGING PROCEDURES:
In addition to conventional charging procedures, the following requirements
shall be followed.
- Ensure that contamination of different refrigerants does not occur when using charging equipment. Hoses or lines shall be as short as possible to minimize the amount of refrigerant contained in them.
- Cylinders shall be kept upright.
- Ensure that the refrigeration system is earthed prior to charging the system with refrigerant.
- Label the system when charging is complete (if not already).
- Extreme care shall be taken not to overfill the refrigeration system.
- Prior to recharging the system, it shall be pressure tested with OFN. The system shall be leak tested on completion of charging but prior to commissioning. A follow up leak test shall be carried out prior to leaving the site.
DECOMMISSIONING:
Before carrying out this procedure, it is essential that the technician is
completely familiar with the equipment and all its detail. It is recommended
good practice that all refrigerants are recovered safely.
Prior to the task being carried out, an oil and refrigerant sample shall be
taken in case analysis is required prior to re-use of reclaimed refrigerant.
It is essential that electrical power is available before the task is
commenced.
a) Become familiar with the equipment and its operation.
b) Isolate system electrically.
c) Before attempting the procedure ensure that:
- Mechanical handling equipment is available, if required, for handling refrigerant Cylinders;
- All personal protective equipment is available and being used correctly; the recovery process is always supervised by a competent person; recovery equipment and cylinders conform to the appropriate standards.
- Pump down refrigerant system, if possible.
- If a vacuum is not possible, make a manifold so that refrigerant can be removed from various parts of the system.
- Make sure that cylinder is situated on the scales before recovery takes place.
- Start the recovery machine and operate in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not overfill cylinders. (No more than 80 % volume liquid charge).
- Do not exceed the maximum working pressure of the cylinder, even temporarily.
- When the cylinders have been filled 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.
- Recovered refrigerant shall not be charged into another refrigeration system unless it has
been cleaned and checked.
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 flammable
refrigerant.
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. Empty 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 flammable 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 flammable
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.
TRANSPORT OF EQUIPMENT CONTAINING FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS COMPLIANCE WITH THE TRANSPORT REGULATIONS DISCARDED APPLIANCES SUPPLIES FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS SEE NATIONAL REGULATIONS. STORAGE OF EQUIPMENT/APPLIANCES:
The storage of equipment should be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
STORAGE OF PACKED (UNSOLD) EQUIPMENT:
Storage package protection should be constructed such that mechanical damage
to the equipment
Inside the package will not cause a leak of the refrigerant charge. The
maximum number of pieces of equipment permitted to be stored together will be
determined by local regulations.
MARKING OF EQUIPMENT USING SIGNS SEE LOCAL REGULATIONS
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>