AIR CONDITIONING
1
11.1
PRECAUTIONS
IN
HANDLING
REFRIGERANT
Refrigerant (R134a)
(Tetra flouroethane, CF3-CH2F)
Specifications: HFC 134a
CH2 F CF3
Oil:
Mineral oil Equivalent to ND8
Care should be taken when discharging the air
conditioning system to ensure the refrigerant
is not released into atmosphere but captured
for recycling.
Environment friendly refrigerant R134a is not an
ozone depleting substance but its release would
add to the greenhouse warming effect. Refrigerant
R134a is transparent and colourless in both the
gaseous and liquid states. At all normal
temperatures and pressures it will be a vapour.
The vapour is heavier than air and is non -
flammable, non-explosive, nonpoisonous and
noncorrosive (except when in contact with
moisture).
The following precautions in handling R134a
should be observed at all times.
NOTE:
R134a and R 12 are not compatible and must
never be mixed.
1. Always use safety glasses and gloves when
handling or servicing air conditioning
systems.
If R134a does enter the eye, freezing of the eye
can occur and could result in blindness. The
procedure outlined below is suggested if R134a
enters the eye.
a.
Keep calm.
b.
Do not rub eyes.
c.
Splash large quantities of cool water into
the eyes to increase the temperature
d.
Tape a sterile eye patch in place to prevent
dirt from entering the eye
e.
Go immediately to a doctor or hospital for
Professional care.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
TREAT YOURSELF.
2. Always use proper workshop practices, do
not bypass agreed practices Always work in
a well-ventilated area.
3. Avoid skin contact, as R134a will cause frost
bite on contact with bare skin.
4. Do not abuse the refrigerant cylinder, or any
other tools you may need to use.
5. Do not weld or steam clean on or near any
air
conditioning
components
when
pressurized. This may cause a dangerous
pressure build up in the system.
6. Do not discharge refrigerant into an enclosed
area.
7. When purging a system, discharge the
refrigerant slowly.
8. If it is necessary to transport or carry a
cylinder of refrigerant in a car, keep it in a
luggage compartment.
9. . Refrigerant cylinders should always be
protected from the radiant heat of the sun
and kept in a cool place.
10. When filling a refrigerant cylinder, never
completely fill it. Always leave space for
expansion. If the cylinder is completely filled
and if the temperature increases, hydraulic
pressure will build up and with its
tremendous force would result, in leak or
burst.
11. Never discharge a system or do brazing /
welding / operation when the engine is on.
12. Do not drop, dent or abuse refrigerant gas
cylinders.
13. Always chain or strap cylinders in place to
prevent them from tripping over, or damage,
from moving around.
14. Always keep the cylinders capped.
15. .Never heat a cylinder with open flame or
place electric heater in direct contact.
16. Always double check that you have proper
refrigerant container. The refrigerant
cylinders are colour coded to avoid
confusion. R 134a is BLUE.
17. Use proper size spanners, wrenches to avoid
damages to valve and threads
