Workers asphyxiated in refrigeration plant rooms Safety Alert – October 2011
The Institute of Refrigeration (UK) latest safety guidance note ‘Working in HFC and HCFC Machinery Rooms’ highlights the risks and key actions necessary following a recent incident in a shopping centre basement plant room where four workers were asphyxiated. Large HCFC and HFC systems must now have fixed refrigerant gas detectors for safety purposes (as specified by EN378). Large is defined as a charge of more than 25kg or a system where the concentration in the air of the room would rise above a dangerous level if the total refrigerant charge leaked into the room. The dangerous level is related to the “practical limit” depending on the toxicity or flammability of the refrigerant. The practical limit is listed in Annex E of part 1 of the refrigeration safety standard EN378:2008. The gas detector needs to be connected to a method of ensuring safety. This would usually mean emergency ventilation in the case of HCFC and HFC refrigerants – there is no need for a power trip as with ammonia. Ensure that any machinery rooms for large HFC or HCFC plant have gas detection for personnel protection fitted and that it is fully functioning. For more information visit http://www.ior.org.uk
Tags: fixed refrigerant gas detectors, HCFC, HFC, Institute of Refrigeration, murco, Safety
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