Service and maintain refrigeration systems

This standard is for people who service and maintain refrigeration systems.

The person performing this work must be able to comply with the correct procedures and practices for servicing & maintaining refrigeration systems. This work must be in accordance with the current versions of the appropriate industry standards and regulations; the specification; industry recognised working practices; the working environment and the natural environment. They must know and understand safe handling practices and the types, operation, operating principles and/or application of:

• refrigerants (including their properties e.g. flammable/non-flammable)
• direct and indirect systems
• system components
• RAC and HP systems
• methods, procedures and techniques for servicing & maintaining equipment, components and accessories

1.    verify that the job and system information and documentation are current and relevant and that the plant, instruments, access equipment and tools are fit for purpose

2.    confirm before work starts that the work location and work area can be accessed safely

3.    interpret system information, diagrams and drawings to identify the location of the equipment, accessories and components that need servicing and/or maintaining

4.    select materials, equipment, accessories and components needed to complete the service and/or maintenance activity and confirm that they are:

• of the right type and size
• fit for purpose in accordance with the system's design
• suitable for the working environment

5.    produce a risk assessment and method statement in accordance with organisational procedures for the work to be carried out, including the identification and use of personal protective equipment

6.    complete safe-isolation to ensure the safe disconnection,

7.    installation and/or connection of electrical equipment, cables/wiring,  

8.    associated with the system                                                             

9.    service and/or maintain the system and its associated equipment, accessories and components in accordance with:

• the system's design
• the working environment
• manufacturers' instructions

10.  remove, replace and/or repair the system's associated equipment, accessories and components

11.  confirm the integrity of the system and its associated equipment, accessories and components on completion of the service and/or maintenance activity

12.  confirm with the relevant people:

• those necessary variations to the planned programme of work
• the actions to be taken to ensure that any variations to the planned programme of work will minimise the potential for hazard and risk

13.  obtain customer/client acceptance of the serviced and/or maintained system and its associated equipment, accessories and components in accordance with organisational procedures

14.  implement organisational procedures for the safe transport and/or disposal of waste material, substances and liquids in accordance with suppliers' and manufacturers' instructions

15.  complete relevant documentation in accordance with organisational procedures

1.    the applications, operation and operating principles, advantages and limitations of different systems and their impact on Global Warming Potential

2.    the applications, advantages and limitations of different refrigerants their properties and methods for safe usage

3.    the appropriate industry standards and regulations relevant to servicing and maintaining refrigeration systems

4.    how to verify that job information and documentation is current and relevant and that the plant, instruments, access equipment and tools are fit for purpose

5.    how to produce a risk assessment and method statement for the work to be performed, including the identification and use of personal protective equipment, in accordance with:

• the system's design
• the conditions of the working environment
• organisational procedures
• activities of other personnel on site

6.    how to select materials, equipment, accessories and components needed to complete the service and/or maintenance activity and confirm that they are:

• of the right type and size        
• fit for purpose in accordance with the system's design
• suitable for the working environment

7.    how to interpret information, diagrams and drawings for the system, to identify the location of the equipment, accessories and components that need servicing and/or maintaining

8.    the correct procedures for safe isolation of electrical supplies to equipment, cables/wiring associated with the system

9.    the methods and techniques for servicing and/or maintaining  the system and its associated equipment, accessories and components in accordance with:

• the system's design
• manufacturers' instructions
• the working environment

10.  the methods and techniques for removing, replacing and/or repairing the system's associated equipment, accessories and components without refrigerant loss in accordance with:

• the system's design
• the working environment
• manufacturers' instructions
• appropriate jointing methods

11.  the methods, techniques and procedures to confirm the integrity of the system and its associated equipment, accessories and components on completion of the service and/or maintenance activity

12.  the different types of refrigerants, their properties and methods for their safe usage

13.  the organisational procedures for:

• confirming with relevant people those necessary variations to the planned programme of work that may have the potential to introduce a hazard and/or impact on the service and/or maintenance work to be undertaken
• confirming with relevant people the correct actions to be taken to ensure that any variations to the planned programme of work will not   introduce a hazard and have minimum impact on the service and/or maintenance work to be undertaken
• obtaining customer/client acceptance of the serviced and/or maintained system and its associated equipment, accessories and  components

14.  how to implement organisational procedures for the safe transport and/or disposal of any waste material, substances and liquids in accordance  with suppliers' and manufacturers' instructions

15.  how to complete relevant documentation in accordance with organisational procedures

Working environments (internal and/or external)

• domestic

• non-domestic

  • commercial
  • industrial
  • agricultural
  • horticultural
  • leisure and entertainment
  • residential medical and care facilities
  • public services establishments
  • pre-1919 traditional/historic buildings

Systems

• vapour compression
• secondary
• multi-temp
• air conditioning and heat pumps
• compound/pumped

Equipment, components and accessories

•  compressors
•  condensers/evaporators
•  heat exchangers
•  pressure vessels
•  liquid drier/receivers
•  valves (line; regulating)
•  pipework
•  controls for pressure/temperature (including complex/smart)
•  sensors and gauges
•  internal and external units
• heat pumps 
•  grills/diffusers/fans/filters 
•  vacuum/condensate pumps

Organisational Procedures

• information management
• project management
• risk assessment management
• implementing and monitoring health & safety requirements and issues
• implementing and monitoring issues relating to the natural environment
• customer service
• accident reporting
• emergencies
• communication with relevant people

Jointing methods

•   compression
•   threaded
•   grooved
•   flanges
•   soft soldering
•   adhesives
•   brazing
•   welding 

Plant

• transformers for low voltage hand-tools
• lifting equipment
• access equipment
• hot work equipment

Refrigerants

• HC
• HFC (HFO)
• CFC
• natural inorganic (including CO2 and ammonia)
• secondary refrigerants

Relevant people

• customers/clients

• client representatives

• supervisors

• site/contract manager
• other contractors/trades
• members of the public
• work colleagues

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