Risk of explosion, poisoning and injury when working on the air condition system!
When a closed air conditioning systems (charged or empty) becomes heated, high pressures result that can cause the system to burst. Therefore, all welding and soldering operations on or near closed air conditioning systems are prohibited. At high pressure levels and high concentrations of air refrigerant vapours can form explosive mixtures. Even after the system has been evacuated, residual pressure can still be present in the system when loosening couplings. Couplings must be loosened carefully to dissipate residual pressure.
Refrigerant can decompose when overheated. The resulting substances are toxic and must never be inhaled. These vapours are indicated by a piercing odour.
Refrigerant vapours are heavier than air; this means that escaping gases pose a risk of suffocation for anyone in a work pit beneath the vehicle. Contact with liquid refrigerant can cause injuries similar to chilblains (due to undercooling).
Refrigerants pose a hazard to the environment as well as to personal health and safety; they are not to be discharged directly into the atmosphere.
Always wear safety glasses and protective gloves when working with refrigerant.
| • | Do not weld, braze or solder on sealed air conditioning systems or in their immediate vicinity.
| | • | Never smoke when working with refrigerant.
| | • | Never expose refrigerant to open flames.
| | • | Ensure sufficient ventilation in the working area.
| | • | Never inhale vapours from overheated refrigerants.
| | • | Evacuate refrigerant completely from the entire air conditioning system prior to doing any repair work on the air conditioning circuit or components.
| | • | Do not discharge refrigerant directly into the atmosphere.
| | • | Use suitable evacuation, treatment and charging devices equipped with integral disposal and treatment facilities for evacuating refrigerant.
| | • | Loosen couplings carefully, so that residual pressure can dissipate slowly.
| | • | Avoid all skin contact with liquid refrigerant.
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