Working with R290 5

Online Training: R290 Safety

R290 Operating Pressure

Operating pressure roughly 1/2 that of R32 Operating pressure roughly in line with R22

R290 Flammability – A3 Highly Flammable Gas

Ignition conditions All 3 conditions must be met for flammability There must be a leak of refrigerant A specific concentration level must be achieved There must be a source of ignition

Leaking R290

Concentration level1.8-9.5% Room Volume

Form of Ignition

R290 Flammability

Reason for a leak, physical damage or parts failure. Place a leak detector on floor beside the ground whenever carrying out repairs to the system. This is always good working practice. Keep the concentration levels below minimum concentration level.

Leaking R290

Option one: We need to ensure we do not exceed the Lower Flammability Limit of 0.038kg per cubic meter of R290. Option two: Ventilation via a suitably rated blower fan

Concentration level1.8-9.5% Room Volume

R290 Flammability

Sources of ignition: Naked flame Hot surface above 370oC Static electricity Electricity Spark creating tools (must be certified to work with A3 refrigerants) Static charge from work clothing

Form of Ignition

Counter Measure: Keep all form of ignition at least 1m from the units when working on the R290 unit Use suitably rated and intrinsically safe electrical equipment Statically discharge yourself (Earth) before beginning work/ periodically afterwards Do not use spark creating tools such as grinders etc Recover/ vent all gas (and wait) – test area with sniffer -before beginning hot works

Who can install systems with R290?

Ther is no special requirments for an Air Conditioning Engineer to install the R290 Air conditioning unit.

R290 Tools

R290 is an A3 flammable refrigerant, therefore, you must use A3 certified tools to ensure you do not increase the chances of igniting the gas. In the following sections of the course, we are going to look at some examples of tools that can be used on R290 systems and some differences between R410a/R32 and R290 tools IMPORTANT: Please ensure that a suitably rated and functioning leak detection unit is on your person when:

• Transporting units with R290
• Unboxing units with R290
• Installing units with R290
• Working/ maintaining/ servicing units with R290
• Set the alarm to 25% of LEL (Lower Explosion Limit concentration)

• R290 units and devices containing R290 refrigerant can be worked on with a selection of tools that are also suitable for R410a/R32, BUT, some of these tools are not suitable for use on flammable refrigerants.
• R290 is an A3 flammable refrigerant, therefore, you must use A3 compatible tools to ensure you do not increase the chances of igniting the gas.
• Below are some examples of tools that can be used on R290 systems and some differences between R410a/R32 and R290 tools.

Please check the suitability of your tools before working with R290

Stay Earthed!: Best Practice

• Touch a grounded metal object once in a while to remove any charge from your body.
• Touching a water tap works extremely well.
• Use anti static wrist strap equipment to avoid potential differences between you and the appliances serviced. (be aware these wrist straps are not always grounded)
• Wear work clothes, gloves and shoes with antistatic properties.

Please click the link Summary of New Refrigerant R290 Handling Manual