GENERAL RULES FOR HANDLING REFRIGERANT GAS CYLINDERS © Commonwealth of Australia 2010 | Licensed under AEShareNet Share and Return licence

GENERAL RULES GENERAL RULES FORFOR

HANDLING HANDLING REFRIGERANT REFRIGERANT

GAS CYLINDERSGAS CYLINDERS

© Commonwealth of Australia 2010 | Licensed under AEShareNet Share and Return licence

Safety should always be a major Safety should always be a major consideration when refrigerant gas consideration when refrigerant gas cylinders are moved, particularly cylinders are moved, particularly when they are transported in the when they are transported in the back of service trucks in summer.back of service trucks in summer.

Cylinders should be filled to no more Cylinders should be filled to no more than 80% of their maximum possible than 80% of their maximum possible contents or volume as contents or volume as recommended in Australian recommended in Australian Standards. Don’t overfill them Standards. Don’t overfill them because high pressure can cause because high pressure can cause the hydraulic lock to burst.the hydraulic lock to burst.

Let’s look at some basic rules that Let’s look at some basic rules that apply to the handling of all apply to the handling of all refrigerant gas cylinders.refrigerant gas cylinders.


Wear goggles or face shields, Wear goggles or face shields, gloves and safety footwear gloves and safety footwear when filling cylinders, coupling when filling cylinders, coupling up storage vessels and/or up storage vessels and/or handling bulk fills. This helps handling bulk fills. This helps prevent eye damage or burns prevent eye damage or burns that could occur if a coupling that could occur if a coupling breaks or a line bursts.breaks or a line bursts.


Store cylinders in a cool, dry Store cylinders in a cool, dry place away from direct place away from direct sources of heat.sources of heat.

A well ventilated area will A well ventilated area will ensure that no build up of gas ensure that no build up of gas can occur if a cylinder leaks can occur if a cylinder leaks or a relief valve fails.or a relief valve fails.


Make sure cylinder Make sure cylinder connections fit easily and connections fit easily and snugly.snugly.

You should never force You should never force connections.connections. Always use Always use the correct tools when the correct tools when tightening or loosening tightening or loosening fittings. The use of fittings. The use of incorrect tools can strip incorrect tools can strip threads or damage fittings, threads or damage fittings, which can cause leaks and which can cause leaks and possible loss of refrigerant possible loss of refrigerant gas to the atmosphere.gas to the atmosphere.


Don’t use cylinders as ‘rollers’ or Don’t use cylinders as ‘rollers’ or supports as cuts and abrasions supports as cuts and abrasions on the cylinder body or yourself on the cylinder body or yourself may result. Care in handling may result. Care in handling cylinders will prolong their life.cylinders will prolong their life.


The colour of cylinders cannot be The colour of cylinders cannot be relied on for positive relied on for positive identification. Labels should identification. Labels should always be read carefully. If still in always be read carefully. If still in doubt, other methods of doubt, other methods of identification are available such identification are available such as pressure/temperature as pressure/temperature relationships or other methods relationships or other methods available from the manufacturer available from the manufacturer or supplier of the refrigerant. or supplier of the refrigerant.


Each time a cylinder is returned Each time a cylinder is returned for recharging, it should be for recharging, it should be carefully examined for evidence carefully examined for evidence of corrosion, cuts, dents and of corrosion, cuts, dents and bulges. The condition of threads bulges. The condition of threads and valves should be checked to and valves should be checked to make sure the cylinder is make sure the cylinder is suitable for further service.suitable for further service.

Each state has codes that guide Each state has codes that guide the examination and testing of the examination and testing of cylinders to help ensure their cylinders to help ensure their continued safe use.continued safe use.


Refrigerant cylinders Refrigerant cylinders are labelled and are labelled and identified for a identified for a particular refrigerant.particular refrigerant.

Never mix Never mix refrigerants or use refrigerants or use unmarked cylinders. unmarked cylinders.


No part of any cylinder should No part of any cylinder should ever be near a direct flame, ever be near a direct flame, steam or temperatures steam or temperatures exceeding 50 °C.exceeding 50 °C.

If it is necessary to warm a If it is necessary to warm a cylinder to promote more rapid cylinder to promote more rapid discharge, extreme caution discharge, extreme caution should be taken. An easy and should be taken. An easy and safe way is to place the bottom safe way is to place the bottom part of a cylinder in a part of a cylinder in a container of lukewarm water at container of lukewarm water at about 45 °C. about 45 °C.


The pressure within the cylinder The pressure within the cylinder must be greater than in the must be greater than in the system into which it is being system into which it is being transferred.transferred.

Always check pressure before Always check pressure before

charging.charging.

Never refill disposable cylinders. Never refill disposable cylinders. Most have safety devices, such Most have safety devices, such as a one-way valve, to stop this as a one-way valve, to stop this occurring.occurring.


Make sure normal cylinders are Make sure normal cylinders are inspected at 10 year intervals. inspected at 10 year intervals. State, territory and federal codes State, territory and federal codes set out the requirements for set out the requirements for checking pressurised vessels.checking pressurised vessels.


Do not block the safety valve in Do not block the safety valve in the stem as this could lead to the the stem as this could lead to the cylinder rupturing.cylinder rupturing.


Cylinders must have a 3% ullage Cylinders must have a 3% ullage or vapour space at 57 °C. Ullage or vapour space at 57 °C. Ullage space is the space provided for space is the space provided for vapour volume in a cylinder in vapour volume in a cylinder in hot conditions. This is specified in hot conditions. This is specified in Australian Standard 2030.Australian Standard 2030.


Remember to ask your workplace Remember to ask your workplace manager or trainer if you are unsure of manager or trainer if you are unsure of anything or want to check you are working anything or want to check you are working safely. safely.


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GENERAL RULES FOR HANDLING REFRIGERANT GAS CYLINDERS © Commonwealth of Australia 2010 | Licensed under AEShareNet Share and Return licence