SYSTEMP – Installation Operation Manual (IOM SYSTEMP rev.N)

64
9.12 PRECAUTIONS AGAINST REFRIGERANT LEAKS
The direct expansion units operate on R410a refrigerant. R410a refrigerant is completely safe, non-toxic and non-am-
mable. This notwithstanding, it is considered a uorinated greenhouse gas subject to the Kyoto Protocol, with a Global Warming
Potential (GWP
100
) of 2088.
According to the REGULATION (EC) no. 517/2014, it is also mandatory for qualied personnel in charge of running
the system to carry out periodic checks to identify any leaks, at the regular intervals indicated below:
A) Devices containing less than 3 kg of uorinated greenhouse gas are not subject to periodic checks for leaks.
B) Devices containing uorinated greenhouse gas in quantities equal to or greater than 5 tonnes of CO
2
equivalent (3 kg) but
less than 50 tonnes of CO
2
equivalent (24 kg): at least every 12 months (1 year) or, if a leak detection system is installed, at
least every 24 months (2 years);
C) Devices containing uorinated greenhouse gas in quantities equal to or greater than 50 tonnes of CO
2
equivalent (24 kg)
but less than 500 tonnes of CO
2
equivalent (240 kg): at least every 6 months or, if a leak detection system is installed, at least
every 12 months (1 year);
For units subject to periodic checks for leaks (points B and C), it is mandatory for the installer (or qualied personnel
in charge of running the system) to create a register for each unit, which records:
• The quantity and type of uorinated greenhouse gas;
• The quantity of uorinated greenhouse gas added during installation, maintenance or due to leaks;
• The quantity of uorinated greenhouse gas recovered during maintenance, repair or permanent dismantling operations;
• If the quantity of uorinated greenhouse gas recovered has been recycled or regenerated, include the name and address of
the recycling or regeneration company, and where applicable, the certicate number;
• The dates and results of the periodic checks carried out for the identication of any leaks.
• The identify of the company that carried out the installation, provided assistance, performed maintenance, and where ap-
plicable, repaired or dismantled the devices, including, where applicable, the relative certicate number.
9.13 CHECKING THE MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION OF REFRIGERANT
The direct expansion units operate on R410a refrigerant. R410a refrigerant is completely safe, non-toxic and non-amma-
ble. Nonetheless, as it contains dierent chemical compounds than those found in the air, it poses the risk of suocation if its concen-
tration exceeds the maximum level for the environment where the unit is installed.
Accordingly, when a direct expansion air conditioner is installed, it is necessary to make sure that even in the case of a refrig-
erant leak, the density does not exceed the maximum risk level for the operators.
The unit of measure of concentration is kg/m
3
, or the refrigerant weight in kg contained in 1 m
3
of air.
Based on current European standards, the maximum level of concentration for environments frequented by humans
is 0.44 kg/m
3
for R410a refrigerant.
The concentration of refrigerant can be calculated as follows:
TOTAL QUANTITY OF REFRIGERANT (kg)
≤ 0.44 kg/m
3
AMBIENT MINIMUM INTERNAL VOLUME (m
3
)
If the concentration of the refrigerant exceeds the maximum level, it will be necessary to implement adequate safety
measures, such as openings to adjacent rooms or an overridden extraction system controlled by a leak detector.
If the concentration of refrigerant exceeds the maximum level, it will also be necessary to provide a conveying pipe,
to be connected to the safety valve installed on the liquid receiver, in order to ensure the discharge of refrigerant to the
outside of the room in case of intervention of the same.