Warning! Although R134a refrigerant is not toxic, flammable or explosive in any combination with air at normal temperatures, safety precautions must be taken.
Refrigerant R134a is a colorless and odorless gas with the same specific gravity as air. Therefore, when it enters the atmosphere, especially in inspection pits, it can cause asthma attacks and cardiac disorders. When working with it, turn on the exhaust ventilation. Smoking is strictly prohibited in the workplace.
The filled refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner is under excess pressure. Before repairing the air conditioner, the refrigerant must be pumped out. Avoid welding or soldering the filled air conditioner or in volumes in which R134a leakage is possible. When exposed to flame or high temperatures (50°C), toxic decomposition products may appear (fluorine gas).
Pumping and filling of R134a refrigerant should be carried out only with the help of a service unit. Fill the air conditioner with purified refrigerant. Any contact with R134a refrigerant in liquid or gaseous state should be avoided. Work on the refrigerant circuit should be carried out only in protective glasses and gloves. Affected areas of the body should be thoroughly washed with cold water. If R 134a refrigerant gets into the eyes, they should also be washed with plenty of cold water, and any contact lenses should be removed. Then immediately consult a doctor.
In case of complications caused by inhalation of R134a refrigerant vapors, it is also necessary to immediately consult a doctor. If refrigeration oil gets on the mucous membrane of the esophagus, do not induce vomiting, but immediately consult a doctor.
The necessary conditions for good operation of the air conditioner are maximum cleanliness during the work, as well as, if possible, more complete vacuuming (minimum 30 minutes of drying of the refrigerant circuit) before each filling of the air conditioner.
The R134a refrigerant absorbs moisture well, so it is necessary to immediately plug open pipelines, the condenser, evaporator, compressor or dehydrator tank. When replacing parts, plugs may only be removed immediately before connecting the parts to the pipelines.
In case of warranty repair, it is necessary to install plugs on the removed parts so that the cause of the damage can be identified. If the air conditioner was depressurized during an accident or during repair, it is necessary to replace the dehydrator element, since too much moisture could have gotten into it.
Cylinders filled with R134a refrigerant must be stored so that they are not exposed to direct sunlight or other heat sources (maximum +45°C), as well as impact loads in the form of falling.
Extinguish the fire with carbon dioxide (CO₂), powder (sand) or water from a spray. Collect the leaked refrigeration oil with a water-binding material, and dispose of the pumped-out oil.
Attention! After each full refill of the air conditioner, it is necessary to check the tightness of the protective caps of the filling valves. They serve as an additional seal.