Safety regulations when handling refrigerant R 134a
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The refrigerant R 134a which is used is known as a safety refrigerant. This means that this refrigerant is non-flammable, non-explosive, non-toxic, non-irritating, odorless and tasteless. Despite this, you should still follow the points below.
- Avoid all contact with liquid or gaseous refrigerants. Treat affected skin in the same way as in the case of freezing. Rinse immediately with cold water and then consult a physician. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes. If refrigerant still gets in your eyes, consult a physician immediately. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
- When carrying out repairs on the air-conditioning system, the system must be emptied by suction and the refrigerant must be purified. Chlorine-free refrigerants must also not be allowed to escape into the atmosphere and must be disposed of correctly. Due to their chemical composition, different refrigerants must not be mixed with each other (not even in small quantities).
- Never perform welding work on parts of the closed air-conditioning system or in its immediate vicinity. Whether or not the system is filed with refrigerant, the heating causes a very strong overpressure which can cause damage to the system or even lead to an explosion. R 134a is completely non-toxic at normal temperatures, but it decomposes upon contact with a flame or at high temperatures.
- Refrigerant bottles must not be thrown and must not be subjected to direct sunlight or other heat sources for an extended period when full. The maximum permissible temperature of a filled refrigerant bottle must not exceed 45°C.