Risk Of Fire Due To Ignition Of R1234Yf Refrigerant On Hot Components. Risk Of Poisoning Caused By Inhaling Overheated Refrigerant Vapors. Risk Of Injury To Skin And Eyes Caused By Contact With Escaped R1234Yf Refrigerant And When Working - AS83.00-Z-0007-01A

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Never perform welding work on or near a closed air conditioning system. No smoking or open flames. Wear safety glasses and protective gloves. Work only in well ventilated rooms. Carry out repair work on the air conditioning system circuit only after the system has been evacuated.

Potential risks 

Fire hazard 

Refrigerant is highly flammable and in certain mixing ratios with air it is combustible. In the event of a fire, hazardous decomposition products such as, e. g. hydrogen fluoride, acylhalide, carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) may develop and be released.

Risk of explosion 

Ignitable mixtures may form in combination with refrigerant vapors.

Risk of poisoning 

Refrigerant can decompose when overheated. The resulting substances are toxic and should never be inhaled. Avoid contact with skin.

Risk of suffocation 

Risk of suffocation at high concentration levels of R1234yf.

Risk of injury 

Compressed refrigerant is located in the air conditioning system lines and components. Even after the air conditioning system has been evacuated, overpressure may still be present when unfastening plug connections of the air conditioning system.

In closed air conditioning systems (filled or evacuated), high overpressure can build up due to heating which can cause the system to burst. For this reason, all welding and soldering work  on or near closed air conditioning systems is prohibited.

Risk of injury to skin and eyes caused through contact with escaped refrigerant (frostbite injuries/freezing). In the event of improperly conducted work on the refrigerant circuit, pressurized parts could present a mechanical hazard.

Contact with liquid refrigerant may cause frostbite-like damage to the skin (due to undercooling).

Health hazard 

Health hazard through inhalation of refrigerant vapors or swallowing of liquid refrigerant.

Safety instructions/precautions 

• All work on air conditioning systems may only be conducted by people possessing a certificate or proof of competence.
• All welding and soldering work  on or near closed air conditioning systems is prohibited.
• Never smoke when working with refrigerant and never expose refrigerant to open flames! Keep away from ignition sources.
• Avoid all contact with liquid refrigerant.
• Do not inhale any refrigerant vapors. Ensure sufficient ventilation in the working area if vapors are released. Do not use in proximity of pits and cavities.
• When working with refrigerant always wear safety glasses with side protection and wear protective gloves. The arms must be covered up by the work clothes.
• Change contaminated clothing immediately.
• Open radiant heaters must not be operated.
• Refrigerant supplies must be stored according to specifications.
• All refrigerant must be evacuated from the entire system prior to doing any repair work  on the air conditioning circuit or components.
• In order to protect the workshop personnel and the earth's atmosphere, evacuation of refrigerant directly into the environment is prohibited.
• Suitable evacuation, treatment and charging equipment that have with integral disposal and treatment facilities must be used for evacuating refrigerant.
• Even after the system has been evacuated, overpressure may still be present when unfastening plug connections of the air conditioning system. Therefore, unfasten the plug connections carefully, so that the pressure can reduce slowly.

First-aid measures 

After contact with eyes:

• With the eyelid wide open, thoroughly rinse for at least 10 minutes with flowing water; consult a physician without delay.

  After contact with skin:

• Use water to defrost body parts iced-up by cold fluid, then carefully remove clothing. Rinse with copious amounts of water. A physician should then be consulted. Change contaminated, soaked clothing.

  In the event of inhalation:

• Immediately take the person affected by highly concentrated refrigerant vapors out into the fresh air and keep him/her calm.
• In the event of unconsciousness, shift person into recovery position and move away. If breathing is arrested, bend head towards neck and perform artificial respiration. Call a physician.

  In the event of swallowing:

• Rinse mouth thoroughly with water and consult a physician immediately.