SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

TM 9-2320-303-24-1

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING AND TESTING - CONTINUED

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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Whenever repairs are made to any air conditioner parts that hold refrigerant, you must discharge, purge or flush (if con-

taminated), evacuate, charge and leak test the system. In a good system, refrigerant lines are always under pressure and

you should disconnect them only after the air conditioning system has been discharged to a refrigerant recovery unit

through the service valves on the compressor.

Refrigerants are safe when used under the right conditions. Always wear safety goggles and non-leather gloves while

discharging, purging, flushing, evacuating, charging, and leak testing the system. Do not wear leather gloves; when

refrigerant gas or liquid contacts leather, the leather will stick to your skin.

WARNING

Use care to prevent refrigerant from touching your skin or eyes, because liquid refrigerant, when exposed to

the air, quickly evaporates and will freeze skin or eye tissue. Serious injury or blindness could result if you

come in contact with liquid refrigerant.

Refrigerant splashed in the eyes should first be treated with a few drops of sterile mineral oil in the eyes, then rinsed

with a weak boric acid solution. Do not rub the eyes. Call a doctor right away.

Refrigerant splashed on the skin should be treated the same as for frostbite: gently pour cool water on the area, but do

not rub the skin. Keep the skin warm with layers of soft, sterile cloth. Call a doctor right away.

Even though refrigerant does not burn, when it contacts extreme heat or flame, poisonous phosgene gas is created. This

gas is also produced when an open flame leak detector is used. Phosgene fumes have an acrid (bitter) smell.

WARNING

Do not work in an area where refrigerant may contact an open flame or any burning material, such as a ciga-

rette. When it contacts extreme heat, refrigerant breaks down into poisonous phosgene gas which, if

breathed, causes severe respiratory irritation. Do not breathe the fumes from an open flame leak detector.

You must work in an area where there is a constant flow of fresh air when the system is discharged, flushed, charged,

and leak tested using an open flame leak detector.

Changes in both federal and state laws will affect the way dealerships service air conditioning systems. Under current

federal laws, refrigerant must be recovered and recycled by all users to protect the environment, and not released into

the atmosphere. Many service operations not directly involving the air-conditioning system require the release of the

refrigerant charge. Under the new regulations, dealerships not having the required recovery and recycling equipment

(and properly trained and certified personnel) will not be allowed to do any of this service work.

Because of its very low boiling point, refrigerant must be stored under pressure. To prevent the refrigerant cans from

exploding, never expose them to temperatures higher than 125F (52C). Never leave refrigerant cans in the sun, and do

not store them in sun-exposed areas where heat can build up, such as in glove boxes, automobile trunks, etc.

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