A/C and Refrigerant Safety Precautions

A/C and Refrigerant Safety Precautions

The assemblies and piping system of the air conditioner are filled with the following refrigerant:

1.1.1.2 Tetrafluorethane (CF3-CH2F or CH2F-CF3)

Currently, this refrigerant is known under the following trade names: R134a, H-FKW 134a, SUVA 134a and KLEA 134a (other trade names may be used in other countries).

• Safety precautions when working on vehicles with Start/Stop System, refer to => [ Safety Precautions When Working on Vehicles with Start/Stop System ] Safety Precautions When Working on Vehicles With Start/Stop System.

• Working on refrigerant circuit, refer to => [ Refrigerant Circuit Repairs ] Refrigerant Circuit Repairs.

• Discharge refrigerant circuit, refer to => [ Refrigerant Circuit, Draining ] Refrigerant Circuit, Draining.

• Vehicles with A/C, painting, refer to => [ Painting ] Painting.

• Additional information regarding heating, ventilation and air conditioning, refer to => [ Refrigerant Circuit Repairs ] Refrigerant Circuit Repairs.

Safety Precautions When Handling Refrigerant

The following safety measures should be observed for this refrigerant (additional guidelines apply in individual countries).

If is necessary to open the refrigerant circuit during service work, discharge the refrigerant circuit first. Refer to=> [ Refrigerant Circuit, Draining ] Refrigerant Circuit, Draining. In doing so, the utmost care is to be taken to avoid contact with liquid refrigerant or refrigerant vapors. Should refrigerant nevertheless escape, avoid inhaling the resultant refrigerant/air mixture.

Exhaust extraction systems are therefore to be switched on. Wear rubber gloves and protective goggles.

Reason

Intensive exposure to refrigerant on unprotected parts of the body will result in frostbite.

• Keep an eye bath on hand.

• If liquid refrigerant has come in contact with your skin and eyes, immediately flush with cool water for 15 minutes.

• Then apply eye drops and consult a doctor immediately even if no pain is felt.

• The doctor must be informed, which type of refrigerant caused the freezing.

• Should refrigerant come into contact with other parts of the body despite compliance with all the pertinent safety measures, these are similarly to be rinsed thoroughly in cold water without delay for at least 15 minutes.

• Although refrigerant does not represent a fire hazard, smoking, welding, soldering and brazing are not permitted in areas exposed to refrigerant.

Reason

The high temperature of a naked flame or hot objects causes decomposition of refrigerant gas. Inhalation of the resultant toxic decomposition products leads to dry coughing and nausea.