Heating and Air Conditioning: Service Precautions

Safety Instructions For Handling Refrigerant R 134a
The refrigerant R 134a used in this system is specified as a safety refrigerant. This means that this refrigerant is inflammable, nonexplosive, non-toxic, non-irritating, odorless and tasteless. The following precautions should nevertheless be observed.

1. Avoid any contact with liquid or gaseous refrigerant. Treat all skin areas affected as in the case of frostbite; rinse with cold water immediately and consult a doctor. Wear goggles to protect your eyes. Consult a doctor immediately if refrigerant gets into your eyes. Wear protective gloves to protect your hands.
2. When repairing the A/C system, drain the system and clean the refrigerant. Even non- chlorine refrigerants must never be released into the atmosphere and must be disposed of correctly. Due to the differing chemical composition, different types of refrigerant must never be mixed with each other (not even in small quantities).
3. Never perform welding operations on parts of the closed A/C system or in their immediate vicinity. Heating generates excessive pressure regardless of whether the system is filled with refrigerant or not and may cause system damage or even explosions. R 134 a is completely non-toxic at normal temperatures but will decompose if it gets into contact with flames or if it is exposed to high temperatures.
4. Do not throw refrigerant bottles and do not expose filled bottles to direct sunlight or other heat sources for longer periods of time. The maximum admissible temperature of a filled refrigerant bottle must not exceed 45 °C.