EN 378-3:2016+A1:2020
(Main)Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 3: Installation site and personal protection
Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 3: Installation site and personal protection
This European Standard specifies the requirements for the safety of persons and property, provides guidance for the protection of the environment and establishes procedures for the operation, maintenance and repair of refrigerating systems and the recovery of refrigerants.
The term “refrigerating system” used in this European Standard includes heat pumps.
This Part 3 of the European Standard is applicable to the installation site (plant space and services). It specifies requirements on the site for safety, which may be needed because of, but not directly connected with, the refrigerating system and its ancillary components.
This standard applies:
a) to refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes except to vehicle air conditioning systems covered by a specific product standard e.g. ISO 13043;
b) to secondary cooling or heating systems;
c) to the location of the refrigerating systems;
d) to replaced parts and added components after adoption of this standard if they are not identical in function and in the capacity.
Systems using refrigerants other than those listed in of !EN 378 1:2016+A1:2020", Annex E are not covered by this standard.
This standard does not apply to goods in storage.
This standard is not applicable to refrigerating systems which were manufactured before the date of its publication as a European Standard except for extensions and modifications to the system which were implemented after publication.
This standard is applicable to new refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications of already existing systems, and for existing stationary systems, being transferred to and operated on another site.
This standard also applies in the case of the conversion of a system for another refrigerant type, in which case conformity with the relevant clauses of parts 1 to 4 of the standard shall be assessed.
Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen - Sicherheitstechnische und umweltrelevante Anforderungen - Teil 3: Aufstellungsort und Schutz von Personen
Diese Europäische Norm legt die Anforderungen an die Sicherheit von Personen und Eigentum fest, liefert eine Anleitung in Hinblick auf den Schutz der Umwelt und enthält Vorgehensweisen für Betrieb, Instandhaltung und Instandsetzung von Kälteanlagen und die Rückgewinnung von Kältemitteln.
Die in dieser Europäischen Norm verwendete Benennung „Kälteanlage“ schließt Wärmepumpen mit ein.
Dieser Teil 3 der Europäischen Norm gilt für den Aufstellungsort (Aufstellungsraum und Versorgungseinrichtungen). Er legt die Anforderungen fest, die aufgrund der Kälteanlage und von deren Bauteilen für die Sicherheit vor Ort erforderlich sein können, die jedoch nicht in unmittelbarem Zusammenhang mit der Kälteanlage und deren Bauteilen stehen.
Diese Norm gilt für:
a) stationäre und ortsveränderliche Kälteanlagen aller Größen, mit Ausnahme von Luftkonditioniersystemen in Kraftfahrzeugen, die von bestimmten Produktnormen wie z. B. ISO 13043 abgedeckt werden;
b) indirekte Kühl- oder Heizsysteme;
c) den Aufstellungsort dieser Kälteanlagen;
d) nach der Annahme dieser Norm ersetzte Teile und hinzugefügte Bauteile, sofern sie nicht in Funktion und Leistung identisch sind.
Anlagen mit anderen als den in !EN 378 1:2016+A1:2020", Anhang E, aufgeführten Kältemitteln sind nicht Gegenstand dieser Norm.
Die vorliegende Norm gilt nicht für eingelagerte Güter.
Diese Norm gilt nicht für Kälteanlagen, die vor dem Datum ihrer Veröffentlichung als Europäische Norm hergestellt wurden, ausgenommen sind im Anschluss an die Veröffentlichung erfolgte Erweiterungen und Modifizierungen an der Anlage.
Die vorliegende Norm gilt für neue Kälteanlagen, Erweiterungen oder Modifizierungen bereits bestehender Anlagen sowie bestehende stationäre Anlagen, die an einen anderen Standort verbracht und dort betrieben werden.
Diese Norm gilt auch im Falle der Umstellung einer Anlage auf eine andere Art des Kältemittels; in diesem Fall muss die Übereinstimmung mit den zutreffenden Abschnitten von Teil 1 bis Teil 4 der Normenreihe beurteilt werden.
Systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur - Exigences de sécurité et d'environnement - Partie 3 : Installation in situ et protection des personnes
La présente Norme européenne spécifie les exigences relatives à la sécurité des personnes et des biens, fournit des recommandations pour la protection de l'environnement et établit des modes opératoires pour l'exploitation, la maintenance et la réparation des systèmes frigorifiques et la récupération des fluides frigorigènes.
Le terme « système frigorifique » utilisé dans la présente Norme européenne inclut les pompes à chaleur.
La présente Partie 3 de la Norme européenne est applicable à l'installation in situ (conception de l'implantation de l'usine et des services). Elle spécifie les exigences concernant le site pour des besoins de sécurité, qui peuvent être nécessaires en raison du système frigorifique et de ses équipements auxiliaires, mais sans qu'il y ait de lien direct avec ceux-ci.
La présente norme s'applique :
a) aux systèmes frigorifiques, fixes ou mobiles, de toutes tailles, excepté les systèmes d'air conditionné embarqués couverts par une norme de produit spécifique telle que l'ISO 13043 ;
b) aux systèmes secondaires de refroidissement ou de chauffage ;
c) à l'emplacement des systèmes frigorifiques ;
d) aux pièces remplacées et composants ajoutés après l'adoption de la présente norme, si leur fonction ou leur capacité n'est pas identique.
Les systèmes utilisant des fluides frigorigènes autres que ceux mentionnés dans
l'!EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020", Annexe E ne sont pas couverts par la présente norme.
La présente norme ne s'applique pas aux marchandises en stock.
La présente norme n'est pas applicable aux systèmes frigorifiques fabriqués avant sa date de publication en tant que Norme européenne, à l'exception des extensions et modifications du système mises en œuvre après la publication.
La présente norme s'applique aux systèmes frigorifiques neufs, aux extensions ou modifications de systèmes existants et, pour les systèmes fixes existants, aux systèmes transférés et exploités sur un autre site.
La présente norme s'applique également en cas de transformation d'un système pour un autre type de fluide frigorigène, auquel cas la conformité aux articles applicables des parties 1 à 4 de la norme doit être évaluée.
Hladilni sistemi in toplotne črpalke - Varnostnotehnične in okoljevarstvene zahteve - 3. del: Mesto postavitve in zaščita oseb
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2021
Hladilni sistemi in toplotne črpalke - Varnostnotehnične in okoljevarstvene
zahteve - 3. del: Mesto postavitve in zaščita oseb
Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 3:
Installation site and personal protection
Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen - Sicherheitstechnische und umweltrelevante
Anforderungen - Teil 3: Aufstellungsort und Schutz von Personen
Systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur - Exigences de sécurité et d'environnement -
Partie 3 : Installation in situ et protection des personnes
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 378-3:2016+A1:2020
ICS:
27.080 Toplotne črpalke Heat pumps
27.200 Hladilna tehnologija Refrigerating technology
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN 378-3:2016+A1
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2020
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 27.080; 27.200 Supersedes EN 378-3:2016
English Version
Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and
environmental requirements - Part 3: Installation site and
personal protection
Systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur - Exigences Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen -
de sécurité et d'environnement - Partie 3 : Installation Sicherheitstechnische und umweltrelevante
in situ et protection des personnes Anforderungen - Teil 3: Aufstellungsort und Schutz von
Personen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 3 September 2016 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 17 August
2020.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 378-3:2016+A1:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 5
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 8
4 Location of refrigerating equipment . 8
4.1 !General . 8
4.2 Refrigerating equipment located in the open air . 9
4.3 Refrigerating equipment located in a machinery room . 9
4.4 !Refrigerating equipment located in the occupied space . 9
4.5 Refrigerating equipment located in an unoccupied space not designated a
machinery room . 9
4.6 Refrigerating equipment located in a ventilated enclosure within an occupied space . 10
4.7 Piping duct or shaft . 10
5 Machinery rooms . 10
5.1 Access to machinery rooms . 10
5.2 Venting from or through the machinery room . 10
5.3 Combustion equipment and air compressors. 10
5.4 Open flame . 11
5.5 Storage . 11
5.6 Remote emergency switch . 11
5.7 Exterior openings of the machinery room . 11
5.8 Piping and ducting . 11
5.9 Normal lighting . 11
5.10 Emergency lighting . 11
5.11 Dimensions and accessibility . 11
5.12 Doors, walls and ducts . 12
5.12.1 Doors and openings . 12
5.12.2 Emergency . 12
5.12.3 Walls, floor and ceiling . 12
5.12.4 Service ducts . 12
5.12.5 Ventilation ducts . 12
5.13 Ventilation . 13
5.13.1 General . 13
5.13.2 Ventilation for normal operating conditions or when machinery room is occupied . 13
5.13.3 Emergency mechanical ventilation . 13
5.13.4 Required airflow for emergency mechanical ventilation . 13
5.13.5 Mechanical ventilation openings . 13
5.14 Machinery rooms for groups A2L, A2, A3, B2L, B2 and B3 refrigerants . 14
5.14.1 General . 14
5.14.2 Location . 14
5.14.3 Additional requirements for R-717 . 14
5.14.4 Maximum surface temperature . 15
6 Requirements for alternative provisions . 15
6.1 General . 15
6.2 Occupied space . 15
6.3 Ventilation . 16
6.3.1 General . 16
6.3.2 Dilution transfer openings (air transfer openings for dilution) for natural
convection . 16
6.3.3 Mechanical ventilation . 16
6.4 Safety shut off valves . 17
6.4.1 General . 17
6.4.2 Location . 18
6.4.3 Design . 18
7 Electrical installations . 18
7.1 General requirements . 18
7.2 Main power supply . 18
7.3 Electrical equipment in machinery rooms with refrigerating systems containing
flammable refrigerants . 18
8 Safety alarms . 18
8.1 General . 18
8.2 Alarm system power . 19
8.3 Alarm system warning . 19
8.4 Additional alarm system requirements for R-717 systems with charges above
3 000 kg . 19
9 Detectors . 19
9.1 General . 19
9.2 Location of detectors . 19
9.3 Type and performance of detectors . 19
9.3.1 !General . 19
9.3.2 Refrigerant detectors for A2, A2L, B2L (except for R-717), B2, A3 and B3 refrigerants . 20
9.3.3 R-717 detectors . 20
9.4 Installation . 21
10 Instruction manuals, notices and inspections. 21
10.1 Instruction manual. 21
10.2 Warning notice . 21
10.3 Visual inspection of the site . 21
10.4 Maintenance of the site . 22
11 Heat sources and temporary high temperatures at the site . 22
Annex A (informative) Personal protective equipment . 23
A.1 General requirements . 23
A.1.1 Type of protective equipment . 23
A.1.2 Accessibility . 23
A.1.3 Location . 23
A.1.4 Check and maintenance . 23
A.1.5 Temperature . 23
A.1.6 Respirators. 23
A.2 Normal use . 24
A.3 Emergency use . 24
A.3.1 General . 24
A.3.2 Respiratory protective devices . 24
A.3.3 First aid equipment . 24
Bibliography . 25
European foreword
This document (EN 378-3:2016+A1:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 182
“Refrigerating systems, safety and environmental requirements”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by April 2021, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 2021.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 17 August 2020.
This document supersedes !EN 378-3:2016".
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is indicated in the text by tags !".
EN 378 consists of the following parts under the general title “Refrigerating systems and heat pumps —
Safety and environmental requirements”:
— Part 1: Basic requirements, definitions, classification and selection criteria;
— Part 2: Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation;
— Part 3: Installation site and personal protection;
— Part 4: Operation, maintenance, repair and recovery.
The main changes in part 3 with respect to the previous edition are listed below:
— harmonisation as far as possible with ISO 5149:2014 and ISO 817:2014;
— clarification of when to use of 'special machinery room', and modify to “separate refrigeration
machinery room”;
— consideration of requirements for 2L refrigerants;
— inclusion of Clause 6 additional measures to support !EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020", C.3;
— modification of requirements for sprinkler systems.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Introduction
The introduction of EN 378-1 is applicable.
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies the requirements for the safety of persons and property, provides
guidance for the protection of the environment and establishes procedures for the operation,
maintenance and repair of refrigerating systems and the recovery of refrigerants.
The term “refrigerating system” used in this European Standard includes heat pumps.
This Part 3 of the European Standard is applicable to the installation site (plant space and services). It
specifies requirements on the site for safety, which may be needed because of, but not directly
connected with, the refrigerating system and its ancillary components.
This standard applies:
a) to refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes except to vehicle air conditioning systems
covered by a specific product standard e.g. ISO 13043;
b) to secondary cooling or heating systems;
c) to the location of the refrigerating systems;
d) to replaced parts and added components after adoption of this standard if they are not identical in
function and in the capacity.
Systems using refrigerants other than those listed in of !EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020", Annex E are
not covered by this standard.
This standard does not apply to goods in storage.
This standard is not applicable to refrigerating systems which were manufactured before the date of its
publication as a European Standard except for extensions and modifications to the system which were
implemented after publication.
This standard is applicable to new refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications of already existing
systems, and for existing stationary systems, being transferred to and operated on another site.
This standard also applies in the case of the conversion of a system for another refrigerant type, in
which case conformity with the relevant clauses of parts 1 to 4 of the standard shall be assessed.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
!EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental
requirements - Part 1: Basic requirements, definitions, classification and selection criteria"
EN 378-2:2016, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps — Safety and environmental requirements —
Part 2: Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation
EN 1363 (all parts), Fire resistance tests
EN 1364 (all parts), Fire resistance tests for non-load bearing elements
EN 1365 (all parts), Fire resistance tests for load bearing elements
EN 1366-1, Fire resistance tests for service installations — Part 1: Ventilation ducts
EN 1366-2, Fire resistance tests for service installations — Part 2: Fire dampers
EN 1507, Ventilation for buildings — Sheet metal air ducts with rectangular section — Requirements for
strength and leakage
EN 1634 (all parts), Fire resistance and smoke control tests for door and shutter assemblies, openable
windows and elements of building hardware
EN 12236, Ventilation for buildings — Ductwork hangers and supports — Requirements for strength
EN 12845, Fixed firefighting systems — Automatic sprinkler systems — Design, installation and
maintenance
EN 14624, Performance of portable leak detectors and of room monitors for halogenated refrigerants
EN 60079-10-1, Explosive atmospheres — Part 10-1: Classification of areas — Explosive gas atmospheres
(IEC 60079-10-1)
EN 60204-1:2006, Safety of machinery — Electrical equipment of machines — Part 1: General
requirements (IEC 60204-1:2005)
EN 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) (IEC 60529)[eXtyles1]
EN ISO 13850, Safety of machinery — Emergency stop function — Principles for design (ISO 13850)
EN ISO 14122-2, Safety of machinery — Permanent means of access to machinery — Part 2: Working
platforms and walkways (ISO 14122-2)
ISO 13043, Road vehicles — Refrigerant systems used in mobile air conditioning systems (MAC) — Safety
requirements
ISO 817, Refrigerants — Designation and safety classification
IEC 60364, Low-voltage electrical installations
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the terms, definitions and abbreviated terms given in
!EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020", apply.
4 Location of refrigerating equipment
4.1 !General
Refrigerating equipment may be sited outside the building in the open air or in a machinery room or in
occupied areas or in unoccupied areas not designated as a machinery room.
NOTE 1 The refrigerating equipment can be contained in a ventilated enclosure provided by the manufacturer.
Requirements for this enclosure are given in EN 378-2:2016, 6.2.15.
The location of refrigeration systems with group A2L, A2, B2L, B2, A3, B3 refrigerants shall be assessed
with regard to flammability and classified according to the requirements of EN 60079-10-1 for the
hazardous zone.
NOTE 2 The assessment according to EN 60079-10-1 considering the LFL and type of release can conclude that
the hazardous area is of negligible extent."
4.2 Refrigerating equipment located in the open air
Refrigerating systems sited in the open air shall be positioned to avoid leaked refrigerant flowing into a
building or otherwise endangering people and property. The refrigerant shall not be able to flow into
any ventilation fresh air opening, doorway, trap door or similar opening in the event of a leak. Where a
shelter is provided for refrigerating equipment sited in the open air it shall have natural or forced
ventilation.
A room, where at least one of the longer walls is open to the outside air by means of louvres with 75 %
free area and covering at least 80 % of the wall area (or the equivalent if more than one wall is to
outside), is considered as being in the open air.
For refrigeration systems installed outside in a location where a release of refrigerant can stagnate e.g.
below ground, then the installation shall comply with the requirements for gas detection and
ventilation of machinery rooms (see 5.13, Clauses 8 and 9). For refrigerants of class 2L, 2 and 3
requirements regarding ignition sources in EN 378-2:2016, 6.2.14 shall apply where appropriate.
4.3 Refrigerating equipment located in a machinery room
When a machinery room is chosen for the location of the refrigerating equipment it shall meet the
requirements specified in 5.1 to 5.14.
A risk analysis based on the safety concept for the refrigerating system (as determined by the
manufacturer and including the charge and safety classification of the refrigerant used) shall be
conducted to determine whether it is necessary to place the refrigerating system in a separate
refrigeration machinery room.
NOTE 1 National regulations may set specific requirements for the use of separate refrigeration machinery
rooms.
For systems below ground using class 3 flammable refrigerants with a charge greater than ‘m ’, an
additional gas detector and audible/visual alarm shall be used and shall meet the requirements for
detectors in this standard.
NOTE 2 Additional requirements may be needed for refrigerating systems containing B2L, B2, B3, A2L, A2, and
A3 refrigerants as specified in 5.14.
NOTE 3 A housing which is sufficiently large for people to enter is a machinery room.
4.4 !Refrigerating equipment located in the occupied space
The refrigerant charge shall be as specified in EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020, Annex C for the access category
and location class of the equipment. Where the charge calculation is according to
EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020, C.3. then the alternative provisions listed in Clause 6 of this standard shall
apply. Where appropriate the installation in the occupied space shall comply with Clause 8 and Clause 9
of this standard."
4.5 Refrigerating equipment located in an unoccupied space not designated a machinery
room
Where compressors or pressure vessels are located in an unoccupied space which is sealed from any
occupied space the location shall be treated as a machinery room in accordance with Clause 5.
Where equipment (not including compressors and pressure vessels) containing non-permanent joints
is located in an unoccupied space which is sealed from any occupied space the requirements of Clause 5
shall be applied, but if mechanical ventilation is required according to 5.13, ventilation shall be from an
extractor hood positioned adjacent to the equipment and the ventilation rate shall be more than
0,05 m /s per ventilator. In the case of equipment subject to adverse conditions, for example severe
vibration or a corrosive atmosphere, the ventilation rate shall be more than 0,5 m /s per extractor
hood. If mechanical ventilation is required, refrigerant detectors shall activate the ventilation at 50 % of
the ATEL, except for refrigerants with a characteristic odour at concentrations below ATEL/ODL (such
as R-717), or 25 % of the LFL, whichever is lower.
NOTE 1 Severe vibration could be caused by unbalanced dynamic loads or hydraulic shock during defrost
operation.
NOTE 2 The ventilation rate is deemed sufficient to ventilate a volume of 18 m .
For any equipment, if the space cannot be sealed from any occupied space then the refrigerating
equipment shall be considered as located in the occupied space and the requirements for such spaces
shall apply.
4.6 Refrigerating equipment located in a ventilated enclosure within an occupied space
The ventilated enclosure containing the refrigerating system shall have a ventilation duct as specified
by the manufacturer. The duct shall be as specified by the manufacturer see EN 378-2. The room into
which the ventilated enclosure is installed shall be at least ten times the volume of the enclosure and
shall have sufficient make up air to replace any exhausted air. The ventilation from the enclosure shall
be to open air.
4.7 Piping duct or shaft
Where hand operated shut-off devices are mounted in a piping duct or shaft designed for human entry,
the duct or shaft shall have more than one escape exit. The duct shall have a height of at least 1,2 m.
5 Machinery rooms
5.1 Access to machinery rooms
Machinery rooms should not be used as occupied spaces. The operator shall ensure that access is
permitted only by instructed personnel doing the necessary maintenance to the machinery room or
general plant. If machinery rooms are occupied for significant periods, e.g. used as a building
maintenance workspace, they shall be considered as occupied spaces under access category c,
authorised access, given in EN 378-1.
A separate refrigeration machinery room shall not be used as an occupied space.
5.2 Venting from or through the machinery room
Refrigerant shall be prevented from entering neighbouring rooms, staircases, courts, gangways or
building draining systems and the escaping gas shall be vented outdoors.
There shall be no airflow to an occupied space through a machinery room unless the air is ducted and
sealed to prevent any refrigerant leakage from entering the air stream.
5.3 Combustion equipment and air compressors
Where combustion equipment or air compressors are located in a machinery room containing
refrigerating equipment, the combustion air supply for combustion engines or boilers or the supply air
for air compressors shall be ducted from outside in such a manner as to prevent any refrigerant from
entering the air intake.
5.4 Open flame
Open (naked) flames shall not be permitted in machinery rooms, except for welding, brazing or similar
activity and then only provided the refrigerant concentration is monitored and adequate ventilation is
ensured. Such open flames shall not be left unattended.
5.5 Storage
Machinery rooms shall not be used for storage with the exception of tools, spare parts and compressor
oil for the installed equipment. Any refrigerants, or flammable or toxic materials shall be stored as
required by national regulations.
5.6 Remote emergency switch
A remote switch for stopping the refrigerating system shall be provided outside the room, near to the
machinery room door. A similar acting switch shall be located at a suitable location inside the room. The
switches shall meet the requirements for emergency switches in accordance with EN ISO 13850 and
EN 60204-1.
NOTE For gas fired refrigeration systems specific measures may be required including local regulations.
5.7 Exterior openings of the machinery room
Exterior openings shall not be situated within 2 m of building emergency exit staircases or other
building openings, e.g. windows, doors, ventilation inlets.
5.8 Piping and ducting
All piping and ventilation ducting that passes through walls, ceiling and floors of machinery rooms, shall
be sealed where it passes through the walls ceiling or floors. The seal shall have at least the same fire
resistance as the walls, ceiling or floor.
NOTE 1 Discharge pipes from relief devices may diffuse the charge into the air by adequate means but away
from any air intake to the building or discharge into an adequate quantity of a suitable absorbing material.
NOTE 2 Relief devices for refrigerants in group A1 can discharge into the machinery room provided the system
charge is less than the limits set in !EN 378-1:2016+A1:2020", Annex C. Such discharges of refrigerant should
take place so that persons and property are not endangered.
5.9 Normal lighting
Fixed lighting shall be selected and positioned in spaces containing refrigerating equipment to provide
adequate illumination for safe operation. The illumination level and location shall be as required by
national regulations. Filament light bulbs shall be protected by “splash safe“ covers (EN 60529 IPX 4) in
machinery rooms containing R-717 refrigerating systems.
5.10 Emergency lighting
A fixed or portable emergency lighting system shall be provided, adequate to allow operation of
controls and evacuation of personnel, when normal lighting fails. The illumination level and location
shall be as required by national regulations.
5.11 Dimensions and accessibility
The dimensions of the machinery room shall allow easy installation and sufficient room for service,
maintenance, operation, repair and disassembly of the refrigerating equipment, including sufficient
space for persons wearing personal protection equipment.
If necessary, catwalks and fixed ladders shall be provided in order to avoid standing or walking on
piping, fittings, their supports and supporting structures and on components during the operation,
maintenance, inspection and repair of the refrigerating system.
There shall be clear headroom of at least 2,1 m below equipment situated over gangways and
permanent work places. The requirements for work staging shall be according to EN ISO 14122-2.
NOTE Headroom is defined by 2,1 m above the walking surface.
5.12 Doors, walls and ducts
5.12.1 Doors and openings
Machinery rooms shall have doors opening outward and sufficient in number to ensure persons can
escape in an emergency.
The doors shall be tight fitting and self-closing. They shall be so designed that they can be opened from
inside (anti-panic system). The doors shall have at least a one-hour fire resistance construction, using
materials and construction tested in accordance with EN 1634. There shall be no openings that permit
unintended passage of escaping refrigerant, vapours, odours and all other gases to any occupied space.
5.12.2 Emergency
Provision shall be made to facilitate immediate exit from the machinery room in the event of an
emergency.
At least one emergency exit shall open directly to the open air or it shall lead to an emergency exit
passageway.
5.12.3 Walls, floor and ceiling
Walls, floor and ceiling between the machinery room and the rest of the building shall have at least a 1 h
fire resistive construction and be tightly sealed. They shall be of materials and construction, which are
in accordance with EN 1363, EN 1364 and EN 1365.
NOTE Requirements regarding fire resistive construction of walls, doors, floor and ceiling may be provided in
local regulations.
5.12.4 Service ducts
Service ducts shall conform to the requirements of EN 1366-1 and EN 1366-2, and they shall be sealed
to minimize escaped refrigerant leakage into the service duct, and shall have at least the same fire
resistance as walls and doors.
Service ducts, including walkways and crawl spaces, containing piping for refrigerants shall be vented
to a safe place to prevent a dangerous accumulation of refrigerant in the event of a leak. Service ducts
shall not be used for ventilation or conditioned air.
5.12.5 Ventilation ducts
Sheet metal for normal and emergency ventilation ducts shall be in accordance with EN 1507 and
supported as required by EN 12236. After erection all duct seams and joints shall be sealed to minimize
gas leakage from the duct. The ventilation duct shall have at least the same fire resistance as the doors
and walls of the machinery room.
5.13 Ventilation
5.13.1 General
The ventilation of machinery rooms shall be sufficient both for normal operating conditions and
emergencies.
Air from machinery rooms shall be vented outdoors using mechanical ventilation in case of a release of
refrigerant due to leaks of components. This ventilation system shall be independent of any other
ventilation system on the site.
Provision shall be made for a sufficient supply of outside replacement air and a good distribution of that
air over the machinery room avoiding dead zones.
Openings for outside air shall be positioned to avoid re-circulation into the room.
5.13.2 Ventilation for normal operating conditions or when machinery room is occupied
Ventilation shall be in accordance with national regulations with a minimum of 4 air changes per hour
when the machinery room is occupied. In the event that the necessary ventilation rate cannot be
achieved an audible and/or visual alarm shall be initiated and, where relevant, electrical supplies shall
be terminated.
5.13.3 Emergency mechanical ventilation
If gas detection is required in the machinery room, the emergency mechanical ventilation system shall
be activated by a detector(s), located in the machinery room. The detector(s) shall be as specified in
Clause 9.
Emergency mechanical ventilation shall be provided with two independent emergency controls one
located outside the machinery room, and the other inside.
5.13.4 Required airflow for emergency mechanical ventilation
Airflow of the mechanical ventilation shall be at least the quantity obtained by Formula (1):
2/3
Vm0,014× (1)
where
3
V is the air flow rate in m /s;
m is the mass of refrigerant charge, in kg, in the refrigerating system with the largest
charge, any part of which is located in the machinery room;
3 2/3
0,014 is a conversion factor with units of m /s kg .
An emergency ventilation system with 15 air changes per hour is sufficient.
5.13.5 Mechanical ventilation openings
Mechanical ventilation openings shall be made in the position and of sizes to permit sufficient airflow
considering the characteristics of the refrigerant, the choice of intake or exhaust and the performance of
the ventilator. The intake and exhaust openings shall be arranged to evacuate the refrigerant under all
conditions of leaking refrigerant.
=
5.14 Machinery rooms for groups A2L, A2, A3, B2L, B2 and B3 refrigerants
5.14.1 General
Machinery rooms with group A2L, A2, B2L, B2, A3, B3 refrigerants shall be assessed with regard to
flammability and classified according to the requirements of EN 60079-10-1 for the hazardous zone.
NOTE The assessment according to EN 60079-10-1 considering the LFL and type of release may conclude
that the hazardous area is of negligible extent.
Refer to Clause 7 for requirements regarding electrical installation.
5.14.2 Location
5.14.2.1 General
The machinery room shall be located in accordance with local and national regulations.
NOTE Requirements may depend on the amount of charge in the refrigerating system.
5.14.2.2 Emergency exhaust ventilation
The emergency exhaust ventilation fan shall be either:
a) in the air flow with the motor outside the airflow, or
b) rated for hazardous areas as required in EN 378-2:2016, 6.2.14.
The fan shall be located to avoid pressurization of the exhaust ductwork in the machinery room.
The fan shall not cause sparks to occur if it contacts the duct material.
The outlet from the exhaust ventilation shall be in accordance with national regulations. The outlet shall
not be restricted but have means of keeping rubbish, leaves and birds from entering. The bottom of any
rising ductwork open to the outside shall have a drain with a trap for rainwater and with access for
inspection.
For doors communicating to other areas inside the building and where the gas detector is not able to
detect refrigerants when these doors are opened, emergency ventilation shall be initiated when a door
is opened for more than 60 s.
5.14.3 Additional requirements for R-717
5.14.3.1 Drainage
To prevent R-717 spill reaching surface waters, a catchment system shall be designed and installed in
accordance with national regulations. The machinery room floor shall be designed in order to prevent
liquid R-717 from spilling out from the room. The drain from the catchment system shall be normally
closed.
5.14.3.2 Specific equipment for emergency washing
For R-717 easily accessible eye wash facilities (e.g. eye wash bottle) for all systems shall be provided.
For systems with a refrigerant charge over 1 000 kg an emergency shower, providing at least 1 l/s flow
at between 25 °C and 30 °C shall be located outside the emergency exit from the machinery room.
5.14.3.3 !Fire sprinkler systems
If fire suppression systems of the water sprinkler type are installed in machinery rooms with R-717
refrigerating systems then the following conditions shall be fulfilled:
— The sprinkler heads are individually actuated at 141 °C or higher (high temperature according to
EN 12845);
— There is no manual override of the activation of the sprinkler system;
— The sprinkler installation conforms to the requirements of EN 12845.
NOTE 1 The addition of water to a pool of ammonia liquid can cause the rapid evolution of large amounts of
ammonia gas in the atmosphere resulting in increased risk of injury to persons in the vicinity.
NOTE 2 A pre-action system where an actuated water valve in the sprinkler supply is controlled by a fire
detection system can be used to reduce the probability of accidental discharge of any of the sprinkler heads.
NOTE 3 The provision for a remote sump in the drainage system from the machinery room will reduce the risk
of environmental pollution from the run-off water."
!
5.14.3.4 Doors and openings
Machinery rooms where the refrigerant charge is above the practical limit for the volume of the room
shall have a door that either opens directly to the outside air or through a dedicated anteroom equipped
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