Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 4: Operation, maintenance, repair and recovery

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.
This standard applies:
a)   to refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes including heat pumps;
b)   to secondary cooling or heating systems;
c)   to the location of the refrigerating systems; and
d)   to parts replaced and components added after adoption of this standard if they are not identical in function and capacity.
This standard does not cover “motor vehicle air conditioners” constructed according to product standards such as ISO 13043.
Systems using refrigerants other than those listed in Annex E of prEN 378-1:2013 are not covered by this standard unless they have been assigned to a safety class according to ISO817 [3].
This standard does not apply to goods in storage.
This standard is not applicable to refrigeration systems and heat pumps 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 to another refrigerant type, in which case conformity to the relevant clauses of parts 1 to 4 of the standard shall be assessed.
This Part 4 of the European Standard specifies requirements for safety and environmental aspects in relation to operation, maintenance, and repair of refrigerating systems and the recovery, reuse and disposal of all types of refrigerant, refrigerant oil, heat transfer medium, refrigerating system and part thereof.
These requirements are intended to minimise risks of injury to persons and damage to property and the environment resulting from improper handling of the refrigerants or from contaminants leading to system breakdown and resultant emission of the refrigerant.
Subclauses 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.3, 5.1.1 to 5.1.4, 5.2, 5.3.1, 5.3.3 and 6.6 of this European Standard are not applicable to unitary systems having a power cord, being factory sealed, and conforming with IEC 60335 series.

Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen - Sicherheitstechnische und umweltrelevante Anforderungen - Teil 4: Betrieb, Instandhaltung, Instandsetzung und Rückgewinnung

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.
Diese Norm gilt für:
a)   stationäre und ortsveränderliche Kälteanlagen aller Größen, einschließlich Wärmepumpen;
b)   indirekte Kühl- oder Heizsysteme;
c)   den Aufstellungsort dieser Kälteanlagen; und
d)   nach der Annahme dieser Norm ersetzte Teile und hinzugefügte Bauteile, sofern sie nicht in Funktion und Leistung identisch sind.
Die vorliegende Norm deckt keine „Klimaanlagen für Straßenfahrzeuge“ ab, die nach Produktnormen wie z. B. ISO 13043 hergestellt wurden.
Kälteanlagen mit anderen als den in prEN 378 1:2013, Anhang E, aufgeführten Kältemitteln sind nicht Gegenstand dieser Norm, es sei denn, sie wurden einer Sicherheitsklasse nach ISO 817 [3] zugeordnet.
Die vorliegende Norm gilt nicht für eingelagerte Güter.
Diese Norm gilt nicht für Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen, 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 ist die Konformität mit den zutreffenden Abschnitten der Teile 1 bis 4 der Norm zu beurteilen.
Dieser Teil 4 der Europäischen Norm legt Anforderungen fest an die sicherheitstechnischen und umwelt-relevanten Aspekte in Bezug auf Betrieb, Instandhaltung und Instandsetzung von Kälteanlagen sowie Rückgewinnung, Wiederverwendung und Entsorgung aller Arten von Kältemitteln, Kältemittelöl und Wärmeträgern, der Kälteanlage sowie deren Teilen.
Diese Anforderungen haben den Zweck, Verletzungsrisiken für Personen sowie Schäden an Eigentum und der Umwelt auf ein Mindestmaß zu verringern, die sich aus dem unsachgemäßem Umgang mit Kältemitteln oder durch Verunreinigungen ergeben, die zu einem Ausfall der Anlage und nachfolgender Kältemittelemission führen.
4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.3, 5.1.1 bis 5.1.4, 5.2, 5.3.1, 5.3.3 und 6.6 dieser Europäischen Norm gelten nicht für betriebsfertige Kältesätze mit Netzanschlusskabel, die im Werk versiegelt wurden und der Normenreihe IEC 60335 entsprechen.

Systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur - Exigences de sécurité et d'environnement - Partie 4: Fonctionnement, maintenance, réparation et récupération

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 le fonctionnement, la maintenance et la réparation des systèmes frigorifiques et la récupération des fluides frigorigènes.
La présente norme s'applique :
a)   aux systèmes frigorifiques, fixes ou mobiles, de toutes tailles, y compris les pompes à chaleur ;
b)   aux systèmes secondaires de refroidissement ou de chauffage ;
c)   à l'emplacement des systèmes frigorifiques ; et
d)   aux pièces remplacées et composants ajoutés après l'adoption de la présente norme, si leur fonction ou leur capacité n'est pas identique.
La présente norme ne couvre pas les « climatiseurs pour véhicules automobiles » construits conformément aux normes de produits telles que l'ISO 13043.
Les systèmes utilisant des fluides frigorigènes autres que ceux mentionnés en Annexe E du prEN 378-1:2013 ne sont pas couverts par la présente norme, sauf si une classe de sécurité leur a été assignée conformément à l'ISO 817 [3].
La présente norme ne s'applique pas aux marchandises en stock.
La présente norme n'est pas applicable aux systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur 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.
La présente Partie 4 de la Norme européenne spécifie les exigences en matière de sécurité et d'environnement relatives au fonctionnement, à la maintenance, à la réparation des systèmes frigorifiques et à la récupération, la réutilisation et l'élimination de tous les types de fluides frigorigènes, d'huiles de systèmes frigorifiques, de fluides caloporteurs, de systèmes frigorifiques et de parties de ceux-ci.
Ces exigences sont destinées à réduire au minimum les risques de blessures aux personnes et de dommages aux biens et à l'environnement résultant d'une mauvaise manutention des fluides frigorigènes ou de polluants entraînant une panne du système et l'émission consécutive de fluide frigorigène.
Les paragraphes 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.3, 5.1.1 à 5.1.4, 5.2, 5.3.1, 5.3.3 et 6.6 de la présente Norme européenne ne sont pas applicables aux systèmes autonomes ayant un cordon d'alimentation, scellés en usine, et conformes à la série de normes CEI 60335.

Hladilni sistemi in toplotne črpalke - Varnostnotehnične in okoljevarstvene zahteve - 4. del: Delovanje, vzdrževanje, popravilo in recikliranje

Ta evropski standard določa zahteve za varnost oseb in premoženja, določa smernice za varstvo okolja ter določa postopke za delovanje, vzdrževanje in popravilo hladilnih sistemov ter izpraznitev hladilnih sredstev.
Ta standard se uporablja za:
a) hladilne sisteme, nepremične ali premične, vseh velikosti, vključno s toplotnimi črpalkami;
b) sekundarne hladilne ali ogrevalne sisteme;
c) mesto postavitve teh hladilnih sistemov; in
d) dele in komponente, ki so bili zamenjani in dodani po sprejetju tega standarda, če nimajo enake funkcije in zmogljivosti.
Ta standard ne zajema »klimatskih naprav motornih vozil«, zasnovanih v skladu s standardi za proizvode, kot je ISO 13043.
Sistemi, ki uporabljajo hladilna sredstva, ki niso navedena v dodatku E standarda prEN 378-1:2013, niso zajeti v tem standardu, razen če jim je bil dodeljen varnostni razred v skladu s standardom ISO 817 [3].
Ta standard se ne uporablja za skladiščeno blago.
Ta standard se ne uporablja za hladilne sisteme in toplotne črpalke, ki so bile izdelane pred datumom objave standarda kot evropskega standarda, razen za razširitve in spremembe sistema, ki so bile uvedene po objavi.
Ta standard se uporablja za nove hladilne sisteme, razširitve ali spremembe že obstoječih sistemov in za obstoječe stacionarne sisteme, ki se prenesejo in upravljajo na drugem mestu postavitve.
Ta standard se uporablja tudi v primeru predelave sistema za drugo vrsto hladilnega sredstva, pri čemer je treba oceniti skladnost z ustreznimi točkami delov 1–4 tega standarda.
Ta četrti del evropskega standarda določa zahteve za varnostne in okoljske vidike v zvezi z delovanjem, vzdrževanjem in popravilom hladilnih sistemov ter obnovo, ponovno uporabo in odstranjevanjem vseh vrst hladilnih sredstev, hladilnih olj, sredstev za prenos toplote, hladilnih sistemov in njihovih delov.
Namen teh zahtev je čim bolj zmanjšati tveganja za poškodbe oseb ter škodo na premoženju in okolju, ki bi lahko nastala zaradi nepravilnega ravnanja s hladili ali zaradi onesnaževalcev, ki bi povzročili odpoved sistema in posledično uhajanje hladila.
Točke 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.3, 5.1.1 do 5.1.4, 5.2, 5.3.1, 5.3.3 in 6.6 tega evropskega standarda se ne uporabljajo za enotne sisteme z napajalnim kablom, ki so tovarniško zatesnjeni, in so skladni s skupino standardov IEC 60335.

General Information

Status
Withdrawn
Public Enquiry End Date
14-Apr-2014
Publication Date
11-Dec-2016
Withdrawal Date
10-Oct-2019
Technical Committee
Current Stage
9900 - Withdrawal (Adopted Project)
Start Date
11-Oct-2019
Due Date
03-Nov-2019
Completion Date
11-Oct-2019

Relations

Buy Standard

Standard
EN 378-4:2017
English language
28 pages
sale 10% off
Preview
sale 10% off
Preview
e-Library read for
1 day

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 378-4:2017
01-februar-2017
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 378-4:2008+A1:2012
+ODGLOQLVLVWHPLLQWRSORWQHþUSDONH9DUQRVWQRWHKQLþQHLQRNROMHYDUVWYHQH]DKWHYH
GHO'HORYDQMHY]GUåHYDQMHSRSUDYLORLQUHFLNOLUDQMH
Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 4:
Operation, maintenance, repair and recovery
Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen - Sicherheitstechnische und umweltrelevante
Anforderungen - Teil 4: Betrieb, Instandhaltung, Instandsetzung und Rückgewinnung
Systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur - Exigences de sécurité et d'environnement -
Partie 4: Fonctionnement, maintenance, réparation et récupération
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 378-4:2016
ICS:
27.080 7RSORWQHþUSDONH Heat pumps
27.200 Hladilna tehnologija Refrigerating technology
SIST EN 378-4:2017 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

SIST EN 378-4:2017

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

SIST EN 378-4:2017


EN 378-4
EUROPEAN STANDARD

NORME EUROPÉENNE

November 2016
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 27.080; 27.200 Supersedes EN 378-4:2008+A1:2012
English Version

Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and
environmental requirements - Part 4: Operation,
maintenance, repair and recovery
Systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur - Exigences Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen -
de sécurité et d'environnement - Partie 4: Sicherheitstechnische und umweltrelevante
Fonctionnement, maintenance, réparation et Anforderungen - Teil 4: Betrieb, Instandhaltung,
récupération Instandsetzung und Rückgewinnung
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 3 September 2016.

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, 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
United Kingdom.





EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2016 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 378-4:2016 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------

SIST EN 378-4:2017
EN 378-4:2016
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 6
4 General requirements . 6
4.1 Operating instructions . 6
4.2 Documentation . 6
5 Maintenance and repair. 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Maintenance . 7
5.3 Repair . 8
5.4 Change of refrigerant type . 9
5.4.1 General . 9
5.4.2 Planning the change of refrigerant type . 9
5.4.3 Execution of the change of refrigerant type . 10
6 Requirements for recovery, reuse and disposal . 10
6.1 General requirements . 10
6.1.1 Disposal . 10
6.1.2 Personnel . 10
6.1.3 Parts of refrigerating systems . 11
6.1.4 Refrigerants . 11
6.1.5 Handling . 11
6.2 Requirements for recovery and reuse of refrigerant. 11
6.2.1 General . 11
6.2.2 Recovery for general reuse . 12
6.2.3 Recovery for reuse in the same or similar system . 12
6.2.4 Requirements for refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment and procedures . 14
6.2.5 Reclaim . 14
6.3 Requirements for refrigerant transfer, transport and storage . 14
6.3.1 General . 14
6.3.2 Refrigerant transfer . 14
6.3.3 Transport . 15
6.3.4 Storage . 15
6.4 Requirements for recovery equipment. 15
6.4.1 General . 15
6.4.2 Operation with respect to the environment . 16
6.4.3 Performance . 16
6.4.4 Operation and maintenance . 16
6.5 Requirements for disposal . 16
6.5.1 Refrigerant not intended for reuse . 16
6.5.2 Absorbed R-717 (ammonia) . 16
6.5.3 Refrigerating machine oil . 16
6.5.4 Other components . 16
6.6 Requirements for documentation . 16
2

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------

SIST EN 378-4:2017
EN 378-4:2016
Annex A (normative) Draining the oil from a refrigerating system . 17
A.1 General . 17
A.2 Ammonia systems . 17
A.2.1 General . 17
A.2.2 Draining procedure . 17
Annex B (informative) Guide specification for recycled refrigerant . 18
Annex C (informative) Handling and storage of refrigerants . 19
C.1 General . 19
C.2 Handling . 19
C.3 Storage . 20
C.4 Special provisions for handling ammonia vapour during maintenance or
decommissioning . 20
C.4.1 General . 20
C.4.2 Limitations of ammonia vapour absorption . 21
C.4.3 Procedure for ammonia vapour absorption . 21
C.4.4 Disposal of the aqua-ammonia solution . 22
Annex D (informative) In-service inspection . 23
D.1 During the operational life of the system, inspection and testing are carried out
according to national regulations. . 23
Annex E (informative) Guidelines for repairs of equipment using flammable refrigerants . 25
E.1 General requirements for equipment . 25
E.2 Repairs to electrical components . 25
E.2.1 Repairs to electrical components . 25
E.2.2 Repairs to sealed components . 25
E.2.3 Repairs to intrinsically safe components. 26
E.3 Repairs to refrigerating system. 26
E.4 Requirements for the competent persons . 27
Bibliography . 28

3

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------

SIST EN 378-4:2017
EN 378-4:2016
European foreword
This document (EN 378-4:2016) 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 May 2017, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by May 2017.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
This document supersedes EN 378-4:2008+A1:2012.
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 4 with respect to the previous edition are listed below:
— harmonisation as far as possible with ISO 5149:2014;
— addition of vacuum procedure in 5.3.8;
— addition of moisture test in 6.2.3.
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.
4

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------

SIST EN 378-4:2017
EN 378-4:2016
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 standard applies:
a) to refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes including heat pumps;
b) to secondary cooling or heating systems;
c) to the location of the refrigerating systems;
d) to parts replaced and components added after adoption of this standard if they are not identical in
function and capacity.
This standard does not cover “motor vehicle air conditioners” constructed according to product
standards such as ISO 13043.
Systems using refrigerants other than those listed in EN 378-1:2016, Annex E are not covered by this
standard unless they have been assigned to a safety class according to ISO 817.
This standard does not apply to goods in storage.
This standard is not applicable to refrigeration systems and heat pumps 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 to another refrigerant type, in which
case conformity to the relevant clauses of parts 1 to 4 of the standard shall be assessed.
This Part 4 of the European Standard specifies requirements for safety and environmental aspects in
relation to operation, maintenance, and repair of refrigerating systems and the recovery, reuse and
disposal of all types of refrigerant, refrigerant oil, heat-transfer fluid, refrigerating system and part
thereof.
These requirements are intended to minimise risks of injury to persons and damage to property and the
environment resulting from improper handling of the refrigerants or from contaminants leading to
system breakdown and resultant emission of the refrigerant.
Subclauses 4, 5.1.1 to 5.1.4, 5.2, 5.3.1, 5.3.3 and 6.6 of this European Standard are not applicable to
unitary systems having a power cord, being factory sealed, and in conformance with EN 60335 series.
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, 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
5

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------

SIST EN 378-4:2017
EN 378-4:2016
EN 378-3, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps — Safety and environmental requirements - Part 3:
Installation site and personal protection
ISO 11650, Performance of refrigerant recovery and/or recycling equipment
ISO 13043, Road vehicles — Refrigerant systems used in mobile air conditioning systems (MAC) — Safety
requirements
IEC 60335-2-104, Household and similar electrical appliances — Safety — Part 2-104: Particular
requirements for appliances to recover and/or recycle refrigerant from air conditioning and refrigeration
equipment
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the terms, definitions and abbreviated terms given in EN 378-
1:2016 apply.
4 General requirements
4.1 Operating instructions
4.1.1 Before a new refrigerating system is put into service, the person responsible for placing the
system in operation shall ensure that the operating personnel are instructed according to 4.1.2.
NOTE It is advisable that the operating personnel are present during evacuation, charging with refrigerant
and adjustment of the refrigerating system as well as, if possible, during assembly on site.
4.1.2 Care shall be taken to ensure that the personnel charged with the operation, supervision and
maintenance of the refrigerating system are adequately instructed and competent with respect to their
tasks, as well as the safety measures to be observed, and the properties and handling of the refrigerant
used. Typical in-service inspection requirements are shown in Annex D.
4.2 Documentation
The logbook shall be updated following any maintenance or repair. The logbook shall either be kept in
the machinery room, or the data shall be stored digitally by the operator with a printout in the
machinery room, in which case the information shall be accessible to the competent person when
servicing or testing.
5 Maintenance and repair
5.1 General
5.1.1 Each refrigerating system shall be subjected to preventive maintenance in accordance with the
instruction manual (see EN 378-2).
NOTE The frequency of such maintenance depends on the type, size, age, use, etc. of the system. In many
cases more than one maintenance service is required in the course of one year in accordance with legal
requirements.
5.1.2 The operator of the refrigerating system shall ensure that the system is inspected, regularly
supervised and maintained.
6

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------

SIST EN 378-4:2017
EN 378-4:2016
5.1.3 Systems should be subject to tightness inspection in accordance with Annex D by a competent
person. If, during the inspection the suspicion of a leak exists, e.g. through refrigerant temperature
checks or capacity reduction, then the leak shall be located with suitable detection equipment and shall
be repaired and checked again after the repair in accordance with national regulations. The results of
the inspection and measures taken afterwards shall be included in the logbook.
Refer to Annex D for detailed specification regarding in service inspection.
5.1.4 The operator of the refrigerating system shall also be responsible when another person uses the
refrigerating system, unless another division of responsibility has been agreed upon.
5.1.5 Regular maintenance which does not include work on, nor adjustment of, the refrigerating
system and which requires no specialized knowledge of refrigeration engineering shall be carried out
by a person of appropriate competence.
5.1.6 In the case of refrigerating systems located within a ventilated enclosure and considered as
indirect systems under EN 378-1, only authorized persons shall be permitted in the space surrounding
the enclosure during maintenance and repair operations because the separation between refrigerant
containing parts and occupants of the room is no longer effective and leaks of refrigerant into the
surrounding space become possible.
5.1.7 Any markings to the compressor or equipment shall be refreshed if any of the existing text has
become illegible.
5.1.8 The mixing of different refrigerants within a system shall not be permitted under any
circumstances. Change of the refrigerant type shall be in accordance with 5.4.
5.2 Maintenance
5.2.1 Maintenance shall be undertaken by a competent person in such a way that:
a) accidents to personnel are prevented;
b) damage to goods is prevented;
c) components of the system remain in good working order;
d) the purpose and availability of the system are maintained;
e) leakage of refrigerant or oil is identified and remedied;
f) waste of energy is minimised.
5.2.2 The extent and time schedule for maintenance shall be fully described in the instruction manual
(see EN 378-2).
5.2.3 If the discharge line of a pressure relief device is connected into a common discharge line and
the device is temporarily dismounted for reasons of testing and maintenance, the connecting ends of
the remaining ends entering into the common discharge header are to be blocked.
5.2.4 When a secondary cooling or heating system is used, the composition of the heat-transfer fluid
shall be periodically tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the secondary
system shall be tested and inspected for the presence of refrigerant from the primary circuit.
7

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------

SIST EN 378-4:2017
EN 378-4:2016
5.2.5 Regular leak tests and inspections shall be carried out including checking of the safety
equipment.
NOTE See Annex D.
5.2.6 When oil is drained from a refrigerating system it shall be carried out safely in accordance with
the instruction manual. A procedure is provided in Annex A.
5.3 Repair
5.3.1 Repairs on refrigerant containing components shall be carried out by a competent person in the
following order, if appropriate:
a) conducting a hazard analysis and risk assessment for the proposed repair;
b) instructing the maintenance staff;
c) emptying, recovery and evacuating;
d) disconnecting and safeguarding of the components to be repaired (e.g. compressor, pressure vessel,
piping);
e) cleaning and purging (e.g. with nitrogen);
f) releasing for repair;
g) carrying out the repair;
h) testing and checking of the repaired component (pressure test, leakage test, functional test, see
EN 378-2);
i) evacuating and recharging with refrigerant.
5.3.2 Refrigerant leaks shall be identified and repaired without undue delay.
5.3.3 During each periodic maintenance the following tasks shall be performed:
a) all safety, control and measurement devices and alarm systems shall be checked to verify their
correct operation;
b) leakage tests shall be carried out at the relevant part of the refrigerating system.
This shall also apply where appropriate following any repair.
5.3.4 Maintenance and repair requiring the assistance of other skilled personnel (such as welders,
electricians, measuring and control specialists) shall be carried out under the supervision of a
competent person.
5.3.5 Welding and brazing shall only be carried out by competent personnel and only after the section
has been purged according to an approved procedure.
NOTE Welding or the use of arc-producing and flame-producing apparatus requires specific personnel and
welding or brazing procedure approvals.
8

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------

SIST EN 378-4:2017
EN 378-4:2016
5.3.6 Replacements of components or changes to the refrigerating system shall be ordered and
carried out by a competent person or, for systems that do not require periodic maintenance, by an
authorized repair service centre.
5.3.7 After a pressure relief valve, which discharges to atmosphere, has been actuated, it shall be
replaced if it is not tight.
5.3.8 The vacuum procedure shall be applied as follows. A stationary vacuum pump shall be
connected to the assembly or relevant part of an assembly and an absolute pressure of less than 270 Pa
shall be achieved. The achieved pressure should be maintained at this level for sufficient time after the
pump has been isolated from the assembly to ensure that the moisture has been removed and the
system is not leaking. For smaller systems a lower vacuum pressure may be necessary. The competent
person (according to EN 13313) that executes this operation, shall decide when the vacuum can be
broken and whether the vacuum procedure should be repeated. At the end of the vacuum procedure,
the assembly can be filled with the appropriate refrigerant. A certificate for the vacuum and filling
procedure shall be provided. This certificate indicates the method used, the results of the procedure, the
pressures applied and the duration of the test. A similar documentation in the logbook is regarded
equal.
5.4 Change of refrigerant type
5.4.1 General
In the event of a change of the refrigerant type used in the refrigerating system, the following planning
and execution activities shall be carried out and conformance to the relevant requirements of EN 378-1,
EN 378-2 and EN 378-3 shall be implemented where applicable.
5.4.2 Planning the change of refrigerant type
Before changing the refrigerant type a plan shall be prepared. It shall include at least the following
actions:
a) verify that the refrigerating system and components are suitable for the refrigerant type change;
b) examine all materials used in the refrigerating system to ensure they are compatible with the new
refrigerant type;
c) determine whether the existing lubricant type is suitable for use with the new refrigerant type;
d) verify that the system allowable pressure (PS) shall not be exceeded;
e) verify that the relief valve required discharge capacity is adequate for the new refrigerant type;
f) verify that the motor and switchgear current ratings are adequate for the new refrigerant type;
g) verify that the receiver is sufficiently large for the new refrigerant charge;
h) if the new refrigerant has a different classification, ensure that the consequences of the change of
refrigerant classification are addressed.
Guidance on equipment suitability for refrigerant type change should be sough
...

Questions, Comments and Discussion

Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.