Safety precautions when working on air conditioning systems

Danger to life and danger of explosion from sources of ignition

Danger of life and danger of explosion from sources of ignition in vicinity of air conditioning systems and refrigerant containers. Escaping refrigerant can ignite and lead to an explosion. Severe or fatal injury from explosion.

• Never bring sources of ignition close to air conditioning systems and refrigerant containers.
• Avoid electrostatic discharge, sparks from tools and hot surfaces.

Risk of damage to refrigerant lines

There is a risk of damage to the refrigerant lines due to rupture of the inner foil.

• Never bend refrigerant lines to a radius less then 100 mm (r < 100 mm).

Safety precautions for working on vehicles with start-stop system

Risk of injury due to unexpected engine start

In vehicles with activated Start/Stop system, the engine may start up unexpectedly. The status of the Start/Stop system is indicated by a message in the dash panel insert.

• Deactivate Start/Stop system by switching off the ignition.

Safety precautions when working on the cooling system

Risk of scalding by hot coolant

When the engine is warm the cooling system is under pressure.

Hot steam/hot coolant can escape - risk of scalding.

• Wear protection gloves.
• Wear protective glasses
• Cover filler cap on expansion tank with a cloth and open carefully to dissipate pressure.

Safety precautions when handling refrigerants

Danger of suffocation and poisoning from refrigerant

Refrigerant vapours can cause coughing and nausea and also suffocation and poisoning.

• Never inhale refrigerant vapours.
• Make sure that the areas in which work on the refrigerant circuit is performed and refrigerant containers are stored is well ventilated.
• Never work in or in the vicinity of cellars or other low lying areas.
• Activate local exhaust ventilation.

Risk of freezing injury caused by refrigerant

When working on the air conditioning system, there is a risk of highly pressurised refrigerant escaping from the system. There is a risk of injury to the skin and parts of the body due to freezing.

• Wear protection gloves.
• Wear protective glasses
• Extract refrigerant, and open the refrigerant circuit immediately afterwards.
• If more than 10 minutes passed since the refrigerant has been extracted, do not open the refrigerant circuit prior to extracting refrigerant anew. Continued evaporation may cause pressure to build up in the refrigerant circuit again.