HVAC & refrigeration RAMS

Job description

Replacing two rooftop air-conditioning units at Kennet Retail Park, Reading. We'll use a MEWP for access, isolate the electrical supply, recover the existing refrigerant and braze new pipework. The store stays open to customers.

Activities identified

• General site work
• Working at height (MEWP)
• Roof work
• Electrical isolation
• Refrigerant handling
• Hot works
• Manual handling
• Occupied premises or public areas

Method (18 steps)

1. 1.Arrive and sign in. Arrive at Kennet Retail Park, Reading, report to the Kennet Property Services site contact, sign in and complete any site induction.
2. 2.Brief the team. Brief all operatives on this RAMS, the COSHH assessments and the emergency arrangements. Record attendance.
3. 3.Set up the work area. Set up barriers and signage around the work area and keep it clear of other people.
4. 4.Set up exclusion zone below. Establish an exclusion zone below the work area with barriers and signage before any work at height starts.
5. 5.Isolate the electrical supply. Identify the relevant circuit, isolate, lock off and tag. Prove dead with an approved voltage indicator, proved before and after use.
6. 6.Obtain hot works permit. Obtain a hot works permit from the site. Remove or protect combustibles and place an extinguisher at the point of work.
7. 7.Set up the MEWP. Check ground conditions, position the MEWP, deploy outriggers on spreader plates and complete pre-use checks.
8. 8.Access the roof. Access the roof via the agreed route. Confirm edge protection is in place and identify any fragile areas before moving onto the roof.
9. 9.Recover refrigerant. Recover the refrigerant into a correctly rated, labelled recovery cylinder. Record quantities in line with F-gas requirements.
10. 10.Disconnect and remove existing equipment. Disconnect and remove the existing equipment. Lower or carry it using mechanical aids or team lifts as planned.
11. 11.Install new equipment. Position and fix the new equipment to the manufacturer's instructions.
12. 12.Braze joints. Braze joints under the hot works permit with nitrogen purge. Maintain the fire watch during and after the work.
13. 13.Pressure test and evacuate. Pressure test with oxygen-free nitrogen, then evacuate the system before charging.
14. 14.Charge the system. Charge the system with refrigerant to the manufacturer's specification and leak test all joints.
15. 15.Test and commission. Test and commission the installation. Record results.
16. 16.Remove isolation and re-energise. Confirm the work is complete and everyone is clear, remove locks and re-energise.
17. 17.Clear up and remove waste. Clear the work area, remove waste from site (including recovered refrigerant and hazardous waste) and leave the area safe.
18. 18.Hand over and sign out. Hand over to the Kennet Property Services site contact, report anything outstanding and sign out.