General requirements
When carrying out maintenance work on the climate system and when handling refrigerant, safety precautions must be strictly observed.
All work on the vehicle's climate control system must be carried out by suitably trained personnel.
It should be recalled that all modern automotive climate systems are charged with R134a refrigerant; whose boiling point at normal atmospheric pressure is -26.5'C.
It should be especially noted that the refrigerant is odorless and colorless, it is heavier than air and therefore displaces oxygen, under the influence of a close flame or a strong heat source, the refrigerant can decompose into deadly phosgene gas.
If the safety measures for refrigerant to get on the floor or into the inspection hole are not observed, there is a danger of poisoning people, while nothing will indicate the presence of this danger.
In case of poisoning with refrigerant vapors, the victim should immediately be removed to fresh air and an ambulance should be called. In case of direct contact of the refrigerant with the skin or mucous membranes of the eyes, frostbite may occur, the affected area must be washed with plenty of water, wipe the skin with clean Vaseline and urgently call an ambulance.
Special Precautions
1. It is forbidden to work and handle the refrigerant without goggles and gloves.
2. It is forbidden to release steam from the air conditioning system into the air, especially where there is a flame, or in the immediate vicinity of a working ignition system and fuel system of the car.
3. It is forbidden to close the valve of the air conditioner during operation.
4. It is forbidden to carry out soldering and welding work with soft or hard solders of parts of the climate system filled with refrigerant.
It should also be noted that during painting work and drying the paintwork, the temperature in the drying chamber should not exceed 80*C.
This requirement is due to that when heated in the climate system, the pressure rises greatly, which can lead to the operation of the safety valve on the compressor.
5. Be careful when working in close proximity to the evaporator and condenser. So, for example, serious cuts can occur if the condenser fins are handled carelessly.