SAFETY
The EPA is not only concerned with the prevention of refrigerant venting, but is also concerned with the technicians
overall safety. When handling and filling refrigerant cylinders, or operating recovery or recycling equipment, you
should wear safety glasses, protective gloves, and follow all equipment manufacturers safety precautions.
When pressurizing a system with nitrogen, you should always charge through a pressure regulator and insert a relief
valve in the downstream line from the pressure regulator. Relief valves MUST NOT be installed in series. If corrosion
build‐up is found within the body of a relief valve, the valve MUST be replaced.
When leak checking a system, NEVER pressurize the system with oxygen or compressed air. When mixed with refriger‐
ants, oxygen or compressed air can cause an explosion. To determine the safe pressure for leak testing, check the data
plate for the low‐side test pressure value.
When using recovery cylinders and equipment with Schrader valves, it is critical to inspect the Schrader valve core for
leaks, bends and breakage. Replace damaged valve cores to prevent leakage, and always cap Schrader ports to prevent
accidental depression of the valve core. NEVER heat a refrigerant cylinder with an open flame. Do not cut or braze re‐
frigerant lines on a charged unit.
In the event of a “large” release of refrigerant in a confined area, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is re‐
quired. If a large leak of refrigerant occurs in an enclosed area, and SCBA is not available, IMMEDIATELY VACATE AND
VENTILATE the area. In large quantities, refrigerants can cause suffocation because they are heavier than air and dis‐
place oxygen. Inhaling refrigerant vapors or mist may cause heart irregularities, unconsciousness, and oxygen depriva‐
tion leading to death (asphyxia).
NEVER expose R‐12 or R‐22 to open flames or glowing hot metal surfaces. At high temperatures, R‐12 and R‐22 decom‐
pose to form Hydrochloric acid, Hydrofluoric acid, and Phosgene gas.
Always review the material safety data sheets, when working with any solvents, chemicals, or refrigerants.
SHIPPING & TRANSPORTING
Before shipping any used refrigerant cylinders, check that the cylinder meets DOT standards, complete the shipping
paperwork including the number of cylinders of each refrigerant, and properly label the cylinder with the type and
amount of refrigerant. Cylinders should be transported in an upright position. Each cylinder must be marked with a DOT
classification tag indicating it is a “2.2 non‐flammable gas”. Some states may require special shipping procedures to be
followed based on their classification of used refrigerants. Check with the DOT in your state.
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