Safety: General tips

Short, practical technician tips on safety for general. Check each one against the manual for your exact model before acting.

Check combustion chamber for pooled oil before pressing reset

Generic

Explosion risk; pump out and vent if oil found.

Compressed-air cleaning PPE

Generic

Goggles and dust mask when blowing out condensers.

Duct cleaning cautions

Generic

Contain debris, cover furniture, PPE; fiberglass-lined duct, flex and ductboard damage easily; gas compressor stays outside; indoor-exhausting wet vac must be HEPA. Three steps: agitate, high-velocity vacuum, biocide. Avoid dead-end ducts or add a cleanout door.

Explosion-proof storage

Generic

Never store flammables in an ordinary refrigerator — thermostats/relays spark; use safety/explosion-proof units and keep them out of areas with explosive vapors.

LiBr systems

Generic

Keep air out (solution turns corrosive); test specific gravity, pH/alkalinity, copper content, suspended solids, inhibitor; N2/helium leak test with soap; gloves/face/eye protection; octyl alcohol as wetting agent; lithium chromate inhibitor.

Low humidity symptoms

Generic

Static shocks, dry skin/nose, loose furniture joints, cracking woodwork → add humidification.

No copper anywhere in an ammonia absorption circuit

Generic

Corrosion/explosion risk; steel or aluminum gauges, hoses, fittings only; copper only in chilled-water piping.

Oil: cold oil pumps and burns poorly

Generic

Viscosity doubles at 0 °F; outdoor tanks need additive / consider pour point when siting the tank.

Removing a pressure-operated water valve

Generic

Pump down, warm the valve and its pressure tube with a heat lamp 3–4 min to drive liquid back, isolate, bypass pressure to low side, open joints, then warm again — oil-bound liquid can blow out explosively minutes later; wrap openings in heavy towels, point away from people.

Rooftop safety

Generic

Ladder 1:4 and 3' above edge; hoist tools by rope; no ladders in gusty wind; secure hinged panels open and loose panels down; windbreak/safety belt in strong wind; shield tools from sun; hard hat/goggles, rubber gloves on electrical.

Scale on water-cooled condensers

Generic

Hot liquid line + high head with correct charge = scaled tubes. Soft scale: power wire brush in place. Hard scale: acid wash (fast, goggles/gloves, best left to certified cleaners) or replace. Clean at least yearly; well water needs treatment. New gaskets every time.