Engineering manual - SAB 193-233-283 S A-frame (including ATEX)
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008831 en 2022.02
Safety precautions
3.2.12 First aid for accidents with HFC/HCFC
General
HFC/HCFC form colourless and invisible gases, which are heavier than air and smell faintly of
chloroform in high concentrations.
Characteristics:
• non-toxic
• non-inflammable
• non-explosive
• non-corrosive
When heated to above approx. 300°C, they break down into toxic acid gas components, which
are strongly irritating and aggressive to nose, eyes and skin and are generally corrosive.
Besides the obvious risk of unnoticeable, heavy gases displacing the atmospheric oxygen, in-
halation of large concentrations may have an accumulating, anaesthetic effect which may not
be immediately apparent. 24 hours of medical observation is therefore recommended.
Basic rules for first aid
When affected persons are moved from low-lying or poorly ventilated rooms where high gas
concentrations are suspected, the rescuer must wear a lifeline and be under constant observa-
tion from an assistant outside the room.
Do not use adrenaline or similar heart stimuli.
Inhalation: Immediately move affected persons into fresh air. Keep them still and warm and
loosen clothing restricting breathing.
If the patient is unconscious, call a doctor/ambulance with oxygen equipment immediately.
Apply artificial respiration until a doctor authorises other treatment.
Eyes: Immediately rinse with water (preferably using an eye rinser) and consult a doctor. Con-
tinue rinsing until otherwise notified by a doctor.
If the affected person wears contact lenses these must be removed before the rinsing.
Skin: In case of frost-bite, immediately rinse with luke-warm water (max. 37°C) and remove all
clothes impeding blood circulation.
Consult a doctor.
Avoid direct contact with contaminated oil/refrigerant mixtures from electrically burnt-out her-
metic compressors.