[Anchor]
To reduce the use of global warming substances, existing refrigerants used in air conditioners must be reduced starting this year.
Instead, environmentally friendly refrigerants are being used, but as they are flammable gases that can catch fire, special attention is needed for fire prevention.
Reporter Kim Yerim visited the experimental site.
[Reporter]
We simulated the leakage of environmentally friendly refrigerants used in air conditioners and refrigerators and initiated a spark to see what would happen.
The refrigerant quickly caught fire, and a bright red flame blazed up.
In another experiment, we recreated a situation where a pile of garbage next to an air conditioner’s outdoor unit caught fire.
When environmentally friendly refrigerant leaked from the piping, the flames spread quickly.
[On-site sound] “The sound you hear now is the refrigerant gas leaking.”
Unlike conventional refrigerants, environmentally friendly refrigerants can catch fire.
In order to comply with the reduction of hydrofluorocarbon emissions to reduce global warming substances, ‘Kigali Amendment’ has been adopted, and South Korea must reduce the use of existing refrigerants from this year.
As a result, products with environmentally friendly refrigerants have been released, but many are not aware of the fact that they are flammable gases.
Last year, there were over 290 cases of fires in air conditioner outdoor units.
Products with environmentally friendly refrigerants may spread fire more easily, so more attention should be paid to fire prevention.
When re-installing an air conditioner, it is common to use connectors to connect the air conditioner and the outdoor unit cable. While this method is relatively safe compared to twisting the wires, precautions are still necessary as the contact force may weaken due to continuous vibration, potentially causing fires.
Regular maintenance is also essential, such as clearing flammable items around the outdoor unit.
[Kim Sung-je / Fire Insurance Association Fire Investigation Center Responsibility] “If dust or moisture accumulates on the outdoor unit’s power terminal, a fire can occur due to phenomena such as tracking. It is important to regularly clean and prevent the accumulation of such dust and moisture.”
Additionally, it was emphasized that thorough ventilation is essential when recharging air conditioner refrigerants.
This is Kim Yerim from Yonhap News TV. (lim@yna.co.kr)
[Video Journalist: Kim Bong-geun]
#AirConditioner #Refrigerator #OutdoorUnit
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