VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW METHOD STATEMENT

Method Statement for the Installation of

VRF System
1. Introduction
The fixing of all air conditioning equipment, installation of all refrigerant
pipework, insulation work, drain pipe work and full commissioning shall be
performed by a specialist VRF installer who is authorized to install DAIKIN
equipment. In the course of installation contractor will apply the best practice
methodology in carrying out its duties and will strictly adhere to the
following:

1.1 Retain the responsibility to advice of any aspects which, based upon
experience, would appear to be inappropriate and/or likely to lead to
operational problems.

1.2 Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, and all other relevant attendant
legislation, particularly the management of Health & Safety at Work
Regulations 1992, Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulation 1992
and the Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulation 1994.

1.3 Ensure that all personnel are in possession of the appropriate personal
protective equipment to comply with the Personal Protective Equipment
Regulations 1992.

1.4 Ensure that all personnel are fully competent in the work they are tasked
to perform and any claim to stated qualifications are valid.

1.5 Ensure that all personnel are instructed to comply with the prevailing site
rules.

1.6 Must use calibrated and regularly checked tools. Electrical tools will be
calibrated and checked annual.

1.7 Upon completion of the works ensure that all debris is removed and the
site is left clean and tidy to the satisfaction of the Client.

2. Refrigeration Pipework
Supply and installation of all interconnecting refrigerant pipe work will be
carried out. Air Conditioning design and installation instructions and

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VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW METHOD STATEMENT

Method Statement for the Installation of

VRF System
1. Introduction
The fixing of all air conditioning equipment, installation of all refrigerant
pipework, insulation work, drain pipe work and full commissioning shall be
performed by a specialist VRF installer who is authorized to install DAIKIN
equipment. In the course of installation contractor will apply the best practice
methodology in carrying out its duties and will strictly adhere to the
following:

1.1 Retain the responsibility to advice of any aspects which, based upon
experience, would appear to be inappropriate and/or likely to lead to
operational problems.

1.2 Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, and all other relevant attendant
legislation, particularly the management of Health & Safety at Work
Regulations 1992, Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulation 1992
and the Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulation 1994.

1.3 Ensure that all personnel are in possession of the appropriate personal
protective equipment to comply with the Personal Protective Equipment
Regulations 1992.

1.4 Ensure that all personnel are fully competent in the work they are tasked
to perform and any claim to stated qualifications are valid.

1.5 Ensure that all personnel are instructed to comply with the prevailing site
rules.

1.6 Must use calibrated and regularly checked tools. Electrical tools will be
calibrated and checked annual.

1.7 Upon completion of the works ensure that all debris is removed and the
site is left clean and tidy to the satisfaction of the Client.

2. Refrigeration Pipework
Supply and installation of all interconnecting refrigerant pipe work will be
carried out. Air Conditioning design and installation instructions and

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VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW METHOD STATEMENT

standards will be followed holistically. All pipe work must be suitable for
R410A/R407c as applicable. Longest possible lengths of copper pipe should
be utilized to minimize joints on site. Furthermore all of the following points
should be adhered to.

2.1 All copper pipes up to 1 1/8” (28 mm) outside diameter (O/D) shall be
fabricated from refrigerant quality tube to BS EN 12449:1999. Tube shall be
fully annealed up to 7/8” (22 mm) outside diameter (O/D) only. Tube shall be
delivered to site internally degreased and shall be stored in clean dry
conditions with ends sealed until required for installation.

2.2 All due consideration and allowances shall be taken to keep pipe work
clean and dry during the installation works, ensuring that all pipe work
unfinished ends are capped off at all times.

2.3 The number of joints bends and sets are to be kept to a minimum. Butt
joints will not be accepted; properly swaged joints must be formed. Bends
and sets are to be machine pulled to an approved radius where possible.

2.4 Flared joints must only be used when connecting to the manufacturer
equipment.

2.5 Pipe work to be properly fixed and supported using a recognized industry
approved support system.

2.6 Brazing shall be carried out in accordance with British Refrigeration

Association Specification for Brazing and BS 14324:2004. Brazing rods shall
be cadmium free and conform to BS EN 1044:1999. At all times, when
brazing, a small amount of dry nitrogen must be purged through the pipe to
prevent oxidation and scaling internally. Any component susceptible to heat
during the brazing process that may be damaged must be protected. Soft
solder shall never be used for jointing of refrigeration pipe work.

2.6.1 All completed R410A systems will be strength and leak tested
with dry nitrogen as per itemized below and BS EN 378. If the system is
found to be leak free, the final pressure readings for both strength and leak
testing are to be witnessed by either the main contractor, the consultant or
end-user and recorded in the test result Log Book.

21 bar, Strength test for a period of time that is acceptable to show any signs
of deformation to the pipe work.

21 bar for final leak test for minimum 24 hours. Pressure testing signage will
be clearly visible on site during testing periods.

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VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW METHOD STATEMENT

2.6.2 All completed R410A systems will be leak tested with dry
nitrogen as below and BS EN 378. If the system is found to be leak free, the
final pressure readings for leak testing are to be witnessed and entered into
the log Book
1) 3.0 bar (N2) Minimum of 3 minutes.
2) 15.0 bar (N2) Minimum of 3 minutes.
3) 21.0 bar (N2) Minimum 24 hours.

2.7 On completion of strength/leak testing an evacuation is to be carried out

to 2mm Hg (2Torr).This will eliminate the risk of any moisture being present
within the pipe work installation. It is recommended that a triple evacuation
process be carried out as below and this should then be followed by a
pressure rise test.

6 Steps Evacuation
1) Evacuate the system to 10 Torr from both service valves. System manifold
gauges “must not” be used to measure a vacuum. A Torr gauge must be used
at all times.

2) Break the vacuum with OFN (N2) into “suction” service valve to 1 bar.

3) Evacuate to 5 torr from “discharge valve”.

4) Repeat step 2.

5) Evacuate to lowest pressure vacuum pump will achieve (2 torr for 1 hour
minimum).

6) Pressure rise test to be carried out for a minimum of 30 minutes.

3. Drain Pipe work

A condensate line shall be installed to each fan coil unit. This shall be
installed and insulated as per the standard specification. Minimum size of
condensate pipes to be 15mm plastic and insulated. Condensate shall be
pumped from each fan coil, drains to run 1:80 minimum falls.

3.1 Pipe work will be adequately supported in such a manner as to permit free
movement due to expansion and contraction.

3.2 Pipe work should be graded to fall throughout, run to waste, and should
be accessible for cleaning.

3.3 On completion, a leak and function test must be carried out.

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VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW METHOD STATEMENT

3.4 Gravity drains will be installed whenever possible.

4. Electrical Work
The contractor shall include for the design and installation (unless otherwise
specified), including connecting all items of mechanical equipment. The
Contractor shall provide and install all wiring, cables, conduit, trunking,
cable trays, termination points, local means of isolation, control wiring etc.,
to mechanical plant items to ensure that all items of equipment and controls
fully function in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations and the
current IEE Wiring Regulations, CIBSE Codes of Practice, British Standards
and UK Building Regulations.

4.1 All electrical cables used for power distribution will comply with the
latest Edition IEE Regulations. All cables used for data/control must be
greater than 1.25 mm 2-core screened.

4.2 Appropriate glands will be fitted to each item of equipment in accordance

with environmental conditions.

4.3 The whole installation will be in full accordance with the IEE Wiring
Regulations in every respect with particular attention to clipping, earthing of
equipment, grounding off, final connections and isolating.

4.4 Earth bonds on refrigeration, cold water and drainage pipe work to be
applied throughout.

4.5 Equi-potential bonding between exposed conductive parts and extraneous

conductive parts at the same potential, to be applied throughout.

4.6 On completion the installation should be tested in accordance with the

requirements of Inspection and testing section of the IEE Wiring Regulations.
Inspection shall include physical check that all equipment has been securely
fixed and that all electrical connections are mechanically sound.

4.7 Where necessary, to prevent damage to components of equipment, the

equipment shall be disconnected for the duration of the relevant tests.

4.8 Heat resisting cable should be used in all locations where wiring is
subjected to ambient temperatures in excess of 40°C (104°F).

4.9 A suitable means of isolating the electricity supply shall be fitted adjacent
to and within reach and sight of the equipment with over current protections.

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VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW METHOD STATEMENT

4.10 When running interconnecting control wiring it is essential to avoid the

risk of electronic control signals being corrupted. Care should therefore be
taken to avoid running control cables too close to power cables.

5. Insulation
Thermal insulating material used within any building shall, when tested in
accordance with BS 476-4:1970, be classified as non-combustible also free
from substances which in the event of a fire would generate appreciable
quantities of smoke or toxic fumes. Insulating materials should be of Class
“O” rating as defined by the Building Regulations.

5.1 Thermal insulation will be fitted to all the pipe work installations detailed
herein. All materials used will be ‘non-combustible’ Class “O”. All insulation
materials, adhesives and finishes, will be suitable in all respects for
continuous use without degradation throughout the range of operating
temperatures and within the environment indicated.

5.2 The materials and method of installation will comply with all relevant
British Standards Codes of Practice.

5.3 The material will consist of flexible CFC free, elastomeric black foam
with a closed cell structure. The outer surface of the foam will be an inherent
vapour barrier.

5.4 In all cases where pipes pass through fire compartment walls, fire
resistant and non-flammable insulation/foam will be packed between the pipe
sleeve and the pipe. All insulation will be supplied at the thickness specified
in relevant HVAC standards.

7. Pre-commissioning
The following items must be checked prior to any systems being switched on.

7.1 A marked up scale site drawing showing all VRF units and refrigeration
pipe work, address settings (for units and remote controllers and BC branch
connections) and model/serial numbers must be produced.

7.2 City Multi Indoor Units, BC Boxes, Outdoor Units addressing and
screened wiring (greater than 1.25mm) as per the VRF specification (refer to
data book).

7.3 All control wiring and remote controllers must be complete and
connected but final connection to TB3 & TB7 left disconnected.

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VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW METHOD STATEMENT

7.4 Before the Power Supply to Outdoor Unit is turned on, the mains wiring
must be checked phase to neutral, neutral to earth. Once this is complete the
mains isolator can be switched on to allow the crankcase heater to warm up
the oil (minimum 24 hours).

7.5 All power supply wiring to Indoor Units (and BC controllers if R2

system) must be complete, tested and left switched on at Indoor Unit
isolators.

7.6 All Indoor Units must be clearly marked with marker pen or similar
indication and label indicating address and branch controller connection (R2
only) and model/serial number.

7.7 Pressure test and evacuation of system refrigerant pipe work must be
completed as per section 2.6.1, 2.6.2 & 2.7.

7.8 Condensate pipe work must be completed and tested.

7.9 Total lengths of liquid line pipe work installed, must be confirmed by
installation Engineers and marked on drawings for additional refrigerant
charge calculation.

7.10 Sufficient supply of refrigerant R410A in dumpy cylinders must be on

site adjacent to the Outdoor Units ready for use.

7.11 Now charge refrigerant into pipe work based upon the additional
refrigerant charge calculation.

7.12 Outdoor Unit service valves must now be opened.

8. Commissioning
8.1 Connect Monitor Tool and check system connect information is correct
i.e. Outdoor Unit, BC port, Indoor Unit and Remote controller addresses.

8.2 Start up the system and run each Indoor Unit one by one in cooling mode
to confirm correct operation superheat and pipe temperatures.

8.3 Then change over all Indoor Units to heating mode and check operation,
sub-cooling and pipe temperatures.

8.4 Set up and configure all controllers/time clocks/G50 centralized

controllers.

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VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW METHOD STATEMENT

8.5 Check operation of all accessories interlocks i.e. time clocks, centralized
controllers etc.

8.6 Carry out airflow and static pressure drops on any units connected to
ductwork.

8.7 Check operation of all condensate pumps if fitted.

8.8 Monitor operation for at least 1 hour. Observe and record all data.

8.9 Complete Commissioning Log Book via paper forms provided or via
(handheld device).

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