Air Handler Maintenance
We have 20> air handlers at our facility. We had a safety consultant provide the opinion that because they have electrical motors, and chilled/ hot water loops, that these present hazards which classify these air handlers as confined spaces. These units have several compartments which are entered to change out filters and perform other maintenance / cleaning as needed.
In my 10+ years of experiences, I have not had an air handler classified as a permit-required confined space. What do you think about this? How does your facility handle filter changes in air handler units? All of ours are interlocked to shut down motors when the door is opened, and we have a lockout procedure for working on them as well.
Comments (3)
Unless an additional hazard exists while entering, not a PRCS.
In most cases, air handlers would be a "confined space", but would need more information to make the determination as to whether it's a "permit-required confined space" or not.
What is the nominal voltage of the electrical motors? Are all electrical motors on the outside? If they're on the inside, are they all properly guarded? If all electrical conductors are properly guarded, then that electrical aspect would not make it a PRCS.
Could the water loops create an engulfment hazard? Typically, it doesn't, but all air handlers are a little bit different.
In general, most (not all) air handling units ARE confined spaces, but are NOT permit-required confined spaces.
Likely a confined space but Likely not a PRCS. I think I would still test the air to be SURE! "Likely" is not good enough it there is any chance of a fatality in my opinion.