Dometic 7000 - Manual (Page 14)

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English L-2245
Dometic Corporation (Dometic) manufacturers of Cruisair, Grunert, Marine Air and
Sentry Products, makes the following safety warnings concerning the application,
installation, use and care of its products. Although these warnings are extensive,
there may be specific hazards which may arise out of circumstances which we
have not outlined herein. Use this as a guide for developing an awareness of
potential hazards of all kinds. Such an awareness will be a key factor in assuring
your SAFETY and comfort.
ELECTRICITY - Many Dometic products operate on 115, 230 or 440 volt AC
power. Such voltages can be LETHAL; therefore, the chassis, cabinets, bases,
etc., on all components must be grounded together and connected to the vessel's
grounding system. Sparks can occur as switches, thermostats and relays open
and close in the normal operation of the equipment. Since this is the case,
ventilating blowers for the removal of hazardous fumes or vapors should be
operated at least 5 minutes before and during operation of any Dometic product or
group of Dometic products. All electrical connections must be covered and
protected so accidental contact cannot be made by persons using the equipment,
as such contact could be LETHAL.
ELECTROLYSIS - Electrical leakage of any component can cause electrolytic
deterioration (electrolysis) of thru-hull components which could result in leakage
serious enough to sink a vessel which could result in loss of life. All Dometic’s
components must be kept clean and dry and checked periodically for electrical
leakage. If any electrical leakage is detected, the component should be replaced
or the fault causing the leakage corrected before the component is put back into
service.
GAS - CRUISAIR, MARINE AIR and GRUNERT components utilize R134a, R417a,
or R22 refrigerant, tetrafluoro-ethane or R404A which are non-toxic, non-
flammable gases; however, these gases contain no oxygen and will not support
life. Refrigerant gas tends to settle in the lowest areas of the compartment. If you
experience a leak, evacuate all personnel, and ventilate area. Do not allow open
flames in the area of leaks because refrigerant gas, when burned, decomposes
into other potentially LETHAL gases. Refrigerant components operate at high
pressure and no servicing should be attempted without gloves, long-sleeved
clothing and eye protection. Liquid refrigerant gas can cause severe frost burns to
the skin and eyes.
VENTILATION - To cool or heat air, CRUISAIR, MARINE AIR and GRUNERT
components are designed to move air through a heat exchanger by a blower or
propeller fan. This design necessarily produces a suction on one side of the air
handling component and a pressure on the other side. Air handling components
must be installed so that the suction-pressure action does not: (1) pressurize an
area to the extent that structural failure occurs which could cause harm to
occupants or bystanders, or (2) cause a suction or low pressure in an area where
hydrogen gas from batteries, raw fuel vapor from fuel tanks, carbon monoxide
from operating propulsion engines, power generators or heaters, methane gas
from sewage holding tanks, or any other dangerous gas or vapor could exist. If an
air handling unit is installed in such a manner that allows potentially lethal gases
or vapors to be discharged by the air handling unit into the living space, this could
result in loss of life.
Maximum protection against the introduction of dangerous gases or vapors into
living spaces can be obtained by providing living spaces which are sealed from all
other spaces by use of airtight bulkheads and decks, etc., and through the
introduction of clean air into the living space. Bear in mind that the advent of air
conditioning, whether it be for cooling or for heating, naturally leads to the practice
of closing a living space tightly. Never close all windows and doors unless auxiliary
ventilating systems, which introduce clean outside air into the living space, are
used. Always leave enough window and door openings to provide adequate
ventilation in the event potentially lethal gases or fumes should escape from any
source.
CONDENSATE - All cooling units produce water condensate when operating on
the cooling cycle. This water must be drained from the cooling unit overboard. If
condensate is allowed to drip on a wooden structure, rotting or decay and
structural failure may occur which could result in loss of life. If condensate is
allowed to drip on electrical components, deterioration of the electrical compo-
nents could result in hazardous conditions. When an air conditioning system is in
operation, condensate drains may be subjected to negative pressure. Always
locate condensate drains as far as possible from points where engine waste and
other dangerous gases are exhausted so no such dangerous gases can be drawn
into the condensate drains.
Warning
Never sleep in a closed area on a boat when any equipment, which functions as a
result of the combustion of a volatile fuel, is in operation (such as engines,
generators, power plants, or oil-fired heaters, etc.) At any time, the exhaust
system of such devices could fail, resulting in a build-up of LETHAL gases within
the closed area.
Warning Revised: 1-12-04
Warning