This Question concerns the operation of air-conditioning plant in a university. It is answered by SELECT (Theme - HVAC):
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Question: I work as maintenance electrician at a university. In a ground floor cafeteria area where students and staff take rest periods, there are two air-conditioning plants fitted in the false ceiling to supply air to the open area. There is a fused double-pole switch adjacent to each air-conditioning unit.
Unfortunately, we have had occasions where the units have been switched off by people other than staff.
My question is, can I change the double-pole switches with single-phase non-switched fused spur outlets so that the units cannot be switched off?
Answer: Regulation 537.3 requires that a means of switching off for mechanical maintenance shall be provided where mechanical maintenance may involve a risk of burns or a risk of injury from mechanical movement. If the switch was located remotely from the air-conditioning unit, then you would require the switch to be lockable.
Devices suitable for switching off for mechanical maintenance include isolators, switches and circuit breakers.
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