When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and hvac teams carrying out air conditioning (split system) installation — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised building services & m&e hazards for this task, with the controls a reviewer expects to see.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 8 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 10-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Mount indoor and outdoor units and make electrical connections — work at height and electrical risk.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-start: review RAMS, confirm asbestos register for pre-2000 buildings, obtain F-Gas certification records, check equipment and tools are inspected, brief all operatives and notify building occupants.
- 2Erect physical segregation (barriers/hoarding) around the work area. Establish and communicate exclusion zones below any overhead work.
- 3Set up access equipment (podium step or tower scaffold) for indoor unit mounting. Inspect access equipment before use. Mark out and drill bracket fixing holes using on-tool dust extraction or water suppression.
- 4Core-drill the external wall penetration for refrigerant pipework and electrical cable. Confirm no hidden services (use cable/pipe detector before drilling). Collect and dispose of debris.
- 5Fix indoor unit mounting bracket and hang indoor unit. Two-person lift or use mechanical aid. Secure all brackets to manufacturer's torque specification.
- 6Mount outdoor condensing unit on anti-vibration feet/brackets at the designated external wall position. Use mechanical lifting aid for units over 25 kg. Ensure unit is level and adequately supported.
- 7Run and insulate refrigerant pipework, condensate drain and control cables between units, securing at recommended intervals. Keep pipework within trunking where it crosses pedestrian areas.
- 8Electrical connections: isolate and lock off the circuit at the distribution board, prove dead (Prove-Test-Prove), then make all fixed electrical connections in accordance with manufacturer's wiring diagram and IET Wiring Regulations. Notify Building Control (Part P) as required.
- 9F-Gas certified operative only: pressure-test the refrigerant circuit, check for leaks using an electronic detector, then commission and charge the system with the correct refrigerant quantity. Record all refrigerant data.
- 10Post-installation checks: reinstate any disturbed surfaces/access routes, remove all tools and materials, carry out a final visual inspection, restore electrical supply, run functional test of system and hand over documentation (F-Gas records, electrical certificates, user instructions) to the client.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Redesign installation sequence or use extended fixing tools to reduce the need to work at height where practicable.
- › Where working at height cannot be avoided, use a podium step or low-level tower scaffold in preference to a stepladder to provide a stable working platform with guardrails.
- › Where a stepladder is the most practicable option for short-duration, light-duty work, inspect it before use for defects, ensure it is fully open, footed on firm ground and the operative maintains three points of contact.
- › Wear a safety helmet to protect against head injury from falls or falling objects, and non-slip safety footwear.
Falling objects striking persons below
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish a clearly demarcated exclusion zone beneath the work area using barriers and signage. Maintain for the full duration of overhead work.
- › Attach hand tools to operatives using tool lanyards. Transport fixings in a belt pouch or tool bag; do not leave loose items on the platform.
- › All persons in the vicinity must wear a safety helmet rated to EN 397.
Electric shock — live working / inadvertent energisation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Identify, isolate and lock off the relevant circuit at the distribution board before commencing any electrical connection work. Prove dead using a calibrated voltage-indicator (two-pole tester) following the Prove-Test-Prove sequence.
- › All fixed electrical connections must be made by, or under the direct supervision of, a competent electrician. Work must be notified to Building Control (Part P) where required.
- › Use Class II insulated screwdrivers and pliers. Wear insulating gloves rated to EN 60903 for any residual low-voltage risk.
Manual handling — lifting heavy units
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Use a compact material hoist, panel lifter or vacuum-pad lifting device to raise the outdoor unit to its mounting position rather than manual lifting.
- › Where mechanical aids are not practicable, carry out a manual handling risk assessment and use a minimum two-person team lift with a designated lift coordinator. Brief operatives on technique before the lift.
- › Wear cut-resistant gloves and safety footwear with toe-cap protection when handling units and brackets.
Refrigerant release — fluorinated gas handling
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › All refrigerant handling, including pressure testing, charging, recovering and leak checking, must be performed by an operative holding a valid F-Gas Category I (or II where applicable) certificate.
- › Use a calibrated electronic refrigerant leak detector after charging. Ensure adequate ventilation of indoor spaces during and after commissioning. Post 'no naked flames' warning for A2L refrigerants.
- › Maintain accurate records of refrigerant type, quantity installed, and any additions or recoveries as required by F-Gas regulations.
Dust and debris from drilling
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Obtain a current asbestos register or commission a pre-intrusive asbestos survey before any drilling on buildings constructed before 2000.
- › Use a core drill equipped with integral water suppression or attach an on-tool dust extractor (H-class rated) to capture dust at source.
- › Wear a minimum FFP2 (P2) half-mask respirator when drilling masonry. Upgrade to FFP3 if silica-containing materials are confirmed or dust suppression is not fully effective.
Slips and trips — cable and pipework runs
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Route cables and pipework in wall-mounted trunking or along skirting-board runs. Secure with clips at recommended intervals to prevent trailing hazards.
- › Where pipes/cables must temporarily cross walkways during installation, use a cable-ramp cover and place yellow 'trip hazard' signage at each end.
Interface with building occupants
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Agree with the client to schedule drilling and mechanical work outside business hours or when areas can be vacated. Confirm in writing.
- › Erect hoarding, barriers or screens to separate the installation zone from occupied areas. Use signage to redirect building users.
- › Notify building occupants of work scope, duration and any temporary service interruptions (e.g. electrical isolation). Provide emergency contact details.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Safety harness and lanyard where fall arrest is the selected control
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
Competence
- ✓ F-Gas certification (company and personnel — e.g. REFCOM, F Gas Register or Bureau Veritas) for any refrigerant handling — a separate statutory requirement, not covered by this RAMS
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Isolation valves / pipe-freezing kit
- › Gas tightness test gauge (gas work)
- › Press tool or soldering/brazing set
- › MEWP or tower for high-level plant
- › LEV / extraction for brazing fume
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Named competence where required (Gas Safe / F-Gas / Part P)
- ✓ Service isolation and test-before-touch (gas tightness, electrical lock-off)
- ✓ Hot-works permit and fire watch for brazing/soldering near combustibles
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a air conditioning (split system) installation RAMS?
Someone competent to plan the work — usually the contractor doing the job or their supervisor. A template like this gives you the recognised hazards and controls for air conditioning (split system) installation, but the person signing it off must review it as the competent person and confirm it matches the actual site and method.
How long is the RAMS valid for?
Until something changes — there's no fixed expiry in law. Review it if the method, site conditions, equipment or people change, after any incident or near miss, and at sensible intervals on longer jobs. Date the review and re-brief the team.
What regulations apply to air conditioning (split system) installation?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 are the main ones, alongside F-Gas Regulation (GB) — refrigeration, air conditioning and refrigerant handling, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a method statement need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.