VRV / VRF System Install (Multi-Head) SWMS
SWMS template for vrv / vrf system install (multi-head). Covers Outdoor unit, multiple indoor heads, refrigerant piping.. 8-state AU coverage, CIH-reviewed editable DOCX, available as an instant download.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Installing a Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) or Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) multi-head system involves mounting a rooftop or ground-level outdoor condensing unit, running long refrigerant pipe sets to multiple indoor fan-coil heads, brazing copper joints under nitrogen purge, pressure testing, evacuating, and charging with R32 or R410A refrigerant. The work routinely combines work at heights above two metres, hot work (oxy-acetylene brazing), confined ceiling space access, electrical interconnection at 415V, and handling of pressurised flammable or asphyxiant refrigerants. Under WHS Regulation 2011 r291 and equivalent state provisions, this combination meets the definition of High Risk Construction Work, making a Safe Work Method Statement mandatory before any work commences. A SWMS is also required to evidence consultation with workers under s47–49, document the hierarchy of controls applied, and satisfy the principal contractor's duty under r309 to obtain and retain SWMS for HRCW carried out on the project.
Hazards identified
7 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Fatal or catastrophic fall injuries including spinal trauma, pelvic fracture, and traumatic brain injury from unguarded edges
Oxygen displacement asphyxiation, cold burns, ignition flash fire in enclosed plant rooms or ceiling cavities
Structure fire, burns to face and hands, ignition of insulation, cable sheathing or stored materials
Rapid unconsciousness and death from oxygen depletion below 19.5% with no warning symptoms
Cardiac arrest, severe burns, arc flash injury from live testing or incorrectly isolated supplies
Acute lumbar disc injury, crush injuries to hands and feet, dropped load striking workers below
Heat stress, falls through ceiling tiles, lacerations on metal framing, entrapment between services
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Elimination — Pre-fabricate refrigerant pipe sets, brackets and electrical sub-assemblies offsite at ground level to remove brazing and assembly tasks from rooftops and ceiling voids entirely.
- 2Elimination — Specify pre-charged factory-sealed line sets where pipe runs permit, eliminating field brazing and on-site refrigerant charging operations.
- 3Substitution — Substitute oxy-acetylene brazing with induction brazing tools or press-fit refrigerant fittings (e.g. flame-free fittings rated to AS/NZS 5149) to remove ignition source.
- 4Substitution — Use mechanical lifting devices (genie lifts, crane, mini-crane) in place of manual handling for condenser units exceeding 25kg per worker.
- 5Engineering — Install temporary edge protection meeting AS/NZS 4994.1 around rooftop work zones, or use mobile EWPs with harness anchorage rated to AS/NZS 1891.4 for outdoor unit landing.
- 6Engineering — Continuous oxygen depletion monitoring (alarm at 19.5% O2) and mechanical ventilation during nitrogen pressure testing and refrigerant charging in enclosed spaces.
- 7Administrative — Issue hot work permit, conduct 30-minute fire watch post-brazing, isolate combustibles within 11m radius, and verify extinguisher (9L water + CO2) within 3m per AS 1674.1.
- 8Administrative — Lock-out/tag-out electrical isolation verified with two-pole tester before any termination work; licensed refrigerant handler (ARCtick) and electrical licence holder sign-on required.
- 9Administrative — Pre-start toolbox talk reviewing this SWMS, refrigerant SDS, rescue plan for confined ceiling space, and emergency refrigerant leak procedure with all workers signing on.
- 10PPE — Flame-resistant cotton coveralls, leather brazing gauntlets, shade 5 brazing goggles, AS/NZS 1891.1 full-body harness with twin lanyard, AS/NZS 2210.3 safety boots, and cryogenic gloves when handling refrigerant lines.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Mandates refrigerant classification, charge limits per occupied space, leak testing procedures and pressure relief requirements directly governing VRV/VRF design and commissioning.
Governs hot work permits, fire watch duration, combustible clearance distances and extinguisher provision during oxy-acetylene brazing of copper refrigerant pipework.
Triggered by outdoor unit installation above 2m; requires edge protection, fall arrest systems and rescue plan documented within the SWMS.
Governs 415V three-phase interconnection of outdoor units, RCD protection, isolation requirements and testing before energisation of indoor head control circuits.
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Outdoor condenser units are mounted on rooftop plant decks, wall brackets or plinths typically 2.4m to 30m above ground or adjacent surface.
Refrigerant charging, nitrogen pressure testing at 4200 kPa and handling of A2L/A1 refrigerants under AS/NZS 5149 brings the task within this category.
Oxy-acetylene brazing of copper refrigerant joints occurs adjacent to ceiling insulation, electrical cabling and timber framing during line-set installation.
PCBU must prepare, consult workers on and retain this SWMS for the duration of the HRCW plus two years (or post-incident); failure attracts Category 1–3 offences with maximums that are substantial and indexed annually under the prevailing WHS schedule.
Who this is for
- →Licensed refrigeration mechanics installing commercial VRV/VRF systems
- →HVAC subcontractors on commercial fit-out and base-build projects
- →Mechanical services principal contractors coordinating multi-trade plant rooms
- →Building services project managers overseeing tenancy HVAC packages
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX template — Microsoft Word compatible
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation schedule (NSW/VIC/QLD/SA/WA/TAS/NT/ACT)
- ✓Hazard register with risk ratings + hierarchy-of-control mapping
- ✓Worker sign-on register, pre-start checklist, and incident escalation flow
Worked example
On a four-storey commercial office fit-out, a mechanical services subcontractor is installing a Daikin VRV system with a 28kW rooftop condenser and eight ducted indoor heads above the suspended ceiling. At the 6:45am pre-start brief in the site shed, the leading hand opens this SWMS on a tablet and walks the three-person crew through it line by line. The harness requirement for the rooftop landing is flagged — the apprentice realises his lanyard is still in the ute and retrieves it before sign-on. Reviewing the hot work control, the team confirms the ceiling tiles above the brazing location will be removed, fire blanket laid over the cable tray, and a 9L water extinguisher staged within 3m; the site fire warden is notified and a hot work permit issued for the 9am–11am window. During the brazing of the third indoor head, the crew member acting as fire watch notices the nitrogen purge flow has dropped — work pauses, the regulator is reset to 0.2 bar, and the deviation is noted on the back of the SWMS in the 'on-site adjustments' field. After charging, the licensed ARCtick holder records refrigerant quantity, signs the commissioning section, and the SWMS is uploaded to the principal contractor's HSE portal that evening, satisfying r309 retention duty.
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 (model)
- WHS Regulation 2025
- Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces CoP