What should be done if there is a large leak of refrigerant in an enclosed area?

When dealing with a large leak of refrigerant in an enclosed area, the primary concern is ensuring safety. Vacating the area and ventilating it is crucial because refrigerants, such as R-410A, can displace oxygen and pose serious health risks or even lead to suffocation. Ventilation helps to disperse the refrigerant and restore safe air levels more quickly. This action prioritizes the well-being of anyone in the vicinity and minimizes the potential for exposure to harmful concentrations of the refrigerant.

In contrast, simply sealing the area off may trap the refrigerant, resulting in a hazardous environment for any personnel who remain. Leaving the area and taking no further action does not address the dangers posed by the leak, as it leaves the leak unchecked and potentially worsening. Alerting the fire department could be appropriate in situations where the refrigerant poses an immediate threat to life or property, but without first vacating the area and improving ventilation, this step would not effectively mitigate the immediate dangers related to the refrigerant leak.