r-134a a fire hazard?

[mechengdude]

My question relates to the evaluation of an AC system for a vehicle. I reviewed a brief that makes a statement in part, "limit exposure of refrigerant lines (fire hazard)". The context of this statement was in regards to safety.

The statement puzzles me because I have a good amount of experience using refrigerants to put out fires such as Halon 1301, CF3I, FM200, etc.

My only thought is that maybe in a vehicle AC there is enough oil mixed in with the refrigerant that if a line failed the refrigerant would boil away and oil could be deposited on a hot engine surface.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[imok2]

MSDS sheet on POE oils says DECOMPOSITION
This material may decompose if exposed to high temperatures (open flames) producing CO and CO2.

 

[MintJulep]

Contact of tetrafluoroethane with flames or hot surfaces in excess of 250 °C (482 °F) may cause vapor decomposition and the emission of toxic gases including hydrogen fluoride and carbonyl halides.