The refrigeration and air conditioning industry is becoming increasingly regulated, exemplified by the introduction of the F Gas Legislation, but although the phase out of HCFC’s was announced and legislated for 3 years ago, there is little evidence that the necessary steps are being taken to prevent those users of HCFC systems being caught out.

 

In the main, we are talking about R22, widely used in water chillers and air conditioning systems.

 

The key dates towards a total ban on the use of HCFC’s are:

 

From April 2007.

 

  • European ODS regulation requires anyone handling Ozone Depleting Substances, including R22, to have a minimum industry recognised qualification.

 

  • Those currently working with these substances in the UK have until April 9th 2007 to gain the qualification, either City & Guilds Certificate in Handling Refrigerants Scheme 2078 or the Construction Industry Training Board Safe Handling of Refrigerants Reference 206710.

 

  • Disposable refrigerant cylinders will be banned

 

  • Operators or owners must prevent HCFC leakage by having procedures in place to identify and repair leaks. Fixed water chillers and air conditioning systems having an HCFC refrigerant charge in excess of 3kG must be checked annually for leakage.

 

  • During service and maintenance, or prior to disposal of the equipment, all Ozone Depleting Substances, ie HCFC’s including R22, must be removed by an approved refrigerant recovery technology and returned to a licensed provider to be recycled or destroyed

 

1st January 2010.

 

  • There will be a ban on the use of virgin HCFC’s including R22 and HCFC “drop in” replacements such as R408, R409 etc, basically R22 blends. This will undoubtedly lead to a significant rise in the price of recycled R22

 

1st January 2015

 

  • There will be a total ban on the use of all R22, including recycled material, all though even now the EU is indicating its preference for a total phase out by 2012. At this time, those who haven’t made the conversion from R22 to a replacement or made arrangements to replace their existing equipment, could find themselves and their business at a serious disadvantage.

Owners and operators of water chillers and air conditioning equipment with HCFC refrigerants should be considering their options now.

 

  • They should be working with a competent qualified service and maintenance organisation to ensure that their existing plant is maintained in a secure state.

 

  • Consider the time scales. A total ban could be as early as 2012 and it’s estimated that at least 40% of all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in use in the UK operates with R22.

 

  • Balance this with the number of days or weeks left to change and comply, against the number of qualified contractors in the UK able to make the changes.

 

  • Depending upon the age and condition of the equipment, start thinking about replacing it now. Just consider how long it might take to get planning consent where necessary, and or road closures.

 

  • If the equipment is in good working order and likely to remain so beyond the date when R22 is banned, consider replacing the HCFC with an HFC such as R29. The procedure is a straightforward one and could secure the equipment for many years to come.

 

In terms of our competency to deal with these issues on behalf of clients, Coolmations service engineers are qualified to City & Guilds 2078 and Coolmation Service Ltd is a Refcom Certified company.

 

Refcom Certification provides that companies are:

 

·        registered as carriers of hazardous waste

·        possess recognised certification in competency to handle refrigerants

·         conform with all current legal requirements

·        operate auditable procedures for the proper control of refrigerants

·        use purpose designed refrigerant recovery equipment

·        can account for all refrigerant used and recovered

·        are environmentally aware and perform refrigerant transactions with minimum transmissions.

 

For more information or assistance, email: enquiries@service4chillers.co.uk or tel freephone 0800 783 9558.