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The Essential Guide to F-GAS...for all businesses using air conditioning, heat pumps or refrigeration.

Overview

F-Gases are the commonest refrigerants in air conditioning, heat pumps and refrigeration systems. They contain HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons) which affect global warming if they escape into the air. The European Union's F-Gas Regulation No 842/2006 became law on 4 July 2006 to minimise emissions of these gases and is being imposed by a timetable of compliance deadlines.

Specialized Services Ltd are registered with REFCOM to operate to the required standards and you can check out certification by visiting www.refcom.org.uk.

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Key Dates:

4th July 2009

Only certified companies, such as Specialized Services Ltd, who employ certified, qualified personnel can take delivery of refrigerants covered by the FGas Regulation.

1st January 2010

No virgin HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons) can be supplied or used for servicing existing equipment.

4th July 2011

Personnel carrying out service, maintenance, recovery or leak checking on stationary refrigeration equipment containing refrigerants covered by the F Gas Regulation, must have obtained one of the updated national qualifications.

1st January 2015 No recycled or recovered HCFC can be supplied or used to service existing equipment. This date is currently under review by the European Commission and may be brought forward to 2012 for industrial process refrigeration.

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Key obligations already in force

Refrigerant Leak Requirements:

System Refrigerant Amount	3kg - 29kg	30kg – 299kg	300kg +
Leak check schedule	12 months	6 months	3 months
Leakage detection system	N/A	N/A	YES
Repair leaks promptly	YES	YES	YES

All leakage checks must be carried out by certified competent personnel only.

Specialized Services Ltd are registered with REFCOM (number REF1002432) to carry out such work and you can check out certification by visiting www.refcom.org.uk.

Servicing, Maintenance, Disposal & Record Keeping:

• Arrange proper refrigerant recovery by certified personnel during servicing and disposal
• Maintain records of refrigerants and servicing including:
  • Quantity and type of F-Gases installed, added or recovered.
  • Identification of the company or technician carrying out servicing and details of the operator.
  • Dates & results of leakage checks, specifically identifying separate pieces of equipment containing 30kgs or more of refrigerant.

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