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| F-Gas | Advice |
We hope the following information regarding fluorinated greenhouse gases, or f gases as they have become known will help you to understand the new legislation and how it will affect your company, however if you are in doubt about anything please don’t hesitate to call us and we will be happy to offer straightforward advice!
The principal objective is to contain, prevent and thereby reduce emissions of F gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol. They key obligations are summarised as follows:
Leakage Inspections
The mandatory inspection of all systems containing 3kg or more of F gas at the following frequencies:
3kg or more annually or 30kg or more, every six months
These are minimum requirements which are under review and could change to monthly checks.
The system must be checked for leakage within one month after a leak has been repaired to ensure the repair has been effective.
Maintenance of Records
Records must be maintained of F gases added or removed during installation and servicing of equipment containing 3kg or more. Log books for each piece of equipment are to be completed each time a service visit is made.
Recovery
F gases must be recovered for recycling, reclamation or destruction. Venting of refrigerant to atmosphere is prohibited.
Training & Certification
All engineers carrying out work on refrigeration systems must be qualified to City & Guilds or CITB level of competence and hold the relevant certification. (As do all Universal Refrigeration engineers)
Labelling
Equipment containing F gases must be labelled, clearly stating that it contains F gases and their quantity.
Legally, you the end user will be held responsible for implementing the F gas regulations. This will be vigorously policed by the Environmental Agency and any infringement will result in heavy fines and / or imprisonment and will apply from the Maintenance Foreman to the MD.
If you are an existing Universal Refrigeration customer with a maintenance contract we will ensure that we fully comply with the F gas regulations. For those customers who do not have an existing contract we will be happy to help with your requirements and can submit a quotation for our services.
Phase Out of HCFCs (R22) Montreal Protocol
Please note that use of virgin HCFC Refrigerant R22 will be banned by law from31st December 2009.
From this date any remaining stock will have to be returned for destruction. Supplies prior to this date will become less and less as the manufacturers will be using their plant to produce the new range of refrigerants. If you are unsure as to whether you are using refrigerant R22 please call us for advice.
Recommendations
All systems where applicable should be converted from R22 to one of the new zero ozone depleting refrigerants. We would be happy to conduct a free site survey of equipment and submit a quotation to convert to the new refrigerants.
Make sure you don’t get caught out! The time to act is now!
Still unsure about anything? Call 0800 0467545 for simple advice...
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