TECHNIHEAT PLANT SERVICES LIMITED Tel : 0161 427 0541
Summary of HCFC & F-Gas Regulations This regulation EC 2037/2000 came effective in 2000 and has resulted in the end of use of R22 in new systems. In 2006 the UK Ozone depleting substances regulation was finally published to implement part one of the EC 2037/2000 directives. The effect of this is as follows ; Anyone servicing, maintaining or dismantling, refrigeration, air-conditioning & heat pump equipment containing ODS needs to hold appropriate qualifications which are a minimum of CITB 2078 or CITB refrigerant handling. This applied from the 9th April 2007. • • • • •
This includes R22 Illegal to use virgin HCFC’s from 1st January 2010 Illegal to stockpile HCFC’s Complete ban on the use of all HCFC’s including reclaimed / recycled product from 31st January 2015 All ODS used in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment must be recovered during service and maintenance of equipment and prior to dismantling or disposal of equipment. Fixed equipment with a charge of 3Kg or more must be checked annually for leaks.
EU F Gas Regulation EC 842/2006 became law on the 4th July 2006, with the majority of sections coming into force on the 4th July 2007. The main effects of this are as follows; Maintaining Records It is the users, (not contractors), responsibility and general obligation to prevent leakage with regular checks accompanied by records of charge amount, removal amount, type of refrigerant, dates of operations and by whom. It is also now necessary to label equipment containing refrigerant. Leak detection Plants with 3-30 kg of refrigerant Plants with 30-300 kg Plants with more than 300 kg
Annual testing Test every six months Test every 3 months plus auto detection
A repaired leak should be checked 1 month following repair to ensure that it has been successful. The EU has now published a Regulation detailing accepted methods of leak detection, maintaining records, systematic leak detection and repair of leaks. A leak inspection is not the same as a service. A leak detection would be undertaken as a part of a routine service or maintenance visit. Our service time sheets will provide documentary evidence to assist in compliance with these directives. These time sheets need to be kept for the working life of the machinery. Anyone servicing, or dismantling, refrigeration, air-conditioning & heat pump equipment containing ODS needs to hold appropriate qualifications which are a minimum of CITB 2078 or CITB refrigerant handling. This applied from the 9th April 2007. With both sets of regulations now in place, it is more important than ever that the above are complied with to the full. Penalties for non-compliance are severe, leading to heavy fines and custodial sentences.