Marco BuoniVicePresident, AREA

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration European contractors’ Association

(www.area-eur.be)

Secretary General Italian Association of Refrigeration Technician, ATF (www.associazioneATF.org)

Projects for training in developed and developing

countries on alternative technologies;

AREA perspectives and guidelines

Paris, 12 April 2016

AREAThe indisputable voice of European RACHP contractors

Design, installation, maintenance and repair of all Refrigeration,

Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps RACHP systems

AREA Vision & Strategy 2020

Constant technological evolutions and recent regulatory changes are

reshaping the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP)

sector. For contractors, the challenge is to embrace these developments

whilst maintaining excellence. In its Vision & Strategy 2020, AREA

identifies 6 key areas for a striving RACHP contracting sector.

1. Standards and regulations that support our sector’s development;

2. Minimum requirements for education and certification on low GWP

refrigerants to ensure safe and competent handling;

3. Energy efficiency as a key driver in refrigerant and system choice;

4. Guidance on technological developments to ensure up-to-date

knowledge;

5. Exchange of information and best practices within the sector through

the AREA network;

6. European and international cooperation at both industrial and

institutional levels.

AREA projects

• RSS Training material and guidelines for EU

members available to developing countries

• Missions to share EU experience in training and

certification

• Information exchange between AREA members

associations and developing countries

institutions and associations

• EU, UN agencies projects (GRMI, RDL, support in

trainings in Africa, Asia..)

• International Observer status

AREA guidelines (1)

• Low GWP Refrigerants

Guidance on minimum requirements

for contractors in RSS

Training & Certification

Used by several EU member

states for implementing

national legislations and

recommendations

Example: training for

HydrocarbonsCourse details•Thermodynamic characteristic of Hydrocarbons as refrigerant - p/h diagram•Specific components for Hydrocarbons•Electronic components suitable for flammable refrigerants•Refrigeration and Air conditioning applications with HC•Recovery or Venting Hydrocarbons•Vacuum-Charging procedures•Leak testing•Mechanical/compression joint connections – avoid brazing•Flammability and safety issues, first aid•Conversion HCFC – HFC systems into HC•National and European regulations and standards•Transport and storage requirements•Logbook

Necessary equipment and components (minimum)•Test Rig equipped with Pressure Gauges, sight glasses in key points, service valves for connections, temperature well - thermowell (Domestic/Commercialrefrigerator or small packaged portable air conditioning unit)•Mechanical/compression joint tool and connectors•Nitrogen Regulator - Cylinder of High Purity Nitrogen•Electronic Weighing Platform•Hydrocarbon Cylinder•Electronic or analogue Vacuum gauge•Manifold set - Hoses with ball valves•Vacuum Pumps and Hose•Electronic Leak Detector (suit HC)•Proprietary Leak Spray•Temperature meter•Ammeter•Tools, Pipe Cutters, Pipe Deburring Tool, Pipework Expanders, Hacksaws, Brazing Rods•Flaring Tool•Personal protective equipment

The Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps systems

containing refrigerants should have:

- Logbook

- Periodical inspections

- Installation, repair only by certified craftsmen/technicians

In Pills: To prevent refrigerant

emissions and safety

Training and certification

Refrigerant

only to certified technicians

AREA guidelines (2)

• Equipment for refrigerants

with lower (A2L) and

higher (A3) flammability

Example of Figure from the guideline: Possible sources for leakage and

safety equipment used when filling flammable refrigerant

AREA guidelines (3)

AREA members are Service Technicians associations;

RSS trainings, seminars are objectives of each AREA

member;

For this reason AREA members produce loads of quality

material for unbiased training on refrigerants

and RSS in 16 languages

Real Alternatives

• Projects of Translation in several

EU languages and exports to

South America (Spanish – Portuguese)

• Africa (French – English – Portuguese)

• Asia (Arabic and Russian, UN languages)

(1) Minimum Requirements listed for the

Specific module HC – NH3 – CO2 – HFO*

HC NH3 CO2

BASIC THERMODYNAMICS AND PHYSICS

Thermodynamic properties of Low GWP refrigerant: temperature,

pressure, density, thermal capacity, p/h diagramT T T

Differences between Low GWP refrigerants and HFCs T T T

Toxicity characteristics, grades and limits for the human body --------------- T T

Characteristic of Flammability of the substances, velocity of

propagation, LFL, UFL, occupancyT T ---------------

Specific components for that refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle T T T

Material compatibility --------------- T T

Oil compatibility, requirements and oil return T T T

*HFO1234yf: same, minimum requirements as Hydrocarbons HC

*HFO1234ze: same minimum requirements as HFCs

AREA Guideline

Used by several EU Member States

for training and certification

HC NH3 CO2

GOOD PRACTICE

Identify typical application of Low GWP refrigerants RAC

systems2 (refer to AREA: Low GWP Refrigerants Guidance)P P P

State and identify the commonly used refrigerants designation P P P

State the requirements for safely labeling Low GWP refrigerant

RAC systems6P P P

Select appropriate tools, equipment and PPE for work on Low

GWP RAC systems6P P P

Recovery of the refrigerant P P P

Venting the refrigerant in a safe way (according to national

legislation)P P P

Calculate the safe fill weight for the recovery cylinder (density

difference between HFCs and Low GWP refrigerants) 2P P P

Leak check direct assessment with the correct equipment P P P

Make vacuum of the refrigerant preventing moisture in the

system and without refrigerant emissionsP P P

Make charge of the refrigerant with no emission relief P P P

Make a connection without brazing with alternative connections P P P

Check the correct functioning of the safety ventilation system P P

Check the correct functioning of the safety system controls P P P

[1] All practical trainings should include theoretical training[2] City and Guilds, Level 2 and Level 3 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning CPD Pathways, March 2012 v1.0[3] It is normally accepted to vent hydrocarbons with low charges (please refer to national legislation)[4] It is normally accepted to vent CO2 (please refer to national legislation)

(2) Minimum Requirements listed for the

Specific module HC – NH3 – CO2 – HFO*

HC NH3 CO2

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Safe system shutdown and isolation 2 P P P

Extinguish a fire, identify the appropriate fire extinguisher P P ---------------

First aid care treatment for frostbite P P P

First aid due to fire burn P P ---------------

First aid suffocation due to breathing problems --------------- P P

Safety issues related to high pressures --------------- --------------- P

Calculate LFL (confined space) T T ---------------

Calculate confined space for asphyxiation (heavier than air) T --------------- T

Check that Health and Safety rules in the refrigeration system

location are respected (emergency exits, fire alarms, leak

detectors…)

T T T

Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment P P P

(3) Minimum Requirements listed for the

Specific module HC – NH3 – CO2 – HFO*

HC NH3 CO2

REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS

Knowledge of European and National Regulations and

standards T T T

Storage of the refrigerant T T T

Transport of the refrigerant T T T

Describe the process for handing over system to costumer

completing and passing on appropriate commissioning

documentation2

P P P

(4) Minimum Requirements listed for the

Specific module HC – NH3 – CO2 – HFO*

AREA and UNEP have developed a

Guide on Certification

Certification

is the best practical method to

verify the competence of personnel

handling refrigerants and to ensure

the correct installation,

maintenance, repair and

dismantling of a refrigeration,

airconditioning and heat pump

systems.

THANK YOU!

Email: buoni@centrogalileo.it

Marco BuoniVicePresident, AREA

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration European contractors’ Association

(www.area-eur.be)

Secretary General Italian Association of Refrigeration Technician, ATF (www.associazioneATF.org)