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How Can Brooktherm Help You?
The compliance programme is tailored to your specific requirement and can include:
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Providing the necessary information and documentation to ensure that you comply with the F Gas regulation
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Carrying out a site survey and providing a detailed report which would include our compliance and containment recommendations
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Reviewing the refrigerant types used on site and exploring the potential, and when possible quote, for conversions to lower GWP refrigerants
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Providing a competitive refrigerant supply quotation and discounts on a full range of high-quality refrigeration tools
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Access to 24/7 support
F Gas Regulation (ec) 517 2014. Useful Information (a snapshot)
Co2 Equivalent Tons: Co2 Equivalent Tons (Co2 Eq T) is used as a key measuring value for the revised F Gas regulation and it is used for things such as controlling and reducing the amount of high GWP refrigerants placed on the market, to determine the intervals that leak detection needs to be carried out and as a threshold for the virgin refrigerant use ban.
It is an effective measurement tool as it is based on both the system charge and the GWP of the refrigerant contained in the system.
To calculate the Co2 Eq T of refrigerant in a system you divide the kg of refrigerant by 1,000 and multiply it by the GWP of the refrigerant.
For example: 50kg of R404A ÷ 1,000 = .05 x 3922 GWP = 195.25 Co2 Eq T.
Use Ban on High GWP Refrigerants
At the start of 2020 there will be a use ban on virgin refrigerants with a GWP (Global Warming Potential) of over 2,500.
This applies to systems that contain more than 40 tonnes Co2 Eq T of the refrigerant which equates to 10kg of refrigerant R404A.
This means that it will not be possible to top up or recharge these systems with virgin refrigerant after this date.
The use ban does not apply to re-claimed (re-processed) refrigerant which can be used until 2030, however the price is not known and availability cannot be guaranteed.
For details on refrigerants please click here
F Gas Leak Test Requirement
Leak testing under the revised F Gas regulation is based on Co2 Eq T of refrigerant contained in the system.
This enables the GWP of the refrigerant and the system charge to be used to determine the frequency and type of leak detection required.
For details on the leak testing requirement by refrigerant please click here
| Co2 Equivalent | Leak Detection Required |
|---|---|
| 5 to 50 Tonnes | 12 months without fixed leak detection / 24 months with fixed leak detection |
| 50 to 500 Tonnes | 6 months without fixed leak detection / 12 months with fixed leak detection |
| 500 or more Tonnes | Fixed leak detection mandatory / Leak tests every 6 months |
Training and Certification Requirements
Site personnel and contractors require City & Guilds or CITB certification in accordance with F Gas training regulation EC/303/2008 before they can carry out work on refrigeration and air conditioning systems containing HFC refrigerants.
Site Personnel and Contractors Certification
There are 4 categories of certification that allow both contractors and site personnel to carry out different levels of work on refrigeration and air conditioning systems. These are as follows:
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Category I: Covers any size of system and includes leak testing, refrigerant recovery, installation, maintenance and servicing
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Category II: Covers systems with a charge below 3kg and 6kg for hermetically sealed systems and includes refrigerant recovery, installation, maintenance and servicing. Leak testing on any size of system can also be carried out
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Category III: Covers systems with a charge below 3kg and 6kg for hermetically sealed systems and includes refrigerant recovery
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Category IV: Covers any size of system and includes leak testing
Company Certification
As well as personnel certification contractors working on refrigeration and air conditioning systems require a Company Certificate when carrying out tasks such as installation, maintenance, refrigerant recovery or decommissioning.
To gain full company certification businesses need to demonstrate that they employ sufficient personnel, qualified to the minimum requirements of EC/303/2008 to meet their anticipated future work schedules.
They also have to show that they have the necessary tools available and procedures in place to ensure that their customers F Gas emissions can be minimised.
Defra has designated Bureau Veritas, Quidos and Refcom as UK Company Certification bodies.
Record Keeping
It is now necessary for both Operators and Contractors to keep records for each system or piece of equipment that is subject to mandatory leak detection (i.e. contains over 5 Co2 E T of refrigerant).
The records should include:
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Quantity and type of F Gas installed
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Quantity of F Gas added during installation, maintenance, or when repairing leaks
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If the refrigerant used has been recycled or reclaimed and if so the name and address of the facility processing the refrigerant and the certificate number. (New)
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Quantity of any F Gas recovered
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The identity of the person carrying out the work and their F Gas certificate number and their F Gas Company certificate number
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Dates and results for all mandatory leak tests carried out
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If the equipment was de-commissioned the measures taken to recover and dispose of the F Gas