USER RESPONSIBILITIES
The European Union’s F-Gas Regulation number 842/2006 became law on 4 July 2007. This imposes obligations on ‘operators’ of air conditioning, heat pumps and refrigeration. F-gases include all HFC refrigerants such as R134a, R407c and R410a. The Regulation aims to minimise emissions of these gases which affect global warming when released into the atmosphere.
‘Equipment operators’ are defined as the person/s responsible for the compliance of Health & Safety Regulations. Team National, as your service provider, can record and monitor the procedure in accordance with the regulation for you.
For stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps with charge in excess of 3kg, operators must:-
- Prevent leakage, and repair any leaks as soon as possible.
- Arrange proper refrigerant recovery by certified personnel during servicing and disposal.
- Carry out leak tests as described below.
- Ensure only certified, competent personnel carry out leak tests.
- Maintain records of quantities of refrigerant taken out and put into systems and of all servicing detail.
LEAK TESTING
This is dependent on the amount of refrigerant in the system.
- An annual check is required for applications with 3kgs of F-gases (if hermetically sealed, then 6kg).
- Twice yearly for applications with 30kgs or more.
- Three times per annum for 300kgs and above.
- If a leak is detected, it must be repaired immediately and a further check carried out within one month to validate the integrity of the repair. A quotation will be submitted following the detected leak and a cost will be included for a return visit one month later to validate the repair. Our service desk will keep a record of any validation visits that will be required.
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING RECORDS
- Operators should initially log all stationary equipment with F-gas charge detail even if less than 3kgs.
- For systems with more than 3kgs, records must be maintained, including quantity and type of F-gases installed, added or recovered, identification of qualified technician carrying out servicing and dates and results of leak tests by system.
- Operators have responsibility to ensure all technicians have the relevant certification, are competent and understand the Regulation.
TEAM NATIONAL LIMITED – SERVICE PROVISION
- Team National Limited, as a qualified and competent contractor, can facilitate compliance with the Regulation as part of your maintenance contract.
- Team National Limited will set up and create the initial log at a one-off cost of £12.00 per individual indoor or outdoor unit of each air conditioning system.
- Team National Limited will carry out annually, electronic leak and temperature testing and fulfil the administration required by the Regulation for a cost of £12.00 per individual indoor or outdoor unit of each system.
- Documentation will be presented in a folder for you to hold on site with a copy held at Team National head office.
- We trust the above gives you an understanding of this new legislation and we are confident that working together we can help to improve the environment we live in.
For further detailed information and guidance, please refer to :-
http://www.refcom.org.uk/ |
