Are you aware of your obligations under the new F Gas regulations? below are extracts from the DTI guidance notes, please contact us for more information on 0845 302 2920

LEAKAGE REPAIRING

With respect to stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump plant

THESE APPLICATIONS MUST BE CHECKED FOR LEAKAGE WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER A LEAK HAS BEEN REPAIRED TO ENSURE THAT THE REPAIR HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE.

THIS IS AN OBLIGATION THAT HAS BEEN PLACED UPON THE "OPERATOR" OF THE ABOVE PLANT BY THE REGULATIONS.

Otherwise the following schedule will apply to operators to ensure that:-

1. For hermetic systems containing more than 6 kg and semi-hermetic systems containing more than 3 kg. of "F" gases.

2. At least once every twelve months the system will be examined specifically for leakage using direct or indirect detection methods, with attention to those parts of the system most likely to leak.

3. At least once every six months in respect of systems containing 30 kg or more of "F" gases.

4. At least once every three months in respect of systems containing 300 kg. or more of "F" gases.

The direct and/or indirect method of detection will need to be specified as part of the maintenanceprocedure. Where a properly functioning electronic leakage detection system appropriate for the type and design of refrigerant plant and system is in place and has regular calibration and inspection carried out by qualified servicing contractor, in respect of systems having a 30 kg. or 300 kg. charge of "F" gases, the frequency of inspections may be halved.

RECORDS

Operators of systems covered by the regulations will have to maintain records on the quantity and type of "F" gases installed, quantities added, or recovered during maintenance, servicing or disposal along with any other relevant information as well as the identification of the company and/or technician who performed such servicing or maintenance with dates, results, reports and comments.

Plant containing over 30 kg.of "F" cases must be specifically identified, all records will be available for inspection by the competent authority.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The "operator" is defined in Article 2. It is the natural or legal person who exercises actual power over the technical functioning of the equipment and systems.

Therefore the key consideration when identifying the operator will be the way in which responsibilities for managing equipment are arranged, who exercises actual power over its functioning and what "actual power" means in practice.

In most circumstances, it is likely to be that the person who has actual power will be the person or legal person (typically a company) responsible for giving instructions to its employed as to the day to day technical functioning of the equipment.

Operators will have to ensure that all leakage checking activities relating to this article are carried out by certified personnel who comply with the training and certification requirements specified in Article 5 of the Regulation.

OBLIGATIONS

From 4thJuly 2007, operators will be responsible for putting in place arrangements for the proper recovery of "F" gases by certified personnel to ensure their recycling, reclamation or destruction from the cooling circuits of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment.

Recovery, for the purpose of recycling, reclamation or destruction of the fluorinated greenhouse gases shall take place before the final disposal of that equipment and, when appropriate, during its servicing and maintenance.