Technical Updates

HARMONAC is a project supported by the Intelligent Energy Europe initiative. It deals with the inspection of air-conditoning systems deriving from the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Article 9 of EPBD aims to reduce CO2 emissions within the building sector by implementing a regime of regular inspection including recommendations for improving efficiency of A/C systems with more than 12 kW cooling capacity. HARMONAC addresses the lack of publicly available tools, information and procedures required to carry out these inspections. Based on site inspections it has produced a series of recommendations, tools and training material. See full details at the website www.eva.ac.at/projekte/harmonac.htm

IOR Service Engineers Section Good Practice guide covering the identification of leaks using Nitrogen for refrigeration systems which are already in operation and are known to have undergone a strength pressure test. This leak tightness testing procedure will sometimes be necessary to comply with the standard leakage checking requirements of the F-Gas regulations. The majority of leaks can be found by either visual examination or use of either an electronic leak detector or a proprietary bubble solution however where the leak cannot be identified or the gas charge has been lost, then it will be necessary to find the leak by pressurising the system with Nitrogen. The guidance covers test pressures, equipment, risk assessments, handling cylinders, hazards of nitrogen, and suggests a test procedure.

For some straightforward guidance on the Pressure Equipment Directive download this Guidance Sheet by clicking the link above.

The Institute of Refrigeration has produced useful Guidance on Working with Ammonia. You can download a free copy of this guidance here. City & Guilds offer a qualification in Safe Handling of Refrigeration specialising in Ammonia. Contact local training providers for more information.

This practical guidance document (published March 2001) covers all aspects of working with these products. Guidelines for the Use of Hydrocarbon Refrigerants in Static Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems, have been produced by a special working group set up by ACRIB's Technical, Safety and Standards Committee. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read this .pdf file.