Refcom clarifies confusion about 3 kg F-gas threshold
F-gas certification body Refcom has expressed concern about a belief in the industry that companies do not need a full company certificate if they work only on small systems containing less than 3 kg of refrigerant. Refcom secretary Steve Crocker explains, ‘There is a serious misconception that needs to be clarified. The bottom line is that the 3 kg limit is only applicable to leak checking. A company undertaking installation, servicing or maintenance on stationary RAC equipment containing or designed to contain F gases (less than 3 kg or not) must hold a company certificate. Failure to do so is a breach of the F-gas Regulations. It’s that simple.’
The deadline for certification was 4 July. and it is widely believed that around half of HVAC companies working within the scope of the regulation have yet to comply and could be working illegally.
People undertaking installation, servicing or maintenance activities on equipment containing F-gas, even less than 3 kg, need to hold at least a Category II qualification. A Category III qualification is only adequate for recovery activities, and a Category IV qualification is sufficient only for non-invasive leak checking on any size of system.
A company certificate is not required if only recovery work or leak checking are undertaken or ‘to any manufacturing and repairing activity undertaken at manufacturers’ sites for stationary refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases.’
