F-gas Regulations: are you affected?

What is the F-Gas Regulation trying to achieve?

The Regulation is aimed at reducing emissions of the fluorinated greenhouse gases. These are highly “potent” gases, which could contribute to global warming if they are released to the atmosphere.

The users will need to take a number of steps to check for leaks and will need to use suitably trained technicians to avoid unnecessary venting of refrigerant.

What you must already be doing to comply with F-Gas Regulations?

1. Identify any equipment under your management or ownership that is covered by the regulation.

2. Determine the amount of refrigerant in the system.

3. Conducting regular leak tests of refrigerant gas.
4. You must be maintaining records of each individual system affected.

Who is affected by these regulations?

The responsibility for complying with the F-Gas regulation stops with the managers and owners of air conditioning systems charged with refrigerant gases. This may include Maintenance Managers, Property Managers, Facilities Managers, Caretakers, Office Managers and Business Owners. Refrigerant Gas leak tests can only be conducted by a qualified technician. The regularity of the tests is dependent on the size of the plant and whether automatic leak detection equipment has been fitted.

What should we do now?

If you are a business owner and do not have a scheduled service contract, check with the person responsible for maintaining your air conditioning equipment and find out if the F-Gas requirements are being fulfilled.

If you are a departmental manager and do not have a scheduled service contract, and your responsibilities include the maintenance of air conditioning equipment, you must already be carrying out all of the scheduled F-Gas checks as laid down by UK law.

What are my alternatives?

A scheduled service contract will completely remove any liability to carryout the F-Gas checks since this should be covered in service and maintenance contract. Care should be taken when selecting a suitable maintenance company since half of the firms surveyed in August 2009 in the air conditioning industry, are currently breaking the law after failing to register for an F-Gas certificate  (the deadline was 4th July 2009)
The types of business most affected by these regulations include:

• Industrial companies: (especially those using refrigeration or air conditioning, such as manufacturing, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, cold stores, printing, semi-conductors, rubber and plastics).

• Commercial companies: such as offices, supermarkets, other food retail, hospitality (pubs, restaurants, hotels).
• Public sector organizations: Government buildings, hospitals, leisure facilities and schools/universities.
• ACS Group Maintenance Ltd is fully qualified to conduct all of the tests meeting F-Gas legal requirements.

For more information and to discuss a scheduled service contract call: 0800 085 4737