If you’re the designated operator of any systems containing a qualifying amount of refrigerant gas, you’re required to comply with rules laid out under F-Gas Regulations.
Although these regulations were introduced by the European Union, since leaving the EU the UK has maintained its commitment to the correct control and reduction in the use of F-gases. As such, requirements under EU regulation remain in force, now covered by GB legislation.
We’ll update this article if and when any new laws come into place.
When we talk about F-Gas, we refer to fluorinated gases like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). These are used as refrigerants in HVAC equipment, including air conditioning and process cooling and refrigeration systems.
F-gases like HFCs were introduced as a more energy efficient and environmentally friendly replacement for ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
They do, however, still have Global Warming Potential (GWP), and it’s because of this that the F-Gas Regulations were developed.
F-Gas Regulation came into place in 2006 in response to the Kyoto Protocol, with the aim of minimising the impact of F-gases to the earth’s atmosphere.
When handled correctly, F-gases are generally safe. The regulations are there to ensure compliance, and relate to anyone involved in the production, sale, distribution, usage or recovery of F-gases themselves, and systems that make use of them.
This includes ‘operators’ - essentially anyone responsible for the operation and upkeep of equipment containing refrigerant gases.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re the designated operator of such equipment:
To ensure your legal obligations are met, it’s advisable to invest in Planned Preventative Maintenance for your HVAC system. This should be based on the exact specification of your equipment, the quantities of refrigerant used, and its purpose.
