Responsible Refrigeration
The next part of the document that gives us a great deal of concern in assessing the category grading is the experience section . We see many applications where the applicant gives an excellent detail of the type of work they do and types of refrigerant . This helps in deciding the grading category .
Many others , however , simply leave this blank , which is of no help at all . Some in their wisdom just write “ air conditioning ” or “ HVAC ” or “ Refrigeration ”. What does this mean ? It is meaningless and of no value in the process . This now creates a delay in processing the application whether it is a first time or a renewal . An email request has to be sent , then there is a delay in getting a reply which leaves the application hanging .
The question now is do the applicants work on room air conditioners or roof top package units or central plant water chillers ? Maybe they work on domestic refrigerators using R134a or possibly R290 and R600a , there is an important difference between the two .
Refrigeration plants they work on could be supermarket simplex systems or multiplex systems - again a difference exists between the two . Could it be the plant is running on CO ²? Is it then a transcritical system or a cascade system ? Maybe the refrigeration is serving a cold store on F-gas or Ammonia .
The information must be provided in a clear and readable form for SARACCA to make an informed decision and recommendation to SAQCC Gas for the registration . It makes it very difficult to confirm a category of registration when the experience information is insufficient .
The qualification and course certificates are also very important for SARACCA to be able to decide on the level of knowledge and competence , especially the Trade Test Certificate and NQF level 2 , 3 and 4 certificates if these are available . Other qualifications and courses attended which are related to the type of work being done must also be provided . This is especially important if the applicant is an air conditioning unit installer and has attended courses given by the equipment manufacturer covering their product . RACA
" Do the applicants work on room air conditioners or roof top package units or central plant water chillers ."
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RACA Journal I April 2022 www . hvacronline . co . za