Responsible Refrigeration
BARNEY RICHARDSON
Barney Richardson is the director of South African Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Contractors Association (SARACCA) and sits on various other
boards within the HVAC industry, including the South African Qualifications
and Certifications Committee for Gas (SAQCC) Gas.
REGISTERING
ISN’T A ONCE-OFF THING
By Barney Richardson
The registrations for Authorised Refrigeration Gas Practitioners have
gained some momentum in the last few months.
July
August September October
New
66
registrations 40 89 40
Renewals 39 33 31 51
Totals 105 73 120 91
B
ut unfortunately, the renewals are not taking place based
on the registrations three years ago as one would expect.
Although October did show a good improvement in renewals.
Many installers and mechanics seem to think that once
registered they can now forget about renewal. Those who take
it seriously know that it is their livelihood that is on the line.
The big complaint is the time it takes to attend a refresher
course and the cost of the course and renewal. This is how
it has been laid down to work and to ensure all registered
persons are up-to-date and competent. It only takes one client
or customer to refuse you access to their site for you to be
reminded of the importance of being registered. We are already
seeing this happen across the country. Therefore, when the
renewal reminder from SAQCC Gas is on your cellphone, react
immediately and get the refresher done and the renewal forms
into SARACCA.
Those who take it seriously
know that it is their livelihood
that is on the line.
www.hvacronline.co.za
With the success of phasing out of CFCs and HCFCs and now
extending to HFCs, new emphasis is now on HFCs and the
natural gases along with new competencies. High Global
Warming Potential (GWP), like some of the commonly used
refrigerants in South Africa being high, it is logical to move to the
natural gases as they place new requirements on the industry.
Type Refrigerant GWP
HCFC R22 1790
HFC R134a 1370
HFC blend R407A 2100
HFC blend R410A 2100
HFC blend R32 675
HC R600a ~20
CO₂ R744 1
Ammonia R717 <1
Ref: ASHRAE fundementals 2013.
The table shows why there is concern with the interim blends,
because of the higher GWP than R22 and the trend to natural
refrigerants like R717 (ammonia) and R744 (carbon dioxide).
South Africa is seeing more and more systems being installed
using these refrigerants. R600a is now very common in small
domestic refrigerators and beverage coolers along with
R290. R32 is attractive and is being introduced in some air
conditioners. Two thirds of supermarkets in Europe are now
using natural refrigerants like CO 2 and we are seeing this trend
in South Africa.
RACA Journal I January 2020
71