Events and Exhibitions
Continued from page 17
One of the biggest challenges has been to identity all the models
of air conditioners that are being imported especially those sold
in retail outlets. From the data collected from 25 stores, 198
different models have been identified. All air conditioners require
a letter of authority (LOA) issued by the NRCS. From the LOA
database only 141 models have been recorded.
“Consumers can check on-line whether the unit being offered
has a valid LOA as this will provide some form of assurance that
the unit meets all the minimum electrical and performance
standards,” he said.
INSTALLING CORRECTLY
Barney Richardson from SARACCA addressed the registration
of persons as required by the Pressure Equipment Regulations
(PER). “All persons that repair, install, maintain, design or
service systems operating at 50kPa are to be registered as being
competent to do so. The Department of Employment and Labour
(DEL) has mandated SAQCCGas to manage and maintain the
required register. Refrigeration and air conditioning installations
fall within the 50kPa limit and SARACCA have been appointed
to manage the registration of persons in the air conditioning and
refrigeration (AC&R) industry.”
There was much debate about the longstanding issue around
re-registration after three years. Richardson felt that because
of new technologies taking place and with new refrigerants
being introduced at a rapid pace, specific testing was required
for renewals after three years. Administrative problems are
encountered with renewals as card holders change their contact
details or employers, and do not keep SARACCA informed. “I
appeal for your co-operation,” he said.
According to Grant Laidlaw, principal of the Air Conditioning
and Refrigeration Academy (ACRA), implementation of the MP
and Kigali Agreement relied on the competency of those that
used refrigerants in the installation, servicing and maintenance
to do so safely, prevent leaks, avoid venting and check on plant
Delegates at the entrance to Woolworths at the V & A Waterfront.
performance to maximise energy efficiency. “The required
competency levels could only be gained by thorough training,
theoretical and on job training.”
Admittedly, there are gaps in the qualifications and
curriculum, and these are being addressed.
Grant felt strongly that we revert back to the old system
of a four-year apprenticeship to gain a South African
Qualifications Authority (SAQA) recognised qualification.
“There is no short cut to proper training. Unfortunately, there
will always be those that resist change similar to those that
continue to use R134a as opposed to gaining skills in the
alternatives,” he shared.
Grant gave details of specific upskilling projects. The activities
planned to fulfil South Africa’s obligations to phase out 35% of the
HCFC baseline by 2020 envisaged, among others, the support to
and upgrade of the competencies in the service sector to improve
the capability to decrease leakages and to facilitate re-use of
refrigerants and retrofits of HCFC systems to non ODS, as well as
upgrade of the competencies on use of alternatives.
“The project will initiate, in line with the phase-out plan, the
training of a minimum of 200 informal service technicians
SOUTH AFRICA AND NATURAL REFRIGERANTS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
South Africa has over 3500 ammonia plants operating
The Open Trade Training Centre (OTTC) college has been a specialised college in the training of ammonia skills since 1972
the first CA ammonia store was operational in 1937
CO 2 cascade systems in supermarkets made a slow start in 2008. The number of trans-critical installations now exceeds 300
Many R290 systems are in operation as bottle coolers, large vending cabinets in supermarkets and even a refrigerated
vehicle
R600a domestic refrigerators are operating in many homes and as vaccine fridges
The fleet of refrigerated vehicles with liquid nitrogen systems exceed 300 and freezing tunnels have been in use for over
30 years
References:
1. Ilana Koegelenberg.
www.hvacronline.co.za
RACA Journal I March 2020
19