Associations
EQUIPPING HVAC & R
INSPECTORS
By SARACCA
Compliance is an ongoing necessity as it plays a large role in safety . The gas industry is no exception .
Many air conditioning- and refrigeration-related breakdowns are a result of non-compliance to the pressure equipment regulations ( PER ) sound engineering practice and standards .
The proper regulation of AC & R installations and maintenance is essential as these installations involve various gases that need to be handled as stipulated by the PER . The Department of Employment and Labour ( DEL ) has appointed 500 new recruited inspectors across all 9 provinces to assist in keeping the gas industry safe , including installations that require refrigeration gases .
The increased number of inspectors will ensure AC & R installations completed in South Africa have been inspected timeously and thoroughly .
The South African Qualifications and Certifications Committee of Gas ( SAQCC Gas ) is mandated by the DEL to ensure the gas industry operates as specified by the PER . SAQCC Gas is made up of four member associations , regulating the AC & R industry within SAQCC Gas is the South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association ( SARACCA ).
SARACCA ’ s primary objective is to ensure both the end-user and the Authorised Refrigeration Gas Practitioner are safe , this involves ensuring all installations have been completed in compliance with the PER and the relevant AC + R standards .
To equip the new inspectors , SAQCC Gas in conjunction with the DEL conducted a training session on 2 – 5 November with over 100 of the new inspectors . SARACCA conducted a section specific to the AC & R industry , to help the inspectors to understand and know what to look for when conducting an AC 0r R inspection , this session included theoretical and technical knowledge .
Key pointers :
• Refrigerants commonly used
• The phasing out of HCFCs and HFCs
• The aspects of safety in refrigeration equipment
The HVAC + R industry is growing rapidly . We are happy that growth comes with an increase in inspections , a safe industry is a prolific industry . - SARACCA
The objective of the training was to fully equip the inspectors to conduct thorough inspections and keep the gas industry safe and compliant . As an industry , we are excited about the increase in the number of inspectors . This will make a huge difference in the gas industry in terms of policing and enforcement .
Source : SAQCC Gas RACA
For more information about SARACCA or SAQCC Gas , visit their websites : www . saracca . co . za or www . saqccgas . co . za
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“ Failure is central to engineering . Every single calculation that an engineer makes is a failure calculation . Successful engineering is all about understanding how things break or fail .”
– Henry Petroski
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I March 2021 19