Responsible Refrigeration
INTRODUCTION OF ONLINE COC , DISCONTINUATION OF PAPER-FORM
By Barney Richardson
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 .
The introduction of the online certificate of conformance ( CoC ) for both Android and iOS platforms has resulted in the book form of the paper CoC being discontinued .
The CoC books are therefore no longer available and a CoC can only be issued via the online portal . The App can be downloaded from the PlayStore - search for the SAQCC Gas CoC and proceed with the installation . The site will ask if you are registered - in which case if not , you as the practitioner , will have to complete the safe handling of refrigerants course and assessment for registration as an authorised refrigerant gas practitioner with SAQCC Gas .
Registration is achieved by applying via submission of the application form and supporting documentation through SARACCA .
Once you have accessed the online site you will be required to provide details in the blocks shown . Make sure your details are correct , if they are not , contact SAQCC Gas or SARACCA to update your details . You will be asked to create your own unique password for the site . An email and / or SMS will be sent to you with an OTP code to complete the sign-on . A verification email will be sent with the link and login credentials . You will now be able to purchase Certificates of Conformity online .
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SIGN A COC ? In the Category A group of only the practitioner with ‘ A2 ’ registration
for domestic , beverage coolers and light commercial refrigeration . The ‘ A4 ’ registered practitioners who install and maintain room air conditioning units are permitted to sign a CoC . Others in that category ‘ A ’ group will not be able to sign a CoC as they generally work under supervision .
All practitioners registered as artisans in category ‘ B ’ are allowed to sign a CoC within their specialist field of expertise - for example those who work with synthetic F-gas refrigerants , carbon dioxide or Ammonia . In this group are also those practitioners who work on vehicle air conditioning and on refrigerated transport vehicles or in the marine refrigeration field .
Inspectors in refrigeration and air conditioning who are called on to inspect installations that they may not have been originally involved in may issue a CoC for the inspection confirming that the installation does conform to standards of engineering practice , workmanship and operation .
We see in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry , practitioners who don ’ t issue a certificate of conformity on the completion of an installation or service and repair work .
They say , “ I was not asked for a certificate of conformity .” It is not the responsibility of the client , or the plant owner , or user to ask for this . The Pressure Equipment Regulations clearly state in Regulation 17 ( 3 ) – “ An authorised person or an approved inspection authority shall issue a certificate of conformity after completion of a gas installation , modification , alteration or change of user or ownership .” It does not say that the client , or the owner , or user must ask such . What the regulations do say in Regulation 6 ( 2e ), the user shall “ ensure that a gas system has a valid certificate issued by an authorised person .” From this it is clear that it is an obligation of the practitioner who is registered as an authorised person to issue a certificate of conformity without being asked . It should be a matter of pride for the practitioner to show that his / her work is fully-compliant .
When it comes to large installations that are constructed on site from equipment , components and piping supplied by a contractor , there could be a number of practitioners , registered and unregistered , working on the installation . Certificates of manufacture of certain items of pressure equipment will also be required in terms of SANS 347 . The senior person in charge of the site-work needs to take responsibility for the CoC which is then included into the handover documents , confirming the contractor ’ s work to the client . It is important to have documentation of the pressure equipment and components used to back up to the CoC and that there is compliance with all standards .
In the case of smaller equipment or units it is wise to include the manufacturer ’ s specification and handbook to show that the installation has been done correctly and is compliant . RACA
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I November 2022 35