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 .
THE NEW SARACCA TRAINING MANUAL
By Barney Richardson
This manual , introduced at the beginning of 2022 , provides an understanding of the Pressure Equipment Regulations ( PER ), SANS standards and good engineering practice in refrigeration .
While the use of the F-gases continues through the phaseout of HCFC and HFC refrigerants , the appearance of flammable refrigerants has changed how we work .
A worldwide phase-out of the HCFC refrigerants is moving ahead with approximately a 45 % reduction in South Africa of HCFC gases to date . This was mainly achieved by the foam blowing industry with quick phase-out of R141 . The refrigeration and air conditioning industries need to catch up on the phase-out of the use , in particular , of R22 .
South Africa as partner in the Kigali amendment will soon start the HFC phase-out plan for HFC consumption .
Practitioners must be aware of safety aspects and changes in design concepts with the phase-out of HCFC and HFC refrigerants . The new use of flammable refrigerants such as R290 and R600a in small refrigeration units and R32 in room air conditioners places a responsibility for safe work procedures .
The procedures and methods used for the common refrigerants also apply to flammable refrigerants classified as
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RACA Journal I September 2022 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za