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Firms active in the installation, commissioning and
maintenance of all types of air conditioning and refrigeration plant are being
urged to sign up to the new Refrigerant Tracking database. Developed
jointly by industry body REFCOM with HVCA Publications, the software is being
introduced ahead of new legislation to complement the REFCOM scheme already
providing huge benefits to participating companies.
Based on REFCOM’s model scheme for the safe handling of
refrigerant gases, the new database provides for accurate recording of
refrigerant movement between supplier, cylinder and plant – from
commissioning and charging through to subsequent recovery and final disposal,
with each transaction being easily recorded, reported and summarised.
Companies joining REFCOM now are certain to gain an edge. Not
only is this additional degree of professionalism and responsibility being
sought by major end-users such as supermarket chains, but immediate cost
savings can be gained by, for example, keeping better track of costly
refrigerant cylinders.
Due for release to members of the HVCA’s RAC Group at the end of January,
followed by an industry-wide launch in March at the RAC Show, the package is
competitively priced and includes a subscription service to provide product
upgrades; technical updates on evolving best practice and guidance on emerging
legislation as the European Union’s F-Gas regulation take shape and come
into force.
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Whilst membership of REFCOM is voluntary, a rigorous
inspection system ensures the highest professional standards and promotes good
practice. These are key issues in the light of the EU F-Gas regulation and a
forthcoming mandatory handling scheme predicted to shape the future of the ACR
industry.
REFCOM is already aligned with these important initiatives and on the
recommendation of both the Government and the Air Conditioning &
Refrigeration Board (ACRIB),
registration with REFCOM would automatically be accepted
onto any new national scheme developed to manage the safe handling of
refrigerants, without the need for reassessment.
According to Norman Mitchell, chairman of the REFCOM
Management Committee: “Tightened legislation and simple good business
sense mean it is time to get on top of the problem of refrigerant tracking.
Companies registered to REFCOM demonstrate a strong sense of corporate
responsibility through a firm commitment to environmental matters. Any company
serious about its future in the ACR industry should register to the
scheme”.
HVCA member price: £175.00 + VAT
Non-member price: £350.00 + VAT
For further information regarding the Refrigerant
Tracking Database, contact HVCA Publications on 01768 860405, email hvcapublications@welplan.co.uk.
Norman Mitchell is also the past chairman of the Heating Ventilating
Contractors’ Association’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Group
and AREA.
Under the terms of the EU F-Gas regulation, the detail of
which was announced by Brussels in October, end-users have a clear duty of care
to closely monitor all equipment that uses more than 3kg of refrigerant charge.
Improved monitoring and reporting of F-gas emissions is a key plank of the
regulation. EU ministers stressed that leaking gases with global warming
potential, like our HFC refrigerants, was prohibited and they placed
responsibility firmly on end-users. It is the end-user who will have the legal
liability to ensure that refrigerant does not leak and is recovered properly
during servicing and replacement of cooling systems.
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