F-Gas Regulations

F-Gas is the term used to describe fluorinated gasses. This leaflet explains the regulations relating to air conditioning products that use fluorinated gasses as their refrigerant. These gasses are R134a, R407C and R410A and all come under the regulation. The objective is to ensure containment by raising professionalism and good record keeping.

Important Dates  

4 July 2008 4 July 20114 July 2011
New European Certification in force throughout the European Community. There are some concessions for existing holders of a safe handling certificate in the UK.UK safe handling will no longer be valid after this date. Holders will have to pass written exams and practical exams (including pressure/enthalpy and psychrometrics).Certification of companies will follow and have to be in place by 4 July 2011. Unless certified, companies will not be allowed to receive products containing f-gasses.


Consultants & Designers   
There is a duty of care to ensure the widest knowledge and understanding of these regulations.

Contractors & Installers

EmployersIndividuals
(circuits over 3kg)		Individuals
(circuits under 3kg)

Must keep records of all qualifications and training for employees whilst they are in their employ. 
Must not send unqualified personnel to do jobs that require qualifications as above. 
Must give copies of certificates to their employees on demand whilst that person is still employed by them.

Must not work on air conditioning or heat pump refrigeration circuits containing over 3kg of HFC unless they have an full accredited certificate as above. 
This includes installation, servicing/repairing the circuit, installing a leak detection system, annual and biannual leak checking and decommissioning circuits at the end of life. They may supervise personnel on site who are training for their certificate.		May work on circuits containing under 3kg of HFC provided they have an in-house training qualification or have already been engaged in such work whilst unsupervised prior to the regulation coming into force (15th February 2008). Must have new European certificate after 4th January 2011.

End Users & Operators
The ‘operator’ could be owner or user or a ‘contracted out’ servicing company depending on the circumstances. The operator must keep records (log book) of all plant, ensure leak tests are done on time and only allow certified personnel to work on their systems. There are penalties for the operator for non compliance. 

Leak Checking
This can only be done by fully qualified and certified refrigeration personnel.

AnnuallySix MonthlyQuarterly
Circuits 3kg to >30kg
Circuits >30kg if automatic leak detection fitted		Circuits 30kg to 300kgCircuits over 300kg (for large refrigeration plants)
  • Direct Method  gas detectors, bubble solutions or by (not on Daikin equipment) refrigerant dyes.  
  • Indirect Method  analysis of one or a combination of temperature, pressure, compressor current, liquid level or recharge volume. Leaks then found by direct method, repaired and rechecked within a month.         

Daikin VRV®III has the ability to analyse its own circuit if it was initially charged using the automatic facility.  This falls under the indirect method.

F GasLabelling
Under the regulation all installed systems have to have a permanent, indelible label showing the type of F-gas and the total quantity by weight installed in the circuit.
Daikin supplies labels that must be filled in on site with details of any refrigerant added. 

Record Keeping
Operators must keep records of their plant and any leaks from and additions to their air conditioning plants. At the end of the equipment life, a record of the refrigerant extracted must be made. The names and details of operatives and companies carrying the above work must also be recorded.
Records must also be kept by installation and service companies of all movements (in and out) of F-gas refrigerants used / handled / disposed of. 

For more information contact Enviros Consulting acting for DEFRA
Telephone helpline: 0161 874 3663 Email:  fgas-support@enviros.com 

This article is intended for use as a guide to the main issues described. It is not intended to be a statement of law and customers should take legal advice as appropriate. Daikin Airconditioning UK Ltd accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions.