Too many firms are only just beginning to address the mandatory responsibilities, according to a spokeswoman for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Show (ACR) (which will take place at Birmingham's NEC from March 1315 2012). The laws cover operators of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, following the implementation of the F-Gas Regulation.
The new laws require those who operate refrigeration and air conditioning systems above a certain size to carry out regular checks to ensure equipment is not leaking refrigerant to atmosphere. Any leaks found must be repaired and further checks carried out to ensure equipment is completely leak-tight. Failure to carry out the checks, or take action in the event of a leak being discovered, could result in prosecution and fines.
The legislation, which came into force on July 4 this year, is part of a European-wide push to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs are potent global warming gases in widespread use as refrigerants in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
"There are literally hundreds of thousands of refrigeration and air conditioning systems in use across the country that depend on so-called F-Gases. HFCs are by far the most common refrigerants in use in commercial cooling systems, and all are subject to the new requirements," says the ACR's Iona Spencer. "It is vital that everyone who uses this equipment gets rapidly up to speed with the new legislation. We understand the authorities are gearing up to take more concerted enforcement activity, and that prosecutions may follow."
The F-Gas Regulation also requires equipment owners to monitor and record all HFC refrigerant used to top-up their refrigeration and air conditioning systems. These records must be made available for onsite inspectors and regulatory authorities.