The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) in partnership with the federal government is updating the Australia and New Zealand Refrigerant Handling Codes of Practice.
AIRAH, with the support of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), is seeking input from industry by Monday,19 August, 2024.
The aim of the Refrigerant Handling Codes of Practice is to minimise the emission of fluorocarbon refrigerants to the atmosphere.
The codes cover the entire system life-cycle: design, manufacture, shipping, installation, commissioning and servicing, decommissioning and refrigerant recovery.
Compliance is mandatory for anyone holding a refrigerant handling licence or refrigerant trading authorisation through the Australian Refrigeration Council.
Originally published in 2007, the codes require a comprehensive revision to reflect current standards, regulations, safety practices, contemporary refrigerants and associated technology.
The drafts, which are available for public comment, reflect these updates.
Part one covers self-contained low charge systems (systems which do not require any work on the refrigeration circuit to install, and contain less than 2kg of fluorocarbon refrigerant.
Part two of the code covers all other stationary and transport refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Automotive air conditioning systems are covered by a separate code, prepared by the automotive industry.
These drafts are open for industry/public review and comments are invited on the technical content, wording and general arrangement of the draft Code of Practice.
For more details go to Refrigerant Handling Code of Practice public review draft | AIRAH