FOR ACR operatives the correct usage and recovery of refrigerant is essential, not to mention a legal requirement. Engineers must accurately account for all refrigerant transactions, whether charging, reclaiming/reusing or recovering waste. In order to assist in this process of accountability, REFCOM has developed its own refrigerant tracking software that will allow the engineer to record their activities.
The software also provides full annual maintenance and associated costing reports.

Handling refrigerant requires a series of what can be considered good working pratices.

All engineers handling refrigerant, must have achieved a safe handling qualification.

The correct gauges must be used for the correct system, eg higher specification gauges for 410A systems. Gauges should be checked regularly to maintain good working order.

Cylinders should be fitted with the correct pressure-reducing valves. If virgin refrigerant is being used, the cylinder needs to be weighed before the job commences and re-weighed on completion of the charging operation, ensuring the exact amount of refrigerant. This also applies to the commissioning of new equipment, although some come pre-charged, a trim charge is required to ensure correct operation.

If a system is being evacuated into a recovery cylinder, the cylinder must be empty and re-weighed when the evacuation operation is complete. This will allow an accurate reading of the system charge. This charge may then be re-introduced following completion of the work, or be taken away for reclaimation or destruction.

At all times correct records must be kept, whether electronically or in hard copy. Consignment notes, a company’s own audit certificates/transfer notes and any other paperwork should be completed and relevant copies given to the customer for their records.

If the engineer is doing an installation or a decommissioning and masonry/refrigerant waste products are made, then a copy of the company’s waste carriers certificate needs to be carried in the vehicle.

Engineers should have a full record of refrigerant(s) on board. At the engineer’s place of work, a record should be kept of what was taken and when. ie cylinder number, type of refrigerant, size of cylinder, any job references, whether cylinders were taken specifically for one job or just for general purposes. An audit of an engineer’s van should reveal that secure storage is available for any cylinders carried.

Ventilation isn’t a fundamental requirement, however cylinders must not be stored in overly hot conditions as this can cause pressure to build.

Generally, recovery equipment will include recovery units, vacuum pumps and a weighing device. All must have the relevant calibration certificates. Vacuum pumps and recovery units often only last for two years and in most cases head office will keep a master gauge, in order to keep service equipment calibrated.

Weighing scales are usually electronic so an in-date calibration certificate is vital for accurate refrigerant transaction records. Vacuum pumps have two main attributes, their draw rate and flow rate. They should be able to pull a minimum vacuum of 500 mmHg. Early recovery units centred on hermetic compressors – these older units are not suitable for modern blended refrigerants. Modern units cover multiple recovery applications and deal with a variety of blends, regardless of refrigerant condition. Modern units are also compatible with different compressor lubricating oils and able to cope with contaminated systems that may contain acid or moisture. Important features include; an oil-less compressor, the ability to pull a deep vacuum, an external drive motor, ARI – TUV certification, plus, these units must be unaffected by high or low ambient conditions.

REFCOM

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