F-Gas Compliance. To provide a process for F-Gas Leak Testing in accordance with legislative requirements.

Transcription

1 F-Gas Compliance EMS DOCUMENT TYPE: ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT: PURPOSE: Operational Control Document Emissions to Air To provide a process for F-Gas Leak Testing in accordance with legislative requirements. Record of changes made to this document: NH Minor amends following meeting with current contractors NH Minor Amends in respect of SF6 Responsibilities NH Major amends to reflect legislative and procedural changes Introduction: This operational control document implements the requirements of The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations These Regulations revoke and replace the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009 and help to enforce Regulation (EU) 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases. These new Regulations update the qualification requirements, and set out details of offences and how they will be enforced. The Regulations addresses the use of fluorinated gases, including HFCs, PFCs and SF₆, (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride). This guidance focuses on installations and equipment that use refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology. However, certain fire protection equipment that contains F-gases may also be subject to the legislation. The University should be particularly concerned with two sources of F-Gases : Stationary refrigeration (e.g cold stores) and air conditioning (RAC) SF 6 as an insulating medium in HV switchgear The generic obligations regarding RAC systems are: Take steps to prevent F-gas leakage and repair leakages as soon as possible. Regularly check for leakages. Fit auto leak detection systems on large systems. Keep certain records about known F-gas locations. Recover F gases during servicing, maintenance and end of life. Use appropriate qualified personnel to carry out installation, servicing, maintenance and leakage checking. Label new equipment adjacent to service point and instruction manuals. Requirements for Leak Testing: Previous legislation had the frequency for leak testing based on the quantity in Kg of F-gas contained within a system. The legislation now requires testing to be based on the environmental impact of the F-gas, this is calculated using a defined value of global warming potential (GWP) specific to each gas which can be multiplied by the volume of gas held in each piece of equipment. The calculating equation is: GWP x (Quantity of F-gas in Kg / 1000) = CO 2e (Environmental Impact) A table detailing the GWP values for key F-gases can be seen in Appendix 1. Leak checks must be carried out with the following frequency, for equipment that contains fluorinated greenhouse gases in quantities of: Copyright Loughborough University Page 1 of 6

2 5-50 tonnes of CO 2e or more: at least every 12 months, or where a leakage detection system is installed, at least every 24 months; tonnes of CO 2e at least every six months or, where a leakage detection system is installed, at least every 12 months; Hermetically sealed equipment that contains fluorinated greenhouse gases in quantities of less than 10 tonnes of CO 2e will not be subject to leak checks, provided the equipment is labelled as hermetically sealed. Electrical switchgear will not be subject to leak checks provided it: has a tested leakage rate of less than 0,1 % per year as set out in the technical specification of the manufacturer and is labelled accordingly; is equipped with a pressure or density monitoring device; or contains less than 6kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases. By way of derogation, until 31 December 2016, equipment that contains less than 3 kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases or hermetically sealed equipment, which is labelled accordingly and contains less than 6kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases will not be subject to leak checks. Where the CO 2e is 500 tonnes or more a leakage detection system must be fitted which alerts the operator or a service company of any leakage. Loughborough University s Process: 1. The University contracts out the maintenance, service and proactive leak testing of Switchgear, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning equipment. 2. The contractors used are to provide both company certification and individual certification for all engineers working on our site. These will be checked annually by the Maintenance Contracts Manager or Environmental Manager. Further details on certification can be seen in Appendix The University will maintain a register of all units containing F-gases and review this regularly to ensure it is upto date. Responsibility for ensuring this is updated ultimately rests with the Duty Authorised Person but others have roles as follows: a. Contracts Manager is to ensure the register is upto date before it is issued to any contractor. b. SMS Administrator will support the maintenance of the register in SMS. c. Any department who adds, removes or modifies equipment is to provide details of the changes made to the SMS administrator, (this includes but is not limited to Schools, FM Development, Technical Services, Asset Care). d. Contractor is to report any evidence of additions, removals or modifications to the equipment on the register. The register template is detailed in Appendix 3. The Register is stored in the following location: \\ws7.lboro.ac.uk\fm-maintenanceservices\historic Files from X Drive\Service Records\Air Con\F Gas Register 4. The contractors will provide, or will be set, a schedule of works which details when Leak Testing is to be undertaken on all units containing F-gases. 5. Leak Tests are required with a frequency which meets the requirements as set out above, however the University currently services all units every 6 months.. 6. The University is in the process of developing a labelling system to ensure all units containing an F-gas are clearly labelled with the Asset Reference, type and volume of F-gas used, and the next service date. 7. Service records are to be provided for each unit detailing the leak test and confirming the outcome of the test. These are to be provided and stored electronically, and kept for a period of 5 years, in the same location detailed above using the following file Copyright Loughborough University Page 2 of 6

3 format. Building.Year.Month.Date (Eg. S Building pdf) 8. Maintenance records are to be provided when any works or recharging is undertaken. Where a leak is discovered the system must be fully repaired and pressure tested before being recharged. The equipment must be retested within one month to verify its integrity. These records are to be provided and stored electronically, and kept for a period of 5 years, in the same location detailed above using the following file format. Building.(M).Year.Month.Date (Eg. S Building.(M) pdf) These will then be stored in a separate folder alongside the servicing records. 9. Automatic leak detection is required for any units installed with a CO 2e over 500 and as best practice on areas containing multiple systems (e.g. 3 units containing 50Kg in one room) or high risk installations. 10. Any equipment containing R22 / R408A will after the end of 2014 not be able to be re-gassed (see Appendix 4) and will need replacing. Schools and Service Departments: If you have equipment containing F-gases as detailed in this process please contact the University Environmental Manager to arrange for these to be added to the F-Gas register. If you have any queries with regards to this process do not hesitate to contact the Environmental Manager. A failure to comply with this process is a failure to comply with our duties under the legislation and could result in a statutory fine or unlimited fine if taken to Crown Court. Obligations for SF 6 The generic obligations regarding SF 6 systems are less onerous, but as part of best practice the University : Takes steps to prevent SF 6 leakage and repair leakages as soon as possible. Checks for leakages as part of routine maintenance Keeps certain records about known usage. Recovers SF 6 during servicing, maintenance and end of life. Uses appropriate qualified personnel to carry out installation, servicing and maintenance. Labels new equipment adjacent to service point and instruction manuals. Receives records detailing the maintenance of these systems detailing inspections, any SF 6 added or recovered Copyright Loughborough University Page 3 of 6

4 Appendix 1: F gas global warming potential 5-50 tonnes of CO 2e or more: at least every 12 months, or where a leakage detection system is installed, at least every 24 months. Hermetically sealed equipment that contains fluorinated greenhouse gases in quantities of less than 10 tonnes of CO 2e, will not be subject to leak checks, provided the equipment is labelled as hermetically sealed. to 5 tonnes CO 2 to 10 tonnes CO 2 to 50 tonnes CO tonnes of CO 2e at least every six months or, where a leakage detection system is installed, at least every 12 months; to 500 tonnes CO 2 SF6 22, HFC 23 14, HFC 508B 13, HFC 143a 4, HFC 507A 3, HFC 404A 3, HFC 428A 3, HFC 125 3, HFC 434A 3, HFC 227ea 3, HFC 422A 3, HFC 422D 2, HFC 417A 2, HFC 423A 2, HFC 438A 2, HFC 427A 2, HFC 407A 2, HFC 410A 2, HFC 442A 1, HFC 407F 1, HFC 437A 1, HFC 407C 1, HFC 426A 1, HFC 134a 1, HFC 245fa 1, HFC 365mfc HFC HFC 152a ,032 Highlighted lines are the gasses commonly used on the Loughborough University Campus. Copyright Loughborough University Page 4 of 6

5 Appendix 2: Certification and evaluation bodies: statutory refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment The certification and evaluation bodies for the purposes of Regulation (EC) 303/2008 on requirements and conditions for the certification of companies and personnel as regards stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment containing certain fluorinated greenhouse gases, specifically the provision on personnel certificates are the: City and Guilds of London Institute; Level 2 - This level will suit you if you are working, or looking to work, as a refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump system engineer and have some relevant skills and knowledge. You need this qualification as a licence to practise with f-gases and ODSs. There are four pathways available: Award in F-Gas and ODS Regulations: Category I - Leak checking, recovery, installation, service, maintenance of equipment Award in F-Gas and ODS Regulations: Category II - Installation, service, maintenance of equipment with a charge of less than 3kg (6kg if hermetically sealed) and leakage checking Award in F-Gas and ODS Regulations: Category III - Recovery of refrigerant Award in F-Gas and ODS Regulations: Category IV - Leakage checking. Construction Industry Training Board. The certification bodies for Regulation (EC) 303/2008, specifically the provision on company certificates, are: Bureau Veritas UK Limited (Company Number: ); Quidos Limited (Company Number: ); Refcom Limited (Company Number: ). Refcom: Website: Tel: or info@refcom.org.uk Bureau Veritas: Website: Tel:: or fgas.mail@uk.bureauveritas.com Quidos: Website: Tel: or fgas@quidos.co.uk For contractors working on HV Switchgear in respect of SF 6 the same rules exist pertaining to individual and company certification. Details of the training providers and the courses they run are available from DEFRA, the current guidance on this is available here: Copyright Loughborough University Page 5 of 6

6 Appendix 3: Building No. Building Name Location Manufacturer Model Serial No. Gas Quantity (Kg) Gas Type CO2e Maintenance Information Copyright Loughborough University Page 6 of 6 Check Type Date Checked Sheet No. Date next check due Hazlegrave N1.09 Mitsubishi PEAD-RP125JAQ 1G02404 R410A 0 6 Monthly 04/11/2014 D18362 May-15 Hazlegrave N1.09 Mitsubishi PEAD-RP125JAQ 1G02380 R410A 0 6 Monthly 04/11/2014 D18362 May-15 Hazlegrave Outside - Roof Mitsubishi PUHZ-RP125YKA 15U R410A Monthly 31/10/2014 D18359 Apr-15 Hazlegrave N1.12 Mitsubishi PEAD-RP125JAQ 1G02403 R410A 0 6 Monthly 04/11/2014 D18362 May-15 Hazlegrave Outside - Roof Mitsubishi SUZ-KA25VA2 21P R410A Monthly 31/10/2014 D18359 Apr-15 Hazlegrave N1.11 Mitsubishi PEAD-RP50JAQ 1F01535 R410A 0 6 Monthly 04/11/2014 D18362 May-15 Hazlegrave Outside - Roof Mitsubishi PUHZ-RP250YKA 17U R410A Monthly 31/10/2014 D18359 Apr-15 Hazlegrave N1.16 (Main Computer Room) Denco Unit No.1 35 R407c Monthly 05/11/2014 D18362 May-15 Hazlegrave Outside - Roof Denco DCRA BP0537 R407c 0 6 Monthly 31/10/2014 D18359 Apr-15 Where a unit is part of a system containing F-Gas the quantity will be logged against the main device. Appendix 4: F-Gas usage: The following is a quick synopsis of F-Gas usage and phase out: The Montreal Protocol agreed that ozone-depleting substances (ODS) including CFC s (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFC s (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) would be phased out globally. In Europe, CFC s (e.g. R12, R502) have been banned since 1994 and HCFC use (e.g. R22, R408A) has been banned in new equipment since From the end of 2009 the use of virgin HCFCs to service and maintain existing refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) equipment is banned in all EU Member States. Only reclaimed and recycled HCFCs may be used. From 1 st January 2015 it will be illegal to use any HCFCs to service RAC equipment. HFCs were developed in the 1990s to substitute substances such as CFCs and HCFCs. HFC s used on the University include R407C, R404A, R134A and R410A. In order for the University to comply with the above regs all R22 and R408A containing equipment will need to be replaced either proactively or as it breaks down as it will not be able to be re-gassed.