VASA, the peak body for automotive air conditioning, electrical and cooling technicians in Australasia, is calling for the introduction of tough compliance measures to use hydrocarbons.
The call to action follows a vehicle explosion in Western Australia in which two passengers were severely burnt as a result of a suspected refrigerant leak.
EnergySafety, the WA regulatory body responsible for safety laws for electrical trades and most of the gas industry, is currently investigating the explosion, a spokesperson confirmed.
“Directly linked to this explosion was the presence of highly flammable non-standard hydrocarbon refrigerant in the vehicle’s air conditioning system, which escaped into the passenger compartment and ignited,” VASA said in a statement.
“Many more could be hurt or killed by similar incidents if people are allowed to keep filling vehicle air conditioning systems with highly flammable non-standard refrigerants. Loopholes allow unlicensed operators to access flammable refrigerants and set up shop without proper training or safety knowledge.
“No vehicle sold on the Australian market has ever been engineered by or approved by the original manufacturer to use hydrocarbon refrigerants.”
VASA president Ian Stangroome said it has been campaigning for years against the irresponsible use of flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants in vehicle air conditioning systems.
“It is alarming to find, in most instances, the vehicle owner has not even been informed before the highly flammable non-standard gas has been charged into their vehicle air conditioning system,” Stangroome said.
“These dodgy cowboys are playing Russian roulette with other people’s safety and their wallets. Our members have reported plenty of horror stories of air conditioning repairs costing thousands of dollars due to cheap re-gas jobs.
“In most cars, the only refrigerant recommended by the manufacturer is R134a. Don’t get taken in by the natural and eco-friendly slogans used by the cheaper flammable products.”
As part of VASA’s call to action, a formal letter was sent to Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt and WorkSafe bodies in every state and territory in Australia. VASA also contacted wholesalers and is preparing a submission under the federal government’s recently announced review of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas legislation.
“The submission will call for the introduction of licensing to use hydrocarbons. Right now anyone can use them that is the real problem,” a VASA spokesperson said.
The mobile air conditioning code of practice is currently being updated for the first time since 2008. “Consultation with industry is set to begin on the code of practice and we will raise the hydrocarbon issue.”