In a bid to promote the safe use of flammable refrigerants, the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) is running a second round of the free seminar series based on its Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide, originally published in July 2013.
AIRAH COO Neil Cox said the 2015 series follows on from the successful seminars based on the Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide, which AIRAH rolled out last year.
It will include important updates on the availability of new training opportunities and upcoming changes to important industry standards.
“The Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide provides advice to address the uncertainty and complexity surrounding the use of flammable refrigerants,” Cox said.
“There are many in the industry who may not have read the document in depth, and that’s where the seminar series plays a pivotal role.
“Also, there were many people disappointed last year because they weren’t able to attend, either because places filled quickly or because the venue wasn’t convenient. We’ve addressed this by offering more seminars and venues this time around.”
Developed by AIRAH and a collaborative committee of industry and government stakeholders, the Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide is a 75-page industry-agreed document.
It helps define how to best manage the health and safety risks associated with the design, manufacture, installation, commission, service, use, decommission, dismantling and disposal of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment utilising flammable refrigerants. The guide covers equipment used in a workplace, public building, or residential setting.
“The seminars’ main aim is to raise awareness for HVAC&R businesses, technical staff, and end-users about the range of issues that come with the use of flammable refrigerants in residential, commercial and industrial air conditioning and refrigeration systems,” Cox said. “
"Flammable refrigerants entering the Australian market include hydrocarbon-based products, new synthetic refrigerant products, and new and existing blends of refrigerants. The seminar will also outline the coming changes in Australian refrigeration safety standards, which will impact how and where the industry uses flammable refrigerants.
“We need to improve the awareness of industry and end-users about the issues and new rules around the application of flammable refrigerants,”Cox said.
“For many, a review and emphasis of the key points covered in the Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide will help.
“This seminar series provides a chance for us to engage directly with industry, and discuss the issues covered in the Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide.”
Seminars will be held in 10 capital cities and regional centres during August: Bendigo (August 4) – Melbourne (August 5) – Adelaide (August 6) – Perth (August 7) – Canberra (August 12) – Sydney (August 13) – Newcastle (August 14) – Brisbane (August 19) – Townsville (August 20), and – Darwin (August 21).
Presented by industry expert Kevin Lee, the seminars will be two-hour morning events, primarily targeted at ARC licence holders, technicians and businesses.
A respected HVAC&R industry doyen and refrigeration expert, Lee said flammable refrigerants that have low-GWPs are increasingly replacing high-GWP HFCs, which are likely to be phased down in the near future because of their carbon-intensive nature.
“Because these newer low-GWP refrigerants are flammable, extra precautions must be taken in terms of safety and risk minimisation,” Lee said. “These seminars will highlight those risks, and what steps to take to improve safety measures through the use of the AIRAH Flammable Refrigerant Safety Guide.
“The seminars will provide an understanding of technicians’ responsibilities, how they can improve their own safety – and the safety of occupants – when designing, installing or maintaining various refrigeration or air conditioning systems that are charged with flammable refrigerants.”
Attendees can register for the seminars by visiting www.airah.org.au/seminars