F-Gas: the clear and present directive

Frequent inspections coupled with possible fines may seem like just more hassle, but how do you know whether F-Gas actually pertains to your facility? The first questions you might ask are:

• Are you part of the cold chain?
• Do you have a refrigeration plant at your site or facility?
• Are chillers located in your plant?

If you can answer yes to any of these scenarios, then F-Gas relates to you. Simply put, F-Gas relates to the majority of the food manufacturing and processing industries. The pressure is on to learn what it is and what can be done to meet the legislative requirements.

What is F-Gas?

F-Gas is legislation being introduced in July 2007 aimed at reducing greenhouse gasses as stipulated in the Kyoto Protocol. It pertains to the maintenance of equipment containing 3kg or more of F-Gas and includes all refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment and their circuits, as well as fire protection systems.

The legislation states that operators of this equipment are obliged to use all measures technically feasible, and do not entail disproportionate costs, to prevent the emission of fluorinated greenhouse gasses and repair any detected leakages.

An on-site record must be kept of all ongoing maintenance, leakage inspections and findings. Smaller systems with a charge of less than 3kg are exempt. All larger charges require regular inspections. Systems in excess of a 300kg charge need to be inspected every three months and must be fitted with a fixed refrigeration leak detection system. In the event that inspectors find a leak, it must be repaired as soon as possible and re-inspected within one month.

The implications

The very word regulation conjures up thoughts of red tape and bureaucracy, but when you consider that a system loosing 15 percent of its refrigerant charge through leakage could see a 50 percent drop in cooling capacity and a corresponding 100 percent increase in energy consumption, let alone the value of goods lost through damage. F-Gas may seem like increased bureaucratic control, but it has the potential to streamline processes, cut wastage, reduce your impact on the environment as well as bring significant bottom line benefits.

Consultants and installers should also be aware that EN378 is still applicable. As refrigeration systems become larger the possibility of contravening these safety guidelines is a cause for concern. The installation of fixed leak detection systems will reduce the risk factors and ensure EN378 is not breached.

What to do about it?

So, where to begin? It’s important to develop a refrigerant management strategy to identify and ultimately meet the needs of your organisation. Establishing a central objective at the start of the process is key. All relevant parties should be involved from the outset to ensure the vision and goals are clearly communicated.

Evaluate your current system and conduct a thorough audit to determine the most appropriate method of leak detection for your circumstances. It’s all too easy to go for the first system you come across that will enable you to meet the legislation. The fact is there may be other features that could bring added benefits, which may be worth considering. A robust fixed system could easily be more cost-effective in the longer term than a lesser alternative such as handheld units. Taking the time at the initial stages will be well worth it down the line.

Accuracy and reliability should be the main points of consideration during the selection process. There are a number of alternative systems available and a good supplier will be able to discuss all the options.

A refrigerant management strategy should not end with the installation of equipment. An individual or team within the organisation needs to hold responsibility for analysing the data on a regular basis to identify patterns and trends. Through close observation, faulty systems or components can be identified quickly and corrected with minimum disruption. This will aid the process of containment and reduction of leaks as well as provide a strong business case for implementing effective and appropriate changes.

Lastly, the service and maintenance of equipment cannot be overlooked. To ensure you get the most from any system, you must be certain that all areas are properly covered and that a focused monitoring and reporting procedure is in place to make best use of your engineers’ time. Whichever option you go for should be compatible with any existing systems you have on site, such as the refrigeration controls system. It’s also advantageous to be able to gather data via a PC locally or via a bureau remotely. Some packages log the gas usage data and generate the records you need for compliance, making your job that much more effective and easier.

The food industry can no longer ignore the implications of the F-Gas regulations – we must all take positive steps towards effective compliance. Legislation is here to stay, so the time is now to realise the cash savings advantages of reducing leakages, have the peace of mind that your facility is meeting these requirements and start benefiting today.