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WHY SHOULD YOU READTHIS LEAFLET?WHY IS IT URGENT TO GET READYFOR FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS?In a nutshell:Because many of the lower GWP refrigerantsare flammable and because using flammable123refrigerants directly impacts your daily work.Because many of the lower GWP refrigerants areflammable. If you don’t get ready for this reality,sooner or later you will not be able to deal with theconsequences of the HFC phase-down!EU HFC Phase Down Steps First, remember that all installers that carry outwork on HFC containing stationary refrigeration,air-conditioning and heat-pump systems must becertified according to the F-Gas Regulation. Second, working with flammable refrigerantsrequires proper qualification – which is in somecountries even mandatory – to ensure safety forinstallers and users. Third, next to compliance with standards, buildingcodes and manufacturers’ instructions, you mustensure that service equipment and workingconditions are suitable for flammable refrigerants.2From 2018 onwards, the EU F-Gas Regulation [EU517/2014] creates massive cuts in the consumptionof HFCs in the EU. This reduction scheme, knownas the HFC phase-down, is based on a quota system.Quotas are expressed in CO2 equivalent (kg x GWP).3

FLAMMABILITY FLAMMABILITYFirst of all, and most importantly, all types offlammable refrigerants must ONLY be used insystems designed specifically for them and incompliance with all relevant standard andbuilding code requirements.The higher the Global Warming Potential of an HFC,the higher the quantity of CO2-equivalent 1 kg ofrefrigerant represents.C02 equivalent5000 –––5000 –––5000 –––4000 –––4000 –––4000 –––3000 –––3000 –––3000 –––2000 –––1 kgR-404A1000 –––0 –––2000 –––1 kgR-134a1000 –––0 –––2000 –––1 kgR-1234yf1000 –––0 –––The higher the GWP of a refrigerant, the more it willcome under pressure by the HFC phase-down, eventhough the phase-down does not prohibit any refrigerants.The dilemma: When movingtowards lower GWP refrigerants,flammable fluids will be neededfor some applications, but there isa trade-off between flammabilityand GWP, i.e. the lower the GWPthe more likely the refrigerantwill be flammable.4Note that the conversion ofexisting equipment originallydesigned for non-flammablerefrigerants to flammablerefrigerants may even resultin the loss of the CE marking.There are different categories of flammability thatrequire different actions. The classification from theISO 817 standard is used to identify these categories.The letter indicates the level of toxicityA refrigerants with lower toxicityB refrigerants with higher toxicityThe number indicates the level of flammability1 non-flammable2L lower flammability(‘mildly flammable’)2 flammable3 higher flammability5

WHAT DO THESE CATEGORIESMEAN? The vast majority of refrigerants that are currentlyin use are classified as A1, i.e. lower toxicity/non-flammable. For example, R-134a, R-404A and R-410Afall in this category. R-32, R-1234yf and R-1234ze(E) are examples for A2Lrefrigerants, i.e. lower toxicity/lower flammabilityThere are several main parameters that characterizethe level of flammability (1, 2L, 2, 3) of a refrigerantincluding the burning velocity, the upper (UFL) andlower flammability limit (LFL), the minimum ignitionenergy (MIE) and the heat of combustion (HOC).These parameters have an impact on the way therefrigerant can be used. R-152a is an example for an A2 refrigerant,i.e. lower toxicity/flammableEXAMPLE:For a class 3 refrigerant such asR-290, the LFL (in kg/m3) is significantly lower and its burning velocityis much higher than for a class 2Lgas. In practical terms, it means thatfor example in occupied spaces farhigher charge sizes are possible withclass 2L refrigerants than with class3 refrigerants. R-290, R-600a and R-1270 are examples for A3refrigerants, i.e. lower toxicity/higher flammability R-717 is an example for a B2L refrigerant,i.e. higher toxicity/lower flammability R-1130(E) is an example for a B2 refrigerant,i.e. higher toxicity/flammableHighzesiseacrinesLower Flammability Limit (LFL)ergaChLow6Class2LClass2Class 1 not representedas neither LFL nor burningvelocity are relevant fornon-flammable fluidsBurning VelocityClass3High7

WHAT’S THE ROLE OF SAFETYSTANDARDS?GENERIC SYSTEM SAFETY STANDARDSAND APPLIANCE SAFETY STANDARDSSafety standards are important references and areoften used as practical guidance, a code of goodpractice or, if it is a harmonized standard, as apossible method to demonstrate compliance withlegislation. Even if they are not binding, an understanding of safety standards is highly recommended.EN378:2016 is a generic system standard, whereasEN60335-2-40, EN60335-2-89 and EN60335-2-24are examples of appliance standards.Installers or users of refrigeration andair conditioning equipment always needto follow the installation and user in structions of equipment manufacturers.They also need to ensure compliance withlocal legislation (e.g. building codes).When no such instructions are available, for examplewhen an installer or user modifies equipment, orassembles own equipment, the installer or userbecomes a ‘manufacturer’ and will therefore be liablefor the safety of that equipment.The generic system safety standard EN378:2016 andappliance safety standards such as EN60335-2-40,EN60335-2-89 provide guidelines, for example toensure that systems do not exceed the maximumamount of refrigerant charge in a specific area.8Sometimes generic system standards and appliancestandards refer to similar requirements, for exampleallowed charge sizes for specific rooms. In that case,the requirements of the appliance standards prevailover what is mentioned in the generic system standard.For example, for air conditioners or heat pumps, theflammability charge limits in the standard EN603352-40 prevail. But for toxicity, the requirements ofEN378:2016 prevail, as these are not included in theappliance standard.WHAT ARE BUILDING CODES?Building codes are enshrined innational, regional and sometimes evenlocal rules, often related to fire safetybut also to other issues such as accessto buildings, health, etc. If a building code prohibitsthe use of flammable refrigerants, then it is simplynot allowed to use those. In some cases, a distinctionis made between 2L refrigerants and class 2 and 3gases, allowing the use of 2L and prohibiting theuse of the others. Therefore, it is always importantto check the building codes for the specific regionbefore installing equipment with flammable gases.9

ALWAYS BUY FROM REPUTABLESOURCESAREA is the European association of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump con-As the phase-down moves forward and increasespressure on the pricing and availability of currenthigher GWP refrigerants, the presence of counterfeitrefrigerants is likely to grow. Besides being illegal andviolating property rights, this can significantly impactsafety – especially in the light of the increased use offlammable gases.Installers always need to be awarethat they are responsible for therefrigerant they are using, and forall the consequences related to illegalor inappropriate use of a refrigerant.ACT NOW AND GET READY FORFLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS!tractors. Established in 1989, AREA voices theinterests of 25 national associations from 22countries representing 13,000 companies employing 110,000people and with an annual turnover approaching 23 billion.www.area-eur.beASERCOM, the Association of European Component Manufacturers is the platform for dealing with scientific and technicaltopics and their challenges, promoting standards for performance rating, methods of testing and product safety, focusingon improved environmental protection, serving the refrigerationand air conditioning industry and its customers.www.asercom.orgDon’t miss the train and get ready for the use offlammable refrigerants because they are part of therefrigerant landscape – today and tomorrow.Representing the European FluorocarbonsManufacturers.Proper training and qualification are essential for thesafe handling of flammable refrigerants – and in somecountries even mandatory. The EN13313 standardprovides useful guidance about the competence levelsrequired for all types of refrigerants.www.fluorocarbons.orgThe European Partnership forEnergy and the Environment(EPEE) represents the interestsAll refrigerants must be respected,and common sense, awareness,and careful application of relevantinstructions, standards and codeswill ensure the safe handling of allrefrigerant classes (1, 2L, 2, 3).10of the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump industryin Europe. Founded in the year 2000, EPEE’s membership iscomposed of 48 member companies, national and internationalassociations from Europe, the USA and Asia, employing morethan 200,000 people in Europe and realising a turnover of over30 billion Euro.www.epeeglobal.org11

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The dilemma: When moving towards lower GWP refrigerants, flammable fluids will be needed for some applications, but there is a trade-off between flammability and GWP, i.e. the lower the GWP the more likely the refrigerant will be flammable. FLAMMABILITY FLAMMABILITY First of all, and most importantly, all types of