Farmers must 'get to grips' with F-Gas regulation

Many farmers and stockbreeders are only just beginning to get to grips with new mandatory responsibilities for operators of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, following the implementation of the F-Gas Regulation.

The new laws, which came into force this summer, require those who operate refrigeration and air conditioning systems above a certain size to carry out regular checks to ensure equipment is not leaking refrigerant to atmosphere.

Any leaks found must be repaired, and further checks carried out to ensure equipment is completely leak-tight.

Failure to carry out the checks, or take action in the event of a leak being discovered, could result in prosecution and fines.

The legislation came into force on July 4, 2011, and is part of a European-wide push to reduce emissions of HFCs, potent Global Warming gases in widespread use as refrigerants in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

"There are literally hundreds of thousands of refrigeration and air conditioning systems in use on farms and livestock sites across the country that depend on so-called F-Gases. HFCs are by far the most common refrigerants in use in commercial cooling systems, and all are subject to the new requirements," says Iona Spencer of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Show.

"It is vital that everyone who uses this equipment gets rapidly up to speed with the new legislation. We understand the authorities are gearing up to take more concerted enforcement activity, and that prosecutions may follow."

The F-Gas Regulation also requires equipment owners to monitor and record all HFC refrigerant used to top-up their refrigeration and air conditioning systems. These records must be made available for onsite inspectors and regulatory authorities.

Those who operate refrigeration and air conditioning equipment can get quickly up to speed with the new requirements, and what they must do to comply, by attending a series of practical and informative seminars being staged alongside the forthcoming Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Show (NEC on 13 to 15 March 2012)

The free presentations by industry experts will give visitors a clear overview of the new legislation, what it means for them and how to stay on the right side of the law.

"The aim is to give equipment users a clear summary of how it affects them, and provide an action plan they can take back to their business and implement. We expect high demand for the sessions, which will be available to pre-book on a first-come, first-served basis," says Iona Spencer.

In addition to seminars on the F-Gas Regulation, the cutting edge programme will include presentations on:

• the implications for end-users of the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations (EPBD), which requires mandatory inspections of air conditioning systems;

• how to reduce your cooling energy bill by simple no-cost or low-cost measures;

• how to effectively manage your refrigeration and air conditioning contractor.

The show, the only national event of its kind, will also enable catering and hospitality professionals to see the latest products and technology coming on-stream across the commercial air conditioning and refrigeration sector.

It will have a dedicated arena for heat pump technology, where visitors can see the latest contenders in the race to harness low-cost renewable energy.

Three big-name sponsors have signed up to support the show. LG is sponsoring one of the two seminar theatres; Panasonic is sponsoring the Heat Pump Arena, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is sponsoring the onsite visitor registration area.