Marco Buoni VicePresident, AREA Air Conditioning & Refrigeration European contractors’ Association ( Training and Certification schemes to ensure the safe and environmentally friendly handling of Low GWP alternative refrigerants Bangkok, 21st April 2015

Contractors’ training with low GWP refrigerants: mind the gap! In EUROPE, the use of HFCs is legislatively decreased ( by 79% by 2030 ) and consequently the use of alternative refrigerants is pushed, there will probably be a gap between training offer and training needs resulting in a shortage of trained contractors (2012)

Why creating Training, Assessment, Certification Training and Certification is an important tool and the only way to reach the competence necessary to handle refrigerants and the systems Legislation-driven: Environment 1.Reducing Refrigerant Emissions, GHG, ODS 2.Increasing energy efficiency (reducing CO2) Safety Customer-driven: Wholesalers, distributors, big customers … require environmentally friendly and energy efficient products Protects the interests of customer through providing services according to applicable standards Certification of the personnel and of the companies who handle air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pumps equipment should be necessary  To buy refrigerant  To install, repair, dismantling

Recommendations of AREA: Minimum Requirements for the specific refrigerant HC – NH 3 – CO 2 – HFO COMPETENCE OF SERVICE TECHNICIANS Assessment: P Practical T Thoretical HCNH 3 CO 2 HFO BASIC THERMODYNAMICS AND PHYSICSTTTT Properties : temperature, pressure, density, thermal capacity.. Differences between Low GWP refrigerants and HFCs …… GOOD PRACTICEPPPP Identify typical application State and identify the commonly used refrigerants designation …… HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTSPPPP Safe system shutdown and isolation Extinguish a fire, First aid care treatment …… REGULATIONS AND STANDARDSTTTT Knowledge of International and National Regulations standards Storage of the refrigerant ……. Details in AREA Guidance

FREE Blended learning for alternative refrigerants in new equipment safety, efficiency, reliability and containment e-learning classroom practice e-library Co-financed by We are proud to have among our stakeholders the European Commission DG Clima & UNEP Ozone Action REAL Alternatives

THANK YOU! Marco Buoni VicePresident, AREA Air Conditioning & Refrigeration European contractors’ Association ( Secretary General Italian Association of Refrigeration Technician, ATF (