EN ISO 5149-4:2025

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2025
Hladilni sistemi in toplotne črpalke - Varnostnotehnične in okoljevarstvene
zahteve - 4. del: Delovanje, vzdrževanje, popravilo in recikliranje (ISO 5149-4:2022)
Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 4:
Operation, maintenance, repair and recovery (ISO 5149-4:2022)
Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen - Sicherheitstechnische und umweltrelevante
Anforderungen - Teil 4: Betrieb, Instandhaltung, Instandsetzung und Rückgewinnung
(ISO 5149-4:2022)
Systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur - Exigences de sécurité et d'environnement -
Partie 4: Fonctionnement, maintenance, réparation et récupération (ISO 5149-4:2022)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 5149-4:2025
ICS:
27.080 Toplotne črpalke Heat pumps
27.200 Hladilna tehnologija Refrigerating technology
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 5149-4
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
July 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 27.080; 27.200 Supersedes EN 378-4:2016+A1:2019
English Version
Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and
environmental requirements - Part 4: Operation,
maintenance, repair and recovery (ISO 5149-4:2022)
Systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur - Exigences Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen -
de sécurité et d'environnement - Partie 4: Sicherheitstechnische und umweltrelevante
Fonctionnement, maintenance, réparation et Anforderungen - Teil 4: Betrieb, Instandhaltung,
récupération (ISO 5149-4:2022) Instandsetzung und Rückgewinnung (ISO 5149-
4:2022)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 13 July 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 5149-4:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
The text of ISO 5149-4:2022 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 86 "Refrigeration and
air-conditioning” of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over as
environmental requirements” the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2026, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by January 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 378-4:2016+A1:2019.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 5149-4:2022 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 5149-4:2025 without any
modification.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 5149-4
Second edition
2022-11
Refrigerating systems and heat
pumps — Safety and environmental
requirements —
Part 4:
Operation, maintenance, repair and
recovery
Systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur — Exigences de sécurité et
d'environnement —
Partie 4: Fonctionnement, maintenance, réparation et récupération
Reference number
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
© ISO 2022
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General requirements . 2
4.1 Operation instructions . 2
4.2 Instruction of operating personnel . 2
4.3 Documentation . 2
5 Maintenance and repair .2
5.1 General . 2
5.2 Maintenance . 3
5.3 Repair. 4
5.4 Change of refrigerant type . 5
5.4.1 General . 5
5.4.2 Planning the change of refrigerant type . 5
5.4.3 Execution of the change of refrigerant type . 5
6 Requirements for recovery, reuse and disposal . 6
6.1 General requirements . 6
6.1.1 Disposal . 6
6.1.2 Personnel . 6
6.1.3 Parts of refrigerating systems . 6
6.1.4 Refrigerants . 6
6.1.5 Handling . 7
6.2 Requirements for recovery and reuse of refrigerant . 7
6.2.1 General . 7
6.2.2 Tests for reuse of refrigerants . 8
6.2.3 Recovery for reuse . 9
6.2.4 Recovery for recycling . . . 9
6.2.5 Reclaim . . 9
6.3 Requirements for disposal . 10
6.3.1 Refrigerant intended for further processing . 10
6.3.2 Refrigerant not intended for further processing . 10
6.3.3 Absorbed R-717 (ammonia) . 10
6.3.4 Refrigerating machine oil . 10
6.3.5 Other components . 10
6.4 Requirements for documentation . 10
6.5 Requirements for refrigerant transfer, transport and storage . 10
6.5.1 General . 10
6.5.2 Refrigerant transfer . 10
6.5.3 Transport .12
6.5.4 Storage .12
6.6 Requirements for recovery equipment .12
6.6.1 General .12
6.6.2 Operation in respect to the environment .12
6.6.3 Performance .13
6.6.4 Operation and maintenance . 13
Annex A (normative) Draining the oil from a refrigerating system .14
Annex B (informative) Guide specification for recycled refrigerant .15
Annex C (informative) Handling and storage of refrigerants .16
Annex D (informative) In-service inspection .21
iii
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
Annex E (informative) Guidelines for repairs of equipment using flammable refrigerants .24
Bibliography .27
iv
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 86, Refrigeration and air-conditioning,
Subcommittee SC 1, Safety and environmental requirements for refrigerating systems.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 5149-4:2014), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— revision of Figure 2;
— addition of guidelines for repairs of equipment using flammable refrigerants in Annex E.
A list of all parts in the ISO 5149 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
v
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
Refrigerating systems and heat pumps — Safety and
environmental requirements —
Part 4:
Operation, maintenance, repair and recovery
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for safety and environmental aspects in relation to operation,
maintenance and repair of refrigerating systems and the recovery, reuse and disposal of all types of
refrigerant, refrigerant oil, heat transfer fluid, refrigerating system and part thereof.
This document does not cover "motor vehicle air conditioners" constructed according to the product
standards such as ISO 13043.
These requirements are intended to minimize risks of injury to persons and damage to property and
the environment resulting from improper handling of the refrigerants or from contaminants leading to
system breakdown and resultant emission of the refrigerant.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 5149-1, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps — Safety and environmental requirements — Part 1:
Definitions, classification and selection criteria
ISO 5149-2, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps — Safety and environmental requirements — Part 2:
Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation
ISO 5149-3, Refrigerating systems and heat pumps — Safety and environmental requirements — Part 3:
Installation site
ISO 11650, Performance of refrigerant recovery and/or recycling equipment
IEC 60335-2-104, Household and similar electrical appliances — Safety — Part 2-104: Particular
requirements for appliances to recover and/or recycle refrigerant from air conditioning and refrigeration
equipment
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 5149-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
4 General requirements
4.1 Operation instructions
4.1.1 Care shall be taken to ensure that the personnel charged with the operation, supervision and
maintenance of the refrigerating system are adequately instructed and competent with respect to
their tasks. The installer of the refrigerating system shall draw attention to the necessity for adequate
instruction of operating and supervising personnel. Typical in-service inspection requirements are
shown in Annex D.
4.1.2 Personnel in charge of the refrigerating system shall have knowledge and experience of the
mode of functioning, operation and day-by-day monitoring of this system.
4.2 Instruction of operating personnel
Before a new refrigerating system is put into service, the person responsible for placing the system
in operation shall ensure that the operating personnel are instructed on the basis of the instruction
manual about the construction, supervision, operation and maintenance of the refrigerating system,
as well as the safety measures to be observed, and the properties and handling of the refrigerant used.
It is advisable that the operating personnel are present during evacuation, charging with refrigerant
and adjustment of the refrigerating system as well as, if possible, during assembly on site.
4.3 Documentation
4.3.1 The person responsible for the refrigerating system shall keep an updated logbook of the
refrigerating system.
4.3.2 In the logbook the following information shall be recorded:
a) details of all maintenance and repair work;
b) quantities and kind of (new, reused or recycled) refrigerant which have been charged on each
occasion, and the quantities of refrigerant which have been transferred from the system on each
occasion (see also 6.6);
c) the result from analysis or test of any reused refrigerant shall be kept in the logbook (see also
6.2.1);
d) source of the reused refrigerant;
e) changes and replacements of components of the system;
f) results of all periodic routine tests;
g) record of significant periods of non-use.
4.3.3 The logbook shall be readily accessible at the equipment or made available upon request.
5 Maintenance and repair
5.1 General
5.1.1 Each refrigerating system shall be subjected to preventive maintenance in accordance with the
instruction manual (see ISO 5149-2).
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
NOTE The frequency of such maintenance depends on the type, size, age, use, etc. of the system. In many
cases more than one maintenance service is required in the course of one year.
5.1.2 The person responsible for the refrigerating system shall ensure that the system is inspected,
regularly supervised and maintained.
5.1.3 Systems should be subject to tightness inspection in accordance with Annex D by a competent
person. If, during the inspection the suspicion of a leak exists, e.g. through refrigerant temperature
checks or capacity reduction, then the leak shall be located with suitable detection equipment and
shall be repaired and checked again after the repair; national regulations can apply. The results of the
inspection and measures taken afterwards shall be included in the logbook.
Refer to Annex D for detailed specification regarding in service inspection.
5.1.4 The person responsible for the refrigerating system shall also be responsible when another
person uses the refrigerating system, unless another division of responsibility has been agreed upon.
5.1.5 Regular maintenance which does not include interference with, nor adjustment of, the
refrigerating system and which requires no specialized knowledge of refrigeration engineering shall be
carried out by a person with appropriate skills.
5.1.6 In the case of refrigerating systems located within a ventilated enclosure and considered as
indirect systems, only authorized persons shall be permitted in the space surrounding the enclosure
during maintenance and repair operations because the separation between refrigerant containing
parts and occupants of the room is no longer effective and leaks of refrigerant into the surrounding
space become possible.
5.1.7 Any markings to the compressor or equipment shall be refreshed if any of the existing text has
become illegible.
5.1.8 The mixing of different refrigerants within a system shall not be permitted under any
circumstances. Change of the refrigerant type shall be in accordance with 5.4.
5.2 Maintenance
5.2.1 Maintenance shall be undertaken by a competent person in such a way that:
a) accidents to personnel are prevented;
b) damage to goods is prevented;
c) components of the system remain in good working order;
d) the purpose and availability of the system are maintained;
e) leakage of refrigerant or oil is identified and remedied;
f) waste of energy is minimized.
5.2.2 The extent and time schedule for maintenance shall be fully described in the instruction manual
(see ISO 5149-2).
5.2.3 If the discharge line of a pressure relief device is connected into a common discharge line and
the valve is temporarily dismounted for reasons of testing and maintenance, the connecting ends of the
remaining ends entering the common discharge header are to be blocked.
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
5.2.4 When a secondary cooling or heating system is used, the heat-transfer medium shall be
periodically inspected in accordance with manufacturer instructions for its composition, and the
secondary system shall be tested and inspected for the presence of refrigerant from the primary circuit.
5.2.5 Regular leak tests, inspections and checking of the safety equipment shall be carried out
(see Annex D).
5.2.6 When oil is drained from a refrigerating system it shall be carried out safely in accordance with
the instruction manual. The procedure shall be in accordance with Annex A.
5.3 Repair
5.3.1 Repairs on refrigerant containing components shall be carried out by a competent person in the
following order, if appropriate:
a) conducting a hazard analysis and risk assessment for the proposed repair;
b) instructing of the maintenance staff;
c) emptying, recovery and evacuation;
d) disconnecting and safeguarding of the components to be repaired (e.g. power drive, pressure
vessel, piping);
e) cleaning and purging (e.g. with nitrogen);
f) releasing for repair;
g) carrying out the repair;
h) testing and checking of the repaired component (pressure test, leakage test, functional test),
see ISO 5149-2;
i) replacing, evacuating and recharging with refrigerant.
NOTE For welding or using arc- and flame-producing apparatus, specific personnel and welding or brazing
procedure approvals are used.
5.3.2 Refrigerant leaks shall be identified and repaired without undue delay by a competent person
and the system shall only be put into service again when all the leaks have been repaired.
5.3.3 During each periodic maintenance and following each repair, as necessary, at least the following
tasks shall be performed:
a) all safety, control and measurement devices as well as alarm systems shall be checked to verify
their correct operation and that they are within the calibration period;
b) leakage tests shall be carried out at the relevant repaired part of the refrigerating system or the
entire system;
c) charge isolation and evacuation of the repaired part of the refrigerating system.
5.3.4 Maintenance and repair requiring the assistance of other skilled personnel (such as welders,
electricians, measuring and control specialists) shall be carried out under the supervision of a
competent person.
5.3.5 Welding and brazing shall only be carried out by qualified personnel and only after the section
has been purged according to an approved procedure.
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
5.3.6 Replacements of components or changes to the refrigerating system shall be ordered and
carried out by a competent person or by authorized repair service centre for systems that do not
require periodic maintenance.
5.3.7 Any pressure relief valve which discharges to atmosphere shall be inspected after it has been
actuated and shall be replaced if it has not fully reseated.
5.3.8 The vacuum procedure shall be applied as follows. A stationary vacuum pump shall be
connected to the assembly or relevant part of an assembly and an absolute pressure of less than 270 Pa
shall be achieved. The achieved pressure should be maintained at this level for sufficient time after
the pump has been isolated from the assembly to ensure that the moisture has been removed and the
system is not leaking. For smaller systems a lower vacuum pressure may be necessary. The competent
person that executes this operation, shall decide when the vacuum can be broken and whether the
vacuum procedure should be repeated. At the end of the vacuum procedure, the assembly can be filled
with the appropriate refrigerant. A certificate for the vacuum and filling procedure shall be provided.
This certificate indicates the method used, the results of the procedure, the pressures applied and the
duration of the test. A similar documentation in the logbook is regarded equal.
5.4 Change of refrigerant type
5.4.1 General
In the event of a change of the refrigerant type used in the refrigerating system, the following planning
and execution activities shall be carried out and conformance to the relevant requirements of
ISO 5149-1, ISO 5149-2 and ISO 5149-3 shall be implemented where applicable.
5.4.2 Planning the change of refrigerant type
Before changing the refrigerant type, a plan shall be prepared. It shall include at least the following
actions:
a) verify that the refrigerating system and components are suitable for the refrigerant type change;
b) examine all materials used in the refrigerating system to ensure they are compatible with the new
refrigerant type;
c) determine whether the existing lubricant type is suitable for use with the new refrigerant type;
d) verify that the system allowable pressure (PS) shall not be exceeded;
e) verify that the pressure relief device required discharge capacity is adequate for the new refrigerant
type;
f) verify that the motor and switchgear current ratings are adequate for the new refrigerant type;
g) verify that the liquid receiver is sufficiently large for the new refrigerant charge;
h) if the new refrigerant has a different classification, ensure that the consequences of the change of
refrigerant classification are addressed.
Guidance on equipment suitability for refrigerant type change should be sought from the original
equipment manufacturer, new refrigerant manufacturer and lubricant manufacturer, as appropriate.
5.4.3 Execution of the change of refrigerant type
Follow the recommendations of the equipment manufacturer, the compressor manufacturer, the
refrigerant supplier or apply the following procedure with the plan developed according to 5.4.2:
a) record a full set of system operating parameters to establish baseline performance;
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
b) repair any issues identified by a);
c) conduct a thorough leak check and identify any joints and seals to be replaced;
d) recover the original refrigerant in accordance with 6.2;
e) drain the lubricant;
f) check whether the lubricant is in good condition. If not, then remove the residual lubricant from the
system;
g) change the joints, seals, indicating and control devices, filters, oil filters, driers and relief valves as
required;
h) evacuate the system to less than 132 Pa absolute pressure;
i) charge with lubricant;
j) charge with refrigerant;
k) adjust indicating and control devices, including software modifications if required;
l) amend all indications as to the refrigerant type used, including the log book and documentation at
operating site;
m) conduct a thorough leak check and repair any joints and seals as required;
n) record a full set of system operating parameters to compare with the previous baseline
performance.
6 Requirements for recovery, reuse and disposal
6.1 General requirements
6.1.1 Disposal
Disposal of refrigerating systems and parts shall be undertaken properly. National regulations can
apply.
6.1.2 Personnel
Recovery, reuse, recycle, reclaim and disposal shall only be undertaken by competent persons.
6.1.3 Parts of refrigerating systems
All parts of refrigerating systems (e.g. refrigerant, oil, heat-transfer medium, filter, drier, insulation
material) shall be recovered, reused and/or disposed of properly; national regulations can apply (see
6.5).
6.1.4 Refrigerants
All refrigerants shall be recovered for reuse, recycled or reclaimed for reuse, or shall be properly
disposed; national regulations can apply (see 6.3).
Destruction of refrigerants shall require an authorized facility for destruction.
See Figure 1 for the relationship between the processes.
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
Figure 1 — Simplified representation of the relationship between the processes
6.1.5 Handling
The method of handling of the refrigerant shall be decided before it is removed from the refrigerating
system or the equipment (see also Annex C).
Such decision shall be based upon considerations including:
— history of the refrigerating system;
— type and disposition of the refrigerant in the refrigerating system;
— reason for removal of the refrigerant from the refrigerating system;
— condition of the refrigerating system or the equipment and whether or not it is to be returned to
service.
6.2 Requirements for recovery and reuse of refrigerant
6.2.1 General
The directions given regarding the treatment of recovered refrigerant before reuse shall apply to all
types of refrigerant.
Dependent on the situation, recovered refrigerant shall follow one of the paths indicated in Figure 2.
NOTE 1 The definitions for reuse, recycling, reclaim and disposal can be found in ISO 5149-1.
NOTE 2 Composition changes can result from a leak of refrigerant classed in the 400 series.
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
Figure 2 — Flow chart for recovered refrigerant
6.2.2 Tests for reuse of refrigerants
For halocarbon refrigerants, the following tests shall be carried out.
6.2.2.1 Acid test
The acid test uses the titration principle to detect any compound that ionizes as an acid. The test
−6
requires a sample of between 100 g and 120 g and has a lower detection limit of 0,1 × 10 by mass (as
HCl).
If the acid test fails, the total refrigerant charge shall undergo a recycling (6.2.4) or reclaiming (6.2.5)
process, and the filter drier(s) in the refrigerating system shall be replaced.
NOTE 1 Pass and fail criteria are outlined in AHRI 700.
Such a test is normally not required if recovery is from a refrigerating system during its manufacture.
NOTE 2 Refrigerant recovered from a refrigerating system (e.g. removed overcharge, refrigerant taken out for
system service, local non-contaminating repair, major overhaul or replacement of a component) can normally be
returned to the same system.
When a refrigerating system has been taken out of service because of contamination of the refrigerant
or motor burnout, the refrigerant shall be reclaimed or disposed of properly.
The evacuation and charging procedures specified in this part of the standard (see 5.4) shall be followed
when returning the refrigerant to the refrigerating system.
It is recommended that the refrigerant is recharged through a filter drier to remove moisture which
may have contaminated the fluid during recovery.
6.2.2.2 Moisture test
The Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration shall be used for determining the water content of refrigerants.
This method can be used for refrigerants that are either a liquid or a gas at room temperature. For all
refrigerants, the sample for water analysis shall be taken from the liquid phase of the container to be
tested.
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
If the moisture test fails, the total refrigerant charge shall undergo a recycling (6.2.4) or reclaiming
(6.2.5) process, and the filter drier(s) in the refrigerating system shall be replaced.
6.2.3 Recovery for reuse
In case the recovered refrigerants are considered to be changed in composition, then the refrigerant
shall be reclaimed (see 6.2.5) or disposed of (6.3) accordingly.
Recovered refrigerants, where there is no suspected contamination can directly be reused in the same
refrigeration system.
NOTE Contamination can be caused by motor burnout.
If contamination is suspected and the refrigerant is failing one or more of the tests in 6.2.2 then the
refrigerant shall be:
— recycled according 6.2.4, or
— reclaimed according to 6.2.5,
— or disposed of properly according to 6.3.
6.2.4 Recovery for recycling
6.2.4.1 General
Recycling of recovered refrigerants shall comply with the following requirements:
— the recycling equipment complies with the requirements of 6.2.4.2;
— the history of the refrigerant and the refrigerating system is known from the date of commissioning;
— the competent person or company informs the party concerned when recycled refrigerant is used
and the source from which it comes and the result of the tests or, if necessary, of the analysis.
For recovered refrigerant that failed acid or moisture test according to 6.2.2, recycling shall be applied
when using recycling equipment with acid and moisture filters.
Recycled refrigerant can be used for systems that use the same type of refrigerant.
Annex B gives guidance for recycled refrigerant.
6.2.4.2 Requirements for refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment and procedures
Recovery and recycling equipment shall comply with IEC 60335-2-104 and for halocarbon refrigerants
with ISO 11650.
Equipment shall be regularly inspected to verify that equipment and instruments are well maintained
and in good order. Equipment and instruments shall be function tested and calibrated regularly.
6.2.5 Reclaim
6.2.5.1 Analysis
A refrigerant sent for reclaim shall be analysed and shall either be reclaimed, considered for further
processing or disposed of properly.
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
6.2.5.2 Specification
After the refrigerant has been reclaimed it shall meet the specification for new refrigerant.
NOTE 1 Pass and fail criteria are outlined in AHRI 700.
NOTE 2 Reclaimed refrigerant can be used as new refrigerant.
6.3 Requirements for disposal
6.3.1 Refrigerant intended for further processing
The refrigerant can be considered for further processing, where the refrigerant is used as feedstock for
further use in chemical processes.
6.3.2 Refrigerant not intended for further processing
Reclaim refrigerant which is not intended for further processing shall be dealt with as waste for safe
disposal. Discharge of refrigerants shall only be permitted in a manner which is not harmful to persons,
property and the environment and in accordance with legal requirements.
6.3.3 Absorbed R-717 (ammonia)
After absorbing ammonia (NH3) in water, the “mixture” shall be dealt with as waste for safe disposal.
NOTE Additional information can be found in Annex C.4.
6.3.4 Refrigerating machine oil
Used oil, recovered from a refrigerating system, which cannot be reprocessed, shall be stored in a
separate appropriate container and shall be dealt with as waste for safe disposal
6.3.5 Other components
Other components of the refrigerating system containing refrigerant or oil shall be disposed of
appropriately.
When necessary, a person competent in dealing with the disposal of refrigerants and oils should be
consulted.
6.4 Requirements for documentation
All operations of recovery and reuse of refrigerant, and its source, shall be recorded in the logbook of
the refrigerating system (see 4.3). If requested, a certificate shall be supplied by the refrigerant supplier
or by the service company.
6.5 Requirements for refrigerant transfer, transport and storage
6.5.1 General
Appropriate safety practices shall be followed during transfer of refrigerant from a refrigerating system
to a refrigerant container for transport or storage.
6.5.2 Refrigerant transfer
6.5.2.1 Procedure
Refrigerant recovery shall be carried out properly; national regulations can apply.
ISO 5149-4:2022(E)
Transfer/evacuation of the refrigerant shall be carried out as follows.
a) If the compressor of the refrigerating system cannot be used for the transfer, refrigerant recovery
equipment shall be connected to the refrigerating system in order to transfer the refrigerant, either
into another part of the refrigerating system, or into a separate container.
b) Before service, repair, etc., which involves opening the system, the pressure of the refrigerating
system or of the relevant parts shall be reduced, by transferring refrigerant, to:
1)
— 0,6 bar absolute for a refrigerating system, or part system, with internal volume up to and
including 0,2 m ;
— 0,3 bar absolute for a refrigerating system, or part system, with internal volume greater than
0,2 m .
Thereafter the pressure can be further reduced using a vacuum pump before breaking the vacuum
with dry oxygen-free nitrogen.
Requirements for leak tests are given in 5.2.5 and in Annex D.
Atmospheric pressure is acceptable for R-744 (carbon dioxide) systems.
c) Before scrapping, the refrigerating system or its parts shall be evacuated down to a pressure of:
— 0,6 bar absolute for a refrigerating system with an internal volume up to and including 0,2 m ;
— 0,3 bar absolute for a refrigerating system with an internal volume greater than 0,2 m .
The above pressures apply in an ambient temperature of 20 °C. For other temperatures the pressure
will need to be changed accordingly.
The time required for transfer or emptying is dependent on the pressure. The process should only
be stopped when the pressure remains constant after switching off the compressor of the recovery
machine.
6.5.2.2 Refrigerant container
The refrigerant shall only be transferred to a container suitable for the specific refrigerant involved.
The container shall be clearly identified and marked by a colour code or otherwise as being intended to
hold the refrigerant involved.
NOTE 1 AHRI Guideline N provides information on colour coding.
The container with recovered refrigerant shall be specifically marked to
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