CEN/TC 182/WG 12 - Flammable Refrigerants Standardization Request M/555

This document provides the results of a comprehensive assessment of the state of the art on the use of flammable refrigerants, in particular from class A3.
Refrigerants from class B (toxic) are excluded from this scope.
This document includes the following elements:
•   A segmentation of the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump market, making use of existing studies and research, including an assessment of safety-related barriers to the uptake of flammable refrigerants in particular from class A3 across all relevant applications;
•   An assessment of the way risk assessments is used in existing standards for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment and in other standards and a review of available risk assessment research to be taken into account including identification of potential needs for additional research;
•   Analysis of:
•   the relationship between risk and increased charge;
•   the acceptability of increased risk compared to the risk presented by other technologies;
•   the options for additional mitigation methods if the risk increase is unacceptable;
•   Review of existing standards and work programmes and identification of standards that should be further updated under existing or future standardisation requests based on relevant product safety legislation, in particular with regard to allowable charge sizes of flammable refrigerants, taking into account available technology as well as emerging research and development;
•   Identification of options for performance based requirements that result from risk assessments to enable the use of all flammable substances;
•   Identification of options for risk minimisation and for offering flexibility in application of mitigation measures.
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This document provides technical information for the installation of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment containing flammable refrigerants, in particular from class A3, complementing existing standards. The term "refrigerating system" used in this document includes air conditioners and heat pumps.
Refrigerants from toxicity class B are excluded from this scope.
This document includes risk mitigation measures not yet addressed in existing standards for specific refrigerant classes, or not fully reflecting the state of the art, and establishes complementary technical specifications related to the installation of equipment.
The following aspects are considered:
- explosive atmosphere workplace and equipment;
NOTE Further information can be found in Directive 99/92/EC (ATEX Workplace Directive) and Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX Equipment Directive).
- design and structural specifications for the installation site;
- marking and labelling of equipment parts and installation site;
- good practice for installing equipment, including tools and personal protection;
- risk mitigation methods and related refrigerant charge limits;
- risk assessments;
- competence of personnel;
- safety testing of systems and equipment.

This document provides technical specifications for the operation, servicing, maintenance, repair and decommissioning of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment containing flammable refrigerants, in particular from class A3, complementing existing standards.
Refrigerants from toxicity class B are excluded from this scope.
This document includes risk mitigation measures not yet addressed in existing standards for specific refrigerant classes, or not fully reflecting the state of the art, and establishes complementary technical specifications for the operation, servicing, maintenance, repair and decommissioning.
The following aspects are considered:
- explosive atmosphere workplace and equipment;
NOTE Further information can be found in Directive 99/92/EC (ATEX Workplace Directive) and Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX Equipment Directive).
- good practice for the operation, servicing, maintenance, repair and decommissioning, including tools and personal protection;
- risk mitigation methods;
- risk assessments;
- competence of personnel;
- health and safety of personnel;
- location of the equipment.