ISO/TC 86 - Refrigeration and air-conditioning

This document specifies the testing and calculating methods for sensible heating recovery seasonal performance factor of heat recovery ventilators (HRV) covered by ISO 16494-1. This document also specifies the test conditions and the corresponding test procedures for determining the sensible heating recovery seasonal performance factor of HRV and is intended for use only in marking, comparison, and certification purposes. For the purposes of this document, the rating conditions are those specified in ISO 16494-1 and in Annex B. The procedures of this document may be used for other temperature conditions.

This document specifies methods for the measurement of energy consumption, water consumption, ice production capacity and the harvested ice characteristics of ice makers with built-in condensing units for commercial use. This document does not apply to: — ice makers intended to be incorporated in appliances for household use; — ice makers with remote condensing units.

This document defines the activities related to refrigerating systems according to ISO 5149‑1, ISO 5149‑2, ISO 5149‑3 and ISO 5149‑4 and other equivalent standards, such as EN 378‑1, EN 378‑2, EN 378‑3, EN 378‑4 and the associated competence profiles. It also establishes the competence criteria for persons who carry out these activities. Activities concerning electricity are excluded. NOTE 1 As a refrigerating circuit is considered not to incorporate electrical and electronic systems, activities in this area are not part of this document. National regulations or appropriate International or national standards can be referred to for competence on electrical and electronic systems. NOTE 2 This document does not apply to persons carrying out work on self‑contained refrigerating systems as defined in ISO 5149‑1 or EN 378‑1, from the initial design of the product to the complete manufacture of the product, provided the process is controlled and the methods used are checked by an organization or individual responsible for the conformance with statutory requirements on health, safety and environment (e.g. energy efficiency). NOTE 3 This document does not constitute a training programme.

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.

This document specifies the thermophysical properties of several commonly used refrigerants and refrigerant blends. This document is applicable to refrigerants R12, R22, R32, R123, R125, R134a, R143a, R152a, R290, R600a, R717 (ammonia), R744 (carbon dioxide), R1233zd(E), R1336mzz(Z), R1234yf and R1234ze(E) and to the refrigerant blends R404A, R407C, R410A, and R507A. The following properties are included: density, pressure, internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, heat capacity at constant pressure, heat capacity at constant volume, speed of sound, and the Joule-Thomson coefficient, in both single-phase states and along the liquid-vapour saturation boundary. The numerical designation of these refrigerants is that defined in ISO 817. NOTE 1 R12, R22, R123 are controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol, Annex A (R12) or Annex C Group I (R22, R123). NOTE 2 R32, R125, R134a, R143a, R152a, R404A, R407C, R410A, and R507A are controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol, Annex F or blend thereof.

This document specifies a method of testing the ventilation and energy related performance of heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) that do not contain any supplemental heating (except for defrost), cooling, humidification, or dehumidification components. Exchanger types of HRVs and ERVs are a) fixed-plate exchangers (also known as recuperators), b) rotary exchangers, including heat wheels and total energy wheels (also known as regenerators), and c) heat pipe exchangers using a heat transfer medium, excluding those using mechanical pumping, This document does not provide a method for measuring the response of exchangers to the formation of frost.

This document specifies safety requirements, certain functional requirements, and marking of valves and other components with similar bodies, hereinafter called valves, for use in refrigerating systems including heat pumps. This document includes requirements for valves with extension pipes. This document describes the procedure to be followed when designing valve parts subjected to pressure as well as the criteria to be used in the selection of materials. This document describes methods by which reduced impact values at low temperatures may be taken into account in a safe manner. This document applies to the design of bodies and bonnets for pressure relief devices, including bursting disc devices, with respect to pressure containment but it does not apply to any other aspects of the design or application of pressure relief devices. In addition, this document is applicable to valves with a maximum operating temperature not exceeding 200 °C and a maximum allowable pressure not exceeding 160 bar[1]. [1] 1 bar = 0,1 MPa.

This document specifies methods for testing and characterizing the performance of air-to-air heat/energy exchangers when used as devices to transfer heat or heat and water vapor between two airstreams used in ventilation systems. It also specifies methods to characterize the performance of exchangers for use in calculation of the energy performance of buildings. This document is applicable to: — fixed-plate exchangers (also known as recuperators), — rotary exchangers, including heat wheels and total energy wheels (also known as regenerators), — heat pipe exchangers using a heat transfer medium, excluding those using mechanical pumping. This document does not provide a method for measuring the response of exchangers to the formation of frost.

1.1 This document establishes performance testing and rating criteria for factory-made residential, commercial and industrial, electrically-driven, mechanical- compression type, water-to-air and brine-to-air heat pumps. The requirements for testing and rating contained in this document are based on the use of matched assemblies. 1.2 Equipment designed for rating at one liquid temperature range under this document may not be suitable at all liquid temperature ranges covered in this document. 1.3 This document does not apply to the testing and rating of individual assemblies for separate use, nor to the testing and rating of heat pumps covered in ISO 5151, ISO 13253 or ISO 13256‑2.

1.1 This document establishes performance testing and rating criteria for factory-made residential, commercial and industrial, electrically-driven, mechanical- compression type, water-to-water and brine-to-water heat pumps. The requirements for testing and rating contained in this document are based on the use of matched assemblies. 1.2 Equipment may be designed for rating at one or several source and load side temperature conditions described in this document. 1.3 This document does not apply to the testing and rating of individual assemblies for separate use, nor to the testing and rating of heat pumps covered in ISO 5151, ISO 13253 or ISO 13256-1.

This document specifies the requirements for the verification of performance and energy consumption of blast cabinets for professional use in commercial kitchens, hospitals, canteens, institutional catering and similar professional areas. The appliances covered by this document are intended to rapidly cool down hot foodstuffs up to a load capacity of 300 kg. This document applies to: — blast chillers; — blast freezers; — multi-use blast chillers/freezers. The following appliances are not covered: — roll-in cabinet; — pass-through cabinet; — cabinets with remote condensing unit; — cabinets with water cooled condenser; — blast chilling and freezing tunnels; — continuous blast-chilling and blast-freezing equipment; — bakery combined freezing and storage units.

The document specifies test conditions for determining the seasonal performance characteristics of air source heat pump water heaters for space heating with electrically driven compressors with or without supplementary heater. The purpose of this document is to rate performance of the heat pump water heaters for space heating with no operation of any supplementary heater. In the case of heat pump water heaters for space heating consisting of several parts with refrigerant or water connections, this document applies only to those designed and supplied as a complete package. The seasonal coefficient of performance depends, inter alia, on the climate conditions and temperature regime of the space heating distribution network. This document defines: — three design conditions, each of them being characterized by a design temperature which represents the lowest temperature that can occur in that design condition; — three water temperature distribution regimes, namely "temperature application" in the text. The user of this document is free to determine the seasonal coefficient of performance for one or more of the defined design conditions and for one or more of the defined temperature applications. This document also provides a full description of three heating seasons that can be used with the associated design conditions.

This document specifies the classification for horizontal closed ice-cream freezer with access of the product from the top via transparent or solid lid(s) and specifies their requirements and test methods. The ice-cream freezers defined in this document are different from supermarket segment freezers, as they work with static air cooling, with a skin evaporator (no evaporator fan) and are used specifically for the storage and display of pre-packed ice-cream. This document is only applicable to integral type refrigeration systems. It is not applicable to remote and secondary system type cabinets. Ice-cream freezers defined in this document are intended to have a net volume ≤600 l. For transparent lid ice-cream freezers only, they are intended to have a net volume/TDA ≥ 0,35 m.

This document applies to the performance testing of compressor driven refrigerating systems (hereafter referred to as refrigerating systems) that operate according to the principle of vapour compression and consist of the circuit parts for compression, condensation, and evaporation as well as the connecting pipes and any necessary associated ancillaries required for a complete refrigeration circuit. This document does not apply to the testing of other refrigeration systems such as absorption or steam jet refrigerating systems. Testing of the suitability of a refrigerating system for a specific use, such as household refrigerators, refrigerated commercial and display cabinets, air conditioners, is not covered by this document. This document includes testing outside laboratories or where specific laboratory testing standards for systems do not exist and which is performed according to agreed operating conditions.

This document specifies test conditions and test procedures for determining the performance characteristics of air source heat pump water heaters for space heating with electrically driven compressors with or without supplementary heater. The purpose of this document is to rate the performance of the heat pump water heaters for space heating with no operation of any supplementary heater. In the case of heat pump water heaters for space heating consisting of several parts with refrigerant or water connections, this document applies only to those designed and supplied as a complete package. NOTE Testing procedures for simultaneous operation for hot water supply and space heating are not treated in this document. Simultaneous means that hot water supply and space heating generation occur at the same time and can interact.

This document specifies requirements for the verification of performance and energy consumption of refrigerated storage cabinets and counters for professional use in commercial kitchens, hospitals, canteens, preparation areas of bars, bakeries, gelateria, institutional catering and similar professional areas. The products covered in this document are intended to store foodstuffs. It specifies test conditions and methods for checking that the requirements have been satisfied, as well as classification of the cabinets and counters, their marking and the list of their characteristics to be declared by the manufacturer. It is not applicable to: — refrigerated cabinets used in the direct sale of foodstuffs; — cabinets that carry out food processing and not just storage function (e.g. bakery cabinets that chill, heat and humidify); — cabinets with water cooled condenser; — appliances with remote condensing unit; — appliances with open top tables and saladettes for preparation or storage of foodstuffs; — cabinets specifically intended for storage of specific foodstuffs (i.e. fresh meat, fresh fish, etc.) operating at a temperature different from those specified in Table 1; — chest freezers; — appliances intended for short time /intermittent normal operation during the full day; — built-in cabinets; — roll-in cabinets; — pass-through cabinets; — ice cream freezers.

This document provides guidance for practical applications of those principles in the measurement of the performance of ventilators falling under the scope of ISO 16494:2014. The references listed in the Bibliography give detailed information on the principles and theory of uncertainty as applied to measurements.

This document specifies test conditions and test procedures for determining the performance characteristics of air source heat pump water heaters for hot water supply with electrically driven compressors with or without supplementary electric heater and connected to or including only one hot water storage tank. Hot water storage tanks that are connected in series or parallel and behave hydronically as one single tank are considered as one hot water storage tank. In the case of heat pump water heaters consisting of several parts with refrigerant or water connections, this document applies only to those designed and supplied as a complete package. NOTE This document is not applicable to testing procedures for simultaneous operation for hot water supply and space heating. "Simultaneous" means that hot water supply and space heating generation occur at the same time and may interact.

This document specifies the standard conditions for capacity and efficiency ratings of non-ducted portable air-cooled air conditioners having a single exhaust duct and non-ducted portable air-cooled heat pumps having a single exhaust duct. Such air conditioners and heat pumps may include an evaporatively cooled condenser cooled by air and the evaporation of: a) condensate collected from the evaporator; b) external supplementary water stored in a supplementary water tank; or c) both a) and b). This document also specifies the test methods for determining the capacity and efficiency ratings. This document applies to equipment that is factory-made, electrically driven and uses mechanical compression. This document is applicable to equipment utilizing one or more refrigeration systems. This document is not applicable to the rating and testing of the following: i) Water-source heat pumps or water-cooled air conditioners; ii) Multi-split-system air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps (see ISO 15042:2017 for the testing of such equipment); iii) Individual assemblies not constituting a complete refrigeration system; iv) Equipment using the absorption refrigeration cycle; v) Ducted equipment (see ISO 13253:2017 for the testing of such equipment); vi) Evaporative coolers or any other cooling systems that are not of the vapour compression type; vii) Dehumidifiers; viii) Spot coolers.

ISO 5151:2017 specifies performance testing, the standard conditions and the test methods for determining the capacity and efficiency ratings of air-cooled air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps. ISO 5151:2017 is applicable to the following equipment: - non-ducted air-cooled air conditioners and non-ducted air-to-air heat pumps; or - ducted air conditioners and/or ducted heat pumps rated at less than 8 kW and intended to operate at an external static pressure of less than 25 Pa. ISO 5151:2017 is limited to: - residential, commercial and industrial single-package and split-system air conditioners and heat pumps; - factory-made, electrically driven and use mechanical compression; - utilizing single, multiple and variable capacity components; - multiple split-system utilizing one or more refrigeration systems, one outdoor unit and one or more indoor units, controlled by a single thermostat/controller. The requirements of testing and rating contained in this document are based on the use of matched assemblies. ISO 5151:2017 is not applicable to the rating and testing of the following: a) water-source heat pumps or water cooled air conditioners; b) multi-split-system air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps (follow ISO 15042 for the testing of such equipment); c) mobile (windowless) units having a condenser exhaust duct; d) individual assemblies not constituting a complete refrigeration system; e) equipment using the absorption refrigeration cycle; f) ducted equipment except for those specified in this clause (follow ISO 13253 for the testing of such equipment). ISO 5151:2017 does not cover the determination of seasonal efficiencies, which can be required in some countries because they provide a better indication of efficiency under actual operating conditions. NOTE Throughout this document, the terms "equipment" and "systems" mean "air conditioners" and/or "heat pumps".

ISO 13253:2017 specifies performance testing, the standard conditions and the test methods for determining the capacity and efficiency ratings of air-cooled, air-conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps. ISO 13253:2017 is applicable to the following equipment: - ducted air-cooled air conditioners and ducted air to air heat pumps. ISO 13253:2017 is limited to - residential, commercial and industrial single-package, and split-system air conditioners and heat pumps, - factory-made, electrically driven and use mechanical compression, - utilizing single, multiple and variable capacity components, and - multiple split-system utilizing one or more refrigeration systems, one outdoor unit and one or more indoor units, controlled by a single thermostat/controller. The requirements of testing and rating contained in this document are based on the use of matched assemblies. ISO 13253:2017 is not applicable to the rating and testing of the following: a) water-source heat pumps or water-cooled air-conditioners; b) multi-split-system air-conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps (see ISO 15042 for testing of such equipment); c) mobile (windowless) units having a condenser exhaust duct; d) individual assemblies not constituting a complete refrigeration system; e) equipment using the absorption refrigeration cycle; f) non-ducted equipment (see ISO 5151 for testing of such equipment); g) ducted air conditioners and/or ducted heat pumps, rated at less than 8 kW and intended to operate at external static pressures of less than 25 Pa, controlled by a single thermostat/controller (refer to ISO 5151). ISO 13253:2017 does not cover the determination of seasonal efficiencies, which can be required in some countries because they provide a better indication of efficiency under actual operating conditions. NOTE Throughout this document, the terms "equipment" and "systems" mean "air-conditioners" and/or "heat pumps".

ISO 15042:2017 specifies the performance testing, the standard conditions and the test methods for determining the capacity and efficiency ratings of air-cooled air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps. ISO 15042:2017 is applicable to the following equipment: -― basic multi-split systems, modular multi-split systems and modular heat recovery multi-split systems. These multi-split systems include air-to-air systems with non-ducted and/or ducted indoor units with integral fans and indoor units supplied without fans. ISO 15042:2017 is limited to: - residential, commercial and industrial split-system air conditioners and heat pumps; - factory-made, electrically driven and use mechanical compression; - single- and multiple-circuit split-systems which utilize one or more compressors with no more than two steps of control of the outdoor unit; or - split-systems with a single refrigeration circuit which utilize one or more variable-speed compressors or alternative compressor combinations for varying the capacity of the system by three or more steps. These split-systems are designed to operate with a combination of one or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units designed for individual operation, and such modular systems are capable of transferring recovered heat from one or more indoor units to other units in the same system. The requirements of testing and rating contained in this document are based on the use of matched assemblies. ISO 15042:2017 is not applicable to the rating and testing of the following: a) water-cooled or water source equipment; b) mobile (single-duct) units having a condenser exhaust duct; c) individual assemblies not constituting a complete refrigeration system; d) equipment using the absorption refrigeration cycle. e) ducted air conditioners and/or ducted heat pumps, rated at less than 8 kW and intended to operate at external static pressures of less than 25 Pa, controlled by a single thermostat/controller (refer to ISO 5151); f) multiple split-system utilizing one or more refrigeration systems, one outdoor unit and one or more indoor units, controlled by a single thermostat/controller (refer to ISO 5151 or ISO 13253). ISO 15042:2017 does not cover the determination of seasonal efficiencies or seasonal part-load performances, which can be required in some countries because they provide a better indication of efficiency under actual operating conditions. NOTE Throughout this document, the terms "equipment" and "systems" mean "multi-split air conditioners" and/or "multi-split heat pumps".

ISO 14903:2017 provides the qualification procedure for type approval of the tightness of hermetically sealed and closed components, joints and parts used in refrigerating systems and heat pumps as described in relevant parts of ISO 5149. The sealed and closed components, joints and parts concerned are, in particular, fittings, bursting discs, flanged or fitted assemblies. The tightness of flexible piping made from non-metallic materials is dealt with in ISO 13971. Metal flexible piping are covered by this document. The requirements contained in this document are applicable to joints of maximum DN 50 and components of internal volume of maximum 5 l and maximum weight of 50 kg. ISO 14903:2017 is intended to characterize their tightness stresses met during their operations, following the fitting procedure specified by the manufacturer, and to specify the minimal list of necessary information to be provided by the supplier of a component to the person in charge of carrying out this procedure. It specifies the level of tightness of the component, as a whole, and its assembly as specified by its manufacturer. It applies to the hermetically sealed and closed components, joints and parts used in the refrigerating installations, including those with seals, whatever their material and their design are. ISO 14903:2017 specifies additional requirements for mechanical joints that can be recognized as hermetically sealed joints.

ISO 23953-2:2015 specifies requirements for the construction, characteristics and performance of refrigerated display cabinets used in the sale and display of foodstuffs. It specifies test conditions and methods for checking that the requirements have been satisfied, as well as classification of the cabinets, their marking and the list of their characteristics to be declared by the manufacturer. It is not applicable to refrigerated vending machines. It is also not applicable to cabinets intended for storage or cabinets intended for use, for instance, in catering or non-retail refrigerated applications nor does it cover the choice of the types of foodstuffs chosen to be displayed in the cabinets.

ISO 23953-1:2015 establishes a vocabulary of terms and definitions relative to refrigerated display cabinets used for the sale and display of foodstuffs. It is not applicable to refrigerated vending machines or cabinets intended for use in catering or similar non-retail applications. NOTE In addition to terms in English and French, two of the three official ISO languages, this part of ISO 23953 gives the equivalent terms in German, Italian, and Spanish; these are published under the responsibility of the member bodies for Germany (DIN), Italy (UNI), and Spain (AENOR). However, only the terms and definitions given in the official languages can be considered as ISO terms and definitions.

ISO 817:2014 provides an unambiguous system for assigning designations to refrigerants. It also establishes a system for assigning a safety classification to refrigerants based on toxicity and flammability data, and provides a means of determining the refrigerant concentration limit.

ISO 16345:2014 covers the measurement of the thermal performance and pumping head of open- and closed-circuit, mechanical draft, wet and wet/dry cooling towers and natural draft and fan-assisted natural draft, wet and wet/dry cooling towers. The standard rating boundaries for series mechanical draft, open- and closed-circuit cooling towers are specified. ISO 16345:2014 does not apply to the testing and rating of closed-circuit towers where the process fluid undergoes a change in phase as it passes through the heat exchanger or where the thermophysical properties of the process fluid are not available.

ISO 5149-3:2014 is applicable to the installation site (plant space and services). It specifies requirements for the site for safety, which could be needed because of, but not directly connected with, the refrigerating system and its ancillary components. ISO 5149-3:2014 is applicable to new refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications of existing systems, and for used systems being transferred to and operated on another site. It also applies in the case of the conversion of a system for another refrigerant.

ISO 5149-1:2014 specifies the requirements for the safety of persons and property, provides guidance for the protection of the environment, and establishes procedures for the operation, maintenance, and repair of refrigerating systems and the recovery of refrigerants. ISO 5149-1:2014 specifies the classification and selection criteria applicable to the refrigerating systems and heat pumps. These classification and selection criteria are used in ISO 5149‑2, ISO 5149‑3, and ISO 5149‑4. ISO 5149-1:2014 applies to: a) refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes including heat pumps; b) secondary cooling or heating systems; c) the location of the refrigerating systems; and d) replaced parts and added components after adoption of this part of ISO 5149 if they are not identical in function and in the capacity. ISO 5149-1:2014 applies to fixed or mobile systems, except to vehicle air conditioning systems covered by a specific product standard, e.g. ISO 13043 and SAE J 639. ISO 5149-1:2014 is applicable to new refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications of already existing systems, and for used systems, being transferred to and operated on another site. ISO 5149-1:2014 also applies in the case of the conversion of a system to another refrigerant. Systems containing refrigerants which are not listed in ISO 817 are not covered in ISO 5149-1:2014.

ISO 5149-2:2014 is applicable to the design, construction, and installation of refrigerating systems, including piping, components, materials, and ancillary equipment directly associated with such systems, which are not covered in ISO 5149‑1, ISO 5149‑3, or ISO 5149‑4. It also specifies requirements for testing, commissioning, marking, and documentation. Requirements for secondary heat-transfer circuits are excluded except for any safety devices associated with the refrigerating system. ISO 5149-2:2014 is applicable to new refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications of already existing systems, and for used systems, being transferred to and operated on another site. ISO 5149-2:2014 applies to: a) refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes including heat pumps; b) secondary cooling or heating systems; c) the location of the refrigerating systems; and d)replaced parts and added components after the adoption of this part of ISO 5149, if they are not identical in function and in capacity. ISO 5149-2:2014 does not cover "motor vehicle air conditioners". It does not apply to goods in storage, with respect to spoilage or contamination, but it also applies in the case of the conversion of a system for another refrigerant.

ISO 16358-3:2013 specifies the testing and calculating methods for seasonal performance factor of equipment covered by ISO 5151, ISO 13253 and ISO 15042. ISO 16358-3:2013 also specifies the seasonal performance test conditions and the corresponding test procedures for determining the seasonal performance factor of equipment, as specified above, under mandatory test conditions and is intended for use only in marking, comparison, and certification purposes. ISO 16358-3:2013 does not apply to the testing and rating of: water-source heat pumps or water-cooled air conditioners; portable units having a condenser exhaust duct; individual assemblies not constituting a complete refrigeration system; or equipment using the absorption refrigeration cycle.

ISO 16358-2:2013 specifies the testing and calculating methods for seasonal performance factor of equipment covered by ISO 5151, ISO 13253 and ISO 15042. For the purposes of ISO 16358-2:2013, it is assumed that any make-up heating will be provided by electric heaters running concurrently with the heat pump. ISO 16358-2:2013 also specifies the seasonal performance test conditions and the corresponding test procedures for determining the seasonal performance factor of equipment, as specified above, under mandatory test conditions and is intended for use only in marking, comparison, and certification purposes. ISO 16358-2:2013 does not apply to the testing and rating of: water-source heat pumps or water-cooled air conditioners; portable units having a condenser exhaust duct; individual assemblies not constituting a complete refrigeration system; or equipment using the absorption refrigeration cycle.

ISO 16358-1:2013 specifies the testing and calculating methods for seasonal performance factor of equipment covered by ISO 5151, ISO 13253 and ISO 15042. ISO 16358-1:2013 also specifies the seasonal performance test conditions and the corresponding test procedures for determining the seasonal performance factor of equipment, as specified above, under mandatory test conditions and is intended for use only in marking, comparison, and certification purposes. For the purposes of ISO 16358-1:2013, the rating conditions are those specified under T1 in the reference standards above. The procedures in ISO 16358-1:2013 may be used for other temperature conditions. ISO 16358-1:2013 does not apply to the testing and rating of: water-source heat pumps or water-cooled air conditioners; portable units having a condenser exhaust duct; individual assemblies not constituting a complete refrigeration system; or equipment using the absorption refrigeration cycle.

ISO/TS 16491:2012 gives guidance on the practical applications of the principles of performance measurement of air-cooled air-conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps as described in ISO 5151, ISO 13253, and ISO 15042.

ISO 13971:2012 describes requirements, design and installation of flexible pipe elements (e.g. metallic flexible pipe, metallic flexible tube, vibration isolator, expansion joint) and non-metallic tube used in the refrigerant circuits of refrigerating systems and heat pumps. ISO 13971:2012 also describes the requirements to qualify the tightness and permeability of non-metallic tubes (e.g. plastic) used in evaporating and/or condensing sides of refrigerating systems and heat pumps. ISO 13971:2012 does not apply to flexible pipes that are only occasionally stressed beyond the elastic limit (e.g. during repair work), or to joints that are free to rotate or hinge.

This International Standard specifies the test apparatus, test gas mixtures, sampling procedures and analytical techniques used to determine the performance of refrigerant recovery and/or recycling equipment (hereinafter, "equipment"). This International Standard also specifies the refrigerants to be used for the evaluation of equipment, i.e. halogenated hydrocarbon refrigerants and blends containing halogenated hydrocarbons. This International Standard is not intended for use as a guide in defining the maximum levels of contaminants in recycled refrigerants used in various applications. This International Standard is not intended to define safety requirements. It is strongly recommended that the product be designed, constructed, assembled, and installed in accordance with recognized safety requirements.