The European Union's F-Gas regulations first came into affect on 4th July 2006 and every year since, they have continued to impose further legal obligations on the owners/users of air conditioning equipment and the companies undertaking the installation and service work.

The key issues that will effect the end users are as follows:

Leakage of Refrigerants

operators of equipment are legally obliged to prevent refrigerants venting to the atmosphere. This means regularly performing leak tests on equipment, ensuring any leaks identified are repaired as soon as possible. These works can only be carried out by qualified personnel.

The frequency of these tests depends on the quantaty of refrigerant in the system:

• Systems containing more than 3kg are to be checked annually.
• Systems containing 30kg to 300kg to be checked at six monthly intervals.
• Systems containing more than 300kg must have automatic leak detection systems fitted.

If a leak is detected and repaired, a further test must be undertaken within 1 month to ensure it has been effective.

F-Gas Records

Operators must maintain records of each system containing more than 3kg.

These records must include:

• The quantity and type of refrigerant
• The quantity of refrigerant added
• Details of any leaks found
• The quantity of refrigerant removed and where it is returned to

These records must be available for inspection by the relivant authorities.

A record must also be kept of the company or technician undertaking the servicing or maintenance, as well as the results and dates of the leak tests.

An 'Operator' is a person who uses the equipment on a day to day basis and is not necessarily the owner of the equipment. Therefore in a tenant occupied building it is the tenant, and not the landlord, who is deemed to be the operator.

From 4 July 2009 it became a legal requirement for all businesses that install, maintain or service stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning and/or heat pump equipment containing or designed to contain F-Gas refrigerants to obtain an F-Gas Company Certificate.

RSI is certified by The Refcom Register of Companies Competent to Manage Refrigerants, certification number REF1009814.