AS/NZS/ISO 817 and AS/NZS5149.1-4REFRIGERATION IMPACTS

Ben Adamson F.AIRAH, F.IEAUST, M.ASHRAE, M.IIARManaging Director, Refrigeration Engineering International

Refrigeration Standards Update

Kevin LeeFormer Chair ME-006 & Australian Delegate on ISO TC86/SC1

AIRAH Qld Seminar – 14th Feb. 2017

Safety and Environmental RequirementsAS/NZS ISO 817 and AS/NZS 5149 (Part 1 to Part 4)

Refrigerant classification

16 pages

66 refrigerantsclassified

109 refrigerantsclassified

71 pages

Refrigerant classification

• AS1677.1

• Last amended 2000

• Toxicity class A & B

• Flammability class 1, 2, 3

• AS/NZS ISO 817

• 2016

• Toxicity class A & B

• Flammability class 1, 2, 2L, 3

Flammability class 2L

• New class 2L “lower flammability”

• 2L is based on burning velocity

• R32 moves from A2 to A2L

• Ammonia (R717) moves from B2 to B2L

• Many new HFO refrigerants are A2L, for example R1234yf

Toxicity

Preface “This Standard does not address the hazards caused by products of combustion or decomposition of refrigerants.”

When flammable fluorinated refrigerants burn or decompose, by-products can include highly toxic compounds including hydrogen fluoride.

• STEL 2-6 ppmv

• IDLH 30 ppmv

Safety classification groups

Safety group

Higher flammability A3 B3

Flammable A2 B2

Lower flammability A2L B2L

No flame

propagation

A1 B1

Lower

toxicity

Higher

toxicity

Odorizing

AS/NZS 1677.1 – Required Group A3 refrigerants to be odourised.

AS/NZS ISO 817 – Does not require Group A3 refrigerants to be odourised.

• Most imported equipment with A3 refrigerants are not odourised.

• Personal sensitivity to odourants is not consistent

• Odourant effectiveness can be reduced by filter-driers etc.

Safety & environmental requirements

56 pages 166 pages(in 4 parts)

AS/NZS 5149 Parts 1-4

Part 1: Definitions, classification and selection criteria

Part 2: Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation

Part 3: Installation site

Part 4: Operation, maintenance, repair and recovery

Scope

This International Standard 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.

Australian & NZ amendments(all parts)

• Amendments not indicated in main text

• Australian & NZ amendments included in Appendix ZZ

• “Performance clause” permits alternatives which are

- no less safe

- verified by a “competent person”

Part 1: Definitions, classification and selection criteria

Occupancy categories

General occupancy a (equiv. AS1677.2 cat. I)

Example – hospitals, schools, supermarkets

Supervised occupancy b (equiv.AS1677.2 cat. II)

Example – offices, work places

Authorised occupancy c (equiv.AS1677.2 cat. III)

Examples – oil refineries, cold stores, non-public areas of supermarkets (Appendix ZZ classifies machinery rooms as Authorised occupancy c.)

Location classifications(new)

Both occupancy & location classifications used in charge limits

Class I: mech. equipment in occupied space

(eg. self-contained drinks cabinet in a shop)

Class II: compr’s in machinery room or open air

(eg. cold store, air con split system)

Class III: machinery room or open air

(eg. water-cooled or air-cooled package chiller)

Class IV: ventilated enclosures

Charge limits

• Significant changes, especially for flammables

• Seven useful calculation examples provided in Australian & NZ appendix ZA

Charge limits

“The refrigerant quantity is the quantity that can be released in an occupied space, and shall be thelargest charge of any single refrigerating system, unless otherwise specified …”

If the required charge will exceed the permissible limit, several smaller individual units, each with a charge below the limit but in total exceeding the limit, are permitted.

Cap factors

• Cap factors apply to limit charges for flammables

• Same as AS1677.2 except propane in “human comfort” applications (but already limited by appliance standard.)

• Appliance standards generally overrule AS/NZS 5149.

Relation to ADG code

• AS/NZS/ISO 817 and ADG code use different definitions of “flammable”

• Appendix ZB shows relation between AS/NZS/ISO 817 and ADG code for many common refrigerants

Example – R1234ze

- ISO 817 = A2L

- ADG code = non-flammable

Part 2: Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation

Design temperatures

AS1677.2

Two DBT ranges, ≤30°C, ≤43°C

Air-cooled – DBT + 16.7°C

Water/evap. cooled - WBT + 16.7°C

AS/NZS 5149.2

Four DBT ranges, ≤32°C, ≤38°C, ≤43°C, ≤55°C

Margins generally > AS1677.2

A2L refrigerants

Clause 4.1 “The same requirements as class 2 shall be applied to class 2L, unless specific provisions are given in this part of ISO 5149.”

Flow charts for relief sizing

More user-friendly than AS1677.2

Aligns with AS4343“Pressure equipment – hazard levels”

Other useful information

• Annex B –ammonia systems

• Annexes E & F – pressure relief arrangements

• Annex G – Stress corrosion cracking

Part 3: Installation site

Australian & NZ modifications

• Substantial changes to ISO text

• Machinery rooms with flammable refrigerants (including A2L) require hazard assessment to AS60079.10.1

• Special provisions in AS60079.10.1 for ammonia (B2L) do not apply to A2L.

• Sprinkler systems permitted in ammonia machinery rooms.

Australian & NZ modifications

Clause 4.2 (ZZ addition) “Any equipment in the open air (location Classifications II and III) containing more than 2 x m3 of Classes 2L, 2 or Class 3 flammability refrigerant shall be secured with a fenced enclosure or barrier to prevent unauthorized access to the equipment.”

Example – propane, 2 x m3 = 9.8 kg

Part 4: Operation, maintenance, repair and recovery

Scope

“Subclauses … of this part of ISO 5149 are not applicable to unitary systems having a power cord, being factory sealed, and in conformance with IEC 60335 series.”

Applicable to site-assembled systems, but also appears to include split systems which are not “factory sealed”.

Documentation

Clause 4.3.1 “The party concerned shall keep an updated logbook of the refrigerating system.”

Other useful information

• Annex A – Draining oil

• Annex B – Recycled refrigerant

• Annex C – Handling & storing refrigerants

• Annex D – In-service inspection

• Annex E – Corrosion inspection

Thank you!

Questions?