By now you should have an appreciation of F-Gas regulations and what it means to you. But in case you don’t, here’s a quick overview in relation to leak detection

“Why have the F-Gas regulations come into force?”

Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) are potent

greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming

and are sometimes referred to as High Global Warming

Potential Gases (High GWP Gases) if released into

atmosphere.

The EC F-Gas regulations were brought into action

in July 2007, as part of the Kyoto Protocol to reduce

emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) because of their

high GWP. Actions to contain, prevent and reduce

emissions of F-Gases are being taken by the European

Union as part of its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.

The European Union has a binding target to cut carbon

emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 and non-binding targets

to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95 per cent by 2050

“What are F-Gases and where are they used?”

Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) are a group of

chemicals containing fluorine.

There are three main types of F-Gases:

1. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

2. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)

3. Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

In total, F-Gases account for 2% of all greenhouse

gases in the EU today but have a much more potent

atmospheric warming potential than CO2. They are

used in a variety of refrigeration and air-conditioning

equipment, in insulation foams and electrical equipment,

in aerosol sprays, as solvents or in fire protection systems.

Emissions occur mainly during emissive uses (of aerosol

sprays or solvents for example) or due to leakage during

the operation and disposal of products and equipment that

contain F-Gases.

“ Do we have a responsibility to reduce F-Gas emissions?”

When you consider that since 1990, CO2 equivalent

emissions within the EU have reduced by 18%

overall but F-Gas emissions have increased by 60%

in the same time, it is not difficult to see why this

particular area has received such intense focus.

The cost of leak detection is partly due to the

result of complying with legislation. Legislation that was

introduced because of the harm that HFC’s and CO2 can

pose to our environment, resulting in climate change.

Let’s Talk F-Gas F-Gas Regulations & FAQ’s Reviewed

“What other benefits does compliance to F-Gas bring?”

Reducing F-Gas emissions should not only be thought

of as just complying with legislation for the overall

objective of achieving government set targets, but will

only have a positive effect on operating costs, making cost

savings through efficient operation and foremost, it can

help enhance market reputation by being appearing to

be more environmentally friendly. We’ll discuss this later.

“How can we reduce our F-Gas emissions?”

There has been much discussion surrounding F-Gas emission

reduction and the most practical methods in doing so. Here

we discuss the options available.

1. HFC EMISSION REDUCTION

One theory is to use low or very low GWP refrigerants. The

refrigeration industry is being ‘encouraged’ to move towards

a HFC free market and use of low GWP refrigerants. For many

people, this is an ideal solution as many of these refrigerants

have a GWP score of less than 10, however there are

constraints with using these gases, with flammability being

one.

2. LEAK DETECTION PROGRAMME

Refrigerant gas leakage to the atmosphere can result in

product loss, causing systems to operate inefficiently

and is detrimental to the environment. Many refrigerant

gases can cause depletion of the ozone layer therefore it is

imperative that your gas leak detection equipment identifies

these possible leaks. The F-Gas regulations have a greater

emphasis on leak detection and we’ll discuss this option

further.

“How does the F-Gas Regulations impact leak detection?”

Under the F-Gas regulations, system and equipment

operators have a legal obligation to:

PREVENT LEAKAGE - If you operate stationary refrigeration

or air conditioning systems, where it is technically feasible,

you must prevent leakage of F-Gas refrigerants, and repair

any discovered leaks as soon as possible.

FREQUENT LEAK CHECKS – the frequency of leak checks

depends on the type of system and the quantity of F-Gas

refrigerants used.

“Complying with legislation brings forward a positive effect on operating costs & can help to enhance public perception”

The following points illustrate the frequency of leak testing

in normal and hermetically sealed systems depending on

refrigerant charge.

Systems shall be checked for leakage dependent on

refrigerant charge:

• 3kg charge and above - check at least once every 12

months.

• 30kg charge and above - check at least once every 6

months.

• 300kg charge and above - check at least once every 3

months.

• Hermetically sealed systems, which are labelled as such

and contain less than 6kg, are exempt

Under the current F-Gas regulations, it is mandatory for

sites with an overall refrigerant charge in excess of 300kg to

install a fixed refrigerant leak detection system. This system

must be leak checked once per year.

“Under the current F-Gas regulations, it is mandatory for sites with an overall refrigerant charge in excess of 300kg to install a fixed refrigerant leak detection system”

You will need to maintain records of all refrigerants

within your equipment with a charge of 3kg or more (if

hermetic, 6kg or more). You must keep detailed service

records for equipment containing a charge of 30kg or more

“November 2012 saw a review proposal of the F-Gas regulations. So what does this mean for leak detection?”

The new F-Gas regulation was published and presented to

delegates at the Atmosphere 2012 conference in Brussels

on 7th November 2012 includes some significant changes

to the existing regulation and has far reaching implications

for the European Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Industry.

The new proposal contains a range of measures to

reduce emissions of HFCs, including a cap and phase

down of 79% by 2030, and bans on use of HFCs in

hermetically sealed commercial systems and other

applications.

The EU Low Carbon Economy Roadmap shows that, in

order to achieve this objective at the lowest cost, all

sectors and greenhouse gases must contribute

including F-Gases whose global warming potential can be

up to 23,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2).

The much anticipated regulation changes aim to strengthen

the existing F-Gas regulation, apply the regulation to new

areas (transport refrigeration) and ‘encourage’ the industry

to move towards a HFC free market and use of low GWP

refrigerants.

In addition to the well publicised phase down schedules for

HFCs, quotas for supply of HFCs into the EU market,

training & certification requirements for ‘natural’

refrigerants and banning of pre-charged equipment, the

proposed regulation has significant implications with

regard to obligations for leak checking.

“What is the GWP concept under the new regulations?”

The intention is to put all GHG onto a common scale and

GWP, however imperfect, remains the recommended metric

to compare future climate impacts of emissions of long-lived

gases.

Under the existing regulation, a site would simply have

to calculate what Kg charge they had, to know what leak

detection frequencies/requirements applied. Under the

new proposal, they now have to factor in the GWP and

make a calculation relative to CO2 equivalent emissions.

This will undoubtedly complicate things for many site

operators who will be asking ‘how do we calculate how

frequently we need to check for leaks’? And ‘we didn’t

need to have fixed leak detection under the existing

regulations; do we need it under the new F-Gas regulation’?

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Take R404a as an example – for companies trying to work

out if they require a fixed leak detection system, under the

proposed F-Gas regulations, systems using R404a would

take the figure 500 (tonnes) then divide by 3920 (GWP CO2

equivalent). To get the total Kg amount, multiply by 1000.

If this figure is greater than 130kg, then a fixed system is

required. In addition, a leak check is mandatory every 3

months.

“How are the F-Gas regulations enforced?”

Compliance is policed by the Environment Agency and

Local Authorities. The UK Government has issued a draft

statutory instrument laying out the proposed penalties

associated with non compliance with the F-Gas Regulations.

Powers have been proposed for enforcement authorities to

serve enforcement and/or prohibition notices and fines on

those not adhering to the F-Gas regulations, specifying

action that must be taken.

Have you got any other questions about complying with the F-Gas regulations?

Leak Testing Frequencies Under New F-Gas ProposalGWP Equivalent to CO2 Emissions

HFC GWP

Mandatory leak check required every 12 months

Mandatory leak check required every 6 months

Mandatory leak check required every 3 months plus MUST have fixed leak detection system

R404a 3,920 >1.3kg >13kg > 130kg

R410a 1,610 > 3kg > 30kg > 300kg

R417a 1,950 > 2.5kg > 25kg > 250kg

R422d 2,624 > 1.9kg > 19kg > 190kg

R134a 1,430 > 3.5kg > 35kg > 350kg

R407a 1,990 > 2.5kg > 25kg > 250kg

R407c 1,600 > 3kg > 30kg > 300kg

R407f 1,705 > 2.9kg > 29kg > 290kg

R507 3,298 >1.5kg > 15kg > 150kg

Below we have summarised the calculations for you and the new system charge limits in terms of leak detection requirements for the most common HFC’s: