Many of today's AC / HVAC systems and refrigerant products have a high global warming (GWP) potential emissions. These include air-conditioner (AC) in cars, homes and office buildings, commercial and household refrigerators, fire suppressant systems, and much more. Many of today's AC / HVAC systems and refrigerant products have a high global warming (GWP) potential emissions. These include air-conditioner (AC) in cars, homes and office buildings, commercial and household refrigerators, fire suppressant systems, and much more. The California Air Resource Board (CARB) Stationary Equipment Refrigerant Management Program aims to reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the use of chemically formulated consumer products. The drafted regulation orders for the use of High Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants.
The proposed California Air Resource Board (CARB) draft legislation is identified as a Subchapter 10, Article X, Sections 9 through 17 with sub-sections included in California Code of Regulations, which was created on September 4, 2008. As of this writing, the CARB early action members work through a schedule of meetings to gather all the feedback and refine the Stationary Equipment Refrigerant Management Program before it becomes law later in 2009.
Understanding refrigerant gas management rules, including the 2009 CARB program and the expected EPA rules, you can break the overall issues in three main areas:
* Purpose, * Applicability, and * Definitions
The aim of Stationary Equipment Refrigerant Management Program
The purpose of the regulation relating to the management of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant. The new law, taking effect in January 2010, will reduce or eliminate emissions of greenhouse refrigerant from AC / HVAC systems and related industrial refrigeration units. Secondary to a reduction of emissions of refrigerants is the requirement for owners and operators of such equipment to create new methods of reclaiming, recycling or recovering refrigerant as well as to encourage an appropriate repair or replacement of obsolete refrigeration and air conditioning equipment with state of the art (sota) equipment.
CARB and many of the leading manufacturers in discussions to ensure that manufacturing specifications to meet the emerging CARB and EPA standards. Unfortunately, there are challenges with a cylinder management. It is often difficult to maintain accurate labels or tracking information for refrigerant containers passed through the industry. More work between manufacturers will lead to the creation of a unique serial number for precise tracking cylinders. By penetrating industry wide tracking of refrigerant gases, the establishment of a set of protocols for cylinder identification will continue to be important.
Applicability of AC / HVAC System Monitoring, Tracking, and Registration
These rules provide a better understanding of which must be met. Essentially, the new CARB refrigerant management program applies to;
A) Any persons who own or operate stationary refrigeration or air conditioning systems containing refrigerant gas, and
B) Any persons who are dedicated installation, repair, maintenance, service, replacement recycling or disposal of stationary refrigeration or air conditioning systems as well as sellers of refrigerant.
Definitions and Key Refrigerant Gas Management Terms
Included in the CARB rules are useful guides that explain in detail many of the regulatory terms applicable and in the hope to provide improved performance. In this section, refrigerant gases, refrigerant leakage, refrigerant handling events explained in detail for ease refrigerant management and refrigerant tracking easily reported. Additional definitions and applicable citations include "Additional Refrigerant Charge", "Air Conditioning System," which is defined AC / HVAC equipment as it applies to the regulation, "Air District" which means an Air Quality Management District or Air Pollution Control District for the purpose of refrigerant information and submittals, "Air Pollution Control Officer", and quotes for "Automatic Leak Detection", as well as specification for qualifications in certifications for reclaimers and other certified technicians.
Why Refrigerant System Administration is Such a Big Deal
Understanding the CARB Stationary Equipment Refrigerant Management Program regulation simplifies and outlined in his 27-page draft. Through the first half of 2009, the CARB early action group will make revisions to the Stationary Refrigeration Equipment Program. It is well-known, due to mandatory deadlines for completing this regulation that will happen in 2009 and to be effective in 2010.
As with all environmental compliance, determining whether owner or operator must meet is the first step. Using the 2009 CARB draft as a guide, refrigerant management of law enforcement and user point of view is the problem of refrigerant gases that increase global warming effects on judicious and effective initiative.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) early actions and improvements to refrigerant tracking improves knowledge and improve the conditions necessary to track, maintain, and report a high global warming potential refrigerants before they reach the atmosphere. With improved environmental monitoring and legislation, we will gain an improved environmental health and safety. This results in benefits not only to human prosperity but also long-term benefits to the environment.
