IE F-Gas Category IV cheat sheet

F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 replaced Regulation 517/2014; it covers HFCs, PFCs, SF6, HFOs and blends containing them, and applies to equipment placed on the EU market.

GWP is the mass-based factor converting a refrigerant charge to CO2 equivalent: CO2e (tonnes) = charge (kg) x GWP / 1000.

Example: 5 kg of R-410A (GWP 2088) equals 5 x 2088 / 1000 = 10.44 t CO2e; 5 kg of R-32 (GWP 675) equals 3.38 t CO2e.

GWP values are taken from the IPCC Assessment Report referenced by the Regulation (AR4 for legacy rules, AR5/AR6 for newer listings); always use the value in the current Annex.

The HFC phase-down is measured in CO2e, not kilograms: quota steps cut the placed-on-market tonnage toward 2036, so high-GWP gases are squeezed first.

Placing HFCs on the market requires an authorisation in the F-gas portal; companies must register and hold a valid quota or exemption before selling bulk gas.

Certification is mandatory for personnel recovering, leak checking, installing or servicing equipment containing F-gases; Category IV covers leak checking and recovery only.

Deliberate venting of F-gases is prohibited; recovered refrigerant must be reclaimed, recycled or destroyed by an authorised operator.

Penalties are set nationally and typically include fines per tonne CO2e, plus restriction or withdrawal of the company certificate.

ASHRAE safety class has two letters: A/B for toxicity (A lower) and 1/2/3 for flammability (1 no flame propagation, 2L lower flammability, 3 higher flammability).

R-32, R-1234yf and R-454B are class A2L: mildly flammable, with burning velocity below 10 cm/s and no explosion risk typical of A3 gases.

R-410A is A1, zeotropic (temperature glide about 0.1 K), operates at roughly 60% higher pressure than R-22, and must be charged as liquid.

R-134a is A1 with GWP 1430; R-404A is A1 with GWP 3922; R-407C is A1 with GWP 1774 and glide near 5 K, so it must be charged as liquid.

Cylinder colour coding is not a reliable identifier: read the valve stamp, cylinder label and the pressure-temperature relationship before use.

A blend leaks fractionally: the more volatile component escapes first, so a leaked zeotropic system must be fully recovered and recharged, never topped up.

Refrigerant vapour is heavier than air and displaces oxygen in pits and basements; oxygen depletion, not toxicity, is often the first hazard at high concentration.

Mineral oil is used with CFC/HCFC; HFCs need POE or PVE lubricants, which are hygroscopic, so systems must be kept sealed and dry.

Leak-check frequency is driven by CO2e, not kilograms: 5 t CO2e or more requires checks, 50 t CO2e doubles the frequency, 500 t CO2e requires a leak detection system.

Standard intervals: 5-50 t CO2e every 12 months; 50-500 t CO2e every 6 months; 500 t CO2e and above every 3 months.

A certified leak detection system halves the interval burden: 12 months for 50-500 t CO2e and 6 months for 500 t CO2e and above.

Hermetically sealed equipment below 10 t CO2e is exempt from periodic leak checks; equipment below 5 t CO2e carries no check duty at all.

Records must state the quantity and type of gas, the CO2e tonnage, leak-check dates and results, and the identity of the certified person.

Records are kept by the operator for at least 5 years and must be shown on request to the competent authority.

After a leak is repaired, a follow-up check must be performed within one month before normal intervals resume.

Leak checks require suitable detectors calibrated for the gas, plus a visual inspection of joints, valves and connections; a pressure test alone is not a substitute.

Recovery is mandatory before dismantling, scrapping or opening a circuit; only certified persons may recover F-gases from stationary equipment.

Recovery cylinders must be dedicated, labelled, DOT/TPED-approved, filled to a maximum of 80% liquid volume, and never overfilled.

Use the recovery machine's subcooling or push-pull method for large charges; recover liquid first, then vapour, and pull a vacuum to the manufacturer's limit.

Recovered refrigerant is classified as reclaimed (reprocessed to virgin specification, verified by analysis) or recycled (cleaned for reuse, often on site).

Recovery efficiency thresholds apply: typically 95% of the charge for large systems and 90% or better for small units, per the equipment specification.

Never mix refrigerant types in one recovery cylinder; mixed gas becomes waste and can only be destroyed, not reclaimed.

Refrigerant that cannot be reclaimed must be destroyed by an authorised waste operator with a documented consignment note.

Before scrapping equipment, the circuit must be emptied and the record must show the recovered quantity and the destination of the gas.

Containment also covers the system itself: leak-prone joints, flanges and valve stems should be checked and repaired, not merely recorded.

Liquid refrigerant contacting skin causes cold burns; wear insulated cryogenic gloves, safety goggles and a face shield when opening circuits.

Refrigerant vapour inhalation causes dizziness, headache and asphyxia; work in ventilated spaces, never in a sealed pit without forced air and a gas detector.

A2L refrigerants require ignition-source control: no open flame, no hot work, and only intrinsically safe or ATEX-rated tools where concentration could build up.

Refrigerant cylinders must be stored upright, secured, below 50 °C, away from heat and oxidisers, and never in a vehicle cabin in direct sun.

A leaking cylinder cannot be repaired on site: move it outdoors if safe, otherwise evacuate and call the supplier; never attempt to weld or patch it.

First aid for skin or eye contact: flush with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical attention.

If refrigerant vapour is inhaled, move the person to fresh air, keep them warm and still, and give oxygen only if trained; call emergency services.

PTFE or refrigerant-resistant gloves and a self-contained breathing apparatus are required for confined-space entry where oxygen could fall below 19.5%.