IE F-Gas Category IV key terms

Any gas listed in the EU F-Gas Regulation whose molecule contains fluorine and which contributes to global warming, including HFCs, PFCs, sulphur hexafluoride and unsaturated HFCs such as HFO-1234yf.

A number expressing how much heat one kilogram of a gas traps over 100 years compared with one kilogram of carbon dioxide, whose value is fixed at 1 by definition.

The mass of a refrigerant multiplied by its GWP, giving a common unit that lets leaks and charges of different gases be compared and reported against legal thresholds.

A relative measure of how strongly a substance destroys stratospheric ozone compared with CFC-11, which is set at 1; HFCs have zero ODP but are still controlled as greenhouse gases.

Hydrofluorocarbon: a synthetic refrigerant family containing only hydrogen, fluorine and carbon, widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning, with zero ozone depletion but high global warming potential.

Hydrofluoroolefin: an unsaturated fluorinated refrigerant such as R-1234yf, with very low global warming potential but classified as mildly flammable (A2L) in many cases.

Chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons are older refrigerants containing chlorine that damage the ozone layer; their production and use are phased out under the Montreal Protocol.

The international treaty that phases out ozone-depleting substances; its Kigali Amendment extends controls to hydrofluorocarbons by scheduling a global phase-down of their production and consumption.

The EU regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases that sets leak checks, certification, recovery, labelling, reporting and a phased reduction of HFC placed on the market.

The scheduled reduction of hydrofluorocarbons placed on the EU market, measured in CO2 equivalent and expressed as a percentage of a 2009-2012 baseline, tightening in steps toward 2036.

The mechanism limiting how much bulk HFC, in CO2 equivalent, producers and importers may place on the EU market each year; quotas are needed for supplying refrigerant in bulk.

The first making available of a product or equipment containing F-gas on the EU market, for payment or free of charge; it triggers labelling, quota and, for some products, bans.

The formal qualification a person or company must hold to carry out leak checks, recovery, installation or servicing on equipment containing F-gas above defined charge thresholds.

The entry-level F-gas certificate category covering recovery of refrigerant from equipment with a charge below 3 kg, or from hermetically sealed equipment, and related containment duties.

The mass of refrigerant contained in a system, usually stated in kilograms or grams on the nameplate; it determines leak-check frequency, certification level and record-keeping duties.

Equipment in which all refrigerant-containing parts are factory-welded or brazed shut with no accessible connections, so that the charge cannot be opened on site with valves or fittings.

The legally required interval for checking for leaks, based on the CO2 equivalent of the charge: typically every 12, 6 or 3 months, with fixed leak-detection systems allowing longer intervals.

A permanently installed device that continuously monitors a plant room or system and alarms on refrigerant release; where fitted and verified, it can extend the interval between manual leak checks.

Any unintended release of refrigerant from equipment, whether through joints, seals, corrosion or damage; leaks above defined thresholds must be repaired and the repair verified by a follow-up check.

The duty to log each unit's charge, leak checks, repairs, refrigerant added or recovered, and technician details, keeping the records for at least five years and making them available on request.

A durable marking required on equipment and containers containing F-gas, stating the gas type, its GWP and CO2 equivalent charge, and whether it is hermetically sealed or contains a leak-detection system.

The extraction of refrigerant from equipment into a suitable container for reuse, recycling, reclamation or destruction, so that it is not vented to the atmosphere.

The legal prohibition on deliberately releasing F-gas to the atmosphere, except where release is necessary for a permitted use or is unavoidable in an approved recovery or destruction process.

A refillable pressure vessel, correctly rated and labelled, used to collect recovered refrigerant; it must never be filled beyond its marked capacity and must be inspected and requalified periodically.

The reprocessing of recovered refrigerant to virgin specification by a specialist plant, including analysis and removal of contaminants, after which it can be reintroduced as reclaimed refrigerant.

A basic cleaning of recovered refrigerant on site, such as oil and moisture removal, that prepares it for reuse in the same system but does not restore it to virgin specification.

Air or other gas that does not liquefy under normal condensing conditions and builds up pressure and capacity loss in a system; it must be purged safely, not simply vented indoors.

For a given refrigerant, the saturation pressure at a given temperature is fixed, so a measured pressure can identify the refrigerant and reveal whether liquid or vapour is present.

The temperature difference between the start and end of boiling or condensation in a zeotropic blend, which means the refrigerant changes temperature while changing state at constant pressure.

A refrigerant mixture whose components have different boiling points, producing temperature glide and the risk of composition change if part of the charge leaks or is transferred as vapour.

A safety group for mildly flammable refrigerants with low burning velocity, used for many low-GWP HFOs and blends; it requires ignition-source control, ventilation and specific handling rules.

The danger that leaking refrigerant displaces oxygen in a confined space, causing dizziness, loss of consciousness or death; entry into such spaces requires gas detection and never alone.

The protective clothing and equipment needed for refrigerant work, typically safety glasses or goggles, insulating gloves, protective footwear and, where cold liquid or vapour may escape, a face shield.

Tissue injury caused when liquid refrigerant at very low temperature contacts skin or eyes, boiling off rapidly; affected areas must be flushed with lukewarm water and medical help sought.

The planned response to a release: raise the alarm, evacuate and ventilate, stop the source if safe, avoid ignition sources for flammable gases, and call trained responders rather than entering unassisted.

The final shutdown of equipment in which refrigerant is recovered before dismantling, and the equipment or refrigerant is then handled by an authorised waste operator with documentation.