REFRIGERANTS
As some A2L refrigerants are extremely flammable operators must ensure the concentration level in a room stays below the lower flammability level (LFL) to ward off any threat of ignition. Requirements to maintain levels below the flammability threshold in case of leakage are underpinned by safety legislation and standards such as ISO 5149 and EN 378.
The Carbon Trust has previously estimated that refrigeration systems within the UK have an average annual leak rate of up to 20%, with 60% of this leaked gas escaping before detection and posing serious risks to personnel, either from the toxicity or flammability of some refrigeration gases. The key to limiting exposure to F-gas
and therefore risk of injury lies in the early detection of any gas release. Thankfully, new technologies are on hand to help logistics companies keep their cool in times of change.
Simple but effective technology Gas leaks happen for a number of reasons, including equipment malfunction, inadequate maintenance work, mechanical damage and accidental release of gas during replenishment. Technology plays a vital part in identifying leaks as soon as they occur. As around 60% of gas escapes before anyone notices, it is impractical to expect employees alone to identify leaks. Various detection devices are available, and the latest generation can be programmed to detect a wide range of toxic and non-toxic gases, including HFCs. The latest high specification detectors available can be configured to detect an array of both toxic and non-toxic gases and alert workers with audio and visual alarms. They also feature a battery back-up system in the case of power failure. LED colours can be used to indicate the status of each sensor. These are arranged in different zones, so in the event of a gas leak, it can be swiftly identified and repaired without delay. Other appliance devices include state- of-the-art thermometers and temperature displays, that for example, enable the monitoring and optimisation of refrigeration systems so that they function at the optimal temperature for the specific items they store. Should any temperature anomalies occur, the system will alert staff so that spoilage can be prevented. Open door alarms bring similar benefits. Even the most sophisticated devices on the market have a return on investment time of just two years, therefore installing technology to monitor leaks in cold storage offers a simple
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yet effective solution for operators in any sector.
It’s also worth noting that this equipment
can save you money by avoiding fines and save your business’ reputation from the result of prosecution. If sufficiently serious, those who deliberately allow a gas to escape can face criminal prosecution instead of being ordered to pay a civil penalty. For less serious offences such as contravening procedures for minimising emissions or if non-certified individuals are found to be handling F-gases, fines of up to £100,000 can be distributed. Times have changed dramatically from the early days of volatile, toxic and dangerous coolant gases, such as ammonia and methyl chloride; however, there are still risks present
to individuals and the environment. When modern day refrigerants are managed in a controlled environment such as a closed system of tubes and coils, these gases can provide effective climate control, and when coupled with the right safety and monitoring equipment they can operate at their most efficient level.
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