HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AN INVISIBLE HAZARD
The correct storing, handling, and managing of hazardous substances is an area of extreme importance for all health and safety professionals. An area that is often overlooked when dealing with hazardous substances is refrigerant gas, which can pose a significant threat to the health and safety of employees and building occupants should a leak occur.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units use R32 coolants which, despite their high efficacy and low Global Warming Potential (GWP), are composed of hazardous chlorofluorocarbons. If coolant leaks from a system, it can rapidly evaporate into a lethal gas which can cause asphyxiation. More commonly, it can cause breathing difficulties, coughing, nausea and vomiting, skin and eye irritation, and headaches.
“IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT A LEAKING AIR CONDITIONING UNIT CONSUMES ALMOST 20% MORE ELECTRICITY THAN A FULLY FUNCTIONING ONE.”
In addition, refrigerant gas leaks can cause irreversible compressor damage, making HVAC systems extremely inefficient and consequently forcing it to work harder to compensate. This increases electricity consumption and accordingly, monthly energy bills.
It has been found that a leaking air conditioning unit consumes almost 20% more electricity than a fully functioning one and that a small continuous leak, left unrepaired for three months, could use an extra 10kW in electricity once the leak becomes critical. That’s equivalent to approximately £1,400 in energy bills.
DETECTING DANGER Gas leaks can occur for any number of reasons, from
mechanical damage or equipment failure to poor maintenance work. Whatever the cause, the key to limiting exposure and reducing the risk of injury lies in early detection. Although there are several things that can be done in the case of a suspected gas leak, nothing can replace the accuracy and efficiency of using specially designed technology for this task.
Gas detection systems are becoming increasingly intelligent and self-contained single fixed gas sensors, which are particularly suited to target R32 gases associated with HVAC units, are quickly becoming routine in buildings. Many of these sensors have a proven return on investment of just two years, and that is without taking into consideration the cost of repairs to an existing faulty system.
Sophisticated refrigerant sensor equipment with signalling alarms, LED lights that indicate the presence
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www.tomorrowshs.com
Shaun Evers, Managing Director of Stonegate Instruments, discusses the dangers of refrigerant gas leaks and why stringent legislation is driving companies to seek out the latest gas detection systems.
and status of each sensor, as well as audio and visual alarms to alert staff of trapped personnel, is also available to combat the constant risks posed by gases.
RULES AND REGULATIONS Of course, in addition to affecting the health of
employees and building occupants, undetected leaks may have regulatory consequences. Since January 2020, under UK and EU legislation, a ban has been in force that prevents refrigerants with a GWP greater than 2,500 being used to service or refill refrigeration systems with a refrigerant charge size of 40 tonnes of CO2 equivalent or more. In addition, the topping up with new fluid of systems that use certain hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant gases has been banned.
These regulations have also raised the requirements for regular gas leak checks on HVAC systems. EU regulations stipulate that systems with 300kg or more of refrigerants be fitted with a leak detector. Where detectors aren’t installed, the frequency of mandatory gas leak checks increases.
When it comes to storing, handling, and managing hazardous substances, it makes sense to employ strict policies, procedures and, where necessary, the latest technologies. This will help minimise the risk to the health and safety of employees and building occupants while complying with increasingly stringent regulations and saving money.
http://stonegate-instruments.com
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