www.heatingandventilating.net The new


Ventilation and air movement


technologies easing HVAC safety concerns


Shaun Evers, managing director of Stonegate, explores the consequences of HVAC gas leaks and explains how new gas detection technologies help mitigate them


W


hile the growing popularity of HVAC systems is undoubtedly due to their many benefits, facilities managers, installers


and other heating professionals need to be aware of their tendency to leak refrigerant gases and of the health, environmental and financial risks this poses. HVAC systems are versatile technologies that


play important roles in businesses and large commercial and industrial buildings. Their Achille’s heel, however, is that they accidentally leak refrigerant gas. Indeed, according to the Carbon Trust’s ‘Refrigeration: A guide to energy and carbon saving opportunities‘, the UK’s average annual HVAC leakage rate is around 20%.


Leakages: a threefold problem


The leakage of HVAC gases causes problems for health & safety, the environment and operational efficiency. With regard to health & safety, the chief issue is that these gasses are hazardous to human health. Exposure can lead to nausea, breathing difficulties, skin and eye irritation, coughing and headaches. More worryingly, those trapped in confined spaces, like refrigeration units, may lose consciousness or even suffocate due to the higher concentrations of these gases. The flammability of some HVAC gases also introduces the risk of fire. The environmental risk associated with HVAC gases is their huge global warming potential (GWP). The Carbon Trust report, cited above, claims that these super greenhouse gases can have a GWP 3,000 times greater than carbon dioxide, meaning that even small leaks have a significant impact on the depletion of the ozone layer and can stay in the atmosphere for decades. Eradicating leaks is therefore essential to address issues like global warming and climate change. Furthermore, the loss of gas from a HVAC


system also causes it to operate less efficiently, with a 20% gas loss equating to an 11% drop in


efficiency. In plain terms, this means that after one year, the average UK HVAC user will be paying 11% more to run their system and will increase their HVAC’s carbon footprint by the same amount. Given that most leaks are not detected until 60% of the gases have escaped, those figures rise to 33% - a considerable, yet unnecessary environmental burden. Not only limited to environmental factors, an inefficient HVAC system results in operation becoming more costly, meaning an increased financial burden for operators.


From regulation to advanced detection


With governments around the world striving to address climate change, it is little surprise that there are strict regulations about maintaining HVAC systems and testing for leaks. Not only are operators responsible for stopping leaks, but their installation, maintenance and disposal contractors share that responsibility too. Regulations have made gas leak checks mandatory while HVAC systems that contain F-gas equivalent to 500 tonnes of CO2 must be fitted with a leak detection system. Non- compliance can result in fines of up to £200k. The evolving regulatory environment surrounding


HVAC equipment has led to the development of advanced gas leak detectors that can rapidly


find leakages in business properties and large commercial and industrial buildings, as well as in extreme environments, like cold storage units. Utilising highly accurate semiconductors or infrared sensing elements, they can be programmed to detect both HVAC and non-HVAC gases and can even be configured to identify pre-defined mixtures of HVAC gas and air. As a result, their sensitivity can be customised for the environment in which they are required to operate. This adaptability also allows for the use of active filters, meaning that irrelevant gases can be omitted, an attribute that extends the durability of the sensor. The other key role of these modern detection


systems is to ensure the safety of a building’s occupants. To this end, built-in LEDs indicate the presence and status of the sensors while integrated audio-visual signalling alarms alert occupants to the hazard and ensure that maintenance staff can carry out repairs. These safety measures are further enhanced through the ability to integrate modern detectors with Building Management Systems (BMS), enabling proactive monitoring and improved diagnostics and communication. For facilities managers, installers and other heating professionals, the latest gas detection technologies deliver key benefits for HVAC systems. Suitable for businesses and large commercial and industrial environments, they detect gas leaks swiftly, ensuring occupants are kept safe from exposure, energy isn’t wasted, and super greenhouse gases aren’t released into the atmosphere. At the same time, they help businesses and organisations comply with f-gas regulations.


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Left: Shaun Evers, Managing Director of Stonegate


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