www.heatingandventilating.net
ICOM launches new guide to flammable refrigerants in heat pumps
The Industrial and Commercial Heating Equipment Association (ICOM) has published a new guide ‘Flammable Refrigerants within Heat Pumps – Selection & Design Considerations’, providing practical guidance for consultants and specifiers navigating the changing refrigerant landscape
W
ith tightening F-gas requirements and increasing scrutiny around PFAS, the guide highlights the key factors that need
to be considered when selecting refrigerants for HVAC and refrigeration applications. These include environmental compliance, safety, system design, installation requirements and the long-term viability of refrigerant choices. The guide focuses particularly on R32 and R290
EQMAX_"Practical approach"_HVR_half horizontal_153x229_1.qxp 03/08/2026 14:22 Page 1
(propane), two refrigerants increasingly used in heat pumps. It explains their different classifications and properties, alongside the practical implications for system design and installation.
Left: Steve McConnell, director of ICOM
For R32, the guide
considers its A2L mild flammability classification, regulatory requirements, airflow, clearances, noise,
condensate management and frost protection. For R290, which is classified A3 and highly flammable, it provides additional guidance on protective zones, ignition sources, building openings, ventilation, low points and the need for appropriate risk assessment and trained personnel.
COMMERCIAL HEATING
Steve McConnell, director of ICOM, said: “Refrigerant selection is becoming an increasingly important consideration for consultants and specifiers. It is no longer simply about selecting a refrigerant that delivers the required system performance; environmental impact, safety, regulation and the long-term suitability of the installation all need to be considered. “Our new guide is designed to help those involved in specifying heat pumps understand the practical differences between refrigerants such as R32 and R290, and to ensure that factors such as equipment location, protective zones and relevant standards are considered from the outset. Good specification can help deliver systems that are safe, compliant, efficient and better prepared for future regulatory changes.” The guide also sets out key standards and
regulations relevant to the design, installation and operation of systems using flammable refrigerants, including BS EN 378, ISO 5149 and, where applicable, ATEX and DSEAR requirements. ICOM recommends that consultants and specifiers assess the regulatory framework, building type and occupancy, system capacity, operating temperatures and ambient design conditions when selecting a refrigerant, while also considering longer-term regulatory trends. The guide can be found here https://tinyurl.
com/2c8w69rb
AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW
THE PRACTICAL APPROACH TO MODERN
HOT WATER BY IDEAL 10 MODELS Hot Water from the UK’s
commercial heating market-leaders.
DOWNLOAD THE HVR APP NOW
To view our full range of products visit:
idealcommercialheating.com/hot-water Ideal EQMAX hp HVR
Nov26.indd 1
P13_HVR_NOV26.indd 13
HVR-NOV26-PG13.indd 1 30/10/2026 11:26 30/10/26 11:39 9/9/26 13:12
OUTPUTS: 20kW to 120kW
STORAGE::: 210 to
538 litres *Terms & conditions apply
Designed for replacement
& refurbishment projects.
November 2026 13
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
