ShareHFC alternatives: insufficient training in Europe
An AREA survey shows that in the EU, only 3.5-7% of F-Gas certified personnel are trained in the use of low-GWP refrigerants, depending on the alternative used.
According to a survey conducted by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration European Association (AREA), personnel certified to work with fluorinated gases have little training in the use of alternative low-GWP refrigerants.
According to a survey conducted by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration European Association (AREA), personnel certified to work with fluorinated gases have little training in the use of alternative low-GWP refrigerants.
Ammonia
7%
CO2
6.9%
Hydrocarbons (small equipment)
6.2%
Hydrocarbons (large équipment)
5.3%
HFOs
3.5%
Table 1. Proportion of F-gas certified personnel trained in alternatives by refrigerant type
According to the figures from this survey, 345,000 people are trained in the use of fluorinated gases in Europe (excluding Norway and Great Britain).
AREA would like to see training on alternatives to fluorinated gases made mandatory.
However, online training tools do exist. The IIR is a partner in the European project Real Alternatives for LIFE, which has developed a learning project dedicated to alternative refrigerants. It addresses the issues of safety, reliability, and containment of low-GWP refrigerants. The modules can be accessed via this link: https://www.realalternatives.eu/downloads.
Sources:
http://area-eur.be/news/mandatory-certification-alternative-refrigerants-time-now