AIRAH updates flammable refrigerants guide

AUSTRALIA: The AIRAH has released an online, updated version of its Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide. 

The resource – developed by independent organisations and stakeholders with support from the Australian Department of the Environment and Energy – is designed to help refrigeration technicians, apprentices and other stakeholders understand the range of skills and knowledge required to work safely with flammable refrigerants.

Australia’s HFC phase-down, which officially began on January 2018, has seen a switch to flammable low GWP synthetic and natural refrigerants.

“Many HVAC&R professionals are accustomed to working with the non-flammable refrigerants that were widely used in the past,” said AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson.

“We need to ensure that, as the use of alternative refrigerants picks up, our industry is properly equipped to work safely, efficiently and professionally with any refrigerant they encounter. And that’s where the Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide has a crucial role to play.”

The guide was originally published in 2013 in hard copy form. Over the past five years more than 700 people have received training at free seminars around Australia. Yet AIRAH also recognised the need to explore more innovative ways of delivering the information.

“The face-to-face delivery model had its limits, so rather than them coming to us, we’re taking it to them,” says AIRAH’s Phil Wilkinson. “The new online format allows people to access the resource whenever they have time.” 

The online Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide also incorporates audio and “test your knowledge” tasks.

Access the resource here.