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Updated support for alternative refrigerants

EUROPE: The REAL Alternatives 4 Life learning programme has been extended to include a set of free newly updated e-learning materials to support the move to alternative refrigerants.

The English versions of nine modules have been developed by a team of international experts to address climate change and support the rapid move to alternatives to high GWP refrigerants.

The project partners – trainers, universities and trade associations across the EU – carried out a thorough review of the contents of existing learning materials that were originally developed in 2014. The review led to the introduction of a new module focusing on safety and risk assessment to highlight precautions needed when handling flammable, toxic and high pressure low GWP refrigerants.

REAL Alternatives is a European-wide learning programme established in November 2013 and funded by the EU Leonardo Life Long Learning Programme.

The materials now include the booklets: Introduction to Alternative Refrigerants – safety, efficiency, reliability and good practice; Safety and Risk Management; System design using alternative refrigerants; Containment and leak detection of alternative refrigerants; Maintenance and repair of alternative refrigerant systems; Retrofitting with low GWP refrigerants; Checklist of legal obligations when working with alternative refrigerants; Measuring the financial and environmental impact of leakage; Tools and guidance for conducting site surveys.

To help raise skills levels and awareness across the whole of the EU the materials are going to be translated into an additional 12 different EU languages over the coming months and will be supported by a free e-learning site which has more interactive resources and links. The site is currently being updated and will also offer 13 language versions.   

The material is free to download here.

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