Page 42 - Climate Control Magazine September 2018

Chiller Feature
Dangerous black market across EU
THE EUROPEAN UNION is awash with illegal refrigerants creating a dangerous black market as high GWP refrigerants become scarce and more expensive.
According to UK publication the Cooling Post the problem extends across all the European member states and the majority of activity is on refrigerants most affected by price increases as a result of F-Gas regulations. These refrigerants include R404A, R410A and R134a.
The Cooling Post has been monitoring the sit- uation closely, pointing out that: “While some of the refrigerant may have been legally imported under a legitimate F-gas quota, the large amount being offered in disposable cylinders suggests that much of it is illegal. Non-refillable, disposa-
ble have been banned in Europe since 2007.” The problem has emerged in Italy, Ger- many and Greece.
A simple search of the German online classi- fied advertising site eBay Kleinanzeigen, an off- shoot of the main eBay.de auction site, revealed more than 80 separate German vendors offering R134a in illegal disposable cylinders.
Other refrigerants, including R404A, R407C and R410A, are also being offered in disposable cylinders but not in the same quantity as R134a. Meanwhile, the Greek air conditioning and re- frigeration industry accused EU member state Bulgaria of being a gateway for illegal refrigerant
Greek RAC industry has called on government to stem the flow of illegal refrigerants across its borders.
from Albania, Macedonia and Turkey.
Fourteen organisations representing air con- ditioning and refrigeration equipment manufac- turers and distributors, contractors and engi- neers, wrote to the Greek government and customs authorities imploring them to stem the
flow of illegal refrigerants across its borders. WithCoolingPost. ✺
New laws enacted for cooling towers
One of many cooling towers that occupy rooftops across the city.
3 Providing certificates of RMP completion and audit completion to the local govern-
m4ent authority
Sampling and testing for Legionella and 5 heterotrophic colony count – every month Notifying reportable laboratory test results (Legionella count ≥1000 cfu/mL or hetero- trophic colony count ≥5,000,000 cfu/mL) to the l6ocal government authority
Displaying unique identification numbers on all cooling towers.
The requirements for building occupiers to test for Legionella bacteria on a monthly basis and notify high ‘reportable test results’ to their local government authority commenced earlier this year on January 1, 2018.
HydroChem is one company that worked with the state Legionella Task-
force to develop the new laws. The
company's CEO, Nick Duncan said HydroChem staff are proud of
their contribution and support the changes.
Hydrochem NSW manager, Les Szabo, said these new Legionella laws will have a significant effect on the industry.
“It means industry needs to pre- pare 6000 Risk Management Plans, which are required by law, to be completed by June 2019,” he said.
“For engineers, facility owners
FROM LEFT: Hydrochem NSW manager, Les Szabo; CEO, Nick Duncan
and managers, this means stricter diligence is required in maintaining cooling towers and there are considerable fines for breach- ing the regulations."
NSW Health has also released comprehensive Guidelines for practical guidance on the legal re- quirements. This document details roles and re- sponsibilities, the risk factors, the RMP process and outlines reporting, response and adminis- trative requirements.✺
NEW GUIDELINES FOR managing cooling water systems were enacted last month.
NSW Health has strengthened the Public Health Regulation 2012 to prevent the transmis- sion of Legionella bacteria.
Infection can lead to Legionnaires' disease, a se- rious and potentially life-threatening condition.
From August 10, 2018, building occupiers are required to ensure there are six key safeguards in p1lace for their cooling water systems including:
Risk assessment of Legionella contamina-
tion, documented in a Risk Management Plan (RMP) – every five years (or more frequently i2f required)
Independent auditing of compliance with theRMPandRegulation–everyyear
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
TRAINING COURSE ON LEGIONELLA
NSW Health is developing a training course on Legionella Control in Cooling Water Systems together with TAFE NSW.
The course provides an overview of the science relating to Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks, cooling water system management, and the roles, responsibilities, and requirements under the Public Health Regulation 2012.
Completion of this course is a requirement for approval to conduct audits of cooling water systems.
The training course is based on new and existing nationally-recognised units of competency, and is delivered over three modules.
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