The HVACR industry is undergoing another refrigerant transition, as HFCs such as R-410A and R-404A are being phased down in favor of new, lower-GWP refrigerants, such as R-32 and R-454B. Unlike the last transition, which shifted from the use of one nonflammable refrigerant to another, many of these new refrigerants are mildly flammable (A2L), so additional training will be needed in order to safely use them.

Building codes in most states do not currently allow the installation of comfort cooling units that contain A2L refrigerants, so this type of equipment will likely not be in widespread use for another year or two. However, “it is still vital for contractors to use this time to get the proper training on how to safely handle and use A2Ls, because, in the end, it will affect all HVAC professionals,” said Wes Davis, director of technical services at ACCA.

Training Opportunities

ACCA is one of the entities that is offering A2L training for the HVACR industry. Their program was developed based on the ASHRAE and UL safety standards and provides an introduction to the new refrigerant; instruction on how to handle it safely; and a review of tools that will be needed to work on equipment with A2L refrigerants.

To ensure accessibility, ACCA designed its A2L training program to be affordable for entire teams. The program is available any time of day, 24/7, lasts just over two hours, and includes a digital workbook. Upon passing a test, technicians earn a certificate of completion that demonstrates a commitment to keeping customers and employees safe.

The ESCO Group has also developed an affordable training program for A2L refrigerants, entitled Low GWP Refrigerant Safety: Flammable and Mildly Flammable Refrigerants. The program consists of a manual (available in print or online), an e-learning-style course, instructor PowerPoint presentations, and a closed-book safety certification exam. ESCO also offers train-the-trainer courses for those who want to offer low-GWP refrigerant safety courses.

The 50-question, closed-book, safety certification exam validates that a person possesses the knowledge to safely work with low-GWP refrigerants and covers the following competencies:

• General flammable refrigerant safety knowledge;
• Core ACR knowledge;
• Flammable system service safety;
• Flammable system installation safety; and
• Flammable refrigerant transportation and handling safety.

ESCO has also partnered with the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) to provide A2L training for stakeholders across Canada later this year.

But the time to start training is now, said Jason Obrzut, director of industry standards and relations at ESCO. “The industry has always been able to adapt to an ever-changing landscape, and leveraging new technology and refrigerants to produce extremely efficient, safe systems has been the norm. As with any industry transition, staying well informed is one of the main keys to being prepared. Training is another key component to a successful transition.”

Other Resources

Another place to look for more information regarding A2Ls is AHRI, which created its Safe Refrigerant Task Force to help ensure a smooth refrigerant transition. Its website offers a number of resources, including webinars, articles, and fact sheets, as well as a listing of service tools that will be needed to use with A2L refrigerants.

Read full article here: https://www.achrnews.com/articles/146235-take-time-to-train-for-refrigerant-transition