PHASEOUT
"The import of all CFCs for refrigeration and foam blowing was prohibited from 1 January 1996. Many products made with or containing CFCs are also prohibited from being imported. HCFC-123 and all other HCFCs are under the same phase-down and phase-out as R22 i.e. reducing imports in 2010, imports prohibited from 1 January 2015." - if you require any more information please contact Ministry of Economic Development.
Schedule for Phasing Out HCFC Refrigerants
under the Ozone Protection Act
Stage 1 Base Year Allocation
Permit allocation based on previous use
Stage 2 1996
Reduction to 75% of base, entitlements then issued for this
reduced amount
Stage 3 2000
Reduction to 66% of base on all issued permits
Stage 4 2006
Complete phaseout of CFC-converted permits
Stage 5 2010
Reduction of 25% of issued base amount for HCFC permits
Stage 6 2015
Complete phaseout of HCFC permits
Click to download Refrigerant Report
For further information: www.refrigerantrecovery.co.nz or www.med.govt.nz
AIRAH Refrigerant Selection Guide 2003
This guide includes information for designers and contractors in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry that assists in judgments on environmental issues and the effect refrigerants and systems can have on the environment. This document briefly explains the differences between ozone depletion and global warming and the impact these two distinctly different processes have on the environment.This document covers CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon), HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) and natural refrigerants and their allocated ASHRAE or ISO numbers. Further alternatives may be included when testing and safety requirements have been addressed in the applicable Australian Standards and Codes. This guide provides a better understanding of alternative refrigerants and system performance effects resulting from the use of refrigerants that have little or no effect on the ozone layer and a minimal impact on global warming.
Download the AIRAH Refrigerant Guide 2003 below.
ACTS
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Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (the Montreal Protocol)
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HSE ACT
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The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 covers the safe management of all hazardous substances. This includes those that are explosive, flammable, corrosive, toxic and harmful to the environment (ecotoxic) and how to become one.
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OSH Approved Code of Practice for Pressure Equipment
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Building Act 2004
Building Code
All new building work in New Zealand must comply with the Building Code, which is the first schedule to the Building Regulations 1992. The Code sets out performance standards that building work must meet, and covers aspects such as structural stability, fire safety, access, moisture control, durability, services and facilities.
Compliance Documents (formerly known as Approved Documents) are produced by the Department of Building and Housing to help people meet the requirements of the Building Code. Although they are not part of the Building Code, Compliance Documents contain information on building materials and construction details that set out one means of complying with the Code. They contain Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods. http://www.dbh.govt.nz/compliance-docs-get-copies
B1 Structure
B2 Durability
C Fire Safety
D1 Access Routes
D2 Mechanical Installations for Access
E1 Surface Water
E2 External Moisture
E3 Internal Moisture
F1 Hazardous Agents on Site
F2 Hazardous Building Materials
F3 Hazardous Substances and Processes
F4 Safety from Falling
F5 Construction and Demolition Hazards
F6 Visibility in Escape Routes
F7 Warning Systems
F8 Signs
G1 Personal Hygiene
G2 Laundering
G3 Food Preparation and Prevention of Contamination
G4 Ventilation
G5 Interior Environment
G6 Airborne and Impact Sound
G7 Natural Light
G8 Artificial Light
G9 Electricity
G10 Piped Services
G11 Gas an an Energy Source
G12 Water Supplies
G13 Foul Water
G14 Industrial Liquid Waste
G15 Solid Waste
H1 Energy Efficiency
Standards www.standards.govt.nz
AS/NZS 1677.1:1998 Refrigerating systems "Refrigerant
classification"
Contents includes: Flammability group, Toxicity groups,
selection, numbering and designation of refrigerants
AS/NZS 1677.2:1998 Refrigerating systems "safety
requirements for fixed applications"
Contents includes: Maximum charge of refrigerants, critical
temperatures, compatibility, design and construction and site
and installation, operation and maintenance
AS 4343 Pressure Equipment
ASME B31.3 Process piping
ASME B31.5 Refrigeration Piping
Question & Answers:
What is a NO LOSS card?
In 2002 The Institute of Refrigeration, Heating Air
conditioning Engineers of NZ (IRHACE) and Refrigeration Air
conditioning Companies Assn (RACCA), in conjunction with the
Ministry for the Environment (MfE) developed the "NO LOSS"
Programme (voluntary):
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A Programme of training and certification for refrigeration/air-conditioning engineers and others who handle fluorocarbon refrigerants.
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A public information campaign, aimed at informing the public of the issue and encouraging them to use only people who have demonstrated knowledge in the correct handling of fluorocarbon refrigerants.
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A verification card with photo ID that IRHACE will issue to those who demonstrate their knowledge and a database of those who hold a current NO LOSS Card.
What is a Test Certificate?
A Test Certificate is a document issued by a Test Certifier
confirming that you are compliant with the requirements of the
new legislation (the HSNO Act). These can be for a site
(Location Test Certificate), for an individual (Approved
Handler Test Certificate) or for a container (Stationary
Container System Test Certificate).
What is a Test Certifier?
A Test Certifier is an individual approved by ERMA NZ to issue
Test Certificates confirming that sites, individuals or
containers are compliant with the HSNO Act. Applicants seeking
approval as a test certifier need to be able to demonstrate
competence in a range of matters, including the regulatory
framework of the HSNO Act as it applies to the substances they
will deal with. See User Guide to becoming a Test Certifier.One
means of demonstrating such competence is to supply a written
record from a person who has trained or assessed the applicant.
What is An Approved Handler? is a person who is competent and
certified to handle certain hazardous substances. To become an
Approved Handler you must meet the requirements of the
Hazardous Substances and NewOrganisms (Personnel
Qualifications) Regulations 2001. It is an easy process,
particularly if you have handled the substances before.
www.ermanz.govt.nz .
What is a Test Certificate Approved
filler?
Any person charging a compressed gas container must be an
approved filler. This is set out in the Hazardous Substances
(Compressed Gases) Regulations, Part 8. There is no exemption
for ammonia, or for that matter any other hazardous gas.
Regulation 3 says a container that forms an integral part of a
refrigeration unit is not considered to be a compressed gas
container, hence if transferring directly from a compressed gas
container into a refrigeration unit the person need not be an
approved filler
What is a Dangerous Goods Licence?
Dangerous Goods licences are being replaced by Location Test
Certificates. If you currently have a Dangerous Good Licence
you should be aware of the transitional provisions of the HSNO
Act.
What is a Controlled Substance Licence?
Under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act,
certain substances can only be used by people who have a
Controlled Substances licence. This licence ensures that high
risk substances are only possessed by fit and proper persons,
much like a firearms licence does. Controlled Substances
licences are issued by Test Certifiers who can also issue
Approved Handlers Certificates.
What is The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms
(HSNO) Act 1996?
covers the safe management of all hazardous substances. This
includes those that are explosive, flammable, corrosive, toxic
and harmful to the environment (ecotoxic) and how to become
one. The HSNO Act requires that very hazardous substances are
under the control of an Approved Handler. In addition, the
sale, transfer and use of some of the most hazardous substances
need to be recorded or ‘tracked'. To take delivery of a
tracked substance you will need to ensure that an Approved
Handler is in place.
What are the Qualifications for approved
handlers?
The criteria for an approved handler is set out in the HSNO
personal Qualifications regulations
(1)Before being appointed as an approved handler, a person
must know and be able to describe certain matters e.g a) the
hazard classifications of those hazardous substances for which
he or she is to be an approved handler: b)the adverse effects
that could be caused by each of those substances:
(2)The person must also know and be able to demonstrate a
working knowledge of the operating equipment (including
protective clothing and equipment) necessary to manage those
hazardous substances for which he or she is to be an approved
handler.
(3)A written record that-
(a)is signed by the provider of a course of instruction or a
work supervisor; and
(b)describes the method used to assess a person's knowledge
and practical skills and the results of that assessment- is
sufficient evidence on which a test certifier may decide
whether or not to issue a test certificate as an approved
handler to that person.