Webinar on possible updates to flammable charge limits

“Cool & Safe: Climate-friendly cooling is just one step away” is a free one-hour webinar on September 30 about the proposed update to the international standard for the use of flammable refrigerants in room air conditioners. It is organised by Environmental Action Germany and independent consulting firm HEAT, in cooperation with German development agency GIZ and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).

“This vote and the subsequent finalisation of the standard can be a milestone towards zero carbon cooling,” say the organisers. “The uptake of the proposed changes would allow much wider use of the natural refrigerant R290 (propane) in room air conditioners. In view of the dramatic rise in demand for such cooling appliances – an estimated 3.7 billion will be in use by 2050 – the transition to R290 will significantly reduce their environmental impact.”

As reported on HVAC&R News, Working Group 21 of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has released a proposal to update safety standard IEC 60335-2-40. This would allow larger amounts of flammable refrigerants such as propane (R290) and R32 in split system air conditioners, heat pumps and dehumidifiers. The draft document has been published, and committee members will vote and provide comments until October 30, 2020.

The webinar will look at the current update of safety standard IEC 60335-2-40, its technical implications and environmental consequences.

Speakers and topics include:

• Irene Papst (HEAT) – Benefits of a wider deployment of R290 in room air conditioners
• Asbjorn Vonsild (Chair of IEC working group 21) – IEC voting procedures
• Daniel Colbourne (HEAT) – The draft standard update, e.g., allowable charge sizes, mitigation measures to maintain safety while using A3 refrigerants
• Lara Teutsch (GIZ Proklima) – R290 split-type ACs – experience from technical cooperation with various countries

The webinar will be held on September 30 at 6pm (AEST) | 5.30pm (ACST) | 4pm (AWST).

For more information and to register, click here.