MT. PROSPECT, Ill. - A new safety coalition has been formed to address various safety issues within the air conditioning and refrigeration industry. The AC&R Safety Coalition has chosen R-410A safety as its first project. The newly manufactured R-410A air conditioning systems require contractors and technicians to shift to different tools and equipment, safety standards, and fundamentals when installing, retrofitting, and repairing systems in the field.

As more manufacturers build air conditioning equipment using R-410A, it is important that contractors and technicians understand the safe handling, proper charging, operating characteristics, and proper applications of this refrigerant. R-410A can only be used in equipment specifically designed and constructed for R-410A, and cannot be retrofitted from R-22 systems. It operates at considerably higher pressures and requires the use of special tanks, gauges, and recovery equipment. Also, refrigerant flow controls, valves, and driers have changed and must be properly applied with newly designed and built compressors.

R-410A is an azeotropic mixture and is presently marketed under the brand names of Puron, Suva 410A, and Gentron AZ-20.

The AC&R Safety Coalition training program prepares students and technicians for these new challenges. It includes a study workbook and CD-ROM and a certification exam. The program may be conducted either as a self-study or as a seminar.

The R-410A program is conducted through various organizations such as: Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), Ferris State University HVAC Institute (FSU), Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), Industrial Technology Excellence (ITE), Bacharach, and HVAC Excellence. For more information, call 800-726-9696.

Publication date: 11/28/2005