GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - As 2010 approaches, when R-410A refrigerant becomes the likely standard, more manufacturers are building air conditioning equipment using this refrigerant. To assist contractors and technicians in preparing for this refrigerant shift and help them understand the safety, safe handling, proper charging, operating characteristics, and proper applications of R-410A, wholesaler Sid Harvey Industries is offering a R-410A Safety Training and Certification program.

According to Sid Harvey's, all contractors and service personnel need to know: why R-410A can only be used in equipment specifically designed and constructed for R-410A and cannot be retrofitted from R-22 systems; why it operates at considerably higher pressures and requires the use of special tanks, gauges, and recovery equipment; how to handle R-410A properly and safely; and why all refrigerant flow controls, valves, and driers have changed and must be properly applied with newly designed and built compressors.

Successful test takers will receive a wall certificate, a wallet-sized certification card, and an embroidered shoulder patch from the AC&R Safety Coalition.