EME Newsletter MEssage #01/2021

NEWSLETTER
MESSAGE
NEWSLETTER FROM EUROVENT MIDDLE EAST
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03
INTERVIEW
Andrea Di Gregorio,
Executive Director, Reem,
the Energy Efficiency and
Renewables Office, Ras Al
Khaimah Municipality
FEATURES
Feeling the chill
Eurovent Recommendation
on air leakages published
LEAD
STORY
The chill factor
FEATURE
The roadmap to
securing better IAQ
TECHNICAL
PAPER
Selecting the right
refrigerant for your
commercial applications
Video: Building inspections
as means to improve
Energy Efficiency
www.eurovent.me

NEWSLETTER
CONTENTS
01 Letter to the industry
MESSAGE
02 Lead Story: The chill factor
03 Lead Story: Unlocking opportunities
for energy savings
04 Feature: Feeling the chill
05 Feature: Eurovent Recommendation
on air leakages published
06 Interview with Andrea Di Gregorio
07 Feature: The roadmap to securing
better IAQ
08 Technical Paper: Selecting the right
refrigerant for your commercial
applications
09 Video: Building inspections as means
to improve Energy Efficiency
10 Events: Eurovent Expert Webinar
LETTER
TO THE INDUSTRY
Ok, what’s next?
Eurovent Middle East has entered into its 5th year of
existence amid an ongoing global pandemic. The lack
of physical meetings, events, exhibitions, conferences
and seminars has taught us to make more use of
digital platforms and to conduct online meetings at
home while the kids redecorate the kitchen, dogs
reshape the sofa, and with the cat tanning on our
keyboard.
COVID-19 has drastically brought to our attention the
importance of our industry for public health and safety.
The supply of fresh, clean air has, for the moment,
gained more attention than the fight for better energy
efficiency. It is a warning that we should not sacrifice
the necessities of better air filtration for the sake of
saving energy. Both hugely important aspects need to
go hand in hand.
This understanding forms the basis for conclusions
of what to expect from the market in the years to
come. Overall, the HVACR industry fared well in 2020.
Overcoming challenges in the supply chain due to
the lockdowns in varying countries at varying times
was the main concern, while turn-overs remained
relatively stable. The decline in new building projects
seen in 2020 though will surely be felt in the coming
years.
However, the need for improved IAQ and safer indoor
spaces, along with the continued demand for energy
savings in existing buildings should compensate
somewhat the fall-out from new projects. But this will
also depend on the industry’s ability to raise awareness
on the socio-economic necessities of making our
buildings safer through enhanced ventilation and air
filtration.
That will be among the top priorities of Eurovent
Middle East’s activities to come. Education and
awareness are the basis on which to build our future.
The industry is responsible for providing stakeholders
with the necessary level of knowledge of products and
technologies and enabling informed decisions. For this,
Eurovent Middle East, in cooperation with its members,
is working on an enhanced training and education
programme which shall foster competence in the region.
We invite everyone to become an active part of how we
shape our future. Watching from the sidelines may be
comfortable, but it won’t bring change. The question
isn’t ‘What WE are waiting for’, but ‘What ARE we waiting
for?’ Let’s go do it!
Kind greetings,
Markus Lattner
Managing Director
Eurovent Middle East
www.eurovent.me
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03

NEWSLETTER
LEAD STORY
The chill factor
Commercial and industrial refrigeration tends to fall by the wayside in the
transformation towards greener technologies, despite major technological
advancements in the sector offering greater opportunity for more energy savings and
reduced operational costs. Eurovent Middle East digs deeper.
Food safety, energy efficiency
and the reduction of Greenhouse
Gases are the major drivers of
modern technologies in the field
of commercial and industrial
refrigeration. Despite initial
reluctance of stakeholders in
the region to adopt alternative
refrigerants, such as CO2 and
Ammonia, successful case studies
have showcased the viability of these
refrigeration systems. Technical
advancements have also addressed
the initial challenges related to
equipment and components that
can be installed in the Middle East,
making a case for its adoption.
However, the lack of specific
regulations in this area creates a
roadblock for the adoption of better
systems. As such, there is greater
need for education to ensure better
understanding and implementation
of new solutions available in the
market. The region could also
benefit from the examples set by
Europe, which has taken the lead in
Eco-design and F-Gas regulations.
This is especially true when it comes
to handling alternative refrigerants,
as the feedback from the industry
shows.
Navigating the refrigerants landscape
The global refrigeration sector has
undergone a slow yet steady change
over the years, as stakeholders are
forced to navigate an increasingly
stringent refrigerant landscape,
albeit to varying degrees. Francesco
Scuderi, Deputy Secretary General,
Eurovent Association, names the
increasing popularity of natural
refrigerants, such as CO2, across
Europe as an important landmark
for commercial refrigeration.
Rafael Van Eijcken, General
Manager – Middle East, Turkey and
India, Baltimore Aircoil Middle East
LLC agrees, also speaking on how
natural refrigerants remain high on
the agenda of governments across
Europe. “While many installations
still run with non-natural and
heavy refrigerants, most large
industrial refrigeration systems
take advantage and preference to
run with Ammonia, a common and
easily available natural refrigerant
that provides high energy
efficiencies and is non-polluting to
the environment.”
Providing an end-user perspective,
Bjorn Ostbye shares the same
observation. As the Manager of
Project Development for Lulu
Group International, a multinational
conglomerate operating a chain of
hypermarkets and retail companies
in the region, he says banned
refrigerants are already on the way
out and are being replaced with
new, acceptable options, though
this is still coming at a very slow
pace. “The Kigali Agreement is a
massive milestone for the industry
and the world, and the Middle East
market must be quick to adapt,” he
adds. “We must be careful now not
to become a ‘dumping place’ from
other markets and ensure that all
old installations will be updated as
soon as possible.”
Andrea Cavalet, Contracting and
After Sales Director, EPTA Middle
East, says it is only a matter of
time before customers recognise
Francesco Scuderi
Rafael Van Eijcken
the need to transition as part of a
global trend, and that considering
the lifetime of a supermarket and
the deadlines given by Kigali, it is
vital to take urgent action. “Main
supermarket chains should decide
right now which direction to take in
new projects in order to avoid much
higher expenses in the future,” he
says.
For Michele Mohorovicich, Marketing
Manager Refrigeration – EMEA,
CAREL Industries, although
there is still widespread usage
of refrigerants with high global
warming potential (GWP) in
the Middle East, food retailers
are constantly being pushed by
regulatory pressure to reduce
the carbon footprint of their
refrigeration systems. This, he says,
will force them to think of using
natural refrigerants which can
help meet stricter requirements
related to energy savings and
efficiency. “Also, the availability of
high GWP refrigerants is constantly
decreasing,” he points out. “This is
also a driver to push forward with
the implementation of natural or
other alternative refrigerants with
lower GWP. Essentially, if the region
wants to stay competitive, sooner or
later all manufacturers will need to
embrace this shift, and everyone will
need to follow.”
Cavalet believes there has been
some positive momentum in the
region. He says that CO2 has
already been tried in the UAE and
successful installations have shown
how a supermarket chain can
implement these green refrigerants
at low cost and achieve high
efficiency. “There is no reason why
alternate refrigerants should not be
implemented in the Middle East.”
Building a knowledge base
Weighing in, Jelle Wagelmans,
Business Development Manager,
Evapco Europe BVBA, points out
that when it comes to the adoption
of natural refrigerants in the
Middle East, there is still room
for improvement with respect to
educating the local market. “The
high-ambient temperature is an
extra hurdle to implement CO2
in refrigeration systems in the
Middle East efficiently,” he says.
“If you operate systems at high
pressure there is less room for
errors, that’s why people in the
region are hesitating as there is a
lack of knowledge. However, this
is something we will need to work
on as the whole world is marching
towards a carbon neutral society.”
Van Eijcken says that although
there is some delay in the full
implementation of new standards
and technologies in the region,
leveraging on the experience
from overseas markets, once the
position and direction is clear
among local stakeholders, would
help accelerate the transition to
natural refrigerants. Scuderi says
that the Middle East region could
learn a great deal from European
manufacturers who have built a
knowledge base from operating in
countries that have had to adapt
to the phaseout schedule at an
earlier time. “In Europe they are
skilled enough, but it was not the
case 14 years ago when it had
just started,” he says. He explains
that in the beginning, major
manufacturers in Europe had their
own academies to train technicians
internally and externally, including
senior engineers that handle more
traditional equipment. In a similar
fashion, Scuderi says that in the
Middle East, there is a clear need
for an academy for installers for
solutions with natural refrigerants
to ensure safe operations as part
of a long-term strategy. “There
needs to be a clear knowledge
base among trainers, installers
and maintenance personnel when
it comes to the use of CO2 for
commercial applications,” he says.
Mohorovicich also says that if local
industry associations promote
training programmes to cultivate
skilled workforce the same trend
can be replicated in the Middle
East. Cavalet adds that increasing
the competence of technicians
would also reassure customers
who would then see less barriers
in the implementation of such
solutions. He adds that this will
support the work of advanced
industries in the market, which act
as consultants to the customers
in order to educate and drive
them towards the adoption of
more environmentally friendly
refrigerants.
Ostbye believes that such a trend is
natural. “Most of the developments
in the industry are done by
manufacturers forced by the drive
to catch market shares,” he says,
pointing out that this marks the
difference between companies
willing to make the change and
Bjorn Ostbye
Andrea Cavalet
Michele Mohorovicich
Jelle Wagelmans
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MARCH 2021 VOL. 03

NEWSLETTER
LEAD STORY
those that are simply sitting
back to watch change happen.
“Responsible suppliers should
work closer with the market and
arrange training for those that are
interested in improvements and
learning,” he says. Ostbye adds
that the industry would benefit
from tapping into the incredible
level of experience of experts in
the region and inviting specialists
from other parts of the world to
share their experience even after
retirement.
Putting the R in SMART
In addition to accommodating the
evolving refrigerant landscape,
another important variable
shaping the industry is the
growing demand for smarter
controls. Ostbye says that the
rise of Artificial Intelligence
(AI) monitoring of refrigeration
installations and operations
greatly helps keep installations
healthy, promote longer lifespan
and lower operational costs. “It
will also make it easier for the end
user to ensure that temperature
and humidity are maintained and,
therefore, the quality of products
are maintained,” he says.
Van Eijcken is in agreement.
“There is increasing demand
from customers to measure and
trend the running conditions
of their equipment in order to
optimise the system operation
towards varying capacity demand,
maximum energy and water
savings, among other variables,”
he says. “The more one supplier
can integrate into their equipment
and/or can provide such solutions
-- the stronger the competitive
advantage.” Van Eijcken says that
although the industry seems to
run a bit behind with only few
or limited solutions available to
date, leading manufacturers are
integrating full controls in the new
products launched in the market
and that this will be a trend
moving forward, exclaiming that
“To measure is to know!”.
Adding to this, Mohorovicich
says that it is now becoming
imperative to have the option to
When supported by good
consulting engineers, many
customers do consider
longer term perspectives
and realise optimal
efficiency and reliability
potentials
properly evaluate the performance
of the whole retail chain, analysing
the behaviour of all the different
units and areas in order to spot
strange deviations from the standard
expected working operation. “One of
the approaches that could potentially
bring among the largest savings
in supermarkets is related to the
implementation of cloud connectivity
solutions and IoT technologies,” he
says. “Data is definitely to become
the king in this sector and real-time,
data-driven energy programmes
can transform energy-intensive
supermarkets into a flexible and
reliable asset.”
For Wagelmans, such transparency
is not only useful to reduce the
system downtime, but it can also
assist to ensure safety. “If you
talk about systems with natural
refrigerants, it is getting more
critical. The system will need to be
monitored closely, to allow quick
action in case something goes
wrong,” he says. “That’s where
cloud connectivity and AI can play an
important role in the future.”
For Scuderi adoption is most
prevalent in bigger companies. “If
we look at big supermarket chains,
for sure the trend is that all display
cabinets and cooling installations
are under a monitoring system,
which helps in controlling energy
consumption and maintenance,”
he says. “Telemonitoring is
almost a must. Our European
manufactures provide turnkey
systems with sensors to monitor
everything remotely. This is quite
important to help in maintenance
and fine-tuning the performance
of a supermarket. For sure, smart
controls and a clear integration
between HVAC and refrigeration in
a supermarket is the best way.”
Mohorovicich adds that this also
goes a long way when it comes to
reducing operational expenditure.
However, he adds that while the
market is appreciative, there is
still a long way to go in order to
convince the end user to embrace
and understand the benefits of
investing in IoT solutions and digital
technologies. “The focus should
be put on identifying appropriate
innovative business models
aimed at bringing real value and
benefits in the eye of end users,”
he says. “I think also end users
and manufacturers should work
together in a co-creation way to
unlock the value behind these
technologies.”
Shifting mindsets and regulations
Cavalet says that while a number
of solutions have gained stronger
ground in Europe reflecting the
market’s drive to reduce running
costs, in the Middle East available
solutions such as Electronic
Expansion Valves, VFDs on
the compressors racks, EC
condenser fans and monitoring
systems, are not yet widely
implemented with most of the
main supermarket chains placing
a focus on capital cost, often
overlooking operational cost.
As such, Van Eijcken says the
Middle East region would greatly
benefit from shifting towards a
long-term mindset. “The HVAC
industry is the largest energy
consumer in the region and
accordingly has the pressure
towards continuous improvement
in terms of quality and energy
savings,” he says. “Although the
strong desire for high quality,
the regional high pressure on
costs and pricing, and the many
different global solutions offered
on the market make it difficult for
buyers to balance the important
aspects of quality and energy
against the attractive initial
installed savings, this results
too often in year-round system
inefficiency, reduced durability,
unsafe operation and intensive
maintenance of the equipment.”
Van Eijcken adds that proper
evaluation of quality and energy
requires a holistic systems
approach and a total cost of
ownership perspective over
the lifetime of the installation.
“Absence of such an approach too
often results in choosing lower
grade equipment because of the
initial purchase attractiveness,”
he says. “However, when
supported by good consulting
engineers, many customers do
consider longer term perspectives
and realise optimal efficiency and
reliability potentials, which then
often triggers an appetite for further
system improvements.” At the end
of the day, Van Eijcken says that
one should not only look to new
technologies to provide energy
savings. “Alternative, meaning
long existing and readily available
technologies may provide significant
advantages as well,” he says.
Nevertheless, to help achieve this
change in mindset, there has to be
push from regulatory stakeholders.
Ostbye says that the industry is still
very slow to act, especially in relation
to adoption of natural refrigerants,
with the majority leaving it up to the
end user to decide when and how to
act. “Therefore, it would be a great
help if there is instruction from
Authorities in the region to speed up
the process,” he says.
Cavalet adds that such a move is
important considering regulations,
along with customer demand
and industry recommendations,
typically dictate the technologies
implemented in the commercial
refrigeration market. “Local
regulations are not giving strong
directions that can drive the
decisions of the customers,” he says,
adding that he hopes a push towards
a more sustainable approach, which
is a key focus of the World Expo to
be held in October 2021 in Dubai,
would improve the awareness in the
market and boost implementation of
better technologies. The advantages
of such an approach can already
be observed in Europe, Cavalet
says, pointing to the introduction
of the F-Gas Regulation in 2014.
“Short and clear deadlines were
introduced that forced the industries
and the customers to invest and
introduce new technologies. R744
(CO2) technology had in this time
the biggest push in the history of the
refrigeration market and it is now
the most common refrigerant used.”
Weighing in, Scuderi provides
further updates on the progress
that the regulatory landscape in
Europe. “March 1, 2021 served
as the application date for the
2005 Ecodesign regulations for
commercial refrigeration,” he says.
“The regulatory process started
2005 and it has been a long path
in between. The industry has been
getting ready for this challenge and
there was a strong push for a clear
regulatory environment, applying a
progressive green thinking resulting
in low consumption equipment. I
would consider for the Middle East a
similar kind of ecodesign regulation
to push out worst performing
products.”
Scuderi adds that an important
aspect of the Eco-design regulation
is that it will be mandatory to provide
retailers with maintenance and all
related information on how to repair
the system, including dismantling
the product. “This is a step towards
a circular economy,” he stresses.
“Circular refers to recyclability of
components, including each single
screw present in a cabinet. All in
all, this helps in the reduction of
CO2 emissions thanks to the use
of refrigerants with lower GWP and
the use of remote maintenance and
controls in supermarkets. This is a
key step has been made mandatory
in Europe starting from March 1.
It would be reasonable to consider
the same path in the Middle East.
The technology is there, European
companies are ready to do it – so,
why not?”
Eurovent Middle East hosted
a webinar on supermarket
retrofits last November. The
recordings of the presentations
on technologies and solutions
are available on our YouTube
channel. They provide
comprehensive insight into the
above-mentioned options to
improve energy consumption in
supermarkets.
www.eurovent.me
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03

NEWSLETTER
LEAD STORY
Unlocking opportunities for
energy savings
Industry experts present tips that they believe would help in unlocking further energy
savings in commercial and industrial refrigeration projects…
Jan Svallingson, Director of Business
Development, Frico AB:
Jan Svallingson says air curtains are gaining widespread acceptance in supermarkets and cold
storage facilities owing to its contribution to the reduction of overall energy consumption. “You avoid
cold air leaking out, which means the cooling equipment doesn’t have to work that much,” he says.
“By showcasing the decrease in energy bills such solutions offer, owners of cold rooms and big
supermarket chains have a better understanding of the financial savings they can achieve.” Svallingson
says further savings can be realised in the use of air curtains that have more sophisticated controls and
offer more automation adjusting to user requirements. “These are the things that people are asking for
because this is what helps with day-to-day operations,” he says, adding the sector is adapting to these
shifting demands.
Bjorn Ostbye, Manager of
Project Development for Lulu
Group International
Bjorn Ostbye says that due to the high
temperature in air cooled condensers during
the summer months, he believes there will
be more and more water-cooled condensers
using chilled water from District Cooling and
central HVAC plants. “This will give a much
better efficiency of compressor plants, and
huge energy savings, perhaps up to 30-40%
during the hot summer months,” he says.
“This will also allow us to keep the HVAC
installation in a dedicated temperaturecontrolled
room for an extended life span.”
In addition, Ostbye says he expects to see
more use of self-contained display units
using water loops to remove the heat and
help reduce operational cost.
Francesco Scuderi, Deputy
Secretary General, Eurovent
Association:
Francesco Scuderi says energy saving can be
achieved following the use of low consumption
fans in display cabinets, LED lighting and the
introduction of doors in chilled cabinets. “We can
consider a saving of about 50% by converting
open cabinets into closed ones,” he says. “These
are the trends that represent the current status
in Europe, but which are only partially present
in the Middle East.” He adds that the solutions
have largely become the norm in Europe as they
have resulted in important energy savings and
reduction of operating costs, which makes for
an attractive payback. “It depends on options
we are considering, but we can see something
below three years,” he says. “Considering an
average lifetime of commercial refrigeration
equipment is 8-10 years, then such an RoI is
quite significant.”
Frank Taaning-Grundholm, Vice President,
Global HVACR Sales, ABB Motion:
Frank Taaning-Grundholm says that it is very common to have compressor racks installed with
multiple compressors in supermarkets and shopping malls. “The energy efficiency of a compressor is
best when it is running at full load, but you don’t always need the full capacity,” he says. “You will then
stage the compressors on or off to match as closely as possible the actual load in the system, but you
would still not be able to match it 100%. If you use variable speed drives instead, you can reduce the
speed on one or more compressors based on the system load and lowest energy consumption of the
system, thereby, improving the energy efficiency of the system.” Taaning-Grundholm says that doing so
would also ensure that the temperature will be more stable, and this allows the use of a more narrow
control band, which adds to the potential energy savings, as the system can run closer to the setpoint,
so the average temperature is higher, without ever exceeding the setpoint.
Rafael Van Eijcken, General Manager – Middle East,
Turkey and India, Baltimore Aircoil Middle East LLC:
Rafael Van Eijcken says maximum energy savings have been realised on projects that focus on the
largest energy consumer in an HVAC system -- the chiller. “If a system is designed to operate with
the lowest chiller energy, meaning the lowest compressor lift, significant energy savings are realised
thanks to a slightly larger cooling tower that can provide the lowest possible water temperature to
the chiller,” he says. “This example demonstrates that a design with a slightly bigger tower, with an
eventually slightly higher fan power, can realise bigger overall system energy savings through the
chiller.” Building further on this example, he points out that HVAC systems in the region are exposed
to dusty environments which lead to fouling in the installation and gradually degrades the system
efficiency. “This requires regular cleaning which is exhaustive in efforts, time and costs,” he says. “With
a slightly higher initial installed cost, closing the loop by connecting closed circuit Cooling Towers to
the chiller will easily guarantee the highest chiller efficiency over its lifetime.”
www.eurovent.me
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03

NEWSLETTER
FEATURE
Feeling the chill
Industry Networks (BNC) looks at the future of the commercial refrigeration
market in the region
By Dania Shehadeh, Research Analyst, BNC
Commercial refrigeration applications
fall under two major sectors, Urban
Construction which includes shopping
malls and the Industrial sector
which includes the infrastructure
for the manufacturing, storage and
distribution of items such as food and
medicines.
Emirates airline group after the UAE
and Israel agreed to normalise ties. The
project which is currently in progress
aims to serve Jewish customers in the
aviation, hospitality, F&B, and events
sector including the upcoming Expo
2020. Elsewhere, a Food Techno Park is
under design in Oman which is to cater
all aspects of the food industry, ensuring
high-quality and safe food is available
in the country. Also, in Oman, plans for
a Central Fruits & Vegetables Market
is underway in Khazaen Economic
City providing wholesale outlets and
retail shops, in addition to complete
warehousing and cold storage logistics
solutions for multiple products such as
fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat.
Among other things the pandemic has
taught the region, is to manufacture
more and store more when it comes to
essential items and particularly food
and medicine. While 2021 is off to a
slow start the future for commercial
refrigeration in the region is bright.
About Industry Networks and BNC
Industry Networks offers the
construction industry state-of-theart
sales automation systems deeply
integrated with constantly updated
project information.
BNC intelligence, our project
intelligence service, is the largest
construction database in the MEA
region, with 28.500+ live construction
projects estimated at 11,1t USD (40,8t
AED). The BNC intelligence database
spans the urban construction, oil
& gas, transportation, utilities, and
industrial sectors.
BNC intelligence is used by thousands
of business leaders and construction
industry professionals every day, to
track developments, gain insight on
projects, and do business in the MEA
construction industry.
The macro industry level analysis
of the project market size of these
two key sectors in 2020 vs 2019 can
be extrapolated to the underlying
industries and provides some insights
into work that the region has to offer.
The GCC industrial projects market
grew by an estimated 5% YoY due to the
strong contribution by Saudi Arabia and
to a lesser degree by Kuwait and Oman,
compensating for the contraction in the
UAE and Qatar. The Urban Construction
market however has contracted 2% YoY
across the GCC with every country’s
market shrinking, other than Saudi
Arabia’s.
The retail industry has been one
of the hardest hit sectors due the
economic fallout of the pandemic
adversely affecting the need for
commercial refrigeration. The overall
need for commercial refrigeration
however is expected to grow with the
development of food processing plants
and distribution centres to support the
logistics infrastructure that the region
is building to support e-commerce and
to secure its place in the global supply
chain.
Even though the retail projects pipeline
in the GCC were heavily impacted
by the pandemic, some major retail
construction projects are now back
in progress. One of the largest retail
projects currently under construction
is the Traders Market project in Dubai.
Also known as the Yiwu Market, the
project is being developed by the Chinabased
Zhejiang China Commodity City
Group (CCC) and is a key initiative to
embed Dubai in the supply chain that
originates in China.
The multi-billion Dollar project is to
be a one-stop purchasing destination
that will allow trading in bulk and
retail, either online or offline. It will
open doors to businesses from all
around the world and allow them to
have access to wholesale discounts
with reduced supply chain costs. The
market will consist of two purposebuilt
sections, the first section will have
1,600 showrooms and parallel to them
will be 324 bonded warehouses that
will host traders from several sectors
including food and beverages.
Dubai’s upcoming Yiwu Market is a
replica of the Chinese Yiwu Market and
aims to bring the success this megamarket
has in China to the region.
Despite the challenges that were
brought by the pandemic in 2020 the
under-construction project is expected
to adapt to the new changes and grow
since the first phase of the market is to
be completed around the same time of
Expo 2020 which is also located directly
opposite the exhibition area.
Another remarkable project also
being built in Dubai that will require
commercial refrigeration is a Kosher
production facility announced by
Eurovent Recommendation
on air leakages published
Document presents guidelines for improving Indoor Air Quality
and reducing energy consumption
The Eurovent Product Group ‘Air Handling Units’ (PG-AHU) has published the first
edition of Eurovent Recommendation 6/15 – Air Leakages in Air Handling Units. The
Recommendation presents guidelines for improving Indoor Air Quality and correcting
the performance of Air Handling Units due to internal leakages.
Eurovent Recommendation 6/15 is the
first comprehensive publication that
gives an in-depth overview of the issue
of air leakages in Air Handling Units,
including:
• Explanation of leakage types
• Reference to related standards and
regulations
• Clarification of leakage indicators
• Typical leakage rates for various
design options
• Guidance on design, commissioning
and maintenance for eliminating or
minimising leakages
• Correction of Air Handling Unit
performance due to internal leakages
Mr Igor Sikonczyk, Secretary of the
Eurovent PG-AHU, stated: “The
fundamental role of mechanical
ventilation is to renew polluted indoor
air with fresh outdoor air in order
to provide a safe and healthy indoor
environment. One of the problems
in achieving this objective is air
leakage occurring in the duct network
and in the Air Handling Units. Our
new Recommendation sets out the
principles for good practices to limit
air leakages to ultimately improve
Indoor Air Quality and reduce energy
consumption.”
The Eurovent Recommendation
6/15 is addressed to all ventilation
and air conditioning professionals,
including system planners, installers
and manufacturers. It is available for
download free of charge in the Eurovent
Document Web Shop.
https://eurovent.eu/?q=content/
eurovent-615-2021-air-leakages-airhandling-units-first-edition
www.eurovent.me
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03

NEWSLETTER
INTERVIEW
‘We see the private sector as
a multiplier of our efforts ’
Andrea Di Gregorio, Executive Director, Reem, the Energy Efficiency and Renewables
Office, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, speaks with Eurovent Middle East on the
progress the emirate has made towards its ambitious sustainability targets, the
importance of public and private sector collaborations, and why addressing HVAC is
fundamental to the emirate’s energy efficiency initiatives…
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Municipality
has come a long way in its
development as an emirate, not only
in terms of its burgeoning tourism
activities, but also in terms of being
an example of what Municipalities
in the Middle East can do when it
comes to driving change in renewable
energy and energy efficiency. Could
you comment on the progress that
RAK has made in terms of setting and
achieving energy efficiency goals?
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK)
Municipality, together with many
of the government entities in RAK,
established the Ras Al Khaimah
Energy Efficiency and Renewables
Strategy 2040 (EE&R Strategy) in
2018. By the end of 2019, most of the
programmes were already activated.
Today, we are at a stage where we
have an institutional set-up present
and we have a committee managing
the programmes under this
Strategy. There is Reem, the Energy
Efficiency and Renewables Office
in RAK Municipality supporting the
coordination of the programmes.
Most programmes have a regulatory
base, which allows them to progress
according to certain standards, and
there are already multiple projects
ongoing. This is the status today.
Our targets are ambitious, we target
30% energy savings, 20% energy
from renewables, and 20% water
savings by 2040 and we are just at
the beginning of the journey. Our
mission, and perhaps this is the
most challenging part of our work,
is that regardless of the economic
climate and situation, which may
vary in the coming years, we must
ensure the strategy remains on
track over a long period of time.
Could you comment on the progress
that Barjeel, the green building
regulations, has made since its
implementation?
I think Barjeel is a success story
of RAK in recent times in terms
of green policy making. Barjeel
was started on a voluntary basis
at the beginning of 2019 and was
made mandatory for all buildings
at the end of January 2020. By
the end of last year, we had about
2400 buildings permitted under
Barjeel. We only have a handful of
completed buildings because a lot
were permitted just a few months
ago, and most are still under
construction. There is an important
learning process as well in these
construction stages.
At over 2400 buildings, we have
good market acceptance, because
there were no exceptions in the
permitting process. It has been
a successful start. Of course,
Barjeel is a platform for continuous
improvement, therefore the process
itself foresees a periodic update
of requirements. For example, the
Municipality is already working
on updating some requirements
following the update of the efficiency
standards of HVAC systems that
ESMA is applying from this year.
In addition, there is an area of work
we want to investigate, which is how
to promote efficiency standards
Andrea Di Gregorio
beyond the minimum set by Barjeel.
We want to promote actions and
developments that go beyond these
minimum requirements, and for this
we are thinking about a form of a
rating scheme allowing developers
to have market recognition for extra
investments in green buildings.
Could you provide an overview of
upcoming projects that RAK is doing
in the coming months? How has
it adjusted to the “new normal” of
COVID?
The Covid pandemic is challenging
for most sectors of the global
economy. Generally speaking,
progress of energy efficiency has
not been affected as much as other
sectors. This is especially true in the
case of renewable energy. In fact, in
some geographies around the world
we saw an acceleration in renewable
energy projects.
In the first half of last year, the
International Energy Agency had
issued a sustainable recovery plan
where they were projecting 1.1%
incremental growth in the global
economy in a scenario of energyfocused
investments. In RAK, we
share the same views. We believe
that investment in energy efficiency
still has high priority, and probably
has a higher priority than ever
before because of multiple reasons.
Firstly, it helps participants save
cost. Secondly, it supports local
supply chains who deliver energy
efficiency solutions.
For these reasons, RAK
government is confirming its
commitment to the targets and
to the capital investments that
were planned, despite the new
economic scenario. The Building
Retrofits programme will continue
this year, expanding to a larger
number of government and semigovernment
buildings, and we will
soon see a more comprehensive
implementation of energy
management practices across all
government entities as part of a
joint project. There is an ongoing
tender for solar PV in multiple
locations, which brings together
government, semi-government
and private entities. There is also
ongoing work in the development
of regulatory standards for the
public realm. Barjeel already
addresses individual buildings, and
the Municipality is now working
on sustainability standards for
the public realm, promoting more
sustainable communities.
How much of the success can
be attributed to concerted efforts
towards unlocking the potential
that energy efficiency in the HVACR
sector offers, considering other
initiatives tend to tackle “low hanging
fruits” rather than the more complex
systems that contribute to energy
consumption?
HVAC, being a major contributor
to the energy consumption of
buildings, is, for us, probably the
highest priority in our programmes
for existing buildings. We tend
to target retrofit projects and
MoU signing between RAK Municipality and EESL
energy management projects with
a payback of less than five years.
This typically allows significant
upgrades of HVAC, through either
replacements or improvements with
systems like adiabatic cooling. There
is almost always some significant
value that can be unlocked with
HVAC in existing buildings.
Also, HVAC design choices are
important for the efficiency of new
buildings. For this reason, they
are at the core of Barjeel, which
for example promotes standards
that are higher than the minimum
requirements of ESMA in terms
of efficiency of air conditioning
systems.
It makes sense to make a point
here about collaboration with
the private sector. As I said, our
programmes in RAK generate
demand for more efficient systems
and promote the development of
a local supply, but of course the
government can’t do everything.
Here, we look to the private sector
to step in and take advantage of the
pipeline of opportunities that are
being generated. The 2400 buildings
permitted under Barjeel are 2400
buildings that need efficient HVAC.
If we retrofit hundreds of buildings,
that’s hundreds of buildings that
need more efficient HVAC. We want
the private sector to benefit from
this value pie, and also help us
increase the size of the pie.
That’s why RAK government has put
in place systems of incentives for
companies to establish a local base
in RAK. These incentives range from
lower set-up costs, advantageous
rents, better support in business
development and a number of other
www.eurovent.me
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03

NEWSLETTER
INTERVIEW
benefits deployed through RAKEZ,
the free zone, and the Department
of Economic Development. This will
help us establish an ecosystem in
RAK that will work as a multiplier of
the government efforts.
Could you talk a little bit on what
RAK, and the Reem office is doing, in
particular when it comes to educating
and providing awareness to the
citizens of RAK about saving energy?
How much work is placed on building
awareness among people to drive a
change in their habits? Could you talk
on the changes that you have seen
as a result and what you hope to see
down the line?
Awareness is a very generic
term and, for us, it’s important to
understand awareness in the context
of its purpose. Initially, when we
activated the EE&R Strategy, the
main objective was to have entities
participate in the programmes. The
awareness was directed towards
stakeholder entities, to make
sure they were taking part in the
programmes, and to the supply
chain, to make sure they were
knowledgeable of the standards.
More recently, we have started
expanding awareness to larger
societal segments, including the
general public. In this area, the
main objective is to promote more
conscious consumption behaviors.
The UAE, and also RAK, has a
fairly high energy intensity in
buildings and part of this is due to
consumption behavior.
Last year, we ran two campaigns,
one for schools called the “RAK
Energy Innovation Competition”
under the hashtag #RAKinnovates
which drew the participation of
more than 50 schools. It was quite
successful with over 120 projects
submitted by students proposing
ideas on how to improve and
promote better energy consumption
in their community. The winning
teams under this competition have
been recently awarded.
There was also a campaign for the
general public, called “Energy In
Your Hands”, where residents were
asked to showcase examples of
good consumption behaviors and we
received hundreds of submissions
from residents across different
social media channels. We launched
an initiative called “RAK Energy
Efficiency News” as well, where
we publish short videos on energy
efficiency projects. Some examples
are the solar carport installation at
the Municipality and retrofit projects
of the Municipality and RAKEZ.
Another campaign that is ongoing
this year is “Energy Efficiency Tips”,
where we issue weekly energy
efficiency advice for residents. We
also have something very interesting
in our plan, between a programme
and an awareness campaign, that
will be launched later this year.
How much of the success and
movement that Reem office has made
can be attributed to cooperation,
considering RAK, and the Reem
office in particular, has been active
in spearheading collaborations with
a number of entities over the years?
Could you comment on the value that
collaboration between the public and
private sector will bring when it comes
to overarching sustainability goals?
As you can see from the formulation
of our strategy, collaboration is key
to our success. The strategy consists
of a collection of programmes with
a dedicated government entity
managing each programme and
part of a committee of entities that
meet regularly. So, collaboration
within the government is part of
the institutional set up of the EE&R
Strategy.
In the new circumstances following
the Covid pandemic, we are also
expanding and exploring new
collaboration models with suppliers
that are very much focused on
risk sharing and flexibility. This
is working already with some
contracting mechanisms that
have seen new methods of
collaboration. An example of this is
a recent government-wide retrofit
of buildings, where contracting
mechanisms are structured in a
flexible way to take into account
uncertain circumstances.
We want more than this, for example
we also seek collaboration from the
supply side in terms of business
development. We see the private
sector as a multiplier of our efforts,
and we want them to be a multiplier
also in business development for
sustainable energy.
Collaboration with peer institutions
in other geographies is also
Winners of Energy In Your Hands Campaign
important for us. Our programmes
and regulations were developed
with the help of consultation
panels including many local and
international organisations, such
as energy agencies that contributed
knowledge of their programmes.
We are benefiting from knowledge
exchanges about industrial
programmes and residential
programmes, and these will be
applied in upcoming initiatives.
We also deal with Trade Associations.
This is more to connect with potential
suppliers, to make international
supply markets aware of the size
and types of opportunities available
in RAK, and accessible through
RAK in the Middle East. We are also
collaborating with universities and
research institutions when it comes
to specialised expertise, training
and involvement of the youth in our
programs.
Could you comment on the importance
of associations, such as Eurovent
Middle East, in serving as a bridge
between the private and the public
sector? How do such associations help
promote a more cohesive dialogue
that can move the needle in these
regulatory affairs?
Associations of this type are a
natural counterpart for us, from
a few different perspectives. We
have common interests in terms
of awareness -- awareness of the
final users and of the buyer market.
They can also be good partners
for capacity building, because
they could provide support for our
training programmes, and help their
member organisations access our
programs. Another important thing
is that they can help us in promoting
the adoption of higher technical
standards, and in fact some of them
are also part of our consultation
panels for the periodic updates of
our standards and regulations.
Speaking as a representative of the
public sector, what is your message to
manufacturers in the HVACR industry
in terms of what support they need to
provide to government entities such
as Reem, which is dedicated to energy
efficiency?
As I mentioned, there are plenty
of opportunities for HVAC
manufacturers and distributors
who can deliver high standards of
product quality and service levels.
We would like to have them more
present here and help us develop
the local market. Our office in the
Municipality doesn’t typically buy
their products directly but it is
prepared to connect supply and
demand. Therefore, industry players
who want to have more visibility of
areas of opportunity can reach out to
us. We are here to support.
For a more a comprehensive
overview of initiatives,
programmes, and strategies
within Ras Al Khaimah, visit the
following links:
• Reem, the Energy Efficiency
and Renewables Office
• Ras Al Khaimah Energy
Efficiency and Renewables
Strategy 2040
• Barjeel - Green Building
Regulations
• Building Retrofit Programme
• Energy Management
Programme
www.eurovent.me
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03

NEWSLETTER
FEATURE
The roadmap to
securing better IAQ
In view of the projected growth of ventilation solutions as a result of COVID-19,
Eurovent Middle East looks at the importance of implementing a regulatory
framework to ensure solutions and practices in the region lead to better indoor air
quality (IAQ) that will protect building inhabitants in the years to come.
As the growing importance of indoor
air quality (IAQ) following COVID-19
drive greater demand for ventilation
solutions, there is also an urgent
need to develop a corresponding
regulatory framework that will
ensure design, installation and
maintenance practices truly reflect
the best interest of the building
inhabitants. Such a move is long
overdue, says William P. Bahnfleth,
Professor of Architectural
Engineering, The Pennsylvania
State University. “The pandemic
has created broad awareness of
the critical importance of indoor
air quality, which some – including
myself – have been preaching
about for decades,” he says. “The
consequences of poor ventilation
and filtration are now impacting the
everyday lives of virtually everyone
in the world, creating immense
human and economic damage. One
must hope that this experience will
lead to significant changes in the
way we view IAQ, with corresponding
changes to minimum standards and
best practices.”
Bahnfleth says that he thinks
infection control, which currently
is a priority only in hospitals and
related facilities, will be addressed
in air quality standards for all
buildings, which could lead to
increasing ventilation and filtration
requirements. “Because some air
quality improvements have the
potential to increase energy use, I
believe that there will be changes to
operations targeting better IAQ with
reduced energy use, for example,
advanced temporal and spatial
demand control that will both raise
IAQ and reduce energy use,” he says.
Igor Sikonczyk, Senior Technical
and Regulatory Affairs Manager,
Eurovent Association, believes that
concerns related to COVID-19 is
also a driving force behind the move
to implementing requirements
concerning air quality at the
European Union (EU) level. “The
European standardisation committee
initiated and launched a discussion
on whether there is a need to do
something in all standards related
to ventilation,” he says. “This should
also address COVID for future design
guidelines, because we have to be
prepared down the road. The new
standards should be able to face such
problems in the future. Hopefully, the
pandemic can spark a discussion on
some concrete requirements for IAQ
in Europe and, I believe, across the
world.”
Further highlighting the need for
regulation in this area, Bahnfleth also
points out that a recent study found
that over 40% of the roughly 100,000
schools in the US had heating,
ventilation, and air-conditioning
systems in need of significant repairs.
“In the US, we must have our vehicles
inspected every year and cannot
drive them legally until they meet
state standards, yet there are no
such requirements for the buildings
in which we spend nearly 90% of
our time and which are responsible
for about 40% of primary energy
use,” he says. “Energy certification
of buildings is a developing trend. I
think that performance requirements
should also address IAQ, which affects
the most costly part of a building –
those who inhabit it.”
Tariq Al Ghussein, CEO, Taqeef,
shares a similar opinion: “Like any
framework, regulatory guidelines
need to evolve with societal trends,
and COVID-19 will have shone a
spotlight on this area for sure,” he
says. “In my view it’s likely, that after
a period of reliable study, current
guidelines might well be adapted.
As a business, we follow REHVA and
the current ISO 16890 and EN 1822
protocols in all we do, while looking to
other industry leaders for examples of
best practice that we can emulate. As
an association it’s about sharing our
learnings and supporting each other
to constantly strive for better.”
This is especially true for the Middle
East, says Bahnfleth. He points out
that in the region, like in other parts
of the world, an overzealous focus on
energy and environment often leads to
the acceptance of marginal standards
for indoor environmental quality.
“If the countries of the Middle East
would simply adopt indoor air quality
standards of stringency equal to those
adopted in North America and Europe,
that would be a good start,” he says.
“Kuwait has been especially proactive
in pursuing the development of
appropriate standards for both energy
and indoor air quality.”
Weighing in, Dr Iyad Al-Attar,
Independent Air Filtration Consultant,
says that in the past, implementation
of existing standards was very lean
and filter acquisition has been
always price-driven. “We regard air
filters as expensive items and we
conduct meetings to fiercely obtain
substantial discounts for filter
acquisition,” he says. “Our minds
cease to grant air filter the “value” it
deserves. We miscalculate the cost by
equating price to value, and overlook
intellectual properties, technological
expertise, research and development
investments. By doing so, we reinforce
the view that filter testing; quality and
performance are peripheral to the
selection criteria. We, thus, bluntly
declare that such critical factors are
on the wrong side of our balance
sheet.” He stresses that there is
a huge gap between rhetoric and
actions when it comes to appropriate
filter selection, installation, and
performance. “The new ISO16890
test method correctly places
emphasis on filtration performance
related to particulate matter sizes,
hence, providing a more practical
test criteria than the outdated
EN779:2012,” he says. “However,
we need to realise that physical and
chemical characterisation of outdoor
air pollutants it essential to making
appropriate air filter selection.”
Sikonczyk says setting minimum
standards and promoting regulation
would also help move the industry
away from cost-centric thinking. “It’s
clear that developers want to cut
cost at the lowest possible level,”
he says. “The best incentive is a
regulation or obligatory minimum
requirements. Incentives to drive
this renovation wave should come
from the government but the other
driving force can come directly from
market. The awareness of people on
the impact of indoor air quality on
pandemic transmission and the effort
to contain pandemic development is
important. People that are in buildings
should know the importance of good
IAQ and they should expect more from
the developer and building owners.
They should ask, ‘What you are
offering here? Is the environment you
are selling safe or not?’. This would
force owners of buildings towards
renovation. This would be our role as
the industry or Association -- to make
people aware and promote some good
practices and good technologies.”
William P. Bahnfleth
Igor Sikonczyk
Tariq Al Ghussein
Dr Iyad Al Attar
For Dr Al-Attar, continuous aerosol
monitoring can be a game changer
as far as the number and type
of air filtration technology being
installed. “We ought to employ our
characterisation tools to reveal what
our lungs inhale and our eyes fail to
trace,” he says. “Once revealed what
was forever concealed, I am certain
that there is no price we will not pay
to attain the air quality needed for
each specific application.”
Dr Al Attar adds that another
challenge related to standards is
their suitability to Middle Eastern
climate conditions as far as
sandstorms, excessive moisture
and heat are concerned. “In the
Sahara Desert, such as the Arabian
Peninsula, sandstorms increase
the particle concentration in the air
and affect the dust loading of the
air filters in the air handling units,”
he says. Considering filtration is
location and application sensitive,
special considerations should be
granted to the climate conditions,
since they pose additional challenges
to the filtration performance, he
adds. “In fact, research has proven
that such conditions can contribute
to the deviation of filter performance
of that predicted by global testing
laboratories,” he says. “Various
atmospheric pollutants can easily
invade our indoor space using HVAC
systems as a vehicle if left untreated.
Since an adult typically breathes an
average of 10 litres of air per minute,
even a low concentration of airborne
contaminants represents a large
quantity of inhaled particles and can
pose health hazards.”
Bahnfleth says that while most
think of resilience as protecting
the building from hazards like
earthquakes and hurricanes, an
important essential change he hopes
to see is for the concept of resilience
to include protection of building
occupants, and for this to be widely
accepted and incorporated in design
standards and operating procedures.
www.eurovent.me
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03

NEWSLETTER
TECHNICAL PAPER
Selecting the right
refrigerant Selecting the right for refrigerant your
for your commercial applications
commercial applications
Technical Paper | Refrigerant alternatives in commercial applications
EU F-Gas regulation is forcing many refrigeration system manufacturers, installers,
and specifiers to switch to alternative refrigerants with reduced Global Warming
Potential levels for commercial applications. This article can help you assess
EU F-Gas regulation is forcing many refrigeration system manufacturers, installers,
alternative flammable and non-flammable refrigerants and make an informed choice.
and specifiers to switch to alternative refrigerants with reduced Global Warming
Potential
By Jörg Saar,
levels
Global
for
Applications
commercial
Manager,
applications.
Danfoss Cooling
This article can help you assess
alternative flammable and non-flammable refrigerants and make an informed choice.
As the F-Gas regulation impacts
By refrigerant Jörg Saar, price and Global availability, Applications equipment Manager, with a Danfoss GWP over 2500 Cooling
those in charge of designing, installing
or operating cold rooms and other
commercial refrigeration solutions
As in Europe the F-Gas are regulation left with several impacts critical
refrigerant questions they price must and answer: availability,
those in charge of designing,
• What is the impact on our operations?
installing or operating cold rooms
and • What other is the commercial best replacement refrigeration for my
solutions current refrigerants? in Europe are left with
several critical questions they must
• Which solutions will best suit our
answer:
applications over the long term?
• What is the impact on our operations?
• What is the best replacement for my
The current key refrigerants? regulations
• impacting Which solutions commercial
will best suit our
applications over the long term?
refrigeration applications
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In 1989,
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refrigeration the European application Union since HVAC-R 2015. The F-Gas
professionals consists three to comply main elements: with is the EU’s
www.eurovent.me
1. Service on already installed
From 2020 onwards, only recycled
refrigerants can be used for servicing.
From 2030 onwards, no service is allowed
recent outside F-Gas these regulation, exceptions: which has been
in force across the European Union since
2015. • When The the F-Gas refrigerant consists charge of three is less main than
elements: 40 tonnes CO 2 eq. (or 10.2kg for R404A)
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• When the refrigerant charge is less
have GWP limits placed on the refrigerants
than 40 tonnes CO2 eq. (or 10.2kg for
R404A)
Ban on new equipment:
Commercial Refrigerators and
Freezers, hermetically sealed (Ban
11). E.g.: Commercial fridges &
freezers in restaurants, clip-on cold
rooms, vending machines, etc.
Stationary refrigeration equipment
for temperatures above +50˚C (Ban
12). E.g.: Remote condensing unit
cold rooms, milk cooling tanks, etc.
Multipack centralised refr. systems
for commercial use with capacity
≥ 40kW
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GWP limit
Table 1: F-Gas schedule & GWP limitations by equipment type
installers and manufacturers can use
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refrigerants.danfoss.com
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applications reduction that many required common over the by refrigerants long F-Gas, term. it’s today clear
that cannot many be common used in cold refrigerants rooms and today other
However, cannot self-contained be selecting used commercial cold an alternative rooms refrigeration and to other
current self-contained applications high-GWP over commercial the refrigerants long term. refrigeration
can be
a applications challenge. In over the the following long term. sections,
we However, will give selecting advice on an alternatives to to
popular
However, current non-flammable high-GWP selecting refrigerants alternative
refrigerants can be to
and
offer
current a challenge. additional
high-GWP In the models following refrigerants
with flammable sections, can be
a we challenge. will give advice In the on following alternatives sections,
refrigerants that can guide commercial to
we popular will give non-flammable advice alternatives refrigerants to
refrigeration equipment installers and and
popular offer additional non-flammable models with refrigerants flammable and
OEMs make the right choice.
offer refrigerants additional that models can guide with commercial flammable
refrigerants
refrigeration
that
equipment
can guide
installers
commercial
A1 and
refrigeration
class, non-flammable
OEMs make the
equipment
right choice.
installers
suitable
and
alternatives OEMs make the to R404A right choice. and R134a
In A1 Europe, class, because non-flammable of its high GWP, suitable
R404A A1 class, non-flammable suitable
alternatives will soon to be R404A unsuitable and for R134a many
applications alternatives as to a part R404A of the and F-Gas R134a regulation.
Same In Europe, restrictions because will of apply
of its its high to
high
the GWP, GWP,
R134a in
self-contained R404A will soon units be be
from unsuitable 2022. for for many many
applications as as a a part part of of the the F-Gas F-Gas regulation.
regulation. Same restrictions Same will restrictions apply to the will R134a apply
As we see the market today, the main in
to self-contained the R134a in units self-contained from 2022. units from
non-flammable replacements are:
2022.
As Suitable we see replacements the market for R404A/507 today, the main
As
non-flammable
we see the market
replacements
today, the
are:
main
non-flammable R448A, R449A, R449B, R452A, replacements R407A/F/H are:
Suitable replacements for R134a R404A/507
R513A, R448A, R450A R449A, R449B, R452A, R407A/F/H
Note: in stationary equipment (ban 12) R134a is still an
acceptable
Suitable replacements
refrigerant.
for R134a
R513A, R450A
To
Note:
retrofit
in stationary
R404A/R507,
equipment
R134a
(ban 12)
systems,
R134a is still an
acceptable refrigerant.
using new A1 refrigerants with lower GWP,
eliminates the need to double-check
requirements To retrofit R404A/R507, that come with R134a flammable
systems,
refrigerants. using new A1 However, refrigerants there with are still
lower GWP,
some GWP, eliminates points eliminates the of need attention the to need double-check
the to HVAC-R
check requirements requirements need that to come that investigate with come flammable with (see box
professionals
to flammable refrigerants. the right). refrigerants. However, there However, are still
there some are points still of some attention points the of HVAC-R attention
the professionals HVAC-R professionals need to investigate need to
A2L/A3 classes, flammable options (see box for
investigate to the right). (see box to the right).
longer term choice
For A2L/A3 those classes, choosing flammable a long-term options solution, for
more longer sustainable term choice alternatives to R404A/
R134a are needed.
For those choosing a long-term solution,
more sustainable alternatives to R404A/
R134a are needed.
A2L/A3 classes, flammable options for
longer term choice
For those choosing a long-term solution,
more sustainable alternatives to R404A/
R134a However, are there needed. is an inverse correlation
between a refrigerant’s GWP and
However, its flammability. there Many is inverse ultra-low correlation
between GWP However, refrigerants a there refrigerant’s is also inverse have GWP a higher correlation and
its
flammability between flammability. a refrigerant’s classification
Many ultra-low GWP than and R404A—
GWP its flammability. refrigerants Many also ultra-low have a higher
potentially requiring a different approach
flammability GWP refrigerants classification also have than a higher R404A—
to system design and installation.
potentially flammability requiring classification a different than R404A— approach
to potentially system design requiring and a installation.
For those that will consider different a flammable approach
to system design and installation.
For
refrigerant
those that
to comply
will consider
with F-Gas,
a flammable
propane,
refrigerant
or R290 (A3
to
class),
comply
can
with
be a
F-Gas,
strong
For those that will consider a flammable
propane, replacement or R290 for R404A. (A3 class), With a can GWP be of a
refrigerant to comply with F-Gas, propane,
strong just 3, R290 replacement is compliant for R404A. with both With current a
and or R290 upcoming (A3 class), F-Gas can rules—across be a strong all
replacement for R404A. With a GWP of
just 3, R290 is compliant with both current
and upcoming F-Gas rules—across all
Points of attention for
non-flammable refrigerants
• Points Your existing of attention tools (vacuum for
non-flammable pumps, hoses, etc.) refrigerants can most
probably be used.
• Your existing tools (vacuum
• Be pumps, aware hoses, of charge etc.) limits can most even
for probably non-flammable be used. refrigerants
due to new EN 378:2016.
• Be aware of charge limits even
Charge for non-flammable is limited if: refrigerants
due to new EN 378:2016.
• Any part of the refrigeration
Charge system is is limited indoor if:
• General access to the unit (e.g.
• Any part of the refrigeration
condensing unit for cabinet in
system is indoor
a butchery)
• General access to the unit (e.g.
• No emergency exit in the room
condensing unit for cabinet in
(e.g. a normal cold room)
a butchery)
• Room is underground
• No emergency exit in the room
(e.g. a normal cold room)
How to calculate charge limit:
Toxicity • Room limit is underground
of refrigerant
x room volume = max charge
How to calculate charge limit:
Example: Toxicity limit R449A of refrigerant in a cold room
x room volume = max charge
Toxicity limit: 0,357 kg/m³
(values in Annex of EN 378:2016)
Example: R449A in a cold room
Room volume: 3 x 4 x 2,5m = 30 m³
Toxicity limit: 0,357 kg/m³
Max (values charge: in Annex 0,357 of kg/m³ EN 378:2016) x 30 m³
= 10,7 kg
Room volume: 3 x 4 x 2,5m = 30 m³
Max charge: 0,357 kg/m³ x 30 m³
= 10,7 kg
GWP of just 3, R290 is compliant with
both current and upcoming F-Gas
rules—across all equipment types.
R600a (iso-butane) is already widely
used equipment as R134a types. replacement R600a (iso-butane) in small is
hermetic already widely systems. used as R134a replacement
in small hermetic systems.
A2L equipment refrigerants types. – so-called R600a (iso-butane) mildly is
flammable
A2L already refrigerants widely refrigerants used – so-called as R134a – like
mildly replacement
R454A,
R454C in small or hermetic R1234yf or systems. R455A can be
flammable refrigerants – like R454A, R454C
interesting low GWP alternatives to
or R1234yf or R455A can be interesting
R404A A2L refrigerants and R134a.
low GWP alternatives – so-called to R404A mildly and R134a.
flammable refrigerants – like R454A, R454C
That or R1234yf said, if or you R455A have can specific be interesting needs and
requirements
That said, if you
low GWP alternatives
from
have
your
specific
to
refrigerant,
needs and
R404A and R134a.
you
may
requirements
need to investigate
from your
other
refrigerant,
flammable
you
refrigerant may need to options. investigate other flammable
refrigerant That said, if options. you have specific needs and
requirements from your refrigerant, you
may need to investigate other flammable
refrigerant options.
Points of attention for
flammable refrigerants
• Points Check of whether attention your for tools
flammable (vaccum pump, refrigerants hoses, etc)
can be used with flammable
• refrigerants.
Check whether your tools
(vaccum pump, hoses, etc)
• Be can aware be used of the with risks flammable due to
flammability refrigerants. when working
with these refrigerants
• Be aware of the risks due to
Risks flammability could be: when working
• During with these soldering: refrigerants make sure
Risks there could is no remaining be: refrigerant
in the system.
• During soldering: make sure
• In case of potential leaks: avoid
there is no remaining refrigerant
ignition sources (light switch)
in the system.
In • case In case of of retrofit: potential leaks: avoid
ignition sources (light switch)
• Check compatibility of
In components case of retrofit: for the new
refrigerant: compressor,
• valves, Check switches, compatibility pipes, of heat
exchangers components etc. for the new
refrigerant: compressor,
• Check valves, whether switches, other pipes, electrical heat
components exchangers etc. need to be
changed. e.g.:
• Check whether other electrical
• Can the fans be used with
components need to be
flammable refrigerants ?
changed. e.g.:
• Is the electrical installation ok
• Can the fans be used with
for flammable refrigerants ?
flammable refrigerants ?
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03
• Is the electrical installation ok
for flammable refrigerants ?
AC285962316590en-000101 © Danfoss | DCS (ACR) | 2018.11

Understanding
flammability classifications
ASHRAE Standard 34: 2010
potential refrigerant options based on
the location of your equipment. Also, for
Safety group
the safety of household or commercial
Higher flammability A3 B3 refrigeration appliances with integrated
All refrigerants are given a classification
code consisting of a letter and a number.
Lower flammability A2 / A2L* B2 / B2L* or remote compressor or condensing
unit such as bottle coolers, vending
No flame propagation A1 B1
machines, etc, then the IEC 60335-2
Lower toxicity Higher toxicity
series standard is applied.
The letter represents the toxicity of
* A2L and B2L are lower flammability refrigerants with a
the refrigerant, with “A” being a low
Step 3. Find which refrigerant
maximum burning velocity of ≤ 10 cm/s Understanding flammability
ASHRAE Standard Standard 34: 2010 34: 2010 potential potential (3.9 in./s).
the refrigerant safety refrigerant of options household based options or Focusing on commercial
based on on the EN 378, then the
classifications
Understanding toxicity substance and “B” being ASHRAE a
classification main applies
Standard 34: 2010
the
potential
location
refrigerant
of your equipment.
options based
Also,
on
for
Safety group
All flammability
flammability
refrigerants are classifications
classifications
given a the
the
safety
location
refrigeration the location of
of
of
household
your equipment.
appliances your equipment.
or commercial
Also, part with
for
integrated of Also, the for standard we need to As consider explained in the chapter above:
higher toxicity substance.
Safety group
Safety group
code consisting are of given a letter and a
Higher flammability A3 B3 refrigeration
the safety or the
of remote safety of
household compressor household
appliances
or
with
commercial or commercial
Higher flammability A3 B3 refrigeration appliances integrated with
is
condensing
the
integrated
charge limitations it puts in
Understanding
place,
flammability
number. All
All
refrigerants
refrigerants For example, are
are
of
given
given letter
a R290 and
classification
a classification Higher flammability A3 B3
is number. a class A3 Lower flammability A2 / A2L* B2 / B2L* or
refrigeration unit such
remote compressor
appliances as bottle
or
with coolers,
condensing
integrated vending
classifications, all refrigerants have a
refrigerant.
code code consisting consisting
R290
of of
is
a letter a letter class
and and
A3
a
refrigerant.
number. a number.
Lower flammability A2 / A2L* B2 / B2L*
Lower flammability A2 / A2L* B2 / B2L* unit
or remote
or remote
such as
compressor
compressor
bottle coolers,
or condensing
or condensing
The number represents the Refrigerant charge machines, etc, then the IEC as these 60335-2 can be quite stringent based classification on that identifies their toxicity
vending
No flame propagation A1 B1
For example, R290 R290 is is a class a class A3 A3 refrigerant. refrigerant. No flame
No flame
propagation
propagation
A1
A1
B1
B1
machines,
unit such series unit as
etc,
bottle such standard as
then
coolers, bottle is
the IEC
vending applied. coolers, the vending location of equipment, access and to flammability. it,
flammability of the refrigerant, limitations in EN 378:2016 60335-2
Lower toxicity Higher toxicity
series
machines, machines,
standard
etc, then etc,
is applied.
the then IEC 60335-2 the IEC
Lower toxicity Lower toxicity Higher toxicity Higher toxicity
refrigerant
60335-2
used, and its application. Based
The with letter “1” represents being the non-flammable, the toxicity toxicity of “2”
series standard Focusing series standard is applied. on the is EN applied. 378, then the main
To work out the maximum charge limit,
* A2L and B2L are lower flammability refrigerants with a
the The letter represents
with “A”
the the
being
toxicity toxicity low
of of
of the refrigerant, with “A” being maximum * A2L * and A2L B2L burning and are B2L lower velocity are flammability lower of ≤ flammability 10 cm/s refrigerants (3.9 in./s). refrigerants with a with a
Focusing
part
on the
of the
EN 378,
standard
then the
we
main
need
on these
to consider
factors, you may have to
a toxicity the being refrigerant, mildly
low toxicity substance
with with
substance and
“A” flammable, “A”
“B”
being being
being
a low a low and “3” When considering an alternative
you
consider
will need to know the classification
and “B”
maximum maximum burning burning velocity velocity of ≤ 10 cm/s of ≤ 10 (3.9 cm/s in./s). (3.9 in./s).
part
Focusing
of the
is Focusing on the
standard
the charge EN on 378,
we
the limitations
need
then EN 378,
to
the
consider
main then different it puts the main place, refrigerants or equipment of the and refrigerant you’ll be using, as
being higher toxicity being
a toxicity substance highly
higher substance.
and flammable. and “B” “B” being being a a “2L” is an refrigerant, F-Gas is not toxicity substance.
is
part the
the
of
charge
the part
only
as these standard of limitations the can standard we be need
it quite puts
to we in
consider stringent place, need
higher toxicity substance.
system to consider based designs to reduce charge. well as its Acute Toxicity Exposure Limit
additional classification referring Refrigerant regulation charge limitations you need in EN
The represents the
as
is to the
these
keep charge on is can the in
be
limitations charge mind. location quite stringent limitations The it of puts equipment, in
based
place, it puts on in access place, to
(ATEL) and Lower Flammability Level
The the location of equipment, access to it,
flammability number represents
of the refrigerant,
the the
charge
as these can be quite stringent based on
The
to
number
refrigerants
represents
that
the
are mildly 378:2016
limitations Refrigerant European
in EN charge 378:2016
Committee for Standard’s it, as refrigerant these can be EN used, quite and stringent its application. based (LFL).
flammability refrigerant used, and its application. Based
with “1” being
of of
non-flammable,
the the refrigerant,
“2”
limitations When considering in EN an 378:2016 alternative the location Based the location of equipment, on these of equipment, factors, access to you it, access may to have it,
flammability flammable, of the but refrigerant, with a burning limitations 378:2016 in EN (or 378:2016 worldwide
on
refrigerant ISO 5149/2014)
with these factors, you may have to consider
being “1” mildly being non-flammable,
and “3”
“2” “2” refrigerant, F-Gas is not the only
to used, and its application. Based
refrigerant consider used, different and its refrigerants application. or Based
Once you’ve found this information,
When considering an alternative
being
with
different refrigerants equipment and
velocity “1”
mildly
being
highly flammable, of non-flammable, max 10
flammable. “2L”
and and cm/s.
is
“3” “3”
“2”
an refrigerant,
When regulation considering you safety
F-Gas is
an need
not
alternative standard to keep in mind. will also The
on these influence equipment
factors, you may have to consider
the only
on these factors, your and system you may designs have to to consider
you can begin calculating charge limits
system
different
designs
refrigerants
to reduce
or equipment
charge.
and
being
being
additional highly
mildly classification flammable.
flammable,
referring
“2L” “2L”
and “3”
is an is an
regulation
refrigerant, European
When considering
you
F-Gas Committee
an alternative
need
is not
to keep
the only for Standard’s EN reduce
in mind. The system designs
different charge.
to
refrigerants
reduce charge.
or equipment and
based on toxicity and flammability limits.
additional
to being highly
refrigerants classification
flammable.
that are mildly
referring
“2L” is an
European
regulation 378:2016
refrigerant,
Committee
you (or need
F-Gas
worldwide to
is
for
keep
not
Standard’s
in
the
ISO mind.
only
5149/2014)
EN
The
system designs to reduce charge.
to
flammable,
to additional refrigerants classification
but
that
with
that are are
burning
mildly mildly referring
378:2016
European safety regulation
(or
Committee standard you need
worldwide
will for
ISO
Standard’s also to keep
5149/2014)
influence in EN mind. your The
flammable, velocity to refrigerants
of max but 10 that with cm/s.
a are a burning mildly
safety
378:2016 potential European
standard
(or worldwide refrigerant Committee
will also
ISO
influence options for 5149/2014) Standard’s
your based EN on
Step 5. Calculating flammability limits
velocity flammable, of max but 10 10 with cm/s. a burning safety 378:2016 standard (or will worldwide also influence ISO your 5149/2014)
EN 378 : 2016
Calculating charge limits the location of Step your 2. equipment. Find which Also, for location
• Class IV: All refrigerant-containing
velocity of max 10 cm/s.
safety standard will also influence your Different calculations apply for each
Charge limitations for
classification applies
parts are in an EN 378-2 and EN 378-3 flammable refrigerant A2L
refrigerant flammability
To Calculating calculate the charge charge limits limit for
compliant
classification.
ventilated
The
enclosure
Step 2. Find which location
Class IV: All refrigerant-containing
Calculating charge limits classification
Step 2. Find which
There
applies
location
are four location
•
classes
parts
Class IV:
are
All examples based
in
refrigerant-containing
of calculations to the right are
your system, you’ll first need to
an EN 378-2 and EN 378-3
General access
classification applies
To calculate the charge limit for
compliant
parts are in
ventilated
an EN 378-2
enclosure
and EN 378-3
Calculating charge limits Step 2. Find where which location particular refrigeration • Class all components based IV: All refrigerant-containing
equipment
identify There are four location classes based on
your
To calculate certain
system,
the
you’ll
charge characteristics
first need
limit for
compliant ventilated enclosure Step 3. Find being which used refrigerant
for
e.g. schools, hotel, hospitals,
to
where
There classification are
particular
four location operate: applies
refrigeration
classes
components
based on
parts are in an EN 378-2 and EN 378-3
commercial applications.
theaters
Calculating and identify
your system,
certain
you’ll
characteristics
first need to
To calculate classifications charge the charge limits for limit your for chosen
Step 3. Find which refrigerant
operate:
where particular refrigeration components
compliant ventilated enclosure classification applies
Step
and
identify
classifications
certain characteristics
There 2. are Find four which location location classes based for your chosen operate:
classification
Step 3.
•
Find
Class
which
III: All
applies
refrigerant
refrigerant-containing
• Class I: all refrigerating-containing parts
To refrigerant your calculate system, the you’ll and charge first equipment:
limit need for to
classification Class I: all refrigerating-containing parts
refrigerant
and classifications
and equipment:
for your chosen
where particular applies refrigeration components classification
parts
applies
are in an EN 378-3 compliant
your •
refrigerant
identify system, certain you’ll
and equipment:
characteristics
first need to
and
Class There
operate: systems
I: all are refrigerating-containing
are
four
in
location and systems
the occupied
classes
space
parts are based in the occupied
As explained Step 3. the Find space As explained in the chapter above:
machinery chapter room which above: or refrigerant in open air
Supervised access
identify and systems are in the occupied space Understanding
As explained in
flammability
the chapter above:
and classifications certain characteristics
for your chosen on where particular classification applies classifications,
Class • Class II: compressors I: all refrigerating-containing • Class
refrigeration
and pressure II: compressors vessels parts
1. Find which access category • all
Understanding pressure
• Class IV:
refrigerants have
flammability vessels
All refrigerant-containing Understanding flammability classifications,
e.g. profesional offices, general
and classification
classifications,
Step refrigerant classifications 1. Find and equipment: which for your access chosen category
that
are
Class components
in
II: compressors operate:
machinery room
and
or
pressure
in open
vessels
parts are in an EN 378-2
air
Step 1. Find
to your
which access category
and systems in the occupied space
are in a machinery room or in open air identifies
all refrigerants As explained
their
have
toxicity
a classification in the chapter
all and
and flammability.
that above:
refrigerants EN 378-3 have a classification manufacturing that sites
refrigerant and equipment:
• Class I: all refrigerating-containing
are in a machinery room or
compliant open
ventilated
air
enclosure
applies to your to your equipment equipment
Class III: All refrigerant-containing parts identifies Understanding their toxicity and flammability. identifies classifications, their toxicity and flammability.
There Step are 1. Find three which access categories category based •
are
Class • parts Class
in
III:
an
All and II:
EN
refrigerant-containing compressors systems and pressure
378-3
•
compliant
Class are III: in
machinery
All the parts refrigerant-containing occupied vessels
all refrigerants parts have a classification that
Authorised access
Step To work out the maximum charge limit,
on 1.
where
are Find three which
your access categories category
is installed:
based
room
are space in are an in
or in
EN a
open
378-3 machinery
air
compliant room machinery or open air
There applies are to your three equipment access categories based
on where is installed:
room or in open air
you
To work
will
identifies
need
out the
to
maximum
know
their
the
toxicity
classification
charge and limit, flammability.
applies to your equipment
• Class III: II: All compressors
are in an
refrigerant-containing and
EN
pressure
378-3 compliant machinery
e.g. production of chemicals,
parts
To work of out the maximum charge limit,
the
you
refrigerant
will need to
you’ll
know
be
the
using,
classification
as well as
of
There on where are three your access equipment categories based
is based installed:
food, … Refineries, non-public
vessels its
are in an are EN in 378-3 room a machinery compliant or open room machinery or air
Acute
the refrigerant
Toxicity work Exposure
you’ll out be the using,
Limit maximum (ATEL)
as well you
and charge as its will limit, need to know the classification areas in supermarkets of
on on where your equipment is
Code A installed: open
Code B room air or in open airCode C
Lower
Acute Toxicity
Flammability
Exposure
Level
Limit
(LFL).
(ATEL) and
Code A Code B Code C
you will need to know the the classification refrigerant of you’ll be using, as well as its
Lower Flammability the refrigerant Level you’ll (LFL). be using, Acute as well Toxicity as its Exposure Limit (ATEL) and
Code A Code B Once you’ve Code Acute Cfound Toxicity this Exposure information, Limit you (ATEL) and
General Code access A Supervised Code accessB Authorized access Code C
can
Once
begin
you’ve
calculating
found this
charge
information,
limits based
Lower you Flammability Level (LFL). EN 378 : 2016
General access Supervised access Authorized access
Lower Flammability Level (LFL).
on
can
toxicity
begin calculating
and flammability
charge
limits.
limits based
Charge limitations for
on toxicity and flammability limits.
flammable refrigerant A3
Buildings that house sleeping Buildings where only authorized Businesses and office spaces,
Once you’ve found this information, Once you’ve found this information, you
facilities, Buildings places that General house where access sleeping personnel Buildings where with Supervised full only knowledge authorized access of laboratories, Businesses and and office Authorized manufacturing spaces, access
General access Supervised access Step 4. Calculating toxicity limits
movement facilities, places is restricted, where or a
safety personnel precautions with full may knowledge enter. of plants. laboratories, and manufacturing Step Authorized 4. can Calculating begin accesscalculating toxicity limits charge
can
limits
begin
based
calculating charge limits based
location movement where is restricted, anyone may or a enter safety precautions may enter. plants.
For non-human toxicity comfort and flammability applications: limits.
General access
without location knowledge where anyone of necessary may enter
For non-human comfort applications: on toxicity and flammability limits.
safety without Buildings information. knowledge that house of necessary sleeping Buildings where only authorized Businesses and office spaces,
Class A_ refrigerants typically have no
e.g. schools, hotel, hospitals,
safety information.
•
charge
Class Step A_
limits
refrigerants 4. Calculating typically toxicity have no
facilities, places where
personnel with full knowledge of laboratories, and manufacturing
limits
theaters
Buildings that house sleeping Buildings where only authorized Businesses
movement is restricted, or a
safety precautions may enter. plants.
charge and office limits spaces,
Hospitals, courts or prisons,
Businesses and office spaces, Staff-restricted areas in
Class B_ refrigerants have toxicity limits
theatres, Hospitals, location facilities,
supermarkets, courts where places
or anyone prisons,
where
schools,
may enter
laboratories, Businesses and and office
personnel
manufacturing spaces,
with
supermarkets, Staff-restricted
full knowledge
food areas and in
of laboratories, and
beverage •
university halls, public transport, plants.
manufacturers, refineries,
for
Class
For manufacturing
each
B_ refrigerants
non-human
individual refrigerant
have
comfort
toxicity
applications: Step 4. Calculating toxicity limits
outlined
limits
theatres, without movement supermarkets, knowledge is restricted, of schools, necessary or laboratories, a and manufacturing safety precautions supermarkets, may enter. food and beverage plants.
in
hotels, university safety dwellings, information.
halls, public and restaurants.
transport, plants.
chemical manufacturers, plants, refineries, dairies, and
the
for each • Class
EN 378
individual A_ refrigerants
standard
outlined typically
For
in
non-human
have location where anyone may enter
comfort applications:
Supervised access
hotels, dwellings, and restaurants.
abattoirs. chemical plants, dairies, and
the EN 378 charge standard limits
e.g. profesional offices, general
without knowledge of necessary
abattoirs.
Hospitals, safety courts information.
prisons,
Businesses and office spaces, Staff-restricted areas in
• Class B_ refrigerants have • toxicity Class limits A_ refrigerants typically have manufacturing no sites
theatres, supermarkets, schools, laboratories, and manufacturing supermarkets, food and beverage
university halls, public transport, plants.
manufacturers, refineries,
for each individual refrigerant charge outlined limits in
AC285962316590en-000101 hotels, dwellings, and restaurants.
chemical plants, dairies, and
the EN 378 © standard
Danfoss | DCS (ACR) | 2018.11
AC285962316590en-000101 Hospitals, courts or prisons,
Businesses and office © Danfoss | DCS (ACR) | 2018.11
abattoirs. spaces, Staff-restricted areas in
• Class B_ refrigerants have toxicity Authorised limits access
theatres, supermarkets, schools, laboratories, and manufacturing supermarkets, food and beverage
university halls, public transport, plants.
manufacturers, refineries,
for each individual refrigerant outlined
e.g. production
in
of chemicals,
food, … Refineries, non-public
hotels, dwellings, and restaurants.
chemical plants, dairies, and
the EN 378 standard
areas in supermarkets
AC285962316590en-000101 abattoirs.
© Danfoss | DCS (ACR) | 2018.11
For example, R290 is a class A3 refrigerant.
TECHNICAL PAPER
Category
Category
Example
Characteristics Characteristics
Category
Characteristics
Example
Example
Compr & vessel
indoors
Refrig equipment
indoors
Compr & vessel
outdoors
20% x LFL x room volume
but not more than 1,5 x 26m³ x LFL
Not more than
11,3 kg R454C
11,3 kg R1234yf
12,0 kg R32
20,1 kg R455A
Compr & vessel
indoors
20% x LFL x room
volume
but not more than
25 kg
Refrig equipment
indoors
Compr & vessel
outdoors
Only sealed systems.
20% x LFL x room volume
Below ground : not more than 1 kg
Above ground : not more than 1,5 kg
20% x LFL x room volume
Below ground : not more than 1 kg
Above ground : not more than 2,5 kg
20% x LFL x room volume
Below ground: not more than 1 kg
Above ground not
more than 10 kg
Step 4. Calculating toxicity limits
For non-human comfort applications:
• Class A_ refrigerants typically have no
charge limits
• Class B_ refrigerants have toxicity
limits for each individual refrigerant
outlined in the EN 378 standard
Step 5. Calculating flammability limits
Different calculations apply for each
refrigerant flammability classification.
The examples of calculations to the right
are all based on equipment being used
for commercial applications.
Above ground not
more than 25 kg
Machinery room
or open air
No limit
Machinery room
or open air
5 kg
10 kg
No limit
NEWSLETTER
Ventilated
enclosure
Max
1,5 x 130m³ x LFL
Max
56,4 kg R454C
59,4 kg R1234yf
59,9 kg R32
100,6 kg R455A
Ventilated
enclosure
Max
130m³ x LFL
Max
5 kg R290
5 kg R1270
10,3 kg R610A
10,9 kg R430A
AC285962316590en-000101 © Danfoss | DCS (ACR) | 2018.11
www.eurovent.me
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03

NEWSLETTER
VIDEO
EVENTS
Building inspections
as means to improve
Energy Efficiency
Are mandatory building inspections key to unlock the energy saving potential in
the Middle East? Eurovent Middle East thinks about the socio-economic benefits
regular inspections of HVACR installations would provide to a country, its people
and the industry.
Lack of maintenance, improper installations and operations of HVACR installations are all too common
and amount to the most significant energy saving potential in existing buildings. The industry estimates
that up to 30% of the energy currently used by cooling and ventilation could be saved by following
maintenance and operation protocols.
Eurovent Middle East has published a Position Paper on mandatory Building Inspections and their socioeconomic
benefits, from improved energy consumption and indoor air quality to the creation of thousands
of new jobs and the strengthening of supply and service industries.
Eurovent Expert Webinar
Webinar presents Industry Recommendation on the Ecodesign and Energy
Labelling requirements for refrigeration appliances with a direct sales function
The recent Expert Webinar hosted by the Eurovent Association, presented an overview on the
recommendations by the industry to bridge the gap between regulatory requirements of the new
Ecodesign and Energy Labelling measures while taking into consideration market conditions and realities
in Europe.
Key learning points of the webinar include:
• Ecodesign and Energy Labelling requirements for refrigerating appliances with a direct dales
function and EPREL (including products in scope of the regulations).
• What is a reference/deducted model and how to extrapolate EEI of a deducted model?
• How to deal with incomplete deliveries and how to increase the effectiveness of market
surveillance.
The Expert Webinar recording, and presentation is publicly available to air conditioning and refrigeration
professionals, including system planners, installers and manufacturers. To learn more, the webinar
recording can be accessed on YouTube using the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lk8v0d4_EA
The webinar presentation is available for download from the Eurovent website:
https://eurovent.eu/?q=extranet%2Feurovent-expert-webinar-ecodesign-and-energy-labellingrequirements-refrigerating
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
www.eurovent.me
MARCH 2021 VOL. 03

NEWSLETTER
ABOUT US
Eurovent Middle East is the region's only industry association
representing leading manufacturers of Indoor Climate (HVAC),
Process Cooling, Food Cold Chain, Industrial Ventilation, and
Building Automation Technologies, as well as sector associations
and industry initiatives active in these fields. By thinking
‘Beyond HVACR', contributing manufacturers fulfil the highest
requirements in terms of product quality and sustainability.
CONNECT WITH US
CONTACT OUR TEAM
Dubai World Trade Centre
Office 07, Dubai Association Centre, 2nd
Floor, The Offices 2 at One Central
P.O. Box 9292 Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Phone (int.): +43 660 4012050
Phone (UAE): +971 58 597 4765
Email: office@eurovent.me
Web: www.eurovent.me
www.eurovent.me