Talks start for real in Geneva after years of deadlock By Refrigerants Australia executive director Greg Picker, reporting from Switzerland Negotiations on an HFC phase-down began in Geneva in April this year. These talks are noteworthy because for the first time since the proposal to phase down HFCs was suggested in 2009, there was agreement … Continue reading HFC phase-down hope
An investigation into a fatal August 2012 hydrocarbon refrigerant blast in Singapore has concluded, with the employer of the killed worker and their two injured colleagues fined $S150,000 ($A146,200). In a cruel irony, the workers were called to the job because Singapore authorities had issued notice of their intention to ban the use of hydrocarbon … Continue reading $150K fine for deadly Singapore HC blast
Autodata has added a series of updates in recent months including a host of new models, extra vehicle data – including at least 36 new air-conditioning wiring diagrams – and a range of feature enhancements. During March, 24 new models were added – including the Renault Megane (08-16), Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (12-16), Kia Sorento (15-16) and … Continue reading Autodata adds more air-conditioning wiring diagrams
A new industrial coating has caught our attention with its potential application for compressor pulleys and other automotive air-conditioning components, claiming benefits such as improved performance, reduced fuel consumption, lower maintenance costs and greater durability. Dubbed Vulcan Grip and developed by US firm Extreme Industrial Coatings (EIC), the coating has been proven in heavy-duty agricultural … Continue reading Pulley coating promises efficiency
Australia’s federal government must consider emerging issues in Europe concerning refrigerant stockpiling and the need for accurate data as Australia moves towards an HFC phase-down. The government is expected to look to the EU as the model for fluorinated gas regulation aimed at dramatically reducing F-gas emissions – the target there being two thirds of … Continue reading Australia must learn from massive HFC stockpile prompted by EU F-Gas regulation
THE Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has hailed the Turnbull government’s announcement that it will proceed with the controversial ‘effects test’ and tackle the misuse of market power by big businesses as “a big win for small business”. ARC, which administers refrigerant handling licences and refrigerant trading authorisations on behalf of the federal government, described the … Continue reading ARC, VACC welcome effects test
The long-running campaign to force car manufacturers to share service and repair data with independent workshops is ramping up as the nation heads toward a federal election and as Australia’s competition regulator admits that the voluntary scheme appears to have been ineffective. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) commissioner Roger Featherston told the 2016 Australian … Continue reading ACCC weighs in on repair information sharing
Melbourne-based Cool Dynamics Refrigeration was fined $285,000 late last year over in incident in which a 25-year-old refrigeration mechanic died when his work van exploded. The case highlighted safety issues surrounding the transportation of dangerous goods – an issue that will become all the more acute as flammable refrigerants become the norm. The company was … Continue reading Fine for transporting flammable gas in van
A Victorian Worksafe investigation is believed to be continuing after an air-conditioning unit exploded at a luxury home in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Brighton in February, causing severe burns to the tradesman working on the unit. A report in the Herald Sun newspaper said the 21-year-old was servicing the air-conditioning unit when it exploded … Continue reading A2L refrigerant not the cause of VIC accident
Authorities in the United States including the FBI, EPA and US Department of Transportation are cracking down on the illegal sale of unapproved hydrocarbon refrigerants used in home air-conditioning systems, culminating in a series of arrests. In contrast to the situation in Australia, where the culture of enforcement is not nearly as strong, joint investigations … Continue reading Arrests in USA for illegal hydrocarbon refrigerant use
