Refcom publish new technical bulletin, focusing on pressure testing in changing ambient conditions.
The objective of this technical bulletin is to inform members of the safe method of pressure leak testing of RACHP pipework using oxygen free nitrogen (OFN) at high pressure, with particular emphasis on the change in pressure caused by changes to ambient temperatures during the leak test period.
It is a requirement of the F gas Regulation (EC517/2014 Art.3) that installers of RACHP systems, and the associated pipework and components, “shall take precautionary measures to prevent leakage” of the refrigerants to be contained within the systems.
It is also a requirement that regular leak checks that have identified leakage “shall be repaired without undue delay” and the point of leak be tested again “within one month”.
In practice this means:
- For new systems, this means being tested again immediately to ensure the system is leak free prior to the system being put into service or any refrigerant introduced to the pipework.
- For existing equipment being tested as part of a planned routine leak check required under the regulation, it means the system is leak checked again after the repair has been carried out, no later than one calendar month after the repair, but ideally as soon as possible after the repair has been carried out, to ensure the repair was successful.
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