Retailers join forces to establish new guidelines for natural refrigeration

British Refrigeration Association (BRA), the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) and Carbon Trust are collaborating to build on their established codes and provide a structured in-depth code of conduct for carbon reduction in retail refrigeration.

Bob Arthur (BRA president) said that the new code is expected to be published in March 2011. In addition, he underlined its importance to ensure that the refrigeration and air conditioning industry worked to common standards to prepare for the fast take-up of hydrocarbons and other natural refrigerant systems.

Bob Arthur also specified that the expansion of natural refrigeration is affecting industries because:

• Suppliers needs to keep pace with the retailers demands
• The industry’s capacity is being stretched especially in areas such as training and industry experts warned
• Safety aspects need to be covered especially regarding the flammability risk of hydrocarbons
• End users need to take account that companies have to invest both in intellectual properties and financially

Mr. Arthur insists that training is becoming a real concern at all levels of the industry: “Latest figures from City and Guilds suggest that only 50% of engineers have got their F-Gas qualifications, while new training is required at all levels to meet the challenge of naturals, from design through to maintenance.”

Other insiders insist saying there is not enough qualified staff, gas suppliers and manufacturers are not able to supply equipment to deadline.

The challenge for the supply chain of working with hydrocarbon and other natural refrigerants will be a major theme for the uptake of natural refrigerants and it will be important to bring supermarkets face to face with their suppliers to thrash out the major issues.