We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Subscription
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • HOW TO
    • Design
    • Fire Protection
    • Legal Matters
    • Management
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Behind the Wall
    • Webcasts
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • COVID-19
    • Events & Webinars
    • Business Resources
    • Industry Announcements
    • Health & Safety
    • Op-Ed
Home » Addition of Subclass 2L refrigerants proposed for ASHRAE refrigerant safety standard​

Addition of Subclass 2L refrigerants proposed for ASHRAE refrigerant safety standard​

December 9, 2015
No Comments

Industry input is being sought into a proposal to modify portions of ASHRAE’s refrigeration safety standard to incorporate subclass 2L flammability classifications.

Addendum to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15-2013, Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems, is open for public comment until Jan. 18, 2016. To comment or learn more, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.

Standard 15 specifies safe design, construction, installation, and operation of refrigeration systems.

The 2010 edition of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34-2013, Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants,  added an optional Subclass 2L to the existing Class 2 flammability classification of refrigerants. This change was intended to separate single component and blended refrigerants that are difficult to ignite and sustain a flame, from other Class 2 (and Class 3) flammable refrigerants.

“The expectation was that some of the Class 2L refrigerants would be commercialized and used as substitutes for Class A1 refrigerants that are in use today,” Dennis Dorman, chair of the Standard 15 committee, said. “Refrigerants in use today may come under regulatory pressure due to their relatively higher global warming potential (GWP).  But to do this without major economic impact, Class 2L would have to be safely applied without the stringent application limitations imposed by Standard 15 on other flammable refrigerants. In other words, in order to be broadly applied, Class 2L refrigerants would need to be treated more like Class 1 than Class 2 or Class 3.”

At the start of its deliberations, the committee discovered that there was almost no science to support rules changes, let alone relaxation, of Class 2 requirements, according to Dorman.  In July 2011, a first public review of the proposed addendum was made available with numerous comments received. Since that time, the committee has been addressing the technical issues identified from that review.

Dorman noted that Standard 15 covers the full range of applications from residential to commercial to industrial applications. As such, there is an unusual degree of complexity in considering appropriate rules for each.

Now, after almost four years of research and other supporting activities conducted by industry partners, the committee has much of the technical information to support proposed rules changes to Standard 15.

“With this public review, we are seeking suggestions for new, unusual or potentially controversial elements of the proposed addendum, which the committee believes would benefit from increased public input prior to finalizing the draft for its first formal public review,” he said. “Additionally we want to make sure that we do not overlook important safety aspects that may come from various users of the standard, both domestic and international.”

Contractors & Installers Industry Community News Mechanical
  • Related Articles

    ACCA: EPA Proposed Refrigerant Rule Raises ‘Serious Safety Concerns’

    Proposed ASHRAE/ACCA standard for energy audits open for public comment

    Legislation could override proposed updates to ASHRAE standard on energy performance​

  • Related Products

    CEU Webinar

    Directory Listing - Premium

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular

  • Edgen Murray Opens New Facility

  • Digital Exclusive: Energy Crisis Update from Houston

  • Bradley Corp. Names Mark Whittington Vice President of Business Development

  • CISPI Issues Statement in Response to US CBP Findings to Antidumping and Countervailing Orders

Featured Video

Sureseal video

SureSeal Floor Drain Trap Seal

Industry Events

  • 28Apr

    2021 BLUE HAWK Annual Conference

    Austin, TX
  • 12Oct

    BOILER 2021 – ABMA Boiler Technology Conference & Expo

    Dallas, TX
More Events

Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw02 2021 cover
    Learn More
  • Pe02 2021 cover
    Learn More
  • Phc02 2021 cover
    Learn More
  • Es07 2020
    Learn More
Subscribe

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2021 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing