ASHRAE Journal - May 2024 - 28

FEATURE
a matter of becoming familiar with the products and
knowing-then following-the standards. Across the
board, everyone in the industry needs to embrace the
change that is almost here and prepare now to work
with A2Ls. Standards for the safe use of these products
have gone through complex, multiyear, cross-industry
evaluations.
How About Training Needs and Gaps?
The transition to A2Ls offers a great opportunity
for members of the industry to refresh their current
training know-how while getting up to speed on
why and how they need to work with A2Ls. Handling
practices for A2L refrigerants are nearly the same as
those for handling A1 refrigerants. The good news
is we have seen a spike in demand for training,
and industry leaders are prepared to deliver. A
tremendous amount of resources are available from
organizations who have also been implementing
aggressive training initiatives. ESCO, ACCA and
AHRI are excellent resources. I think what all of
us emphasize most to ease the concerns about the
A2L transition is that working with A2Ls is within
the skills of properly trained professionals who are
familiar with industry practices. Many of the best
practices the industry has been following for A1s such
as purging circuits with inert gas, evacuating circuits,
and leak and pressure testing need to be standard
practices for A2Ls.
How Have Changes to ASHRAE Standards on
Flammable Refrigerants Impacted Installation and
Those Who Install This Equipment?
In general, the changes to products using A2L
refrigerants will not affect the form, fit and
installation of products. A2L products will look nearly
identical to A1 products. The three major changes
in product appearance will be labeling, use of a
refrigerant leak detection systems and the addition of
red visual identification of charging and discharging
ports to show that a flammable refrigerant is used
in the unit. Again, it is important to emphasize that
A2L standards require the industry to continue the
safety best practices they have been using for years
or even decades and to adopt procedures for mildly
flammable refrigerants-whether you are installing
new equipment or servicing existing systems. It is
28
ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.org MAY 2024
recommended to get training as soon as possible and
be familiar with what mitigations are required for the
applications you are working with.
How Have Building Systems and the
Servicing Equipment Been Adapted to
Use Flammable Refrigerants?
As stated previously, the equipment will be slightly
different, requiring some changes to existing
installation and servicing practices. In addition, the
industry needs to have the due diligence that A2Ls
will be used in new equipment only, and no retrofit
options exist today for installed A1 equipment. As
far as systems are concerned, once the refrigerant
is in the system itself, there is no difference in
how it operates, whether it is an A2L or an A1. The
difference is what happens if you do have a leak.
New A2L equipment has enhanced refrigerant
detection technology to activate mitigation due to the
refrigerant's mild flammability.
In terms of service equipment for A2Ls compared
to A1s, many of the tools will be same. Reclaim
and recovery equipment and vacuum pumps will
need upgrading to meet the A2L product electrical
safety requirements, but these can be used for A1
refrigerants. There are no changes in torque wrench,
flare tool, pipe cutter, pipe bender or hex wrench
equipment, and ventilation fans are similar. A2L
gauge manifold and charging hoses will still have
right-handed thread connections for equipment
service ports. The refrigerant recovery cylinder
is designed for A2Ls, which will have left-handed
threads. These are just a few examples. Contractors
should be properly trained on all the differences and
similarities in service equipment.
Have You Seen Any Progress in The Industry
When It Comes to Handling and Servicing
A2L refrigerants?
It is a little early to answer this question in terms of
the individuals who are working with A2Ls because
A2L equipment for stationary applications isn't in
widespread use yet. However, as stated above, the
high demand for educational resources and training
demonstrates progress in contractors' willingness
to be prepared and in their desire to be able to
consistently work safely with these refrigerants.
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ASHRAE Journal - May 2024

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