AHRI Refrigerant Webinar Series
Various governments around the world have been regulating hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants for decades, and there now is a global treaty in effect – the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol – that establishes a global phase down structure for the chemicals.
In anticipation of just such a global agreement, AHRI in 2011 initiated a robust research program to identify suitable alternative refrigerants. Most of those identified have low toxicity, but in some cases have different flammability characteristics than those in use today. In a follow-on research program, AHRI, ASHRAE, and the U.S. Department of Energy have thus far invested nearly $7 million to study the safe use of those alternative refrigerants that are classified as flammable or mildly flammable.
Webinar 1: Air Conditioning Applications
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
AHRI Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Helen Walter-Terrinoni led a panel of experts to discuss leak and ignition testing of low-GWP refrigerants in air conditioning equipment under whole room scale conditions, as well as refrigerant leak characteristics in real-life applications.
View the webinar here.
Webinar 3: Understanding Refrigerant Sensors
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
This session introduced the flammability risk mitigation concept using refrigerant sensors and reviewed the major differences in sensor requirements across key safety standards. Researchers presented ongoing efforts to evaluate a number of sensors using different sensing technologies.
View the webinar here.
Webinar 3: Understanding Refrigerant Sensors
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
This session introduced the flammability risk mitigation concept using refrigerant sensors and reviewed the major differences in sensor requirements across key safety standards. Researchers presented ongoing efforts to evaluate a number of sensors using different sensing technologies.
View the webinar here.
Webinar 4: Predictive Tools for Refrigerant Behaviors
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Scientists with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology introduced their modeling tools and discussed with industry members the tools’ applicability to simulating refrigerant dispersions and predicting the burning velocity of refrigerant blends.
View the webinar here.
Webinar 5: Refrigerant Ignition in Open Flame/Hot Surfaces: Has Anything Fundamentally Changed?
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
This session reported on the ongoing research efforts and existing testing results to understand the implications of exposing fluorinated refrigerants to fire or hot surfaces as well as a comparison of legacy and low-GWP refrigerants relative to heat and gases generated in these events.
View the webinar here.
Webinar 6: A2L Refrigerant Behavior in a Structure Fire
Webinar 6: A2L Refrigerant Behavior in a Structure Fire
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Experts discussed the preliminary findings from AHRTI Project 8028 specifically designed to show how low-global warming potential refrigerants classified as “A2L” or “lower flammability” may behave in a structure fire. The project was used to develop a training program to educate fire and emergency professionals on the appropriate tactics for dealing with A2L refrigerants in a home or building.
View the webinar here.
For more information, contact:
AHRI Meeting Planner Lauren Miller at 703-600-0354 or [email protected].
Webinar 7: Refrigerant Detection Systems 101
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Are you an HVACR technician or firefighter interested in learning more about the basics of refrigerant detection systems (RDS) being implemented in HVAC equipment? If so, please see the webinar, Refrigerant Detection Systems 101, where AHRI Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs Mary Koban led a panel of industry experts to explain what comprises an RDS, the function of an RDS in an HVAC system, how these systems are constructed per UL 60335-2-40, the importance of proper servicing and maintenance, and addressed a number of frequently asked questions.
View the webinar here.
For more information, contact:
AHRI Meeting Planner Lauren Miller at 703-600-0354 or [email protected].
Webinar 8: Servicing A2L Refrigerant Systems
Thursday, April 22, 2021
As the HVACR industry continues to move forward and innovate, it is phasing down the current commonplace refrigerants to those with a lower-global warming potential (GWP) – many of which are classified by ASHRAE A2L, or lower flammability. With numerous changes to building codes and industry standards to accommodate the safe use of these refrigerants, those working in the field need information on installing and servicing systems that will use them.
View the webinar here.
Webinar 9: A2L Refrigerants and Tactical Considerations for Firefighters
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
The UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute, in partnership with members of the fire service, and AHRI, developed firefighter training related to the refrigerant transition mandated by both federal and state regulations. In this installment of the Safe Refrigerant Transition Task Force Webinar Series, a panel of experts provided an overview and excerpts from the training. The presentation was followed by a Q&A on the training program, other research, and regulatory policy issues related to the refrigerant transition.
View the webinar here.
Webinar 10:Codes and Standards "Unlocked"
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Are you a technician or firefighter that finds new “codes” or “standards” or “regulations” for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) and water heating equipment confusing? Have you heard about a phasedown but you’re not sure how it impacts different types of equipment? Are you wondering when you need to be ready?
If so, view this webinar to learn more about codes and standards and how they differ. You will also hear about the process for developing consensus standards, some of the changes to equipment standards (ASHRAE 15, UL 60335-2-40, and UL 60335-2-89), building codes, refrigerant regulations, and how to prepare for the transition.
View the webinar here.
Webinar 11 - Joint Types and A2L Refrigerants
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Federal regulations are requiring a transition to lower-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, many of which are classified by ASHRAE as lower flammability and low toxicity (A2L). AHRI welcomed HVACR technicians, pipefitters, and sheet metal workers to learn which fittings perform best based on ASHRAE's testing of the leak performance of different types of fittings installed by experienced and inexperienced HVACR technicians. Industry experts discussed fitting evaluations in the UL 207 standard, how the standard is used to evaluate fittings, and the ASRHAE research project results.
Contact: Mary Koban.
Webinar 12 - HVACR Equipment Needed for the Safe Refrigerant Transition
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
This webinar examined the equipment needed for installing and servicing equipment that will contain the new A2L refrigerants and where it can be obtained. Expert presenters also discussed how to handle A2Ls and provided insightful tips.
View the webinar here.
Webinar 13 - The HFC Phasedown: Implementing the American Innovation & Manufacturing Act
Wednesday, October 06, 2021
This webinar explored legal and policy drivers, current and future regulatory requirements, and technical and other strategic considerations as US manufacturers begin to shift from HFCs to substitutes and alternatives.
See additional background, presentation slides, and view the webinar here.
Webinar 14 - The HFC Phasedown: Refrigeration Systems: Leak Detection and Reduction
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM Act) and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phasedown regulations are prompting original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users to pursue alternative avenues to reducing emissions. In this webinar, AHRI staff and industry experts from the Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Program; Veic; and OEMs Bacharach, Emerson, and Hussmann provided an overview of the benefits of reducing leaks, which are a major cause of emissions, and the technologies available to do so.