FIA

F-Gas Certification

1. What is the purpose of the F-Gas Regulations?

   The F-Gas Regulation (EC Regulation 842/2006) and the Ozone Regulation (EC Regulation 2037/2000) is to contain, prevent and thereby reduce emissions of F-Gases covered by the Kytoto Protocol in order to combat climate change.

   In the case of fire protection users of these systems have numerous obligations to prevent leakage of F-Gas extinguishants, especially for an equipment containing 3kg or more refrigerant.

   There are many obligations that apply to fire protection systems suppliers and maintenance contractors, especially relating to the use of appropriately qualified personnel and certification of companies.

   The FIA are able to help with training for your personnel and if your need more info please see our training page on F-Gas Certification.

    

2. If I employ a sub-contractor will my certificate cover them?

   If you employ a sub-contractor then they must have their own certificate and you cannot apply for a certificate on their behalf.

3. Will my business be audited once I hold a certificate?

   Businesses  that hold a full company certificate may be subject to an annual audit.  This may be a desk-top or on-site audit.

   The FIA will annually select a percentage of cetificated businesses to be inspected.

4. What extinguishing gases are covered by the F-Gas Regulations

   The F-Gases in use in Europe in fire extinguishing systems and portable fire extinguishers are:

   • HFC-23 (known as FE-13)
   • HFC-125 (known as FE25, ECARGO, NAF 125)
   • HFC 227ea (known as FM 200, FE 227, NAF 227)
   • HFC 236fa (known as FE 36)

5. Will my business be affected by the F-Gas Regulations?

   The Regulations apply to all businesses that carry out installation, maintenance or servicing of fire protection systems that contain, or are designed to contain, F-Gas extinguishants.  If this is the case you must obtain either an Company Certificate.

   Any business carrying out this work after 4 July 2009 without one of these cetificates will be committing an offence under the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009.

6. How do I obtain F-Gas certification?

   Business that require interim F-Gas certification must prove that each engineer working on F-Gas systems has evidence of at least one in-house qualification.

   For a full company certificate businesses must prove that the engineers who carry out work on F-Gas systems have the new industry qualification.

   The FIA is able to help in both cases.  For details of certification and/or training please see the attached links:

   • F-Gas Certification
   • F-Gas Training

   Businesses must also confirm, by declaration, that they habe appropriate recovery systems and extinguishant handling procedures.

7. What is the difference between and interim certificate and a full certificate?

   The interim certifcate has been put into place because the Regulations realise that not all businesses will be able to meet the full certification standards by 4 July 2010.

   The interim certification period lasts until 4 July 1010, which will allow businesses time for their engineers to gain the qualification.  They will also need to be able to demonstrate that they have appropriate recovery systems and refrigerant handling procedures in place.

8. How much do certificates cost?

   An interim certificate valid to 4 July 2010 will cost £90.

   A full certificate valid for 5 years will cost £290.

   Re-certification thereafter will cost £140.

9. How long will my certificate by valid?

   Interim certificates are valid until 4 July 2010 but must be replaced by a full certificate on or before that date.

   Full certificates are valid for three years from the date of issue and must be renewed on or before their expiry date.

10. Why does my business need a certificate?

    If your business does not have a company certificate it will be liable to enforcement measures from your local authority.  The Regulations place strict obligations on businesses amd if you are not certificated you will be placing your customers at risk.

    In addition, suppliers of refrigerant gases and equipment are supporters of the Regulations and may ask to see you company certificate before filling any orders you place.