What Is F-Gas Compliance?

This guidance concerns the Great Britain regime for relevant stationary cooling and heat-pump equipment. Different equipment categories have their own provisions. Use the actual refrigerant and equipment information when determining the applicable requirements.

The charge's carbon-dioxide equivalent depends on its mass and global warming potential. Cooling capacity in kilowatts is a different measurement and does not establish the leak-check interval.

GOV.UK's leak-check guidance sets different arrangements by carbon-dioxide equivalent, with provisions for hermetically sealed equipment and automatic leak detection. Record the applicable interval and its basis against each system. Missing charge information is a task to resolve, rather than a reason to assign every unit the same date.

A maintenance visit can include several activities, but the record should identify which were performed. Keep routine servicing, mandatory leak checks, leak repairs and repair-effectiveness checks distinguishable.

If a leak is found during a check, GOV.UK requires repair as soon as possible and a repeat check within a month to confirm the repair worked. Adding refrigerant does not by itself explain or resolve a leak. Assign the follow-up when authorising the repair so it is not lost after cooling is restored.

For equipment within the specified record-keeping scope, retain the required records for five years. Record refrigerant type and quantities, additions, check results, recovery and relevant contractor details. Link these to the equipment reference so a future maintainer can reconstruct the history.

Refrigerant-handling work needs the appropriate individual qualifications, with company certification required for relevant contractor activities. GOV.UK explains company certification. Establish the appropriate delivery arrangements when commissioning work.

When replacing equipment, include refrigerant recovery, removal and updated records in the scope. Mark the old system as removed and record the new equipment separately. Retaining an old maintenance date against a replacement unit can conceal a different refrigerant or charge requirement.

No. F-gas requirements concern refrigerants. TM44 is an air-conditioning energy inspection regime. The same installation can need both, alongside routine maintenance.

No. Identify the refrigerant, charge and equipment provisions. A small physical unit is not enough information to determine the requirement.

A contractor can perform the agreed technical work. The operator still needs clear arrangements for required checks, access, records and action on findings. Define those responsibilities explicitly.

See F-Gas Compliance, TM44 Inspections and How Often Should Air Conditioning Be Serviced?. Browse the Knowledge Centre.

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