International. Significant changes to the refrigerant cylinder color protocol will begin in January 2020, as described in Guideline N of the Institute of Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (AHRI), Refrigerant Container Color Assignment. Revisions to the guidelines, first published in 2015, specify that all refrigerant containers must have the same paint color, RAL 7044, to reduce confusion between refrigerant containers of similar colors.
"Misidentifying refrigerants can lead to serious safety issues because refrigerants have different operating pressures and physical properties, including potential flammability," said Helen Walter-Terrinoni, AHRI's Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. "It can also cause damage to equipment if refrigerants are used in the wrong applications. The updated guideline will ensure that refrigerants continue to be used correctly and safely."
AHRI Guideline N previously stipulated that specific colors for refrigerant containers will be used as an additional means of identifying the refrigerant. However, with the increase in the number of refrigerants approved for use and the respective increase in the number of colors assigned to these refrigerants, there was concern about the possible misidentification of containers of similar colors. More than half of respondents using refrigerants found that container colors had caused confusion. This confusion is likely to increase as new refrigerants are added to the market.
Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for hazardous materials transportation regulations and Title 29 of the CFR for occupational safety and health regulations require that all containers of hazardous materials, including refrigerant cylinders and drums, be labeled to clearly identify the contents. These container labels and markings should always be used as the primary means of identifying hazardous materials, including refrigerants. AHRI will continue to assign PMS colors only for printed materials, including the label on containers and the outer packaging of DOT39 cylinders, the guideline still requires all flammable refrigerants to include a red band on the shoulder or top of the container. Changes do not apply to products already packaged.
While the AHRI Guidelines act as industry recommendations and are not required by law, virtually everyone in the industry adheres to the N Guideline and all users should be aware that the cylinder label and drum or screen printing will now serve as the primary means of properly identifying the type of coolant in a cylinder or drum.
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