September 16, 1997
(Environment and Labour)

New ozone depleting substances regulations announced

Today is International Ozone Day and the Tenth Anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol. Accordingly, the provincial Minister of Environment and Labour, Oliver Langdon, is taking action to prevent the release of ozone depleting substances in the province with the introduction of regulations. The minister made the announcement while attending a meeting of the parties to the Montreal Protocol in Montreal on the topic of ozone depletion.

The new regulations, referred to as the ODS Regulations, apply to fire extinguishing equipment, refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, including industrial, commercial, and domestic equipment and automotive air conditioners. The new regulations prohibit ozone depleting substances, such as CFCs and halons, from being released into the atmosphere, except where specifically allowed by the regulation. The release of certain replacement substances, such as HFCs which can contribute to global warming, will also be prohibited.

The regulations are compatible with those of the federal government and of the other provinces. They require that refrigeration and air conditioning equipment be operated and serviced according to the Environment Canada Code of Practice. Service people will be required to take a one-day environmental awareness course. Fire extinguishing systems must be serviced and operated according to National Fire Protection and ULC standards.

In addition, the ODS regulations require equipment owners to report to the Department of Environment and Labour a release of more than 10 kilograms of a CFC or halon. In addition, refrigerant must be recovered from equipment before disposal. This includes recovery from vehicle air conditioners before the vehicle is discarded.

Minister Langdon stated: "The depletion of the earth's ozone layer is a major international problem requiring local action. We all have to be aware of the impacts of these chemicals on the earth's atmosphere and we must begin to act responsibly with respect to the use of these chemicals."

While the new regulations are to take effect this week, some aspects of the regulations will be phased in over time. Copies of the regulations will be available next week by contacting the Office of the Queen's Printer, (709) 729-3649.

Contact: Sean Kelly, Director of Communications, (709) 729-2575.

HIGHLIGHTS OF DRAFT OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES REGULATIONS

HARMONIZATION -

These regulations will be compatible with those of the federal government and of the other provinces, and will make use of existing training programs and procedures. The regulation requires that the refrigeration and air conditioning equipment be operated and serviced according to the Environment Canada Code of Practice. Fire extinguishing systems must be serviced and operated according to National Fire Protection and ULC standards.

 

APPLICATION -

The regulations apply to fire extinguishing equipment, refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, including industrial, commercial, and domestic equipment and automotive air conditioners.

 

NO RELEASE -

The release to the atmosphere of ozone depleting substances (CFCs, HCFCs, HBFCs and halons) during their use for refrigeration, air conditioning and fire extinguishing is prohibited except where specifically allowed by the regulation. The release of certain replacement substances (HFCs and perfluorocarbons) which can contribute to global warming, will also be prohibited.

 

OWNERS -

Equipment owners will be required to ensure that their equipment is properly serviced and secure. They will also be required to report to the department whenever a release of more than 10 kilograms or a CFC or halon occurs.

 

DISPOSAL -

Refrigerant must be recovered from equipment before disposal. This includes recovery from vehicle air conditioners before junking.

 

WHOLESALERS -

Wholesalers of regulated substances will be required to register and to keep sales records for inspection by the department. Wholesalers will also be required to accept returns and provide storage of regulated substances.

 

 

REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING

CONTAINERS -

Effective 90 days after the regulations come into force, refrigerant must be sold in approved reusable containers for which a minimun of a $25 refundable deposit is required.

 

TRAINING -

Within six months of the regulations coming into force anyone who services refrigeration or air conditioning equipment, or who purchases regulated substances for installation in equipment, must successfully complete a one day environmental awareness course on prevention of release of refrigerants. Either the Environment Canada/Heating Refrigeration Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) course or the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) course will be acceptable.

 

SERVICING -

Effective 90 days after the regulations come into force, on-site recovery or recycle equipment will be required whenever refrigeration or air conditioning equipment is serviced.

 

LEAK TESTING -

A leak test will be required before refrigerant is added to equipment, and every year for units larger than three horsepower. Leaking equipment must be immediately repaired or have the regulated substances removed. Ozone depleting substances may not be used for leak testing (except in vehicle air conditioners under certain conditions).

 

COMPRESSOR PURGE -

Centrifugal chillers must have purge units that release no more than 0.1 kilograms of refrigerant per kilogram of air purged. Existing units will have until January 1, 2000 to upgrade to zero emissions.

 

EXTENDED NON-OPERATION -

Refrigerant must be removed from equipment that is non-operational for more than eight months.

 

LABELLING -

All new equipment containing regulated substances must be labelled, and labels must be placed on equipment whenever refrigerant is added. Service records must be kept for three years for inspection by the department.

 

 

FIRE EXTINGUISHING

USE -

Fire Extinguishers and systems containing regulated substances may only be discharged to extinguish fires. In addition, Halons cannot be used to put out fires lit for training purposes. Existing halon fire extinguishing equipment may be recharged with halon but new halon extinguishers or systems are prohibited.

 

LEAK TESTING -

Leak tests of fire extinguishing systems following National Fire Protection Association Procedures must be carried out every six months.

 

STRATEGIC PLAN -

Owners of more than 10 portable fire extinguishers containing halons or of halon systems containing more than 40 kilograms of halon must prepare a strategic plan for the phase out and replacement of halons within six months of the regulations coming into force.

 

OPERATION AND SERVICING -

System owners must have an operations manual. All system discharges of ozone depleting substances must be reported annually. Servicing must be carried out in accordance with published ULC standards. Regulated substances must not be vented during servicing.