Hydrocarbon Refrigerants

In Queensland the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants is regulated under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004.

This includes approval of the refrigerating device and authorisation to undertake gas work on the refrigeration device.

• A device that uses hydrocarbon refrigerants is a Type B gas device and as such is required to be approved before it is sold, installed or used. Thus an appliance such as a refrigerator or an air conditioner that uses hydrocarbon refrigerants eg R600, must be approved by a recognised Type B Approving Authority or the Chief Inspector Petroleum and Gas, before it is sold, installed or used in Queensland.
• Anyone installing, removing, altering, repairing, servicing, testing or certifying the gas system of a device (ie charging, discharging or breaking into the refrigeration system that uses hydrocarbon refrigerants) must hold an authorisation to do so. A Gas Work Authorisation (Hydrocarbon Refrigerants) is required.

These pages detail:

• How to get an appliance approved
• Register of approved appliances.
• Applying for and working under a gas work authorisation
• The key sections of the legislation.
• The Standards involved.
• General safety and use information for the public.

Hydrocarbon refrigerants include: