REGISTRATION UNDER THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS
 In July 2009 the Pressure Equipment Regulations number R. 734 were gazetted (Gazette Number 32395) as part of the Occupational Health and Safety Act; (Act No. 85 of 1993) and replaced the previous “Vessels Under Pressure” regulation. The regulations came into force on the 1st October 2009.
The scope of the regulations stipulate that they shall apply to the design, manufacture, operation, repair, modification, maintenance, inspection, and testing of pressure equipment with a design pressure equal to or greater than 50kPa in term of section 44 of the Act. With the regulation specifying 50 kPa as the minimum, all refrigeration plants, whether for cold storage or in air conditioning is governed by the relevant clauses in the regulations.
The regulation makes provision for an Authorised Person who is registered as competent within the scope of work undertaken. The Department of Labour has accredited SAQCC Gas (the South African Qualifications Certification Committee, Gas) to process registrations and to maintain a register of competent practitioners. The South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors' Association (SARACCA) is a member of SAQCC Gas along with the Liquid Petroleum Gas, Pipeline Gas and Compressed Gas Associations. The Pressure Equipment Regulations cover all gas equipment through which gasses under pressure are handled, piped and used. Flammable gasses used for cooking and heating and compressed gasses used in medical facilities and industry is different to refrigerant gases. The main difference is that in most cases refrigerant gas is used in a closed and sealed system with the refrigerant gas being circulated between the evaporator and the condenser by means of a compressor. With liquid petroleum and natural gas there is a flame burning to use the heat available. In the many compressed gasses the end of the piping is usually open or into a machine process. Refrigerant gasses are to remain contained and may not be allowed to escape to atmosphere. The safety requirements in some ways are the same but refrigeration has its own safety priorities, and is also subject to the Driven Machinery and Electrical Regulations.
In clause 17 of the pressure equipment regulation it states that;
1. “No person shall –
a) handle, store, or distribute any gas in any manner, which includes the filling of a container, other than in accordance with the relevant health and safety standard incorporated into these regulations under section 44 of the Act;
b) install or remove an appliance, pressure equipment or system for gas in any manner other than in accordance with the relevant safety standard incorporated into these regulation under section 44 of the Act;
c) install or remove a gas appliance or a gas system or a gas reticulation system unless such a person is an authorised person; or
d) use pressure equipment or systems for gas in any manner other than in accordance with the relevant safety standard incorporated into these regulation under section 44 of the Act;
2. After installation or re-installation, and before commissioning a gas system, the user shall ensure that an external inspection and leak test are performed by an authorised person or an approved inspection authority as applicable in terms of sub regulation 1.c.
3. An authorised person or an approved inspection authority shall issue a certificate of conformity after completion of a gas installation, modification, alteration or change of user or ownership in the form of annexure 1.
For the past number of years the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industries Council (ACRICSA) has promoted the training and registration of persons in the industry for the Safe Handling of Refrigerants. This unfortunately was not backed by law. The registration was only encouraged and made expedient by the refrigeration and air conditioning industry itself. With the Pressure Equipment Regulations and SAQCC Gas registration will be enforced by the Department of Labour under the OH&S ACT, it has become necessary to monitor and control the registration of competent authorised persons.
Unfortunately due to various factors ACRICSA had to close its office towards the end of 2009. The function of the new registration of competent authorised persons is now been under taken by SARACCA, representing the refrigeration air conditioning contracting fraternity.
A matrix of qualifications for registration as an authorised person has been drawn up to facilitate the registration process. Currently eight categories have been defined to cover all aspects of refrigeration and air conditioning installation, maintenance and repair. The categories cover at the bottom end those who handle gas in cylinders at the wholesalers and in contractor stores. The categories then cover the small unit installers with a level 2 qualification and moving on to commercial and industrial air conditioning and refrigeration areas of work. The automotive and transport sectors along with marine refrigeration are each covered individually. While the matrix covers the training requirements of new entrants to the industry those who are already qualified and ACRICSA registered previously for ‘SHOR” will be recognised for prior learning and experience. They, however, must re-apply for the new SAQCC Gas registration. The competency in various Unit Standards shown for the categories as recognised by MERSETA is a prerequisite for registration together with any Trade qualification. Those authorised persons in category 3 and upwards are qualified and authorised to issue Certificates of Compliance. It is a legal requirement that any installation, repair or modification on an air conditioning and or refrigeration system be done by an authorised person registered through SARACCA with SAQCC Gas.
In terms of the Pressure Equipment Regulations in the OH&S Act no new installation, repair or modification of an existing installation may be set into operation without a “Certificate of Compliance” issued by an “Authorised Person”. This person shall be in possession of a valid SAQCC Gas registration card for the category of work being certified. SARACCA will be making available the ‘Certificates of Compliance’ forms in the near future.
Application forms for registration are available from SARACCA (Phone - 011 622 3890 or Email - saracca@icon.co.za)
B M Richardson | SARACCA: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
