As urbanisation drives increased demand for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) in developing countries, the industry faces the challenge of balancing growth with environmental responsibility.

As such, industry association the Southern African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (SARACCA) is actively working with its members to address this concern.

SARACCA executive director David Botha notes that one of the ways in which the association and its members are working to protect the environment is through refrigerant recovery – referring to the transfer of a system’s refrigerant into a refillable refrigerant cylinder during the repairs or replacement of the air-conditioning system –  as well as ensuring that new HVAC-R units are installed with and use refrigerants where the ozone depletion potential value is lower – such as R32.

He adds that high standards are vital to protecting both the environment and end-users, noting that risks to the environment and to the end-user increase when uncertified technicians work in the industry.

Consequently, one of the key functions of SARACCA, together with nonprofit organisation, the South African Qualification and Certification Committee (SAQCC) Gas is to drive the professional registration of industry practitioners.

Professional registration helps demonstrate that workers are “in the right trade and have the necessary experience and qualifications. This is essential for the growth of the industry.”

He adds that safety is also integral and “working safely is an everyday decision”. He notes that SARACCA members are encouraged to send their staff for safe handling of refrigerant (SHOR) training and to complete compliance certificates for every new or repaired HVAC-R installation.

Botha points out that when standards are not maintained, the risk of venting refrigerant into the atmosphere, which has long-lasting effects on the ozone layer, is high.

Moreover, when equipment is not installed or maintained to the correct standards or supplier recommendations, equipment damage occurs more frequently and equipment life-cycles are shortened.

He notes that SARACCA is 63 years old, but “HVAC-Rs have been around much longer”. Nonetheless, most of the information available on maintaining refrigeration systems has not changed. “The only major changes are an increased focus on energy efficiency and the phase-out of certain refrigerants.”

There is also the emergence of so-called “smart systems” which necessitates the introduction of technical training for practitioners. “With systems, the key is always training and SARACCA has approved training providers to assist industry stakeholders,” Botha comments.

He notes that SARACCA is assisting member companies by offering apprentice training programmes, but stresses that it has a limited budget for this offering, as it also offers technical training to its members.

Botha notes that continuous professional development (CDP) is another priority, with technicians required to complete SHOR training every three years to retain their SAQCC Gas registration and keep up to date with industry standards.

“With the phasing out of legacy qualifications, all the training providers are working with government to meet the deadline to register new qualifications and training programmes with the South African Qualifications Authority and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations,” says Botha.

This will open new employment opportunities in HVAC-R, as well as improve CO2 mitigation and ammonia production.

Botha notes that credibility is important for SARACCA, which is why it stresses the value of registration, CDP and adherence to standards. This is also why it “looks into” any reported SARACCA member contraventions to “correct unethical or unsafe practices”.

“For non-members, the SAQCC Gas Code of Conduct helps us correct or address concerns. Labour inspectors, with SARACCA represented as an industry leader, will inspect reported companies or technicians,” Botha states.

He concludes that SARACCA will continue to grow its membership and will help to shape the future of the entire HVAC-R industry by driving quality, fairness and development within the industry.