1. Delete the phrase "There are no substantive changes to the credit requirements;", capitalize the R in "refer to the LEED v4 reference guide", add "edits and" before the word "addition", and add an "s" to the end of the word "addition"
2. Insert new section titled "Behind the Intent". insert the following text:
"While the Montreal Protocol provided for the phase-out of CFC and HCFC refrigerants due to their ozone depletion potential, it led the industry shift toward the usage of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases. In the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016, 197 countries committed to cut the production and consumption of HFCs by more than 80 percent over the next 30 years.
Alternatives to HFCs have been developed to provide lower-
GWP refrigerant options, although the availability of low-
GWP refrigerants varies between applications. The transition to lower-
GWP refrigerant options requires an increased focus on safety, as many “next generation” refrigerants can pose flammability and/or toxicity risks if not properly managed. ASHRAE Standard 15-2019: Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems provides essential guidance to manufacturers, design engineers and operators who need to stay current with new air conditioning and refrigerating requirements. The selection of refrigerants and their operating systems should be based on a holistic analysis of multiple criteria, including safety, environmental impacts, energy efficiency and cost.
In addition to protecting human health, effective refrigerant management during processes of design, manufacturing, operation, systems servicing, and end of life helps to reduce global emissions. The majority of refrigerant emissions happen at end of life, so the effective disposal of refrigerants currently in circulation (including
CFCs,
HCFCs and HFCs) is essential. A robust refrigerant management plan provides a framework for building owners and operators to properly manage these chemicals and minimize direct contributions to climate change."
3. Insert new section titled "Step-by-Step". Insert the following text:
"Step 1. Document compliance with ASHRAE Standard 15-2019
Review ASHRAE Standard 15-2019: Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems. The standard establishes procedures for the safe design, construction, installation and operation of refrigerant systems. Note that Standard 15 must be used with ASHRAE Standard 34-2019 Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants, which describes a shorthand way of naming refrigerants and assigns safety classifications based on toxicity and flammability data.
Ensure that all refrigeration equipment installed in the project comply with ASHRAE Standard 15-2019 requirements for restrictions on refrigerant use (section 7), installation restrictions (section 8), design and construction of equipment and systems (section 9), operation and testing (section 10) and general requirements (section 11), as applicable to the project scope.
Step 2. Develop and implement refrigerant management plan
Develop and implement a refrigerant management plan. The plan must include a complete inventory of all refrigerants used in the project and address refrigerant leak detection, system retrofit, and proper end of life disposal for all HVAC&R systems containing more than 0.5 pound (225 gram) of refrigerant.
The plan must identify the individuals responsible for the care and maintenance of refrigerant systems, regular leak detection and monitoring, record-keeping and training of personnel necessary to execute the plan.
All contractors or service technicians performing work on any HVAC&R systems shall have access to the refrigerant management plan and, upon completion of the work, provide documentation that confirms continued compliance with the plan.
Step 3. Calculate refrigerant impact of proposed systems
Refer to the LEED v4 reference guide.
Step 4. Incorporate design criteria into project plans and specifications
Refer to the LEED v4 reference guide."
4. Under Further Explanation, insert a new section "Referenced Standards" and insert the following text:
" ASHRAE Standard 15-2019: Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems"
5. Under new section "Referenced Standards", insert new section "Required Documentation" and insert the following text:
"Refer to the LEED v4 Reference Guide content, plus the following additions for Option 2:
• Confirmation that project HVAC&R systems comply with ASHRAE Standard 15
• Refrigerant management plan"
