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Expert Insights on Refrigerant Safety

On July 4th, 2025 from 5pm to 6pm, an important webinar led by Dr Dermot Cotter, Managing Director of Star Technical Solutions, will take place under the auspices of ASHRAE, focusing on the critical issues pertaining to refrigerant hazards and safety. This session, titled "Refrigeration System Hazards and Safety System Requirements," promises to provide valuable insights into the complexities surrounding the refrigeration industry today.

Dr Cotter, who boasts over 35 years of experience in refrigeration, is a well-respected figure in the field and an expert in system safety, energy efficiency, and the ongoing transition towards heat decarbonization. This webinar will delve into various modern challenges, particularly the inherent hazards linked with different refrigerants, including issues related to their toxicity, flammability, and the significant operating pressures associated with them. These factors are essential in ensuring the safe operation of extensive commercial and industrial refrigeration systems.

One of the focal points of the session will be the ISO 817 refrigerant classification system. Participants will explore the distinctions in hazard profiles among refrigerant groups—ranging from A1 to A2L and B2L—and how these classifications influence design decisions in refrigeration and heat pump applications. Dr Cotter emphasizes, "Choosing a refrigerant isn't merely a technical decision; it carries weighty implications for safety and environmental considerations, necessitating compliance with regulatory legislation."

As organizations and industries work towards achieving net-zero emissions, understanding both direct and indirect impacts of refrigerant emissions is paramount. Dr Cotter aims to expand participants' knowledge on how gas emissions and energy consumption interplay.

The webinar will also highlight essential aspects of system safety, including pressure system hazards and the appropriate ventilation strategies necessary for safe operation. Participants will learn about the importance of gas detection systems and emergency response protocols in accordance with key UK regulations such as PSSR, DSEAR, and EN378. Dr Cotter will elucidate how safe system designs must also consider the emerging risks posed by high-pressure refrigerants like CO₂, and toxic chemicals such as ammonia, offering practical guidance on addressing these challenges.

This session is aimed at a variety of stakeholders within the refrigeration sector, particularly industrial refrigeration equipment owners, engineers, designers, operators, and safety professionals. As the industry shifts towards low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and natural options, this ASHRAE webinar serves as a critical platform for enhancing industry-wide understanding and promoting best practices in safety.

Star Refrigeration’s commitment to shaping a more efficient and safe refrigeration future aligns with the increasing necessity for technical excellence in the field. The insights shared during this upcoming webinar will undoubtedly assist professionals in their transition to safer refrigeration practices.

To register for "Refrigeration System Hazards and Safety System Requirements," please visit the webinar link here. For further information about Star Technical Solutions’ offerings and expertise, navigate to their website at star-ts.co.uk.

Star Technical Solutions, part of the renowned Star Refrigeration Group, has been providing expert, unbiased advice in the refrigeration and heat pump area since its inception in 2004. They assist clients in regulatory compliance, project scoping, training, and sustainability studies. With a focus on safety, efficiency, and sustainability, Dr Cotter’s presentation will play a crucial role in shaping the future of refrigeration technology.