The F-Gas regulations are an EU environmental regulation brought into effect on the 4th July 2007, as part of the European Unions obligations under the Kyoto protocol. F-gasses or HFC's (hydroflourocarbons) can harm our environment and cause climate change. These regulations are directed at reducing leakage of HFC's and their recovery. The regulations cover both pure HFC's such as R-134a and blends like R-404a.

At TQ Environmental we can help with the containment of such gases by providing reliable Leak Detection Equipment, mandatory in larger installations. In addition, fitting Automated Leak Detection Equipment can reduce your mandatory inspection times, for example;

Systems containing 30 kg of charge or more must be inspected every 6 months or every 12 months if leak detection equipment is fitted.

Systems containing 300 kg of charge or more must be inspected every 3 months or every 6 months if leak detection equipment is fitted. The fitting of a Leak Detection System such as the TQ 4200 however is now a mandatory requirement under the F-gas regulations.

For more information regarding F-gas regulations, try the following website links;
www.defra.gov.uk
www.acrib.org.uk

The TQ4200 gains ECA approval

TQ is proud to announce that the industry leading TQ4200 gas detection system is now ECA approved and thus has been placed on the Energy Technology List. The Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme is a government program designed to encourage businesses to invest in energy saving equipment.

The TQ4200 is the first Automated Leak Detection system to be approved by the ECA following revisions to its criteria in late 2006. Being part of the Energy Technology List enables the customer to claim back costs on the equipment and any fees related directly to its installation; this includes transportation, installation and professional fees.

More information on the ECA can be found by visiting www.eca.gov.uk. The TQ4200 can be found in the Automated Permanent Refrigerant Leak Detection category, or just search for TQ Environmental on their web page.

What is the ECA scheme?

The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme is a key part of the Government's programme to manage climate change, and is designed to encourage businesses to invest in energy-saving equipment.

Why was it introduced?

The Government introduced the ECA scheme in 2001 to encourage businesses to invest in low carbon, energy-saving equipment. As part of the Climate Change Levy Programme, it's designed to help the UK reach its Kyoto target of reducing carbon emissions by 20%.

Climate change is becoming one of the biggest threats to our planet's environment, and the biggest cause of this is carbon emissions produced by burning fossil fuels. Around half of these come from businesses and industrial processes, so it's important that efforts to reduce emissions focus on these areas.

There are three ECA schemes which provide enhanced tax relief for spending on equipment which has environmental benefits: energy-saving equipment, water-efficient equipment and low carbon dioxide emission cars. This website focuses on energy-saving products and technologies.

What can I claim for?

For products on the Energy Technology Product List, you can claim on the cost of the equipment itself, and other costs directly involved in installing it. These include:

Transportation - the cost of getting equipment to the site.
Installation - cranage (to lift heavy equipment into place), project management costs and labour, plus any necessary modifications to the site or existing equipment.
Professional Fees - if they are directly related to the acquisition and installation of the equipment.

Any remote or indirect costs do not qualify for the ECA - for example, staff time spent taken to select the right equipment. Remember, only new equipment is eligible for an ECA - used or secondhand equipment does not qualify.

Note to buyers: To get the full benefit from these leak detection systems, ensure there are enough sensing points and that they are located in appropriate positions.

Installing a system with only one sensing point in a plant room, for example, will not give maximum benefit. The system must be correctly installed and commissioned, then properly maintained to ensure reliability and minimise false alarms.

What is the criteria to be ECA approved?

Products Must

Generate an alarm signal when the level of refrigerant in the atmosphere exceeds 100 ppm (parts per million);

Have a measurement accuracy of 20 ppm and be able to detect the presence of 10 ppm of refrigerant in the atmosphere

TQ4200 has been independently tested to ensure that it meets this criteria and was the first system to be approved in the UK.
Energy Technology List (ECA scheme) www.eca.gov.uk
www.carbontrust.co.uk