PD CEN TS 17606-2021 PDF

Full title and description

Installation of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment containing flammable refrigerants, complementing existing standards. This CEN Technical Specification (CEN/TS 17606:2021) provides complementary technical guidance for installing systems that use flammable refrigerants (in particular A3-class refrigerants), addressing risk mitigation, site design, labelling, competence and testing where existing standards do not fully cover these topics.

Abstract

This technical specification supplies practical information and complementary requirements for the safe installation of refrigeration, air‑conditioning and heat pump equipment that contain flammable refrigerants. It excludes refrigerants of toxicity class B, focuses on explosive-atmosphere considerations, charge limits, installation‑site design, marking/labeling, good installation practice, risk assessment, personnel competence and functional safety testing to supplement existing standards such as EN 378.

General information

• Status: Current / Published (widely adopted as a CEN Technical Specification and transposed or endorsed by several national bodies).
• Publication date: 31 March 2021 (CEN/TS 17606:2021); national adoptions and endorsements appeared through 2021–2022 (dates vary by member body).
• Publisher: Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN) — CEN/TC 182 (refrigeration and heat pump technical committee).
• ICS / categories: 27.200 (Refrigerating technology); 23.080 (Pumps); 91.140.30 (Ventilation and air‑conditioning systems).
• Edition / version: CEN/TS 17606:2021 (Technical Specification, first edition).
• Number of pages: Varies by national publication (commonly reported between 14 and 20 pages; many catalogues list 14–16 pages for the TS).

Scope

The document provides technical information to complement existing standards for installation of refrigeration, air‑conditioning and heat pump equipment containing flammable refrigerants — particularly A3-class — and excludes refrigerants of toxicity class B. It addresses aspects not fully covered by existing standards, including explosive-atmosphere (ATEX) considerations, structural/site design, charge limits and other risk mitigation measures specific to flammable refrigerants.

Key topics and requirements

• Explosive-atmosphere workplace assessment and equipment considerations (reference to ATEX workplace and equipment directives where relevant).
• Design and structural specifications for installation sites to limit ignition sources and manage refrigerant release dispersion.
• Marking and labelling of equipment, refrigerant-containing components and installation sites.
• Good practice for installation work, required tooling and personal protective equipment.
• Risk mitigation measures including recommended refrigerant charge limits and arrangements to reduce flammable atmosphere risk.
• Risk assessments, competence and training requirements for personnel performing installation and commissioning.
• Safety and functional testing of systems and installed equipment prior to commissioning.

Typical use and users

This technical specification is used by designers, installation contractors, HVACR engineers, site safety managers, testing and commissioning personnel, national standards bodies and authorities who need complementary guidance on safely installing systems that use flammable refrigerants. It is intended to be applied alongside primary product and system standards (for example EN 378 series) and local regulation.

Related standards

CEN/TS 17606 is intended to complement and be used together with the EN 378 series (refrigeration and heat pump safety and environmental requirements) and other relevant product and workplace safety standards (including applicable ATEX guidance and national transpositions). National adoptions often publish this TS alongside or as a complement to EN 378 parts 1–3.

Keywords

flammable refrigerants; A3 refrigerants; refrigeration installation; air conditioning installation; heat pumps; charge limits; ATEX; risk assessment; commissioning; labelling; EN 378; CEN/TS 17606:2021.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: CEN/TS 17606:2021 is a CEN Technical Specification providing complementary installation guidance for refrigeration, air‑conditioning and heat pump equipment containing flammable refrigerants (notably A3-class), addressing topics not fully covered by existing standards.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers installation‑site design, explosive‑atmosphere considerations, charge limits and mitigation measures, marking and labelling, good installation practice, personnel competence and safety testing to reduce the risks associated with flammable refrigerants. Refrigerants of toxicity class B are excluded from its scope.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: HVACR designers, installers, commissioning engineers, safety managers, compliance officers and national standards bodies who need practical, complementary guidance when installing systems using flammable refrigerants.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of its 2021 publication it is the current CEN Technical Specification for this topic. Users should check national standards bodies for any later amendments, national transpositions or related technical reports that may update or extend the TS.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a stand‑alone CEN Technical Specification intended to complement the EN 378 series (safety and environmental requirements for refrigeration and heat pump systems) and related standards; it should be used together with those primary standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Flammable refrigerants, A3 refrigerants, installation, charge limits, risk assessment, ATEX, EN 378, commissioning, labelling, HVACR safety.