Rules, authorisation and certificates in refrigeration
What you may do, what you need to be able to document, and why refrigerants are strictly regulated
You work with refrigerants under pressure, with electricity and with systems that can cause damage if handled incorrectly. Therefore the trade is surrounded by rules – both for what you must be able to document and for what you may work with independently. It is important to know the framework so you know when you can act yourself and when a task requires a specific certificate.
§The journeyman's certificate is your professional key
Your formal proof that you are qualified to work in the trade is your journeyman certificate. It is issued when you have passed the final examination and completed your training, and it documents that you have the competences appropriate to your level – such as installing, filling, commissioning, troubleshooting and maintaining refrigeration systems at a professionally sound level.
§Refrigerant certificate – there's no getting around it
When you work with refrigerants above a certain amount it requires a personal certificate. This is because many refrigerants are potent greenhouse gases if they escape to the atmosphere and the work should be performed so there are no leaks. The rules come partly from the EU's rules on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gas) partly from Danish legislation requiring who may perform the work.
§Mandatory courses along the way
Through education you must typically complete a number of mandatory courses before you can perform specific tasks. They are often early in the process and are a prerequisite for moving forward.
- 01Work with refrigerant charging
- 02First aid
- 03Basic fire fighting.
- 04Work environment and safety during welding
§Pressure, welding and electricity
A cooling system is a closed pressure-bearing system. When you solder weld seal and pressure test you work within a field that has rules for both materials and procedure. At the same time electricity is involved — control compressors and motors — and electrical installation in Denmark is an area requiring authorisation. Know the limits at your workplace for what you can perform independently and what must happen under a company's authorisation.
§Documentation and traceability
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