What is BS EN 378-3:2016+A1:2020 about?
This is the third in a four part series of European standards on safety and environmental requirements in relation to refrigerating systems and heat pumps. The aim is to minimize possible hazards to people, property and the environment from refrigerating systems and refrigerants. BS EN 378-3:2016+A1:2020 applies to the installation site and deals with site safety.
Who is BS EN 378-3:2016+A1:2020 for?
- Heat exchange, ventilation and refrigeration manufacturing/servicing companies
- Refrigeration system designers and installers
- Food and beverage logistics companies
- Medical supply companies
- Fire safety providers
- End-users of refrigeration systems
Why should you use BS EN 378-3:2016+A1:2020?
This European standard specifies requirements for the safety of persons and property, provides guidance for the protection of the environment and establishes procedures for the operation, maintenance and repair of refrigerating systems (including heat pumps) and the recovery of refrigerants.
This part applies to the installation site (plant space and services). It specifies requirements on the site for safety, which may be needed because of, but not directly connected with, the refrigerating system and its ancillary components.
It covers:
- Refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes except to vehicle air conditioning systems covered by a specific product standard e.g. ISO 13043
- Secondary cooling or heating systems
- The location of refrigerating systems
- Replaced parts and added components after adoption of this standard if they are not identical in function and in the capacity
- New refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications of already existing systems, and for existing stationary systems, being transferred to and operated on another site
- The conversion of a system to another refrigerant type, in which case conformity to the relevant clauses of parts 1 to 4 of the standard shall be assessed
You should use BS EN 378-3:2016+A1:2020 because it:
- Provides a simple route to meeting the requirements of various safety laws, particularly related to Pressure Equipment and Machinery Safety
- Simplifies entry to new markets and trade in general
- Can help manufacturers accelerate innovation
- Will help develop the expertise of users
What’s new about BS EN 378-3:2016+A1:2020?
This amendment introduces the following modifications with respect to the 2016 edition:
a) It adds flammability assessment and classification requirements for refrigeration systems with group A2L, A2, B2L, B2, A3, B3 refrigerants to clause 4.1 (Location of refrigerating equipment – General)
b) It adds more detailed requirements to clause 4.4 (Refrigerating equipment located in the occupied space)
c) In clause 5.14 (Machinery rooms for groups A2L, A2, A3, B2L, B2 and B3 refrigerants) it re-writes subclause 5.14.3.3 (Fire sprinkler systems)
d) Again in clause 5.14, it introduces a new subclause 5.14.3.4 (Doors and openings)
e) In clause 9.3 (Type and performance of detectors) it re-writes subclause 9.3.1 (General)