Refrigeration service technicians point out the need to keep up to date with what is happening elsewhere that could affect them. So, from time to time, we like to bring readers up to date on some news items related to refrigeration regulatory and safety issues.

By this time, on your career path as refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, you should already be aware of all the methods used to find leaks. The choice of tool is totally up to you.

The detector’s features include the lifespan of its proprietary semiconductor sensor — more than 300 hours of operation or 10 years normal use — and sensitivities of 0.05 ounce/year (1.4 g/year) to R-134a and R-22, 0.025 ounce/year (0.7g/year). 

Refrigerant leak detector Model 316-3 is a hand-held detector that delivers optimal sensitivity to all refrigerants, detecting leaks as small as 0.15 oz/year. The detector is resistant to contaminants such as dust, dirt, and oil, the company said. 

Refrigerant leak sealant manufacturer Cliplight Manufacturing has updated its Super Seal Classic™ line by combining it with Dry R™ moisture eliminator and rebranding it Super Seal Advanced™. It offers a two-in-one sealant, for the quickest delivery in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, says the company.

The DP 1090 solvent-based duct sealer is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design- (LEED) qualified as a low-emitting sealant with volatile organic compounds less than 50 grams/liter. The sealant skins in less than a minute to help installers avoid the clean-up commonly associated with solvent-based duct sealers.

A/C EasySeal is designed to prevent and permanently seal troublesome leaks in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, says Nu-Calgon. A/C EasySeal travels with the system’s refrigerant and reacts with the atmosphere outside the leak to form a permanent seal.

The RLD400 Digital Refrigerant Leak Detector enables HVACR technicians and contractors to detect leaks of all common refrigerant gases, including many of the new ozone layer-friendly blends, with increased sensitivity, the company says.

Compact and lightweight, the Optimax™ 400 is a cordless, true UV LED leak detection flashlight that emits less visible light so refrigerant leaks are clearer and easier to spot, saving valuable inspection time, said the company. It features a high-output UV LED that causes dyes to fluoresce more brilliantly.

Icicle Seafoods, Seattle, has agreed to pay a more than $400,000 fine for refrigerant leaks at some of the company’s seafood processing vessels and plants in Alaska.