Ozone-Depleting Substances Paper Approved

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) approved an ozone-depleting substances position statement and paper at its 2001 winter meeting in Atlanta GA. This position statement and paper commits the group to several initiatives:

• ASHRAE will continue to conduct research on development and application of HFCs.

• The group urges implementation of worldwide conservation measures to minimize emissions of all refrigerants employing the latest technology, guidance documents, and standards.

• Worldwide compliance with provisions of the Montreal Protocol, including its amendments and adjustments, is urged.

• ASHRAE recommends that in order not to discourage use of viable alternatives to CFCs, the current phaseout schedules of the Montreal Protocol should not be accelerated.

• To assist in the timely transition away from ozone-depleting substances to new alternatives, the group has placed two industry standards on continuous maintenance — permitting incorporation of new technical developments on an accelerated basis.

• ASHRAE urges code-developing organizations and local code-implementing authorities to adopt promptly provisions permitting new, improved technologies and products.

Copies of the position statement and paper may be downloaded for free at www.ashrae.org as of March 2001.