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.
