F-Gas technicians triumph at the Middle East Awards 

Eurovent Middle East has awarded certificates to eleven HVACR engineers and technicians from EPTA Middle East for F-Gas handling, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and industry leaks.

Eurovent Middle East has awarded certificates for F-Gas handling to eleven HVACR engineers and technicians from EPTA Middle East. The three-day course, part of the HVACR Leadership Academy, teaches technicians the correct handling and treatment of equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases. The course is designed for professionals interested in best practices for maintenance, repair, recovery, leakage checking, and dismantling RAC systems containing F-Gases.

The certification ceremony was organised at the margins of a four-day meeting of the West Asia Network of National Ozone Officers in Dubai organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol by the governments in the region is increasing the pressure to transition to long-term alternatives and natural refrigerants. Education, training, and qualification of HVACR technicians play a vital role in this transition and are a major pillar in climate action and the fight against rising greenhouse gas emissions.

EPTA, a company specialising in commercial refrigeration products, solutions, and services is the first to make use of the association’s training programme for HVACR technicians. As an industry leader in CO₂ refrigeration, EPTA is spearheading the initiative for upskilling and is fully committed to strengthening its leadership by qualifying its personnel in the region through further education and training.

Andrea Cavalet, General Manager of EPTA Middle East highlights the benefits of the initiative: “Training and qualification of HVACR personnel will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it also encourages better understanding and handling of HVACR equipment, leading to savings in various areas, from power consumption to maintenance. Upskilling in general harbours the largest saving potential in the industry.”

Khaled Klaly, Regional coordinator for the Montreal Protocol West Asia, UNEP commended the initiative during the certification ceremony: “We are extremely happy to see this education and training initiative by Eurovent Middle East unfold in the region. We need to radically reduce leaks and ensure better handling of such refrigerants throughout the HVACR industry. Products or policies alone are not sufficient. We depend on every technician and service provider to handle refrigerants responsibly and skilfully. And this can only be achieved by training and qualification of the people involved.”