E-learning and training for CPD from the IOR

REAL Alternatives

The IOR's free e-learning programme covers the safety, efficiency, reliability and containment of low GWP alternative refrigerants – Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia, Hydrocarbon and low flammables (HFOs and R32). There are 9 Modules in the programme and a Course Description shown on the e-learning platform.  On completion of the e-learning you can obtain a CPD Certificate

Learning modules currently available:

• 1. Introduction to Alternative Refrigerants - safety, efficiency, reliability and good practice (MANDATORY)
• 2. Safety and risk assessment (MANDATORY)
• 3. System design using alternative refrigerants
• 4. Containment and leak detection of alternative refrigerants
• 5. Maintenance and repair of alternative refrigerant systems
• 6. Retrofitting existing systems
• 7. Checklist of legal obligations when working with alternative refrigerants
• 8. Measuring the financial and environmental impact of leakage
• 9. Tools and guidance for conducting site surveys

• Register for the e-learning here (external website)
• Download course materials at www.realalternatives.eu  (external website)

The materials were developed by a consortium of training and association partners throughout Europe, and were backed by Guidance notes and a Train the Trainer package. The Training has been translated internationally with versions available in Polish, Italian, Dutch/Flemish, Finnish, French, German, Spanish, Croatian, Czech/Slovakian, Turkish and Romanian.  

This project was been funded with support from the European Commission.  

REAL Zero and REAL Skills 

The REAL Zero refrigerant containment campaign was led by the Institute of Refrigeration and developed by a team of international experts to provide industry guidance on how to reduce leakage of HFC refrigerants.  It provided the knowledge and skills to reduce the direct environmental impact of refrigeration equipment, by reducing the emission of these refrigerant, some of which have high GWP potential. REAL Zero compliments the requirements of the F Gas Regulation for leak checking, recording of service activity and training, with supporting technical information on good practice and simplified guides to legal requirements for services engineers, contractors and end users.

Training booklets are available to download below

• Guide to good leak testing
• Illustrated guide to 13 common leaks
• Designing out leaks: design standards and practices
• Leakage matters: the service and maintenance contractor’s responsibility
• Leakage matters: the equipment owner’s responsibility

This material has been adapted as an interactive multilanguage e-learning programme:

• Module 1: Environmental, Cost and Legal Aspects of Refrigerant Leakage - learn the principles of effective refrigerant containment and management.
• Module 2: Reducing Leakage Through Appropriate Maintenance and Service – industry best practice including leak test methods and interpreting existing data to make improvements.
• Module 3: Minimising Leakage – Good Practices for Design, Installation and Commissioning- find out about how to design, install and commission RAC systems to minimize the potential for refrigerant leakage.
• Module 4: Reducing Refrigerant Leakage through Site Specific Surveys and Advice – bring together knowledge from in the first three modules to undertake site surveys and recommend client strategies to reduce refrigeration leakage.

Register for the free e-learning here (this link redirects you to our e-learning site hosted by University College Limburg)

Case studies of successful containment strategies were published as part of this work below:

• Case study 1 -Retail Emissions Savings (2009)  
• Case study 2 - Industrial Food Processing Site Emissions Savings (2009)
• Asda - Evaluation of refrigeration systems and containment systems (2013)