Standards

R290 Charge Limit – Progress & Next Steps

Amidst increasing regulatory pressures at the state and federal levels, a growing number of US food retailers are looking to natural refrigerants – including carbon dioxide, ammonia, and propane – as future-proof options. Propane solutions offer opportunities for new and existing stores, but innovation has been limited due to the current allowable charge size of 150g per circuit in self-contained cases. Much of the industry is anxiously awaiting the approval of higher charge sizes for propane through codes and standards due to potential energy, capacity, and cost benefits.

2019 marked a turning point when the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60336-2-89 standard was updated to increase the charge limit for A3 refrigerants - including R-290 (Propane) and R-600a (Isobutane) - to 500g at the international level. After the publication of the updated IEC standard, a CANENA technical harmonization committee led a harmonization effort that resulted in an updated UL-60335-2-89 (UL 2-89) standard allowing up to 300g per circuit in cases with doors and 500g per circuit in open cases. The updated standard has been finalized and was published last Wednesday, October 27th.

But as new regulations begin to take effect in the US, there is a need to accelerate the approval of the higher charge sizes through other codes and standards updates. We’ve put together a brief summary of the status and next steps for each of the remaining updates needed for the widespread approval of higher propane charge limits in the US:

ASHRAE 15

  • Status: In Progress

  • Summary: The ASHRAE 15 committee has drafted an addendum to approve the higher charge sizes in alignment with UL 2-89 for listed equipment. The addendum is expected to be released for a public comment period in the near future.

  • Next Steps: NASRC will continue to monitor the standard update.

EPA SNAP

  • Status: In Progress

  • Summary: Multiple applications have been submitted to the EPA to approve the higher charge sizes in alignment with UL 2-89. The EPA has been unable to process those applications without a published standard that incorporates the higher charge sizes. Now that the updated UL 2-89 standard has been published, the EPA can begin to process applications to approve the higher charge sizes.

  • Next Steps: NASRC will push for accelerated approval of higher charge sizes.

Building Codes

  • Status: In Progress

  • Summary: Building codes are typically updated in accordance with international building code updates. Currently, the international building codes do not align with the higher charge sizes listed in UL 2-89, but there will be an opportunity to update the international codes to reflect the new UL 2-89 in early 2022. Once the international codes have been updated, a state-by-state effort to update building codes will be necessary. This will be the biggest and most time-consuming challenge to get the higher charge sizes approved.

  • Next Steps: NASRC will collaborate with AHRI and a coalition of other NGOs to ensure the international codes are updated and accelerate building code updates at the state level. Contact us to get involved.

R290 Charge Limit Increase - What's Next?

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Last year, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60336-2-89 standard was updated to increase the charge limit for A3 refrigerants - including R-290 (Propane) and R-600a (Isobutane) - to 500g at the international level. Since then, a CANENA technical harmonization committee has been working to adapt the IEC standard in the US, where the charge limit is still 150g.

NASRC recently co-hosted a member Q&A session on the pending charge limit increase in the US with Charlie Hon, who currently serves as the chairman for the CANENA committee. Here’s a few updates on the status and next steps to increase the R290 charge limit in the US:

  • CANENA - The CANENA committee has drafted an update to the UL 60335-2-89 standard, which would increase the charge limit for A3 refrigerants to 300g for self-contained systems with doors or drawers and 500g for other self-contained systems (e.g., open cases) in the US.

  • UL - The draft update has been submitted to UL, and in the next few months it will be sent out for a public comment period and the UL committee will vote to approve it. The standard is expected to be approved by Q1 2021. 

In addition to the UL standard update, the following steps must be completed before the larger A3 charge sizes are allowable:

  • EPA SNAP - EPA SNAP must accept the larger charge sizes before they can be sold. The CANENA committee will submit an application to EPA SNAP as soon as the updated UL standard is approved.

  • ASHRAE 15 - The ASHRAE 15 standard must be revised to include the larger charge sizes. This effort is being done in coordination with the CANENA committee.

  • Building Codes - National Building and Fire Codes will need to be modified. The next code cycle takes place in 2022.

All of these steps are expected to be completed by 2022 at the earliest, at which point the higher A3 charge sizes would be approved for use.

So what does all of this mean? Basically, a future with higher R290 charge sizes in self-contained equipment is on the horizon, but there is still work to be done.

Making Progress: NASRC Progress Group Highlights

With the help of our members and partners, NASRC progress groups are actively addressing the hurdles that are slowing the progress of natural refrigerants. Each NASRC progress group is committed to taking action on a specific hurdle.

Recent Activities

Codes and Standards 

  • Recently, we had the opportunity to provide feedback on IIAR's low-charge ammonia guidance (ARM-LC) and give comment on a draft of the IIAR CO2 Safety Standard. Thank you to our members for your contributions.

  • We are calling for the supermarket industry to voice their support for faster action on codes and standards. Take action to support low-GWP refrigerants by signing the NASRC petition. Remember you can sign both as an individual and on behalf of an organization, forward it on to others!

Utilities and Energy Efficiency

  • The group has been exploring options to develop a broadly-accepted modeling tool to accurately estimate and validate the energy savings of any refrigeration system, include those using natural refrigerants. 

  • Join our next meeting to hear from guest presenters including the DOE Better Buildings Alliance this month and the American Carbon Registry in May!

Contractors and Service Technicians

Interested in getting involved with an NASRC progress group?

New DOE Standards Mean Big Win for Propane

The Department of Energy’s most recent energy efficiency standards take effect on March 27, 2017. The DOE says the rule will avoid 142 million metric tons of CO2 emissions over the next 30 years, and is estimated to save businesses nearly 12 billion dollars in utility bills over that same 30-year time frame.

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