§ Mr. Derek TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance(a) his Department and (b) NHS Estates gives to health service bodies tendering for refrigeration equipment. [120418]
§ Mr. MeacherThe model framework for greening Government operations—which Government departments have been encouraged to adopt or adapt to meet their special circumstances—promotes environmentally preferable refrigerants having a zero or low potential for ozone depletion or global warming. I cannot answer for NHS Estates as responsibility here rests with the Secretary of State for Health. However, it is DETR's policy not to buy refrigerants containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and to avoid hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances where there are suitable alternatives. Our policy is also to favour technologies and refrigerants with little or no potential to contribute to global warming where they are safe, cost effective and practicable. Advice on environmentally preferable refrigerants is given in DETR's "Green Guide for Buyers"
Refrigeration Air conditioning Aerosols Metered dose inhalers Other applications HFCs 7,685 3,766 1,020 121 23 (foam) HCFCs 13,500 4,000 0 0 Not known Ammonia Not known Not known 0 0 Not known Hydrocarbons Not known Not known Not known 0 Not known CFCs 6,150 2,050 0 2,483 Not known Note:
Figures shown in metric tonnes
274Wand other guidance which can be found on DETR's website. There are however circumstances—especially with retrofits—where currently available environmentally preferable technologies and refrigerants are not safe or are excessively costly. We are continuing to put pressure on our suppliers to develop more cost effective, safer and greener products.
§ Mr. Derek TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with fire safety experts about the implications of installing(a) hydrocarbon and (b) ammonia-based refrigeration as part of air conditioning systems in public places; and if he will make a statement. [120420]
§ Mr. MeacherIt is the responsibility of any person or company installing hydrocarbon or ammonia-based air conditioning equipment in a public place to ensure that all fire and safety issues are properly addressed. Such installations should follow the guidance set out in British Standard (BS 4434): "Specification for safety and environmental aspects in the design, construction and installation of refrigerating appliances and systems (1995)". The Health and Safety Executive were on the technical committee that drafted BS 443.
§ Mr. Derek TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the storage and use of(a) hydrocarbons, (b) HFCs and (c) ammonia in (i) refrigeration and (ii) air conditioning systems used by health service bodies. [120423]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Management of Heath and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require all employers, including health service bodies, to carry out an assessment of risks to people's health and safety form the undertaking, including the effects of hazardous substances. This would include an assessment of the risks from hydrocarbons, HFCs and ammonia used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
§ Mr. Derek TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the quantity of(a) HFC, (b) HCFC, (c) ammonia, (d) hydrocarbons and (e) CFCs in use in the UK in (i) refrigeration, (ii) air conditioning, (iii) aerosols, (iv) metered dose inhalers and (v) other applications. [R] [120429]
§ Mr. MeacherThe most recent estimates available are given in the table. Data on the use of ammonia and hydrocarbons in the air conditioning and refrigeration sectors are not available; however, their use is relatively minor. In addition, the majority of aerosols manufactured in the UK are filled with hydrocarbons, but data on the amounts used are not available.