Board Proposes Rule Changes
July 21, 2017
The State Board of Refrigeration Examiners has filed proposed new rules, rule amendments and rule repeals for implementation on January 1, 2017 with the Rules Review Commission.
Click here for a PDF of the proposed changes.
A public hearing will be held on September 13, 2017 at 2PM in the Board Office (1027 US Hwy 70 W., Suite 221, Garner, NC 27529). Public comments will be accepted until October 16, 2017 and may be mailed to:
Barbara Hines, SBRE
1027 US Hwy. 70 W.
Suite 221
Garner, NC 27529
NC Sales and Use Tax Notice
July 6, 2017
The NC Sales and Use Tax Division published the following notice regarding repair, maintenance, and installation services. Page three of the notice contains a section on Commercial Refrigeration Equipment. The Board is drawing attention to the notice, but cannot offer legal advice.
2017 Notice
June 16, 2017
Senate Bill 131, Regulatory Reform Act of 2016-2017, was signed into law by Governor Cooper on May 4, 2017.
This bill includes amendments as follows to Article 5, Section 87, Board of Refrigeration Examiners:
- The name of the Board is changed to State Board of Refrigeration Contractors.
- The Board member positions to be filled by academia have been expanded to include "any accredited college or university located in this State."
- Two new classes of licensure for refrigeration contractors were added:
- Industrial – All persons, firms or corporation engaged in refrigeration contracting with the use of ammonia as a refrigeration gas.
- Service – All persons, firms, or corporations engaged in the maintenance, servicing, and repairing of refrigerating machinery, equipment, devices and components.
Current commercial contractors’ licenses will continue to include service and transport. Additionally, current commercial contractors will have the option of holding both a commercial and industrial license. This option will be included on your 2018 renewal/reinstatement form. These are two distinct licenses and, after the 2018 renewal, must be renewed separately.
- Fees: The Board has been authorized to charge the following fees beginning in 2018:
- An examination fee of $100 was established;
- Initial Licensure fee will be $80;
- Renewal fees will increase to $80 annually;
- Reinstatement fees will increase to $160 annually.
These changes are effective January 1, 2018 and will apply to all fees collected after that date.
Board News
June 9, 2016
As of June 1st, the board office has been relocated from its former address of 889 US Hwy 70 W, Garner, NC, 27529. The new office is located in Hartwell Plaza. The office's new physical address is:
1027 US 70 Hwy W, Suite 221
Garner, NC 27529
Spring 2016 Legislative Update
March, 11 2016
In 2013, at the direction of the General Assembly, the Program Evaluation Division (PED) staff conducted an analysis of our state’s approximately 55 occupational licensing boards. The report recommended to the Joint Legislative Administrative Oversight Committee (APO), that the General Assembly consider abolishing 12 licensing boards and consolidating 10 licensing boards. Unfortunately, the Refrigeration Licensing Board is one of the 12 recommended for further study of its continued existence. Since the release of the report, throughout 2014 and 2015, the Occupational Licensing Board Subcommittee of the APO has held meetings and occasionally heard presentations by occupational licensing representatives and other interested parties on the report’s recommendations.
There have been several APO and Subcommittee meetings in 2016. State statutes bar the use of-board funds to “promote or oppose” legislation, but, like other boards, the Refrigeration Board and its licensees can, as citizens, answer questions, correct is information and assist policy makers to make better informed decisions about these important matters.
As the Subcommittees’ agendas and focus evolves over the coming months, licensed refrigeration contractors who are aware of this review believe it is important for other license holders to contact legislators, especially any they may personally know, to answer any questions they might have of about the importance to the public of continuing to require licensure of refrigeration contractors who work with materials and equipment which can be harmful if not properly handled. It is imperative that our legislators understand the potential harm to the public if the Board is eliminated.
Points for discussion could include:
Board Member Retires
March 4, 2016
The board would like to give a huge thank you to Leonard Lynch for his many years of service and significant contributions to the Refrigeration Industry. Mr. Lynch served on the board from 2012 to 2015 under Governors Beverly Purdue and Patrick McCrory.
Board Chairman Zeke Smith (right) presents former board member
Leonard Lynch with a certificate of appreciation.
Refrigeration Up-Date 2016
February 19, 2016
The board would like to thank everyone who came out to Winston-Salem for making Refrigeration Up-date 2016 a success. Registrants were able to meet and network with industry experts and leading vendors from all across North Carolina who were there to showcase their latest products and services.
The board would especially like to thank all of the exhibitors that make the show possible:
ACR Supply
Air Oasis
Baker Distributing
C.C. Dickson
Cannon Marketing
Chemours
Cooper-Atkins
Engineering Equipment Sales
E. V. Dunbar
Hillpheonix
Hudson Technologies
Inficon
Intermatic/Grasslin
Mueller
NC DOL OSH Division
NDL
Rectorseal Corp
RefPlus
Steve Lee & Associates
Spectronics
Sporlan Valve, Division of Parker
Triad One Enterprises, Inc.
True Food Service Equipment
United Refrigeration
Arcoaire
Bally
Bosch Water Source Heat Pump
Daikin
IRP, NRP and PSG
Manitowoc
Testo
Thermal Zone
Trenton
Energy Seminar Follow-up
January 14, 2016
At the recent Energy Seminars held across the State, several questions were asked that needed research for the answers. Below are the questions and answers. Our thanks to Mark Kramer , The Chemours Co, - Fluoro Chemicals for providing these answers.
1. If a refrigeration system has capillary tubes instead of TXVs, will XP40 work? Is it different for R-404A vs R-22 systems (i.e. Will our answer be any different for 22 system conversions vs. 404A)? For an existing R-22 system with a capillary tube, the mass flow rate and operating pressures of Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) are a close match, and will likely perform adequately, however for optimal results it is recommended to replace the cap tube with a TXV when possible. R-404A has somewhat different properties than XP40. Therefore, it is recommended for optimal results to replace the capillary tubes with TXVs.
2. 134a tends to "gunk up" capillary tubes, do we know if XP10 will be less likely to do this? In the early days of HFC/POE use, there were issues with plugging in some capillary tubes. The 134a/POE tended to gunk up capillary tubes because the drawing lubricants used in making the capillary tubes had compatibility issues with POE. In recent years manufacturers have resolved most of these issues and cap tube plugging issues with HFCs and HFC-containing blends including XP10 are expected to be extremely rare.
3. Can I change a 22 chiller with flooded evaporator over to operate on XP40? Zeotropic refrigerant blends, including XP40, R407C, etc., are not recommended for use in chillers with flooded evaporators, as they do not perform well.
4. What compressor manufacturers approve XP40? XP40 (R-449A) is approved/listed for a growing number of OEMs in the commercial refrigeration market, including industry leaders Bitzer and Emerson (Copeland). Please visit our website for the most recent information on OEM approvals.
5. Is demand cooling/liquid injection required on a system that is operating on XP40? XP40 has a lower discharge temperature than R-22 and higher discharge temperature than R-404A. It is always recommended to always consult with the compressor manufacturer for specific guidance on demand cooling. For retrofit of R-22 systems, it is recommended to leave demand cooling in place, although it will likely run less often. As a general rule of thumb, XP40 is expected to behave similar to R-407A with respect to the need for demand cooling/liquid injection.
6. On the CA Supermarket retrofit, the suction temperatures and pressure look very different than the data while operating on 404a (prior to retrofit). How can you say that there are no operational issues or that the case temps did not change when this data looks so different? The suction pressure set points for XP40 are ~ 5 psi different from R-404A based on the respective PT charts for the two refrigerants. The suction temperature data reported is from actual measurements on one specific system, and was influenced by a number of unique factors, including post-retrofit proper adjustment of evaporator superheats, correcting improperly installed TXV sensing bulb, among others which may cause the system suction temperature after the conversion to be different than prior.
7. Can you reclaim XP40? Yes, as long as it has not been mixed with any other refrigerants .
8. Is the PT chart available? Yes, it can be found at our website and it is also included in each retrofit guide.
9. What are the toxic by-products if an HFO burns? Any health concerns? HFOs are similar to HFCs, in that if they are exposed to an open flame from halide detection or brazing, hydrogen fluoride, a hazardous acidic compound, can be generated. The probability of generating hydrogen fluoride, and the recommended safe work practices to prevent this scenario, are the same whether using an HFO or HFC. Like HFCs, HFOs are safe to use when handled properly.
10. If you top off the XP40/XP10 multiple times, will this impact its A1 non-flammable rating? No. As part of the ASHRAE Standard 34 listing process for a A1 rating, the refrigerant blend undergoes rigorous fractionation testing, including multiple leak recharge scenarios in order to assure even the worst case scenario remains non-flammable.
Educational Opportunites
October 9, 2015
ASHRAE is an international membership organization founded to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and related issues.
The HVAC&R Industry, ASHRAE's free weekly eNewsletter for HVAC&R professionals, provides relevant, timely information about industry and technology for people who create healthy, comfortable indoor environments. The HVAC&R Industry is available to anyone interested in staying up-to-date with the latest news in the HVAC&R industry.
Energy Seminars
September 18, 2015
Over 200 contractors and refrigeration technicians attended the Board's energy seminars held throughout the state. The Board appreciates all of those who attended and hopes that they are better prepared for the new DOE regulations set to come.
The Board would especially like to thank our speakers for the events, Jonathan Melchi - HARDI, and Mark Kramer - The Chemours Co.
Board News
June 17, 2015
Governor McCrory recently appointed Morton Blanchard (left) and Tim Welch to the State Board of Refrigeration Examiners. Blanchard has been a refrigeration contractor for 40 years and is President of Blanchard Refrigeration Contractors, Inc. Welch has held his refrigeration contractors license for 31 years and serves as President of Frank Welch and Sons.
Board Chairman T.E. Street (left) recently presented outgoing member Jerry King with a plaque in appreciation of his many years of service to the Board.
2015 Scholarship Awards
June 17, 2015
The members of the State Board of Refrigeration Examiners are delighted to announce the winners of the 2015 SBRE Scholarships. After all points were totaled and additional criteria factored in, scholarships were awarded to Patrick S. Kirby, Roanoke Chowan Community College; Thomas Bucklen Stancell II, Alamance Community College; and William Anthony Stover, Southeastern Community College. Since the inception of the scholarship program over $30,000 has been awarded to students in the NC Community college system!
SBRE scholarships are available to persons enrolled in or interested in enrolling in an Associate in Applied Science Degree Program of study in HVAC/R, or those interested in enrolling in or enrolled in an Associate in Applied Degree Program of study in commercial refrigeration.
Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for a scholarship:
1. Be a resident of NC;
2. Be enrolled (or intend to enroll) in an Associate in Applied Science Degree of Study in Commercial Refrigeration or HVAC/R Technology;
3. Maintain a grade point average at or above the level required for graduation;
4. Continue for the duration of the scholarship at the college where he or she was enrolled at the time of the scholarship award.
Two or more scholarships are awarded annually depending on available funds. Scholarship applications are due in the Board office by April 15 of each year. If you would like to apply for the SBRE Scholarship, complete and mail in your Scholarship Application.