FIELDPIECE INSTRUMENTS HONORED WITH 2023 ACHR DEALER DESIGN AWARD AND INCLUSION IN “BEST PLACES TO WORK – SOCAL”
HVAC Combustion Analyzer Design takes Gold and Fieldpiece is Recognized by Workplace Culture Experts as an Employee Favorite
ORANGE, CALIF. (AUGUST 3, 2023) – Fieldpiece Instruments, the leading manufacturer of HVACR tools pros trust, announced two key achievements today: the Fieldpiece CAT85 K2 Combustion Analyzer HC was a Gold Winner in the 2023 Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (ACHR) Dealer Design Awards, and the privately-held company was honored as one of 83 companies named in the 2023 Best Places to Work SoCal list.
The Dealer Design Awards Program, sponsored by ACHR the News magazine, recognizes product design excellence annually. An independent panel of contractors acted as judges in the contest and awarded Fieldpiece’s CAT85 Combustion Analyzer HC the gold winner in the testing and monitoring products category.
The CAT85 Combustion Analyzer HC with wireless printer ensures combustion safety and efficiency of furnaces and simplifies the process for HVACR techs by measuring O2, CO, CO2, flue temperature, air temperature and draft/gas pressure. A standout design innovation includespatent pending SensorVault™ technology that seals oxygen and carbon monoxide sensors from air when the tool is off, resulting in prolonged sensor life. Sensors are warrantied for four years and are replaceable in the field – leading to maximum uptime on the job site for techs. Replacement sensors have built-in calibration data, so after a simple swap, the analyzer is ready to go.
An additional CAT85 innovation includes its HydroCycle™ Pump technology. The pump condenses water vapor pulled through the combustion analyzer probe and returns it to the flue, eliminating the need for a water trap that must be repeatedly emptied. The CAT85 also has a built-in manometer for one less tool to carry and connects wirelessly to the Fieldpiece Job Link® System App, allowing techs to view trends, draft pressure and customer details seamlessly and conveniently.
“Fieldpiece’s culture is one of innovation and commitment to the HVACR contractor community. It’s great to see our team’s hard work being recognized for the combustion analyzer design that increases techs’ uptime and effectiveness during furnace installation, maintenance and repairs,” said Cameron Rouns, chief executive officer at Fieldpiece Instruments. “Our culture drives everything we do and helps define who we are at Fieldpiece, so we are also very honored to be named on this year’s Best Places to Work SoCal list,” he added.
Best Companies Group (BCG) selected the Best Places to Work SoCal winners based on responses from detailed, anonymous employee surveys and ranked the winners across small, medium and large company categories. Companies in Southern California that rated highest on issues that matter most to employees were highlighted as best places to work. The ranking is based on an analysis of survey responses about corporate culture, training and development, salary, benefits and overall employee satisfaction.
Jaime Raul Zepeda, executive vice president, Best Companies Group, said, “Southern California is home to some of the world’s top brands, leading SMBs and innovative startups. The companies that made this year’s Best Places to Work SoCal list are standouts from the thousands of employee survey responses we analyzed and reviewed. These companies are a bright spot for their employees, and we congratulate them for creating a valuable and rewarding work environment.”
If you’ve ever wished your HVAC refrigerant hoses lasted longer, wanted to build your own set, cart fewer spares in your truck, and ultimately spend less on hoses every year – then Fieldpiece hoses are for you! We spent weeks on the job with HVACR pros to understand the demands of this workhorse equipment and figure out how to improve charging and vacuum hoses to make techs’ jobs easier, faster and better. Partnering with our extensive team of beta-testers, we designed our new line of Fieldpiece hoses and accessories with the following performance and ease-of-use design improvements, all for you:
Premium Refrigerant Hose with Four-layer Construction
A refrigerant hose take a beating, so we built them tougher. Our hoses have a four-layer construction designed specifically for ruggedness and A2L refrigerant compatibility. Although tough, the external layer provides a soft feel and solid grip even with wet or oily hands. The outermost layer holds up to UV exposure, scorching heat on roof tops, biting cold in refrigeration units, abrasion from dragging and even storage abuse in your truck. The premium quality, black rubber stands up to the harshest conditions and chemical exposure commonly faced on HVACR jobs.
For the second refrigerant hose layer, we selected a polyester material with high flexibility that allows a tight bend radius for those hard-to-reach service ports and will easily coil, carry and store. By choosing a specific thickness and density of a braided-fiber polyester, it also provides the strength and durability to meet 800 psi working pressure and 4000 psi burst pressure requirements.
To maximize flow rate, we ensured that the inner diameter of the third rubber layer is as large as possible in all hoses to create an open flow for gases, speeding up your charging, recovery, and evacuation times.
The fourth layer is how all Fieldpiece hoses are A2L compatible and ready for the transition to refrigerants with much lower global warming potential. An inner veneer on the third rubber layer reduces the permeation of gases and lubricants to meet SAE specifications. This fourth layer is applied in all charging and vacuum hoses to ensure compatibility with common CFC, HCFC, HFC and HFO refrigerants.
Unique Refrigerant Hose Color Tag System
Why go all black? We wanted to offer a premium refrigerant hose, while minimizing what you need to carry as spares. With our new color tag system, you can easily replace a single hose by removing the color tag and snapping it onto the black Fieldpiece replacement hose you need – open, ball valve or low loss. You are not bound to a particular color hose and fitting combination, or as limited by what stock your local supply house may carry. Furthermore, the premium black hose appearance won’t degrade over time from UV sunlight and oil exposure, unlike a traditional red, blue, and yellow refrigerant hose. Color tags are made of the same robust, glass-filled nylon proven for industrial HVACR use on other Fieldpiece tools.
The tag colors available today are red, yellow, and blue, but with the coming A2L refrigerants, we are working on more color combinations. You also have the flexibility to configure and customize hoses for their specific use, such as adding additional tags to easily differentiate between 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch fitting hoses or hoses dedicated to particular refrigerants and lubricants. You can also create your own mix with tag halves, such as red/blue or red/yellow, to personalize your hoses so you can always identify your own!
Durable Fittings Designed for HVAC Techs
Technician safety and comfort is always at the forefront of design considerations for Fieldpiece, and hose fittings are no exception. The knurling depth, shape, and density provide a solid grip with dry, wet, or oily hands – so say goodbye to chewed up fingertips. Fitting diameters are minimized to maximize hand-access while still providing good torque for a robust seal under pressure.
Fieldpiece intentionally designed our ball valve fittings with a center pivot to reduce the chance of accidentally bumping the valve and releasing refrigerant – a safety hazard techs are all too familiar with. The center pivot also minimizes the total width of the hose and fitting when closed to allow easier access in tight spaces. Anti-blowback features are also built into our angled fittings to protect your hands from refrigerant exposure. Staying safe on the job is something you should always expect from your equipment.
We also looked at long-term durability and reliability of our fittings and added triple-ring crimps to the brass fittings on each end of the hose. This process is typically only used on premium and high-pressure hoses and we added it to all our fittings. Should a single crimp fail, the additional rings come into play to secure the seal, giving longer-life to your hoses.
Fieldpiece core depressors are also threaded to allow you to make depth adjustments with a simple twist, because we understand that not all service port Schrader valves are created equal.
Only Buy the Refrigerant Hoses you Need
Fieldpiece’s charging hoses come in multiple 3-pack sets, with open, ball-valve, and low loss fittings, for both 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch mini-split port options. A 1/4 inch combo pack is also available with (1) ball valve and (2) low loss valves. But you asked, and we delivered – all hoses are also sold individually, so you can build the exact set you use the most and replace only what you need.
Fieldpiece is proud to offer hoses and fittings designed and tested in partnership with HVACR pros like you and manufactured to the highest standards. Fieldpiece hoses and accessories are the preferred refrigerant hoses to complement Fieldpiece manifolds, pumps, and recovery tools. Visit the hoses and fittings product page to see all options and accessories and ask your local HVAC distributor about them today!
Working as an HVACR tech during the summer presents some very specific hazards. Beyond spending long hours outdoors in the heat, you could also work in cramped, hot environments with exposed power lines and hazardous leaking refrigerants. Here are a few dangers to look out for this summer and ways to avoid them.
Stay safe around power
Safety around electrical equipment is critical and since we’re in HVAC, it’s part of the job – especially during the summer. This is when AC systems are overtaxed and are prone to failure and burning out. When repairing these systems or replacing components like fan motors and compressors, be sure to turn the power off at the breaker, not just at the unit. This minimizes the risk of accidental shock. As a final precaution, using a meter with non-contact voltage sensing can confirm the system is deenergized. Also, whenever you come across an exposed wire, use your electrical test tools to ensure safety and tape it off.
Be careful with refrigerants
Recharging a system is a frequent job for techs, especially during the summer months. During a recharge, techs are often inadvertently exposed to hazardous chemicals by breathing them in or absorbing them through the skin. Minimizing this contact is essential. To ensure your safety, wear the correct protective gear like gloves and safety glasses, and follow all manufacturer recommendations. If you need to recharge a system, be sure to use A2L-compatible tools like the Fieldpiece MR45 – Digital Refrigerant Recovery Machine and the Fieldpiece VPX7 – 10 CFM Vacuum Pump. Both are designed to work with the latest refrigerants.
Have the right tools in your bag
To work safely this summer, start by working smarter. Wearing the correct protective gear is a great place to start. Make sure that your bag includes PPE, gloves, helmets, hard-toed boots, and other equipment to defend you from potential hazards. Also, ensure that your bag has all the tools that you need for every job. Trips back and forth to the truck or the shop cause unnecessary delays and extend your time on the job site. Packing the right gear reduces exposure to dangerous heat and other potentially harmful weather conditions.
Work smart. Be safe.
Paying attention to the dangers of working around electricity and refrigerants is important. That’s why you should keep all potential hazards in mind. Avoid or minimize any risk by coming to work prepared with the right equipment, HVACR test tools and protective gear to keep you safe through the summer months.
Now that it’s getting warm out, customers are going to be pushing the limits of their AC systems more. It also means techs expect to be spending more time working outside. Here are a few ways for everyone to stay safe while working in the heat.
Drink up
First, stay hydrated. A good rule of thumb is if you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. It’s recommended to drink water before working outside and then drink one cup, or eight ounces, of water or electrolyte-rich liquids for every 15 minutes spent working outside. Also, stay hydrated after work as well – especially if you work outside in the heat on a regular basis. One word of caution is to not drink more than 48 ounces of water per hour. This may cause a medical problem if salt in the blood gets too low.
Dress for it
If you’re going to be outside all day, you need to wear appropriate gear and clothing. This means wearing breathable, comfortable clothing that’s protective, lightweight, and light-colored. Dark-colored clothing absorbs heat from sunlight, and heavy clothing also traps heat and wears you down faster. If you’re able, set up an umbrella or shade tent over your outside workspace. Some umbrellas, specifically designed with magnetic bases, easily stick to outdoor HVAC systems, and eliminate the need for bulky or cumbersome stands. This relief from the direct sunlight makes a world of difference.
Take breaks
If you’re working outside all day, taking breaks helps prevent heat exhaustion and workplace accidents. Don’t just tough it out. Build breaks into your daily schedule to encourage you and your team to stay cool, hydrated, and rested. Also, by utilizing wireless system monitoring technologies, it’s easy to connect tools on an outdoor unit and follow its readings from a shaded area or from indoors. The latest wireless tech sends a signal up to 1000’.
Know what to look for
Sometimes, just taking precautions isn’t enough. It’s important to know what symptoms to look for in both heat exhaustion and heatstroke. With heat exhaustion, keep an eye out for heavy sweating, paleness, and muscle cramps. If you start to notice these, head to a cool place and drink some fluids. More serious symptoms can include headaches, nausea, vomiting and fainting. These symptoms should be dealt with immediately. If you have a rapid heart rate, high body temperature or become confused, you could have heatstroke. This is a dangerous condition that could result in seizures or loss of consciousness.
Be safe out there
To learn more about signs of heat exhaustion, check out resources like Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic for more information. We hope these pointers help you and your team stay safe and cool all summer long. If you want other ways to work faster and smarter, explore our catalog of products at Fieldpiece.com.
In December 2020, congress passed the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act and in 2021 the EPA introduced a rule mandating an 85% nationwide phasedown in high-global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants by 2036. This phasedown will be accomplished in three ways:
(1) Phasing down production and consumption
(2) Maximizing reclamation and minimizing releases from equipment
(3) Facilitating the transition to next-generation technologies and low-GWP refrigerants through sector-based restrictions. Many of these lower-GWP refrigerants are considered mildly flammable with an ASHRAE Standard 34 designation of A2L.
The transition to next-generation refrigerant technologies is being aided by the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program which approves the use of low-GWP refrigerant for specific uses. Many A2L refrigerants have already been approved by the EPA with many more approvals in the works.
The goal of this article is to provide information on refrigerant classifications, the differences between refrigerants and the influences driving the shift away from traditional refrigerants to A2L refrigerants.
Refrigerant Classification
The ASHRAE Standard 34 classification table is designed to categorize refrigerants according to two primary factors: flammability and toxicity. Regarding flammability, refrigerants are tested and categorized by several factors including how much refrigerant per unit volume of air will support combustion, the amount of energy needed to initiate combustion, the amount of energy released from combustion, and the rate of combustion propagation. Toxicity designated as A or B is defined by the occupational exposure limit (OEL). Lower toxicity refrigerants (A) have an OEL of ≥ 400 ppm while higher toxicity refrigerants (B) have an OEL of <400 ppm). 7
To give you an example of the classification table use, the following describes various refrigerants and their classifications:
Flammability
Since A2L refrigerants are mildly flammable it is important to understand the characteristics of flammability and how they are affected by the HVAC environment. There are three important factors when understanding flammability.
Lower Flammability Limit (LFL): The concentration in air necessary to generate a flammable mixture.
Minimum ignition energy (MIE): The lowest energy required to ignite the flammable material in air or oxygen found at a certain optimum (stoichiometric) mixture.
Heat of combustion (HOC): The amount of energy that is obtained from the burning of a volume of gas is measured in Btu.
LFL – Lower Flammability Limit
Mildly flammable A2Ls consist of HFCs, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), and also blends of these two synthetic refrigerants which have a high LFL, often 8 times higher than A3 refrigerants such as R-290 Propane. This means that a much larger concentration of A2L must be present to form flammable concentrations. This is important when considering refrigerant leakage especially in enclosed spaces. While a very low amount of A3 refrigerant or a low amount of A2 refrigerant in an enclosed space can be very dangerous, A2L refrigerants require a much larger amount of gas leakage to reach sufficient concentrations necessary for ignition.
MIE – Minimum Ignition Energy
A2L refrigerants have a significantly higher minimum ignition energy (MIE) which means it is harder to ignite than A3 refrigerants. Hydrocarbon vapors such as propane (R-290) can be easily ignited by many energy sources, even sometimes by the lower levels produced by static electricity.5 This can be orders of magnitude lower than the levels required to ignite the A2L refrigerants. Even gasoline has a much lower MIE than A2L refrigerants by almost a factor of 10! 6
HOC – Heat of combustion
Heat of combustion is the amount of energy released during combustion. The units of measure for HOC are expressed either in kilojoules per gram (kJ/g) or Btu/lb. Simply stated, you can think of HOC as the violence of the reaction when a gas ignites.A3 refrigerants like Propane have a very high HOC, on the order of 19,905 Btu/lb. whereas A2 and A2L have much lower values on the order of 2700-4400 Btu/lb. This means that while A2 and A2L refrigerants can, under the right circumstances, burn with veracity, they are generally not in the category of explosion hazard like you would find in A3 refrigerants.
What you may find interesting is that the HOC for an A1 refrigerant like R-410A is 2,800 Btu/lb. and a nominal A2L refrigerant such as R-32 has a HOC is 3,869 Btu/lb. Given a typical residential ducted split unit charge being ~ 15 lbs., there is essentially only about 24,000 Btu difference between the A2L and R-410A. This difference is equivalent in relative comparison to burning 3.4 lbs. of dry wood (about 2.5 feet of dry 2 x 4) versus burning 1.7 lbs. Duraflame™ wax fire log (about 38% of a single log.) 3,9
Flammability Summary
You can summarize refrigerant flammability into the ease of ignition, expansion or propagation of the flame, and the amount of energy release.9
Class 1 refrigerants have no propagation at 60ºC but may still be flammable at higher temperatures.
Class 2L refrigerants are “mildly flammable”, difficult to ignite with a relatively low energy release and low flame propagation speed.
Class 2 refrigerants ignite easily with a relatively high energy release.
Class 3 refrigerants ignite very easily and are potentially explosive.
Compared to A1 refrigerants, A2Ls have slightly higher flammability properties, and if burned, produce similar types and amounts of by-products (e.g. HF), and somewhat higher heat of combustion/fuel value. Flammability risks from A2L refrigerants will be mitigated by a variety of equipment design changes, applicable codes and standards, and technician training. The lower flammability limit of A2L refrigerants is very high, which means that a high concentration of refrigerant is needed to create a flammable mixture (ASHRAE 34). 9, 10
So How Does This Affect Me?
The move to A2L refrigerants is happening now. Most states have passed legislation to allow the use of the more flammable, low GWP A2Ls for air conditioning only or air conditioning and refrigeration.
Since each state handles the code-making process differently, it is important to understand your local building codes for A2L allowance. Except for a few like Illinois and Texas, most states have a statewide code process. For states without codes, legislation needs to pass guaranteeing the acceptance of A2L refrigerants approved by U.S. EPA SNAP throughout the state. Please refer to your state and local building codes for specific information on your situation.
The shift to more flammable refrigerants will require the appropriate equipment for installation and servicing. It is critical to make sure your test equipment is compatible with A2L refrigerants. At Fieldpiece, we have the products you will need to safely navigate this transition. The following Fieldpiece test tools have been deemed compatible for use with A2L refrigerants:
Citations
1 – An introduction to A2L refrigerants and their use in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump applications, FETA 2017, https://www.refcom.org.uk/media/1202/an-introduction-to-a2l-refrigerants-final.pdf
7 – ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34-2010, Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants. Atlanta, GA: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. 2010-07-01. ISSN 1041-2336
8 – ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34-2007, Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants. Atlanta, GA: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. 2008-06-26. ISSN 1041-2336
9 – AHRI Chapter 2. Chemical, Physical, and Environmental Properties of ASHRAE Standard 34 and ISO 817, chapter 2, pg 3
Smart recovery If you’re recovering refrigerant, here are a few tips to help the process go smoothly. For starters, always wear the proper PPE. This includes protective gloves, goggles and shoes. Also, before you start the process, turn off the power to the system at the breaker.
Inspect the tank The recovery tank is a pressurized vessel. Inspect it for damage or rust before using it. If you’re starting with an empty tank, pull it to a vacuum of 500 microns before beginning the recovery process to remove any particulates, moisture and non-condensable gasses from the tank. Using a scale, be sure calculate the maximum tank weight and only fill up to 80% of the maximum capacity.
Eliminate restrictions One way to make recovery go as quickly as possible is to eliminate all possible restrictions for refrigerant flow. First, use a valve core removal tool to remove the valve cores on both the high-side and low-side service ports. Also, use a shorter, larger diameter hose with the core depressors removed. If you’re using a Fieldpiece MR45 – Digital Refrigerant Recovery Machine, inspect the mesh filter on the inlet port to be sure it’s clear of debris. Another way to increase overall flow is to connect the discharge hose to the recovery cylinder at the vapor port. This eliminates the resistance of the internal dip tube that’s connected to the liquid port.
Flip your tank Regardless if you’re recovering into a container that already has refrigerant in it or not, flip it upside down before starting the recovery process using the vapor port. This ensures that the liquid that you’re putting into the cylinder comes in contact first with the liquid that is already in the tank. If not, it could flash into a gas as it enters. This keeps tank pressure down and speeds up the process.
Self-purge when done When complete, don’t forget to self-purge all remaining refrigerant in the recovery machine before removing any hoses. To do this, turn the dial to self-purge and press start. This process automatically shuts off after removing all refrigerant from the line-set and the machine. Before disconnecting the discharge hose from the cylinder, be sure to close the tank valve first. This ensures you don’t lose any refrigerant from the tank. Also, be cautious when disconnecting the discharge hose as it will be filled with refrigerant.
Pick up an MR45 Weighing just 22 pounds, the Fieldpiece MR45 Refrigerant Recovery Machine is the fastest, lightest, and easiest-to-use recovery machine on the market. It has a large digital screen that shows the system pressure and the tank pressure throughout the entire recovery process—making recovery quicker and more efficient than ever. It’s powered by a durable, variable speed, smart DC motor, and has a convenient single-dial control and easy-access ports.
Recovery can be simple and fast if you use these tips and follow established safety procedures. Add the Fieldpiece MR45 – Refrigerant Recovery Machine to your arsenal at Fieldpiece.com today and to see these best practices in action, go to Fieldpiece University and take the course while acquiring NATE credits!
