OUR POINT OF VIEW UPON NEW REFRIGERANTS

New refrigerants are certainly eco-responsible, but they are nonetheless flammable. Because they are flammable, they necessarily require prior training for refrigeration technicians, with adequate tools and kits. Any mishandling of these refrigerants could lead to a series of fatal explosions that we will experience more and more everywhere in Africa, if training is not placed at the center.

Alert! Alert! Alert! Flammable refrigerants are a mortal danger for unqualified technicians and for populations! The urgent need is to train technicians to avoid disasters. The risks are all the greater since refrigeration technicians, uninformed and who still believe they are handling refrigerants that were previously non-flammable, could minimize the danger. Training is essential to handle flammable refrigerants safely.

The cart before the horse

Unfortunately, the cart is being put before the horse in some African countries. Several equipments operating with flammable refrigerants are already on some markets in Africa, knowing that any uncontrolled handling would cause a hidden fire. To prevent the RAC sector, so essential for the development of Africa and its food sovereignty, from inflaming both technicians and users, a vast awareness and training program must be undertaken beforehand.

Across the continent, the risk of explosions is amplified by the fact that many technicians are poorly educated, so training sessions have been provided sparingly to only a few refrigeration engineers and government personnel in some countries. This is an insufficient action, given that the handling is done by more than 65% of technicians who have not yet been trained. This is therefore the place to solemnly launch an appeal, by professionals, worthy of the name and who measure the extent of the danger, to take energetic measures without delay, in terms of training and awareness.

Such a dynamic must take place before any massive flow of this new technology on the continent.

We are for a technological advance that does not decimate the populations, technicians included. The fatal explosions, already recorded in Niger, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia ... testify to the precautions to be taken! Precisely, we African refrigeration technicians must remain united. We all campaign to share the knowledge received with the technicians of our locality. In addition, we invite the suppliers and sales representatives of companies that market (or would market) these products in Africa to make a point of honor on the training of technicians with the appropriate tools, before selling their products. Africa needs to implement cold chains, optimize its RAC sector to preserve its abundant harvests, improve the performance of its industries and the comfort of its populations... but by trained and well-equipped technicians.