Mildly Flammable

WHITE PAPER Refrigerant Symbol

Understanding the impact of

low-GWP refrigerants in residential
and commercial applications
A practical guide to select and apply commercial and
residential packaged and split systems with A2L refrigerant.

Background
The HVAC industry in the United States transitioned from ozone-depleting values. The industry is now transitioning away from HFC to low-GWP
hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants to hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants. The AIM Act, passed by United
refrigerants in 2010, per the Montreal Protocol. This agreement prompted States Congress in 2020, authorized the Environmental Protection Agency
the conversion of packaged and split systems from using R-22 (HCFC) (EPA) to regulate the use of refrigerants. The EPA has mandated the
to R-410A (HFC). After the R-22 conversion, the Kigali Amendment of conversion of commercial and residential packaged and split systems on
the Montreal Protocol seeks to reduce global warming by classifying January 1, 2025, to use low-GWP refrigerants.
and selecting refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP)
 R-22 R-410A R-454B
• No Regulation • Montreal Protocol • Kigali Amendment
• Ozone Depletion • Focus: Ozone Protection • Focus: Global Warming Potential
• HCFC HFC • Congress AIM Act EPA
• January 1, 2010 Authority
• GWP = 2088 • HFC HFO
• January 1, 2025
• GWP = 466

Figure 1. Refrigerant Migration Timeline.

The conversion from R-22 to R-410A primarily impacted product design

and manufacturing, along with the service technician’s tools and methods. A2L Refrigerant Properties
The conversion to R-454B has a much broader impact on the industry
because of its low-flammability classification. Mildly flammable It is important to first consider the classification and properties of A2L
refrigerants (A2L) require increased safety methods not required for refrigerants. ASHRAE standard 15 Section 7.5.2.1 mandates the use of
R-410A, an A1-classified refrigerant. A2L refrigerants for human occupancy application as shown in Figure 2.

The conversion to R-454B impacts the following:

Refrigerant Safety Classification
1. Product design and manufacturing to meet efficiency and
safety standards
Higher flammability A3 B3
2. Restriction of product use in buildings based on area and Flammable A2 B2
occupancy use
Lower flammability A2L B2L
3. Implementation of new product safety testing methods, No flame propagation A1 B1
ratings and labeling
Lower toxicity Higher toxicity
4. Implement new equipment service practices considering
safety requirements R-454B refrigerant classification:

A = Nontoxic; no refrigerant charge limit for

Executive Summary toxicity reasons

The HVAC industry is migrating refrigerant-based equipment from 2L = Lower flammability means mildly flammable;
R-410A to R-454B or R-32 refrigerants. These low-GWP refrigerants requires charge limits to mitigate fire hazard
are considered “mildly” flammable. Packaged and split system air-
conditioning units using R-454B refrigerant must include mitigation
strategies to prevent a possible fire if the units leak refrigerant in the Figure 2. ASHRAE Standard 34-2022 Section 6 Safety Classification Table.
shipping, storing and operating of the equipment. Several industrywide
standards govern the use of refrigerant, including ASHRAE Standard 15,
ASHRAE Standard 34, International Mechanical Code and UL-60335-2-40 HVAC system installation practices must include mitigation strategies to
(3rd and 4th editions). The standards provide direct guidance on all aspects prevent a fire when a “direct system” leaks refrigerant. Underwriters
of refrigerant use. Standards and codes require changes to installation, Laboratory Standard UL 60335-2-402 defines direct system to mean a
operation and maintenance practices to ensure proper handling of mildly refrigerating system in which a single rupture of the refrigerant circuit
flammable refrigerants. This paper discusses the general mitigation results in a refrigerant release to a space, irrespective of the location
requirements, refrigerant charge limits, detection systems and updates to of the refrigerant circuit. In general, both commercial and residential
field documentation, with a focus on residential and commercial packaged equipment have 1-4 independent circuits with differing charge amounts
and split air-conditioning systems. related to design capacity. All rules, calculations and references refer to
the largest single circuit within the system.
This white paper limits all relevant source material to ASHRAE Standard
15-2022 1, ASHRAE Standard 34-2022 and UL 60335-2-40 (4th edition). While ASHRAE Standard 34 provides many refrigerant characteristics, the
following three properties are heavily used in the description of mitigation
Paper Topics strategies:

• A2L Refrigerant Properties 1. Lower Flammability Limit

• General Mitigation Strategies
• Refrigerant Charge Limits 2. Refrigerant Concentration Limit
• Leak Detection Systems
• Service Considerations 3. Ignition Temperatures

1
ASHRAE Standard 15-2022 applies to commercial spaces. ASHRAE Standard 15.2–2022 applies to residential spaces.
2
UL 60335-2-40 publishes 2nd, 3rd and 4th editions. All references in this document are sourced - 4th edition.