Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Engineering Technician

Occupation overview

The Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heat Pump (RACHP) Engineering Technician is a specialist occupation involved in planning, preparing and safely carrying out work activities in process, product and space cooling. Knowledge must be transferrable between any of the core activities of refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pumping.

The work is carried out in a variety of applications essential for key UK business activities such as food production, product distribution, retail storage and display, transport and office climate control, manufacturing processes (eg petrochemical, pharmaceutical), IT/Datacentres and medical/healthcare services temperature and environmental control.

Key activities are: the design, installation, routine maintenance, reactive service, commissioning and de-commissioning of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump systems. Technicians require a thorough competency in their understanding of the engineering principles of thermodynamics and the vapour compression cycle in order to perform operations. A fully competent technician works without immediate supervision, and liaises effectively with other trades and with end users.

Environmental, legislation and technology changes mean that the requirements for technicians in this sector are constantly evolving. European and UK Safety and Environmental legislation are key drivers in rapid technology changes in the sector which is responsible for an estimated 10% of UK greenhouse gas emissions and 16% of electricity use. RACHP Engineering Technicians have important responsibilities for the safety of themselves, work colleagues and the general public as well as minimising the environmental impact of cooling systems.

Skills

Safe working practices

Installation, commissioning, testing, fault diagnostics, rectification of systems, component/refrigerant suitability and selection
Working with pressure systems and electrical circuits and systems
Evaluating and mitigating risks of refrigerants including toxicity, flammability and other potential risks or hazards to self and the general public.
Decommissioning, safe recovery and disposal of equipment and hazardous waste transfer

Control circuit application

Electrical and electronic control systems setting, testing and fault finding; and their integration with system-associated communication networks.

Mechanical operations

Positioning, fixing, jointing and testing of pipework, electrical circuits and water circuits where relevant.

Application of mathematical principles

Determining heating and cooling loads and selecting and balancing appropriate components and systems for maximum performance and efficiency.

Sustainable system operation

Using system operating parameters for efficient performance to achieve measurable and sustained reductions in carbon emissions.
Routine and reactive service and maintenance, testing, fault finding, reporting and rectification.
Retrofitting and retrofilling of existing equipment to lower GWP refrigerants including safety, reliability and environmental considerations.

Knowledge

Legislation, Regulations and Standards

Understanding of relevant UK and international standards, technical and environmental legislation including health & safety, environmental protection, working with pressure systems, electrical circuits and flammable substances.
Familiarity with industry Codes of Practice and other sources of up to date information and advice on technical safety and legislative aspects of their work.

Underpinning principles

Sound understanding of principles of thermodynamics, gas laws, psychrometrics, fluid flow, electricity, properties of refrigerant fluids and lubricants.

Data analysis

Ability to understand relevant diagrams, calculations, tools, charts, tables and formulae and apply them as appropriate.

System fundamentals

Understanding of the function and operation of system components and how they interact in a range of different systems and applications.

Sustainability

Understanding of environmental impact of refrigerants, maximising efficient system performance and mitigation of direct and indirect carbon emissions.
Understanding of environmental technologies employed in the sector such as heat recovery, low GWP refrigerants, and other equipment which can be used to reduce heat gain, cooling load or energy use.

Behaviours

Safety approach

Disciplined approach to assessing, managing, mitigating and avoiding risk in a variety of situations to themselves, colleagues, the public and the environment.

Strong work ethic

Positive ethical attitude and behaviours including reliability, willingness to take responsibility. Commitment to completing tasks and ability to work as part of a multidisciplined team.

Logical problem solver

Employs logical thinking, and determined attitude to problem solving and technical challenges.

Focus on quality

Attention to detail, following procedures, planning and preparation, verifying compliance.

Personal responsibility

Takes responsibility for work and interactions with colleagues, customers, suppliers or subcontractors.

Communicates well

Uses a range of communications methods effectively, positively and in timely fashion.

Adaptable

Able to adapt to changes in conditions, technologies, situations and a wide variety of different working environments.

Self motivated

· Willingness to learn and commitment to professional development and to applying principles of sound engineering and sustainability of engineering systems.

Entry Requirements

All apprentices must achieve a “Level 2 Certificate in F Gas and ODS Regulations Category 1” as this is a legal requirement under the EU F Gas Regulation 517/2014 to work on equipment containing Fluorinated Refrigerants. Employers who recruit candidates without English or Maths at Level 2 or above must ensure that the apprentice achieves this standard prior to the completion of the Apprenticeship.

Duration

Typically 36 months would be required to gather sufficient practical experience.

Professional Qualifications / Recognition

This standard is designed to meet the professional standards of the Engineering Council for registration as an Engineering Technician (EngTech) in partnership with the Institute of Refrigeration and CIBSE.

Level 3 is the appropriate level for Engineering Technicians who need to work without supervision and have a high level of responsibility

Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.