Is Refrigerant Heavier than Air, You Ask?
- Post By: Greg Crumpton
- Date:
- Category: Blog
Have you ever been asked, or ever wondered, “Is refrigerant, especially R-134a, heavier than air?”
Just this week I was asked this very question. Thinking I knew the answer right away, I was able to contain my natural, blurt-it-out style of an answer, at least until now. I have indeed verified this data and not relied upon my 49-year-old, filled with millions of bits of USELESS data, brain to produce a quality answer. Yes is the correct answer.
Refrigerant, and in this case I am speaking specifically about R-134a, but it’s typical of refrigerant gases, is heavier than air. Always check with the refrigerant manufacturer, but the chemical composition of R-134a is all the same regardless of the name on the canister. It’s just branded as Freon, Aspen, or a host of other “Names to Make You Think Cold or Cold Thoughts.”
If you are curious about the actual verbiage, see section 7.1 of this MSDS.
DuPont, the Original “Freon Brand” of Refrigerants MSDS on Refrigerant 134a
Why does this matter to people?
Well, if you are a building manager or the safety officer within you company, this could be an integral part of your safety SOPs and helping people understand what to do in the case of a reported refrigerant leak into the office space. Knowing that these refrigerants will lie close to the floor versus rising within the occupied spaces could be very helpful.
Secondly, if you have a refrigerant evacuation duct system, and there are times it’s mandated by state and local mechanical codes to do so, it will help you understand why it is important to keep the intake grills free of obstructions and debris.
Lastly, if you operate a building of any size, you may want to consider how many other people handle, and are prepared for, refrigerant related issues. Having a Refrigerant Management Process is a great idea.
The link below will take you to an example of how California regulates stationary HVAC systems and how the associated refrigerants are to be handled. Know your local code, that is the only way to ensure that you are covered.
Refrigerant Management Process Link to Info
Remember that each local jurisdiction can, and frequently does, act independently of any other party.
Different refrigerants also have different characteristics insofar as Global Warming Potential (GWP), flammability levels, Ozone Depletion Potential (OPD). We all have a responsibility to handle refrigerants in a safe way to ourselves, to others, and to the Earth herself.
Many buildings contain multiple units that can utilize unique refrigerants that you are responsible for, or have the potential to be exposed to. Learn and understand what each one is. Like everything else, knowledge is the key to understanding, then educating others.
I truly hope this will help you structure or refine your systems and processes.
