Level 3 Award in Understanding the Properties and Use of Flammable Refrigerants in Accordance with ACRIB Specification (A2L, A2 and A3)
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General Information
Qualification Content
Understanding the properties and use of flammable refrigerants in accordance with ACRIB specification (A2L, A2 and A3)
This qualification provides professional development for Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump (RACHP) engineers involved in the application of flammable gases.
This Level 3 nationally recognised regulated qualification approved by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB), will enable the RACHP professional engineer to gain an understanding of Health & Safety regulations applicable to the safe use of flammable refrigeration gasses when planning, installing, commissioning and decommissioning of RACHP equipment, the learning outcomes covered are listed below: -
- Understand the different classes of flammability as recognised by legislation, safety standards such as BS EN 378, ISO5149, BS EN 60335 and manufacturers’ instructions.
- Understand specific health and safety
- Understand the legislative and organisational procedures for installation, servicing, maintaining and decommissioning of these refrigerants in RACHP systems
- Understand the differences between different refrigerant classes in a variety of RACHP systems
- Understand the procedures for planning and preparing for work on RACHP systems
- Be able to plan and prepare for work on RACHP systems
- Understand the specific requirements for installing and testing RACHP systems
- Understand service and maintenance procedures
- Be able to service and maintain RACHP systems
- Understand the decommissioning procedures for RACHP systems
Prerequisites and Assessment Methods
The learner should hold a valid F-Gas category 1 or 2 certificate. To be valid, the certificate must have been issued within the previous 5 years (BESA and LCL Awards) and after 2015 for City and Guilds 2079 certificate holders.
E - Assessment
Related Qualifications and Resources
Fees and Additional Information
Additional Learner and Centre Information
What careers can this qualification lead to?
This qualification is required for professionals involved in the planning, installation, commissioning, servicing, and decommissioning of RACHP systems containing flammable refrigerants. It supports careers such as:
- RACHP Service and Maintenance Engineer
- Refrigeration or Air Conditioning Installer working with flammable gases
- HVAC Technician in domestic, commercial, or industrial environments
It ensures you meet current safety and legal requirements, allowing you to expand your services into flammable refrigerant systems, which are increasingly used as lower-impact alternatives to high GWP refrigerants.
What progression opportunities are available when I complete this qualification?
After completing this qualification, you may progress to:
- Other specialist RACHP qualifications, such as CO₂ systems or oxy-fuel brazing
- Broader renewable and low-carbon technology training (e.g. heat pumps, energy efficiency systems)
- Supervisory or compliance roles requiring knowledge of environmental and refrigerant regulations
This qualification also supports ongoing CPD and revalidation, helping you maintain professional standing in a fast-changing industry.
What is involved in delivering this qualification?
To deliver this qualification, a training centre must be approved by LCL Awards and meet their quality assurance requirements.
Centres must employ qualified teachers and assessors with current expertise in refrigeration, air conditioning, and the safe use of flammable refrigerants, supported by suitable teaching and assessment credentials.
They must provide practical training facilities with RACHP training rigs, leak detection equipment, recovery units, vacuum pumps, fire safety equipment, and safe handling stations for flammable refrigerants. Learners should be able to carry out risk assessments, installation checks, maintenance, recovery, and decommissioning tasks in realistic conditions.
Assessment involves:
- An online multiple-choice knowledge exam, set and marked by LCL Awards.
- A practical performance assessment (set by LCL Awards and marked by centre-approved assessors).
Centres must therefore have secure IT facilities for online testing, fully equipped workshops for practical training, and robust internal verification systems to ensure compliance and consistency.