By Daniel Robert
On September 18, 2023, the annual conference of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) took place in Montreal.
The symposium brought together a large number of stakeholders in the building mechanical industry, including manufacturers, contractors, and lawmakers, to discuss and exchange views on market challenges, technological advancements, and to promote networking among different attendees from across the country.
Daniel Robert was present at the conference along with other members of the board of the Corporation des Maîtres Mécaniciens en Tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ), invited to the association’s gala dinner.
Daniel took the opportunity to meet with several stakeholders involved in the upgrade of the new CSA B-52 code, which is currently in the final adoption phase. The new Canadian code for the safe and environmentally acceptable use of refrigerants is expected to be officially available by December 2023. Once ratified by the Canadian government authorities, the B52 will potentially be adopted by the RBQ and will become enforceable when the RBQ modifies its own law. Unfortunately, long delays (2 to 3 years) can be expected for its adoption in Quebec and many other provinces if the industry does not get involved. Only Saskatchewan has confirmed that it will immediately adopt the new B52 and allow its application even if its legislation is not changed immediately; this is good news for entrepreneurs in that province and we hope that Quebec will do the same.
Indeed, although the new generations of refrigerants are already available in many markets around the world that have decided to adopt the technical requirements of the ASHRAE 15-2022 standard, to which the new Canadian B-52 code refers, Canada and Quebec are lagging behind in accepting them and thus accelerating the transfer of the Quebec HVAC industry to more efficient equipment that can significantly reduce ozone-depleting gases.
Environmental issues are important; Daniel is trying to do his part to make a difference!