Gas Guard

[TheCommish]

while writing this wine, I Googled and found this link so this is nothing new to the forum, just a new low in marketing

http://www.thebuildingcodeforum.com/forum/commercial-mechanical-codes/4701-locking-access-port-caps.html

Just opened a lager envelope that came in the mail today at my home address to me with my Town name on it.

It is from RectorSeal telling me as Industry Professional about the new requirement in the 2009 and 2012 IRC and IMC about the need for locking caps on all outside refrigerant access ports.

Even quotes the code sections “refrigerant circuit access ports located outdoors shall be fitted with locking type tamper restraints caps or otherwise secured to prevent unauthorized access”

Even better in 2015 the ports (meaning existing ports) shall be protected whenever refrigerant is added or recovered

 

[Gregg Harris]

while writing this wine, I Googled and found this link so this is nothing new to the forum, just a new low in marketinghttp://www.thebuildingcodeforum.com/forum/commercial-mechanical-codes/4701-locking-access-port-caps.html

Just opened a lager envelope that came in the mail today at my home address to me with my Town name on it.

It is from RectorSeal telling me as Industry Professional about the new requirement in the 2009 and 2012 IRC and IMC about the need for locking caps on all outside refrigerant access ports.

Even quotes the code sections “refrigerant circuit access ports located outdoors shall be fitted with locking type tamper restraints caps or otherwise secured to prevent unauthorized access”

Even better in 2015 the ports (meaning existing ports) shall be protected whenever refrigerant is added or recovered

This is one of the most pathetic additions to the codes, serves no purpose other than costing the consumer an exorbitant dollar cost from the hvac contractor. Even if the caps are in place refrigerant can easily be removed. On a heat pump there are additional ports, along with ports on indoor coils and some suction line filter dryers. One system can have 8 ports on it, all accessible. I have seen contractors charge 200 plus dollars for two on a straight AC system. The keys for these are readily available and can be easily made. A huge joke but since 2009 are required and depending on what code is being enforced each has different requirements.

 

[RJJ]

I received the same mail! Not sure if I agree with the pathetic part. Don't agree with the 200 dollar charge and the consumer has no knowledge regarding the requirement or the reasoning. I remember this being introduce as a code addition and had the same thoughts regarding who in the world would try getting high off of R-22 or 410 refrigerant but it appears that it is going on. Like to see the actual stats on this one.

 

[globe trekker]

Simply amend the requirement out of the 2009 or 2013 Edition of the IRC, and keep going.

I do not know the statistics, but IMO, I would think that they are small in number.

I too received the large brown envelope from Rector Seal. Looks like they are following

the lead of the AFCI manufacturers and conducting a large marketing campaign to

create a revenue stream for themselves.

.

 

[Gregg Harris]

I received the same mail! Not sure if I agree with the pathetic part. Don't agree with the 200 dollar charge and the consumer has no knowledge regarding the requirement or the reasoning. I remember this being introduce as a code addition and had the same thoughts regarding who in the world would try getting high off of R-22 or 410 refrigerant but it appears that it is going on. Like to see the actual stats on this one.

You received product literature from a manufacturer that wants you to enforce the use of there product for profit reasons, not for saving lives.

tens of thousands of people die from drunk drivers every year, not just the driver that was drinking but people that had absolutely nothing to do with the alcohol or vehicle involved where killed.

We do not ban the vehicles or the alcohol. It would not be profitable.

Kids and adults are tormented and humiliated on a daily basis leading to suicide from the use of cellphones and computers and social media. Are these items ban? No

This list can go on and on for stupid things that people do that leads to there death, or even worse the death of others that are never addressed.

Perhaps parents should spend more time with there children and set higher family values and teach them to have respect for themselves and others and these problems would go away on there own.

The required use of these vent caps serves no real purpose. If you consider the hundreds of millions of HVAC and refrigerant systems that have been installed in the last 50 years without incident, the number of deaths related to the use of refrigerant, has been miniscule.