An air conditioner anti-explosion laboratory built by Intertek, leading global quality solutions provider, recently came into service. The lab was designed and built according to relevant anti-explosion regulations and industry standards, offers testing service for the air conditioning appliances using flammable refrigerant. The lab has obtained CNAS accreditation and relevant qualification early 2015, can provide specialist testing service for related products.

Exterior of the laboratory

Floor, lighting and testing equipment etc. are all built according to relevant anti-explosion regulations and industry requirements.

Fight against climate warming, and especially reduce carbon emission have become the challenge for many countries’ governments. Traditional refrigerant, though being innovated for many times, still has comparatively high carbon dioxide equivalence, and is the one of main factors causing global climate warming. In contrast, the new flammable refrigerant, with its advantages of being natural, replaceable, significantly lower carbon dioxide equivalence and good energy performance, has attracted more and more air conditioner manufacturers to invest in R&D and production of air conditioners using flammable refrigerant.

Even though environmental friendly, high flammability and explosiveness of such substance blocks it’s taken into application widely. Traditional air conditioners, which didn’t take into consideration the use of flammable refrigerant in design, will have safety risk in its structure if using flammable refrigerant. Air conditioner standards such as IEC/EN 60335-2-40 and GB 4706.32 have added structure requirements and relevant annex for utensils using flammable refrigerant, proposed testing methodology and laid down strict requirements for testing site.

Intertek designed and built the air conditioner anti-explosion laboratory according to relevant anti-explosion standards such as IEC 60079-10 and GB 25285.1 and the industry standards. The lab has two rooms which are indoor and outdoor environment respectively, and takes many measures to eliminate risks that may be caused by leakage of flammable refrigerant. The manufacturers of air conditioning products using new type flammable refrigerant will benefit from Intertek’s localized and efficient testing service, reduce testing cycle and cost, thus enhance product competiveness.

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 38,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.