The Recovery and Handling of Mobile Automotive Refrigerant (F-Gas)

Course Description

This course provides candidates with the necessary qualification to recover refrigerant from mobile air conditioning systems in the following:

• Goods vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes
• Passenger vehicles with 8 seats or fewer

It is against the law to work with F-gas if you do not have the correct qualification(s).

This is a competence award, which has been developed with the automotive industry, to allow technicians to show that they are currently competent in the handling of automotive refrigerants. The knowledge criteria, practical competences, and online assessment within this accreditation makes it equivalent to level 3.

Course Duration

This is a 1-day course.

Assessment

The assessment for this course is made up of the following three components:

• An online multiple choice assessment
• An observed practical task
• A face-to-face feedback session between the candidate and the assessor

The online assessment is a multiple-choice exam, made up of 25 randomised questions. A pass mark of 70% is required in the ‘Legislative and organisational requirements and procedures’ section, and 60% is required in the remaining two sections (‘Selecting and using appropriate tools and equipment’, and ‘Operating principles, functions, and types of automotive MAC systems’). The assessment is 50 minutes long.

The practical assessment requirements are as follows:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate, whilst being observed:

• The use of PPE when handling F-gas refrigerants
• Supporting removal and replacement activities by referring to:
  • Vehicle and gas related technical data
  • Manufacturer’s guidance
  • Removal and replacement procedures
  • Health, safety, and legal requirements
• That the tools and equipment you require are calibrated and in safe working condition to meet manufacturer’s requirements, and legal requirements
• Selecting and using the correct tools and equipment to identify refrigerant type and capacities
• Selecting and using the correct tools and equipment for recovery, flushing and recharging of refrigerants
• Carrying out all refrigerant recovery, flushing and recharging activities following:
  • Recognised safe working methods
  • Manufacturer’s instructions
  • Your workplace procedures
  • Health, safety, and legal requirements
• Working in a way which reduces the risk of any refrigerant emissions
• Carrying out suitable checks and any necessary rectification activities to ensure the system is free from leaks prior to recharging
• Collecting and transferring waste materials to comply with current legislation and workplace policies
• Accurate completion of work records, in the format required, and pass them to the relevant person(s) promptly

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who wish to complete this qualification must:

• Be currently working in the automotive industry carrying out repairs, servicing, or diagnostics relevant to the accreditation they wish to undertake
• Have at least three months experience to ensure they have the sufficient skills and knowledge to recover and recharge a vehicle’s AC system without consciously releasing refrigerant to the atmosphere

Course Dates

• 19/05/2025
• 12/08/2025
• 12/09/2025