The SCDF expressed concerns about the use of highly flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants, that, in case of a leak, will form flammable vapour clouds that can result in flash fires or explosions.
The SCDF referred also to incidents in New Zealand, where in 2008 one firefighter was killed and seven others seriously injured, and in a bus fire in Panama in 2006 which spread rapidly and left 18 people dead and two severely injured.
The SCDF considers "These are useful data points that are being considered as part of our regular review of permissible refrigerants".