Taking into consideration additional risks created by Hydrocarbon refrigerants, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has released its “Review on the use of Hydrocarbon in Singapore”, addressing their use in domestic appliances, fixed and mobile air conditioning systems, commercial refrigeration systems and industrial process refrigeration systems.

Hydrocarbons will no longer be allowed in building air conditioning (requiring the installation of piping into occupied areas), in mobile air conditioning, and in commercial refrigeration systems (including cold rooms in supermarkets and food storage factories). 

Hydrocarbons are still accepted in Domestic refrigerators and air-conditioners (e.g. stand-alone and wall mounted), and in industrial process refrigeration systems (but only if they cannot be substituted by alternatives for the process).

SCDF’s main consideration is that Hydrocarbons refrigerants are extremely flammable and would pose a potential safety hazard to users and occupants. Safer alternative refrigerants or other refrigerant blends should therefore be used.

The SCDF indicates that they will continue to monitor the market to identify alternatives meeting best safety, environmental and economic concerns.