52.223-12 Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners
Source: FAR 52.223-12 on acquisition.gov
Contractors must minimize the use and release of high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons in federal refrigeration and air conditioning work by following Clean Air Act requirements and EPA SNAP guidance.
Overview
FAR 52.223-12 requires contractors performing maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of refrigeration equipment and air conditioners to minimize the use and release of high global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The clause mandates compliance with specific Clean Air Act sections and encourages transitioning to environmentally preferable alternatives as identified by the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. Contractors must also implement leak prevention, recovery, recycling, and responsible disposal practices, and use reclaimed HFCs when feasible. The regulation aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices in federal contracts involving refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Key Rules
- Compliance with Clean Air Act
- Contractors must adhere to Sections 608 and 609 of the Clean Air Act as applicable to the contract.
- Transition to Lower GWP Alternatives
- Contractors are required to transition to EPA SNAP-approved alternatives with lower global warming potential where available.
- Leak Prevention and Repair
- Contractors must prevent and repair refrigerant leaks during contract performance.
- Recovery, Recycling, and Disposal
- Contractors must implement programs to recover, recycle, and responsibly dispose of refrigerants to avoid emissions.
- Use of Reclaimed HFCs
- Where feasible, contractors should use reclaimed HFCs for servicing and repairing equipment.
- Reference to EPA SNAP Program
- Contractors must consult the EPA SNAP program to identify acceptable alternatives.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure inclusion of this clause in applicable contracts and monitor contractor compliance.
- Contractors: Comply with Clean Air Act requirements, minimize use and emissions of high GWP HFCs, transition to SNAP-approved alternatives, and implement best practices for leak prevention and refrigerant management.
- Agencies: Oversee contractor adherence and provide guidance on environmental compliance.
Practical Implications
- This clause exists to reduce the environmental impact of federal operations by limiting greenhouse gas emissions from refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
- Contractors must stay informed about EPA SNAP-approved alternatives and maintain robust refrigerant management practices.
- Common pitfalls include failure to transition to lower GWP alternatives, inadequate leak prevention, and improper disposal of refrigerants.
As prescribed in 23.109(d)(2), insert the following clause:
Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (May 2024)
(a) Definitions. As used in this clause–
Global warming potential means how much a given mass of a chemical contributes to global warming over a given time period compared to the same mass of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide’s global warming potential is defined as 1.0.
High global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons means any hydrofluorocarbons in a particular end use for which EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program has identified other acceptable alternatives that have lower global warming potential. The SNAP list of alternatives is found at 40 CFR Part 82 subpart G with supplemental tables of alternatives available at (https://www.epa.gov/snap/" target="_blank">https://www.epa.gov/snap/).
Hydrofluorocarbons means compounds that only contain hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon.
(b) The Contractor shall comply with the applicable requirements of Sections608 and 609 of the Clean Air Act (http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section7671g&num=0&edition=prelim" target="_blank">42 U.S.C. 7671g and http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section7671&num=0&edition=prelim" target="_blank">7671h) as each or both apply to this contract.
(c) Unless otherwise specified in the contract, the Contractor shall reduce the use, release, or emissions of high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons under this contract by–
(1) Transitioning over time to the use of another acceptable alternative in lieu of high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbons in a particular end use for which EPA’s SNAP program has identified other acceptable alternatives that have lower global warming potential;
(2) Preventing and repairing refrigerant leaks through service and maintenance during contract performance;
(3) Implementing recovery, recycling, and responsible disposal programs that avoid release or emissions during equipment service and as the equipment reaches the end of its useful life; and
(4) Using reclaimed hydrofluorocarbons to service and repair refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, where feasible.
(d) The Contractor shall refer to EPA’s SNAP program to identify alternatives. The SNAP list of alternatives is found at 40 CFR part 82 subpart G with supplemental tables available at https://www.epa.gov/snap/" target="_blank">https://www.epa.gov/snap/.
(End of clause)