EVENT | ASHRAE CONFERENCE LONDONS 5TH-GEN NETWORK tests undertaken to identify hazards to fire service personnel when responding to blazes that included new refrigerants designed as replacements for R-410A, which is commonly used in small air conditioning units. The presentation looked at full-scale testing of refrigerants classed as A1, no flame propagation (R-410A with GWP 2088 and R-466A with GWP 733), and A2L lower flammability (R-32 with GWP 675 and R-454B with GWP 466), in what might be considered extreme fire conditions. These included a simulated corridor fire, a domestic sofa fire, and a breakage in a refrigerant line. Walter-Terrinoni noted that hydrogen fluoride gas is formed for any fluorinated refrigerant in fire conditions, irrespective of whether it is A1 or A2L. However, the tests reinforced the understanding that A2L refrigerants are difficult to ignite, have slow flame speed and low heat of combustion, and can be safely applied with proper designs and installations. The full report is at bit.ly/3rkgczt and videos on the subject are at bit.ly/CJMay22TD2 CJ Recorded presentations and papers are available, LSBU and some of its key research partners contributed to several sessions on heat networks at the ASHRAE Winter Conference, writes Henrique Lagoeiro. Smart integrated heating and cooling systems, chaired by Graeme Maidment, highlighted the opportunities to integrate refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems to achieve signicant carbon savings at a low cost to the local community. Joel Hamilton, of the UKs Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, emphasised the importance of collaborating with industry, investing in research and giving economic support to develop a market for heat networks. He reported on a study on waste heat recovery across England, showing how R&D projects can feed into the governments strategic planning. LSBUs Catarina Marques introduced the potential of smart controls and machine learning to enable a smooth integration of waste heat sources with fth-generation heating and cooling networks. Akos Revesz, of LSBU, presented Londons New River Scheme a fth-generation heat network based on the GreenSCIES concept (see A sharing society, CIBSE Journal, September 2021). This involves an ambient loop connected to decentralised energy hubs that incorporate solar PVs, EV charging points and storage elements, including aquifer thermal energy stores. The opportunity to roll out the GreenSCIES concept in different UK regions was considered by LSBUs Helen Turnell, while I explored the exible operation of a heat network using waste heat from the London Underground. HENRIQUE LAGOEIRO is a postgraduate researcher at LSBU at cost, via ASHRAE at bit.ly/CJMay22TD3 HIUs & CIUs PAYG for Heat Networks Smart Mechanical Ventilation Commissioning Modules Combined Heat & Power Heat Pumps Energy Metering FloCon PI-TRVs, PI-RTLVs & PI-UFH Electric Boilers Call: +44 (0)1483 771910 / Email: info@sav-systems.com www.sav-systems.com 24 May 2022 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE May 22 pp23-24 Ashrae conference.indd 24 22/04/2022 15:13