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SKILLSAFE-EU is committed to developing a unified European framework for the safe handling of R290-based heat pumps.
By working closely with industry experts, we aim to create clear guidelines for manufacturers, installers, and end-users, fostering a safer and more sustainable future for heating and cooling.
Produce pan-European guidelines with the contribution of a pool of manufacturers, trainers, and installers, addressing safety issues about the handling of monobloc air to water heat pumps using R-290 as refrigerant.
Validate the guidelines via trial training sessions of installers in training schools across 5 EU countries, upskilling a total about 100 installers.
Draft training modules, based on the guidelines, to reskill and upskill all European companies and their employees handling monobloc air-to-water heat pumps with R290 as a refrigerant. Reach out to training schools across Europe to use the guidelines as the basis for new training modules to be translated in different languages.
Develop an on-site risk assessment check list to be annexed to the guidelines and draft a risk assessment training course.
Carry out an awareness raising campaign to inform stakeholders (e.g. trainers, installers, building owners, heating contractors, plumbers, certification bodies, EU policy makers and end users) on the safety concern of handling heat-pumps with R-290 as a refrigerant, on the new EU-wide safety rules and guidelines being developed by the project and the new training modules to up-skill installers and other workers handling heat pumps with R-290. The awareness raising campaign will reach approximately 25000 stakeholders.
Disseminating the results of the project via the project website, conferences, and fairs reaching approximately 3000 end-users.
The overall objective of the SKILLSAFE-EU project is to adopt a holistic approach at the European level in the fragmented area of guidelines and instructions on the handling of heat pump deployment. This will be done by meeting the needs of higher safety and knowledge and skills for the propane heat pump installers through development of unified European Installation Guidelines and integrated approach to training and certification of the installers.
To achieve the SKILLSAFE-EU project Objectives the methodology supported by 4 fundamental pillars has been elaborated:
Data and information collection followed by the evaluation, conclusions and recommendations;
Development of the unifies guidelines based on the recommendations;
10 Pilots in 5 countries (2 pilots in each country)
Robust data collection and analysis is a necessary input for concluding where the gaps are in the national and regional installers training and certification requirements and making informed decisions concerning the content of the unified guidelines. This is the focus of WP2 where well-structured research on the current rules on the use of the harmful refrigerants in EU member states will be conducted followed by the analysis of national and regional regulations and practices on the management of highly flammable refrigerants over their lifecycle. The data collection and analysis will be conducted with application relevant state-of-the-art research methods such as desk and field research using online surveys, document studies, round tables, discussion groups, etc. To make sure that the most important actors’ voice will be heard and taken into account Joint Industry Expert Group (JIEG) composed will be established as a bridge between the Consortium and the stakeholders’ community. Their working conclusions and recommendations will constitute a base for mission of the second pillar.
Guidelines where red tape can be cut to support the installer profession (for example, by standardising and digitalising parts of the installer process and the needed certifications depending on the heat pump type and application). With the stakeholders’ involvement and building on the Pillar 1 recommendations, baseline guidelines to the training courses & influencing development of the new, unified training framework will be developed. As stated before, the Consortium will build on the experience of the manufacturers concerning the structure of such guidelines and suggested content to best reflect the practical needs of the manufacturers and installers. The expected outcome of this pillar being the EU Guidelines on handling of the highly flammable refrigerants will be further tested within Pillar
The guidelines will be tested in pilots where the test groups selected by the representatives of stakeholders (manufacturers, maintenance personnel, training institutes, certifying bodies, etc.) in various countries will draw up the selection criteria for participation in the test groups. The testing facilities in 5 pilot countries will also be selected according to the well- defined criteria. The suitable test groups composed of the heat pump installers will test the guidelines while installing, maintaining and servicing the units to verify if the guidelines are clear enough to allow the installers to work safely on the installations. The observed improvement areas and feedback from the participants will be further processed to strengthen the guidelines and eliminate the drawbacks. The finalised and approved guidelines will set a base for development of a universal training modules to be implemented in the training courses across Europe.
Building on the conclusions driven from the Pilots the Guidelines will be complemented with the elements of Risk Assessment relevant to the propane heat pumps installation process. The completed Guidelines will be further transposed into the training modules.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
