FAQS ABOUT THE RSIF, RITE AND HANDLING OF FLUORATED GASES
1. ROYAL DECREE 138/2011 ON REGULATING THE SAFETY REGULATION FOR REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS (RSIF)
RSIF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION
What do I have to do to obtain the professional qualification of installation or maintenance technician for refrigeration installations according to RSIF?
You must prove one of the following conditions to the government, when required:
a) Have a university degree whose curriculum covers the subjects included in the RSIF
b) Hold a vocational training qualification or professional certificate included in the National Catalogue of Professional Qualifications. (http://incual.mecd.es/informacion )
c) Have a recognised professional competence acquired through work experience, in accordance with Royal Decree 1224/2009, on the recognition of professional competences acquired through work experience (https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/2009/BOE-A-2009-13781-consolidado.pdf )
Art. 9 RSIF
I have a professional card in accordance with the RITE; can I perform maintenance on a refrigeration system?
Yes, provided that the installation is part of a thermal installation within the scope of RITE.
Art. 9 RSIF
I want to establish myself as a refrigeration company. What do I have to do?
You must present a sworn statement to the competent body of the Autonomous Region in which the owner of the company or the legal representative declares for which category they are going to carry out the activity, and that they fulfil the requirements, together with the supporting documentation.
Art. 10 RSIF
How long is the refrigeration company certificate valid?
The sworn statement allows the refrigeration company to indefinitely carry out activity throughout Spain.
Art. 10 RSIF
RSIF INSTALLATION TECHNICIANS
What documentation am I required to complete as a refrigerator technician?
Keep a record of the installations made, devices used, location, customer and the date of completion, duly signed and stamped.
Art. 12 and 14 RSIF
Should installation checks be documented?
Yes, the installation technician must fill in an inspection report and the certificates of the periodic inspections of the pressure devices.
Art. 12 and 14 RSIF
I have completed the installation of a refrigeration system. What should I do?
You must provide a manual or table of instructions, which will be kept for consultation in the mechanical room.
Art. 12 and 14 RSIF
I am a refrigeration installation technician, and I have different types of waste in my workshop. What should I do?
As a waste producer, you must take care of the waste and comply with the administrative requirements, which means signing and registering a contract with a waste management firm.
Art. 9.5 RD 115/2017
What should I check while executing the work?
You must check that:
- Any welded materials, components and joints comply with the applicable standards
- The safety elements of the refrigeration circuit are in good condition
- Partial and total pressure and tightness tests are performed and certified
Art. 15 RSIF
The work is finished. Now what do I have to do?
In addition to placing the safety sign, you must submit the documentation indicated in ITC IF-10 to the owner, record the refrigeration work carried out in the installation book and keep the refrigerant management record book updated (ITC IF-17).
Art. 15 and 28 RSIF
When the installation is complete, what should I give to the owner of the installation?
You must submit:
- A certificate with the details of the installation company, manufacturer, model, year, production number, load, name, group of refrigerant used and the updates carried out.
- Service manual
Art. 21 RSIF
RSIF MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS
In the maintenance of the installation, what documents do I have to manage as a refrigeration company?
In general, you must:
- Keep an up-to-date record of current maintenance contracts, the installation book and the refrigerant management record book.
- Document any changes in the installation
- Certify partial and total pressure and tightness tests, and leak checks
Art. 15 RSIF
What are my material obligations as the maintenance technician of a refrigeration system?
In addition to complying with the document requirements, you must:
- Verify the good condition of the safety elements of the refrigeration circuit and inform the user of any defects
- Verify that the execution of the welded joints is correct
- Periodically check the installation and check for leaks
Art. 15 RSIF
What should I do with refrigerant fluids in the installation?
The refrigeration maintenance technician must collect refrigerant fluids without any loss of fluid to the atmosphere and deliver them to an authorised waste management firm.
Art. 15 RSIF
Who is responsible for the maintenance of refrigeration installations that are thermal installations, and the handling of refrigerants?
This will be carried out by refrigeration companies or companies qualified according to the RITE; the manipulation of refrigeration circuits and refrigerants are restricted in all cases to professionals qualified by the RSIF.
Art. 22 and 23 RSIF
And the repair of the refrigeration installations?
Refrigeration installations shall be repaired by refrigeration companies that comply with RSIF requirements, issuing a certificate for each repair, which is to be submitted to the owner of the installation.
Art. 23 RSIF
At the end of an installation's useful life, what should I do?
You must dismantle the installation and deliver the waste generated to a waste management firm.
Art. 25 RSIF
2. ROYAL DECREE 1027/2007 ON REGULATING THE REGULATION FOR THERMAL INSTALLATIONS IN BUILDINGS (RITE)
RITE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION
What do I have to do to obtain the professional qualification of installation or maintenance technician according to RITE?
You will have to obtain the professional card for thermal installations in buildings and exercise the activity through an installation or maintenance company for thermal installations.
Art. 41 RITE
What is the professional card’s validity?
The professional card will be valid throughout Spain and will be granted individually to all those individuals who meet the legally established requirements.
Art. 41 RITE and 13.3 Law 21/1992, on Industry
What are the requirements to obtain a professional card?
You must provide proof of the following to the Autonomous Region where you live:
1. Be of legal age.
2. Hold theoretical and practical knowledge regarding thermal installations in buildings, meaning:
a) Hold the title of Superior Technician in Maintenance and Assembly of Building and Process Installations or the title of Technician in Assembly and Maintenance of Refrigeration, Climate Control and Heat Production, corresponding to Superior and Medium Level Professional Training, or
b) Provide proof of attending and passing:
i. a theoretical and practical course of basic knowledge and another on specific knowledge in thermal installations in buildings, given by an entity recognised by the competent Regional body
ii. Proof of at least three years' work experience in an installation or maintenance company as a technician.
3. Have passed an exam before the competent body of the Autonomous Region on knowledge of the RITE.
Art. 42 RITE
I have the title of Technician in Assembly and Maintenance of Refrigeration, Climate Control and Heat Production. Do I need to pass an exam to obtain the professional card?
No, those individuals who already hold the title of Superior Technician in Maintenance and Assembly of Building and Process Installations or Technician in Assembly and Maintenance of Refrigeration, Climate Control and Heat Production, corresponding to Superior and Medium Level Professional Training can obtain it directly by applying through the corresponding body of the Autonomous Region.
Art. 42 RITE
I am an Industrial Engineer, and my studies included all RITE subjects. Do I have to meet all of the above requirements in order to obtain a card?
No, since technicians with a university degree whose studies cover RITE subjects can obtain the card directly by presenting a certified copy of the academic degree together with the application to the competent Autonomous Region, without having to meet the requirements listed in sections 2 and 3 of the previous question.
Art. 42 RITE
I want to establish myself as a thermal system installation and maintenance company. What should I do?
You must present a sworn statement to the Autonomous Region in which the owner of the company or the legal representative states that they fulfil the requirements, together with the supporting documentation.
Art. 36 RITE
How long is the thermal system installation and maintenance company certificate valid?
The sworn statement allows the refrigeration company to indefinitely carry out activity throughout Spain.
Art. 36 RITE
RITE INSTALLATION TECHNICIANS
The installation has a rated thermal output of 80 kW. What do I have to do?
For installations with a rated thermal output of more than 70 kW, a project must be carried out by a qualified technician.
Art. 16 RITE
The renovations of the building where I am going to work implies a change in the building use. Do I have to state this in a document?
The modification must be explained and justified in the project or technical report.
Art. 15.5 and 15.6 RITE
The installation has a rated thermal output of 60 kW. What do I have to do?
For installations with a rated thermal output of between 50 and 70 kW, a project can be carried out either by a qualified technician or by using a technical report drawn up by the installation technician themself.
Art. 16 RITE
I have the necessary equipment and materials onsite; what do I have to check?
You must check that:
- It corresponds to that specified in the project or report
- They have the required documentation
That they have undergone the required tests
Art. 20 RITE
The installation has a rated thermal output of 4 kW. What do I have to do?
For installations of less than 5 kW of rated thermal output it is not necessary to carry out a project or technical report. In addition, it will not be necessary to previously accredit regulatory compliance in order to install it.
Art. 16 and 24.2 RITE
The installation is finished. Now what do I have to do?
Carry out the tests planned for the project or report and sign the installation certificate according to the model established by the competent Autonomous Region.
Art. 22.1 RITE
What requirements do I have meet to install the units?
For installations with a rated thermal output of more than 5 kW, you must register the certification of the installation with the competent Autonomous Region.
Art. 24.1 RITE
What if I want to install a unit with a rated thermal output of 4 kW?
It is not necessary to register the installation certificate.
Art. 24.2 RITE
I have already registered the installation certificate. Do I need to submit anything to the owner?
In addition to the registered certificate, you must submit:
- The project or report
- The Use and Maintenance Manual
- Materials and installed units
- Results of installation tests
- Initial inspection certificate, if necessary
Art. 24.8 RITE
RITE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS
The installation has a rated thermal output of 80 kW. Who should take care of maintenance?
For installations with a rated thermal output of more than 70 kW, maintenance shall be carried out by a maintenance company, after signing a maintenance contract with the owner of the installation, following the Use and Maintenance Manual.
Art. 26.6 RITE
What do I have to do with the “Use and Maintenance Manual”?
The Manual, which will be given to you by the owner of the installation, must be kept up to date at all times.
Art. 26.6 RITE
The installation has a rated thermal output of 60 kW. Who should take care of maintenance?
For installations with a rated thermal output of between 5 kW and 70 kW, maintenance shall be carried out by a maintenance company, following the Use and Maintenance Manual.
Art. 16 RITE
The installation has a rated thermal output of 6,000 kW. Who should take care of maintenance?
The maintenance of installations with total installed rated thermal output greater than 70 kW and more than 5,000 kW in heat and/or 1,000 kW in cold, as well as solar heating or refrigeration installations of more than 400 kW, shall be carried out by a maintenance company, after signing a maintenance contract with the owner of the installation, under the direction of a qualified technician.
Art. 26.6 RITE
What does the Building Book contain?
The Book consists of the Use and Maintenance Manual and a register where maintenance operations and repairs are recorded.
Art. 26 and 27 RITE
We have signed a maintenance contract because it is mandatory. Is there an additional obligation to be fulfilled?
Yes, it is mandatory to:
- Sign the maintenance certificate
Send the certificate to the competent body of the Autonomous Region
Art. 28.1 RITE
3. ROYAL DECREE 115/2017 ON REGULATING THE SALE AND HANDLING OF FLUORINATED GASES
I have a professional card concordant with RITE and/or the authorisation to install/perform maintenance on refrigeration installations with a load of more than 3 kg of refrigerant. What must I do so I can handle a unit with a refrigeration system that contains fluorinated refrigerant?
You must obtain the fluorinated gases handler certificate regulated by Annex I of RD 115/2017 which proves, together with the card, that you have passed a training course with the contents of Training Programme 1 of Annex II of RD 115/2017.
Annex I of RD 115/2017