February 2026 Newsletter
A Word from our President
by – Ron McEwen-Cold Control
I’m so excited that winter finally hit! The last week and a half of January was one for the record books. Hope everyone kept busy.
January general meeting we had Dave Lyons showing us what not to do on installations. The class was good for 1 hr. CEU Code.
February we will have Stoney Nethercott (weather permitting) from MABCD . He will be speaking about code changes and that class will also be good for 1 hr. CEU code
March (3/17 WTI) and April (4/21 Tom Roberts) general meetings will also be good for 1hr CEU code
Go to KCCAKS.com to get registered for these meetings. The cost is $20 for KCCA members and $30 for non-members.
Since it’s NOT a renewal year, we will hold off on hosting any Continuing Ed classes until the Fall.
Ron McEwen
Cold Control Refrigeration Inc
I look forward to seeing you throughout the year.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions,
Ronm@coldcontrolks.com or Office 316-942-9650
MABCD Newsletter
Click here to get the latest updates on Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing changes to code.
2025/2026 Meetings
January’s General Meeting
Thank you Dave Lyons for all the informational pictures and discussion in January. Congratulations to Dylan Knight for winning $100 cash!
Hope to see you @ future meetings!! All general meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday, except no meeting in July or December.
Best Practices for Working with A2L Refrigerants
Contractors must adjust their approach to installation and service
As air conditioning and commercial refrigeration systems transition to lower-GWP refrigerants, A2L solutions are taking center stage. These mildly flammable refrigerants may be better for the environment, but they also require contractors to adjust their approach to installation and service. While many practices will feel familiar, several new requirements — particularly around tools, safety controls, and design standards — demand careful attention.
Compliant Tools
One reassuring point is that much of what contractors already know remains relevant. As Joe Summers, senior product manager of scroll and drives at Copeland, explained, “The compressors utilized in A2L systems closely resemble those found in A1 systems. If contractors and technicians are already utilizing refrigerant and safety best practices during the service and installation of A1 systems, they’ll have a head start in terms of working with A2L systems.”
Still, adjustments are necessary. Most electronic tools, gauges, and testing equipment must be rated for use with flammable refrigerants, noted Summers, in order to eliminate the risk of sparks during operation. For instance, A2L refrigerants must only be recovered with machines designed and certified for that refrigerant type.
Adam Ciesielski, director of engineering at Zero Zone, agreed, noting that A2L-rated service tools and equipment are necessary to ensure compliance and safety.
“Technicians will also need to evaluate and become compliant with A2L regulations and standards, which govern system design, charge limits, and ventilation requirements.”
Another key difference between A1 and A2L installations is the need to install safety shut-off valves, said Vince Zolli, P.E., general manager and vice president of engineering at KeepRite Refrigeration.
“It’s also crucial to follow best practices for brazing, including purging with an inert gas.”
In addition, brazing should never be done on a charged system, noted Summers, and technicians should always work in a well-ventilated service area as a precaution against potential refrigerant leaks. He added that “only A2L trained and qualified personnel should service or install the equipment.”
Leak Detection Perhaps the most noticeable change for contractors working on A2L systems will be the introduction of new leak detection and mitigation controls. Trenton Yule, application engineer at Danfoss, noted that HVAC systems charged with more than 4 pounds of A2L refrigerant require A2L-compatible leak detectors under UL 60335-2-40, the safety standard for heating and cooling equipment. “The A2L sensors must tie into unit control and automatically shut off the compressor and activate the indoor blower fan to dilute refrigerant concentrations by circulating air,” he said. “To minimize ignition risk, potential ignition sources such as electric resistance heaters must be de-energized.” These new features represent a cultural shift as much as a technical one. “As these new sensors were not found in units prior to A2L adaptation, there will be a learning curve in familiarity with gas sensors and the different technologies utilized in different sensors,” added Yule. “There is also a learning curve in how they interact with the unit controls to mitigate any potential leak situations. It will take time to become familiar with these new control schemes.” Ciesielski added that some A2L commercial refrigeration system layouts may also feature isolated refrigerant segments to limit the releasable charge if a leak occurs, improving containment and control. He stressed that leak detection isn’t just about initial installation — it’s also about ongoing upkeep. “Leak detection systems must be installed in areas where refrigerant leaks are possible, such as mechanical rooms and display cases,” said Ciesielski. “Additionally, contractors should be prepared for the long-term maintenance of leak mitigation systems, which are essential for sustaining safe operation over the life of the equipment.”
Room Size Requirements As previously noted, system design considerations will change with A2Ls. According to David Bolanos, director of product management and marketing at Heatcraft, the new requirements rely on the concept of minimum room size. “One of the main differences of A2Ls vs. HFC/HFOs included in UL 60335-2-89 (the safety standard for commercial refrigeration equipment) and ASHRAE 15 (the safety standard for all refrigeration and air conditioning systems) addresses minimum room areas called A(min), which have a unit of measure of square-footage,” he said. “They specifically limit the installation of A2L indoor equipment to minimum room areas, depending on the specific A2L refrigerant used.” For commercial refrigeration manufacturers, this means they are required to calculate A(min) for each indoor equipment model and label each indoor unit model with its calculated number (the internal square footage dimension of the refrigerated space), said Bolanos. “The implication is that anyone who participates in the design, equipment selection, and servicing of refrigeration systems in walk-in freezers and coolers (WICF) will be required to know this new equipment attribute,” he said. “The attribute is critically important when replacing existing HFC equipment to make sure that the new A2L indoor equipment complies with the A(min) UL requirement for the WICF.” The transition to A2L refrigerants may feel like a big change, but with the right tools, training, and awareness, contractors can adapt smoothly — and keep safety front and center.
KEYWORDS: A2L RefrigerantsHVAC contractor best practicesrefrigerant safetyRefrigerant Shortagetraining technicians
Funny Photos
Strengthen Your Workplace by Reviewing the OSHA Top 10
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards serve to keep employers aware of common risks across all industries. This annual list highlights the most frequently cited violations that inspectors find in workplaces across the nation. It accounts for hazards that can lead to preventable injuries, illnesses, and deaths.1
OSHA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards
By reviewing these frequently cited standards, organizations can identify and address gaps. This can help prevent injuries, illnesses, or costly violations. For the most recent fiscal year, the top 10 OSHA hazards are1:
1. Fall Protection (general requirements)
2. Hazard Communication
3. Ladders
4. Lockout/Tagout – Control of Hazardous Energy
5. Respiratory Protection
6. Fall Protection Training Requirements
7. Scaffolding
8. Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)
9. Eye and Face Protection
10. Machine Guarding
Take Action
Each year, state and federal OSHA agencies conduct tens of thousands of inspections, assessing hundreds of millions of dollars in fines.2 Simply knowing the Top 10 list is not enough. Compare the current OSHA Top 10 list against your own operations and ask how you are addressing these topics. Consider implementing the following action items to help strengthen your safety culture:
• Conduct regular workplace assessments and audits to note high-risk areas and practices.
• Implement training and education for employees.
• Create a culture of safety and encourage open communication.
• Document and review risk management policies. Track safety training, inspections, incidents, and policy updates to align with OSHA standards.
Addressing the OSHA Top 10 is not just about compliance. Fostering a strong safety culture can help protect your most valuable assets. Connect with a Federated Insurance® marketing representative to learn more and to access helpful OSHA Top 10 risk management resources.
1.NSC. OSHA’s Top 10 Safety Violations Show Persistent Risks to Workers. 2025. https://www.nsc.org/newsroom/osha-top-10-safety-violations-show-persistent-risk?srsltid=AfmBOopiKuCztGsZSxjqyBlHyn19Z29jMpKyC1YBgopcfSTAeOUD6-A-. Accessed November 25, 2025.
2.OSHA. Frequently Cited OSHA Standards. 2025. https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/citedstandard.html. Accessed November 25, 2025.