Refrigerant Handling and Recovery Training

Learning Outcomes

• Apply safe handling procedures for various types of refrigerants, including CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, and natural refrigerants.
• Demonstrate correct use of refrigerant recovery equipment and techniques to minimise emissions.
• Analyse the environmental and regulatory implications of refrigerant leaks and improper disposal.
• Implement proper storage, labelling, and transportation of recovered refrigerants.
• Evaluate compliance with South African legislation, including the Ozone Depleting Substances and Fluorinated Gases Regulations.
• Perform leak detection and pressure testing procedures in accordance with industry standards.

Target Audience

This course is designed for HVAC technicians, refrigeration engineers, facilities managers, and anyone involved in the installation, maintenance, or decommissioning of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, a basic understanding of refrigeration systems is recommended.

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Hands-on practical sessions are essential for developing competence in refrigerant recovery procedures. Learners will perform supervised recovery, recycling, and system preparation tasks using industry-standard equipment, reinforcing safety and environmental compliance.

Practical Activities

• Recovery Equipment Setup and Operation — Learners set up manifold gauges, connect hoses, and operate a recovery machine on a training rig. (4h)
• Recovery from Different System Types — Learners perform recovery on residential split systems, commercial rooftop units, and a small chiller simulator. (5h)
• Recycling and Quality Testing — Learners operate a recycling machine, test refrigerant purity using a moisture indicator and acid test kit, and document results. (3h)
• Leak Detection and Repair Preparation — Learners use electronic leak detectors and soap bubbles to locate leaks, then prepare the system for repair by recovering refrigerant. (2h)
• Final Practical Assessment — Learners independently perform a complete recovery procedure on an unknown system while being assessed against unit standard criteria. (2h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	40% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.