F-Gas, WEEE and Sustainable Working — Level 3 Environmental Technologies Practice

Sample questions

1. 01Under the WEEE Regulations 2013 (UK retained), what duties does an electrical contractor have when removing old electrical equipment?

   • AStrip the recoverable copper and ferrous metal on site, then crush the remaining casings, keeping a record of the scrap weights sold on for at least twelve months
   • BDispose of removed equipment in the general site waste skip, provided the contractor holds a valid waste carrier registration and the skip operator sorts the load afterwards
   • CReturn all removed equipment to the original manufacturer, which is legally obliged to accept it back and arrange treatment at its own cost under producer responsibility
   • DSegregate WEEE from general waste, store in suitable conditions, transfer only to authorised facilities under a Waste Transfer Note, and keep records for at least 2 years

   Why: WEEE Regulations 2013 require segregation, suitable storage, transfer only to authorised treatment facilities, completion of Waste Transfer Notes (or Hazardous Waste Consignment Notes for hazardous WEEE), and record-keeping for 2 years (3 for hazardous).

2. 02Under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005, what is required when removing fluorescent tubes containing mercury?

   • ABreak the tubes on site inside a sealed drum fitted with a carbon filter to reduce their volume, then dispose of the crushed glass as ordinary non-hazardous construction waste
   • BTreat them as ordinary WEEE under a standard Waste Transfer Note, since the mercury is bound within the phosphor coating and the tubes are therefore not classified as hazardous
   • CTreat as hazardous waste, store in suitable rigid containers protected from breakage, transfer to a permitted facility under a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note, retain records for 3 years
   • DPlace them intact in the site glass recycling skip alongside other glazing waste, provided the skip is kept covered and the operator is told that the load contains lamps

   Why: Fluorescent tubes are hazardous waste due to mercury content. They must be stored intact in rigid containers, transferred to a permitted facility under a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note (HWCN), and records retained for 3 years.

3. 03Under the F-Gas Regulation, what leak-checking frequency applies to a heat pump containing 5 tonnes CO₂-equivalent of refrigerant?

   • AMonthly leak checks are required regardless of charge size, and may be carried out by any competent electrician provided the results are entered in the equipment logbook on site
   • BAnnual leak check by F-Gas-certified personnel where charge ≥ 5 tonnes CO₂e, or every 2 years where charge < 5 tonnes; frequencies double if a leak detection system is installed and operational
   • CNo leak checks are required at all below 50 tonnes CO₂e; above that threshold an annual check by F-Gas-certified personnel applies, halving to six-monthly above 500 tonnes
   • DA single leak check at commissioning is required, after which no further checks apply unless the equipment is moved, recharged, or the refrigerant type is changed at service

   Why: F-Gas leak-check frequencies are tied to CO₂-equivalent charge size. ≥ 5 tCO₂e: annual; ≥ 50 tCO₂e: 6-monthly; ≥ 500 tCO₂e: 3-monthly. Frequencies double where a fixed leak detection system is in place. All checks must be done by F-Gas-certified personnel.