Qualification Details

ATA Air Conditioning - Refrigerant Handler (IMIA/AC/1)

Qual Ref: IMIA-AC08-1

Note: All Air Conditioning ATA levels meet the minimum requirements set out in EC Regulation (EC) No. 307/2008.

How do you become accredited?

• To become an ATA Air Conditioning Refrigerant Handler, you must pass two practical assessments and an on-line knowledge test at an IMI Awards assessment centre approved to offer this ATA route/level.   
• ATA Refrigerant Handler assessments will usually last half a day. 
• Before you can take an assessment you should be able to prove your experience of working as an Air Conditioning Refrigerant Handler for at least three months, or hold a relevant nationally recognised qualification and have a minimum level of post qualification industry experience in an appropriate role for 3 months.
• On the assessment day you must sign the ATA Code of Conduct.  You will also have your photograph taken in readiness for the ID card issued to successful candidates.
• You must successfully complete all the assessments within a 12 month period from the first assessment date.
• Any passed assessment elements may be 'banked'. 
• Once you have achieved your accreditation, your details will be entered on the ATA register of accredited technicians.
• To ensure that you have kept up-to-date with new technologies, you will have to be re-assessed every 5 years to maintain your accreditation.

Click here for the full guidelines of this ATA route - Issue 3 December 2010

Assessment Details

• Two practical assessments covering:
  - Refrigerant handling
  - Refrigerant cylinder handling
• One on-line knowledge test comprising 30 questions which must be completed in 45 minutes.  Topics which may be included are:
  - Montreal Agreement and Kyoto Protocol
  - Global Warming Potential
  - Basic knowledge of the relevant provisions of Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 and Directive 2006/40/EC
  - Applicable current EC regulations to the proposed market (i.e. UK)
  - Health and Safety
  - First Aid
  - Refrigerant state temperature/pressure/conditions
  - Identification of various AC systems
  - Working practices pre and post
  - Air Conditioning refrigerant handling
  - Contamination of refrigerant
  - EC waste regulations
  - Transportation of refrigerants
  - Refrigerant documentation activity records

Costs

• Registration (including ID cards for successful technicians): £50 
• The cost of the assessment day may vary from centre to centre.  You should contact your nearest IMI Awards centre for details.

Other levels of Air Conditioning ATA

• Service Technican
• Diagnostic Technican