XN000022-1993-01-15 — Page 8

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1993

ΤΟ

PIE BELL AUTORISES THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS ABLE THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO DETERMINE WHETHER A COUNTRY OR PLACE COMPLIES WITH THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, TO DECLARE A SCHEDULED SUBSTANCE AS A CONTROLLED REFRIGERANT, TO APPROVE THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT TO BE USED FOR RECOVERING OR RECYCLING AN OZONE- DEPLETING SUBSTANCE AND TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH SUCH EQUIPMENT IS USED.

PROTECTION

IN ADDITION, THE OZONE LAYER

(CONTROLLED REFRIGERANTS} REGULATION AND THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION (PRODUCTS CONTAINING SCHEDULED SUBSTANCES) (IMPORT BANNING) REGULATION WILL BE MADE.

THE FORMER IS TO PROHIBIT THE INTENTIONAL VENTING OF CFC-BASED REFRIGERANTS FROM AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION PLANTS WHILE THE LATT : IS TO MEET THE CONTROL REQUIREMENT LAID DOWN IN THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL BY PROHIBITING THE IMPORT OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING CFCS AND HALONS FROM NON-PARTY COUNTRIES AND PLACES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID IMPORT OF CFC SUBSTANCES INTO HONG KONG WILL BE REDUCED TO 25 PER CENT OF THE PRESENT LEVEL BY 1994 BEFORE IT IS PHASED OUT COMPLETELY BY 1996.

"IN VIEW OF THIS, AIR CONDITIONING PLANT OWNERS SHOULD NOW GIVE SERIOUS THOUGHT TO MODIFY THEIR EXISTING PLANTS SO THAT THEY COULD CALATE ON NON-CFC REFRIGERANTS.

"FOR PLANTS WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO USE CFC REFRIGERANTS FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, OWNERS SHOULD TAKE NOTE THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED то CONSERVE THE REFRIGERANT CHARGE BY PREVENTING THE CFCS FROM ESCAPING INTO THE AIR DURING PLANT OVERHAUL OR MAINTENANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

T

CPCS ARE ALSO USED AS SOLVENTS AND BLOWING AGENTS FOR ELECTRONICS AND FOAM PLASTIC MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

THE

OWING TO THE FORESEEABLE SHORTAGE IN SUPPLY AND POSSIBLY SHARP INCREASE IN CFC PRICES, OWNERS OF THESE INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE EARLY PLANNING FOR ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.

FJ

THE SPOKESMAN SAID SINCE THE IMPORT OF HALON INTO HONG KONG WILL NOT BE ALLOWED FROM JANUARY 1 1994, OWNERS OF HALON TYPE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS SHOULD NOW SERIOUSLY CONSIDER REPLACING THEIR SYSTEMS WITH OTHER COMPATIBLE ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS CARBON DIOXIDE, WATER SPRAY AND DRY POWDER.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AIR CONTROL GROUP OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES RELATING

TO THE PHASING OUT OF OZONE-DEPLETING SURSTANCES BY TELEPHONE ON 594 6242 AND 594 6243 OR BY POST ADDRESSED TO THEIR OFFICE ON 33RD FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT CAN BE DIRECTED ΤΟ THE FIRE PROTECTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON TEL 733 7666.

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