EN 378-2:2016
(Main)Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 2: Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard specifies the requirements for the safety of persons and property, provides guidance for the protection of the environment and establishes procedures for the operation, maintenance and repair of refrigerating systems and the recovery of refrigerants.
The term "refrigerating system" used in this European Standard includes heat pumps.
This Part 2 of this Standard is applicable to the design, construction and installation of refrigerating systems including piping, components and materials. It includes ancillary equipment not covered in FprEN 378-1:2016, FprEN 378-3:2016 or FprEN 378-4:2016 which is directly associated with these systems. It also specifies requirements for testing, commissioning, marking and documentation. Requirements for secondary heat transfer circuits are excluded except for any protection requirements associated with the refrigerating system. Ancillary equipment includes, for example, fans, fan motors, electrical motors and transmission assemblies for open compressor systems.
This standard applies:
a) to refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes except to vehicle air conditioning systems covered by a specific product standard, e.g. ISO 13043;
b) to secondary cooling or heating systems;
c) to the location of the refrigerating systems;
d) to replaced parts and added components after adoption of this standard if they are not identical in function and in the capacity.
Systems using refrigerants other than those listed in Annex E of FprEN-378 1:2016 are not covered by this standard.
This standard does not apply to goods in storage.
This standard is not applicable to refrigerating systems which were manufactured before the date of its publication as a European Standard except for extensions and modifications to the system which were implemented after publication.
This standard is applicable to new refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications of already existing systems, and for existing stationary systems, being transferred to and operated on another site.
This standard also applies in the case of the conversion of a system to another refrigerant type, in which case conformity to the relevant clauses of parts 1 to 4 of the standard shall be assessed.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 29-Nov-2016
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-May-2017
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 182 - Refrigerating systems, safety and environmental requirements
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 182/WG 6 - Revision of EN 378
- Current Stage
- 9092 - Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ - revise - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 05-Jun-2022
- Completion Date
- 17-Sep-2026
- Directive
- Harmonized Standard2006/42/EC - Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery, and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast)OJ Ref: C, C 183 OJ Date: 09-Jun-2017
Harmonized Standard2014/68/EU - Directive 2014/68/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of pressure equipmentOJ Ref: C, C 389 OJ Date: 17-Nov-2017
Not Harmonized97/23/EC - Pressure equipment
Overview
EN 378-2:2016 - Refrigerating systems and heat pumps: Safety and environmental requirements - Part 2: Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation specifies safety and environmental protections for the design, construction, installation, testing, marking and documentation of refrigerating systems and heat pumps. It covers piping, components, materials and ancillary equipment (for example fans, motors and transmission assemblies for open compressors), and provides procedures for commissioning, maintenance interfaces and refrigerant recovery. The standard applies to new systems, extensions, modifications and site transfers, and excludes vehicle air‑conditioning product standards and goods in storage.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applies to stationary or mobile refrigerating systems (except vehicle AC covered by product standards) and to secondary cooling/heating systems; excludes secondary circuits except where protection is required by the refrigerating system. Systems using refrigerants not listed in Annex E of EN 378‑1:2016 are outside the scope.
- Safety requirements for components and piping: Requirements for pressure-containing parts, materials, joining methods, protective devices and selection of components according to risk and refrigerant category.
- Design and construction of assemblies: Determination of maximum allowable pressure, piping design, shut‑off and protection devices, monitoring (indicating and measuring instruments), electrical and mechanical protections, vibration and transport tests.
- Testing and commissioning: Strength and tightness tests, complete system tests before operation, commissioning procedures (Annex J) and leak simulation tests for flammable refrigerants (Annex I).
- Marking and documentation: Mandatory marking and documentation requirements to ensure traceability, safe operation and maintenance of refrigerating systems.
- Special refrigerants and hazards: Additional requirements for ammonia (R‑717) systems (Annex A), stress corrosion guidance (Annex H) and assessment guidance relating to PED and Machinery Directive compliance (Annexes ZA and ZB).
Practical applications
- Ensures safe design and construction of commercial and industrial refrigeration and heat pump installations.
- Guides manufacturers in component selection, testing regimes and required documentation.
- Provides installers and commissioning engineers with procedures for pre‑operation testing and marking.
- Helps maintenance teams and safety managers assess modifications, refrigerant conversions and site relocations.
- Supports conformity assessment against EU directives (e.g., 2014/68/EU and 2006/42/EC).
Who should use this standard
- HVAC/R system designers and engineers
- Component and equipment manufacturers
- Installation and commissioning contractors
- Maintenance and safety officers
- Notified bodies and conformity assessors
- Facility managers responsible for refrigeration safety and environmental compliance
Related standards
- EN 378‑1, EN 378‑3, EN 378‑4 (other parts of EN 378 series)
- ISO standards referenced for refrigerant classification and safe design
- EU directives referenced in Annexes ZA / ZB (PED 2014/68/EU, MD 2006/42/EC)
Keywords: EN 378-2:2016, EN 378-2, refrigerating systems, heat pumps, design, construction, testing, marking, documentation, safety, environmental requirements, refrigerants, R-717, commissioning.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 08-Jun-2022
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Refers
EN 60079-15:2010 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 15: Equipment protection by type of protection "n" - Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 378-2:2016 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 2: Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies the requirements for the safety of persons and property, provides guidance for the protection of the environment and establishes procedures for the operation, maintenance and repair of refrigerating systems and the recovery of refrigerants. The term "refrigerating system" used in this European Standard includes heat pumps. This Part 2 of this Standard is applicable to the design, construction and installation of refrigerating systems including piping, components and materials. It includes ancillary equipment not covered in FprEN 378-1:2016, FprEN 378-3:2016 or FprEN 378-4:2016 which is directly associated with these systems. It also specifies requirements for testing, commissioning, marking and documentation. Requirements for secondary heat transfer circuits are excluded except for any protection requirements associated with the refrigerating system. Ancillary equipment includes, for example, fans, fan motors, electrical motors and transmission assemblies for open compressor systems. This standard applies: a) to refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes except to vehicle air conditioning systems covered by a specific product standard, e.g. ISO 13043; b) to secondary cooling or heating systems; c) to the location of the refrigerating systems; d) to replaced parts and added components after adoption of this standard if they are not identical in function and in the capacity. Systems using refrigerants other than those listed in Annex E of FprEN-378 1:2016 are not covered by this standard. This standard does not apply to goods in storage. This standard is not applicable to refrigerating systems which were manufactured before the date of its publication as a European Standard except for extensions and modifications to the system which were implemented after publication. This standard is applicable to new refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications of already existing systems, and for existing stationary systems, being transferred to and operated on another site. This standard also applies in the case of the conversion of a system to another refrigerant type, in which case conformity to the relevant clauses of parts 1 to 4 of the standard shall be assessed.
This European Standard specifies the requirements for the safety of persons and property, provides guidance for the protection of the environment and establishes procedures for the operation, maintenance and repair of refrigerating systems and the recovery of refrigerants. The term "refrigerating system" used in this European Standard includes heat pumps. This Part 2 of this Standard is applicable to the design, construction and installation of refrigerating systems including piping, components and materials. It includes ancillary equipment not covered in FprEN 378-1:2016, FprEN 378-3:2016 or FprEN 378-4:2016 which is directly associated with these systems. It also specifies requirements for testing, commissioning, marking and documentation. Requirements for secondary heat transfer circuits are excluded except for any protection requirements associated with the refrigerating system. Ancillary equipment includes, for example, fans, fan motors, electrical motors and transmission assemblies for open compressor systems. This standard applies: a) to refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes except to vehicle air conditioning systems covered by a specific product standard, e.g. ISO 13043; b) to secondary cooling or heating systems; c) to the location of the refrigerating systems; d) to replaced parts and added components after adoption of this standard if they are not identical in function and in the capacity. Systems using refrigerants other than those listed in Annex E of FprEN-378 1:2016 are not covered by this standard. This standard does not apply to goods in storage. This standard is not applicable to refrigerating systems which were manufactured before the date of its publication as a European Standard except for extensions and modifications to the system which were implemented after publication. This standard is applicable to new refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications of already existing systems, and for existing stationary systems, being transferred to and operated on another site. This standard also applies in the case of the conversion of a system to another refrigerant type, in which case conformity to the relevant clauses of parts 1 to 4 of the standard shall be assessed.
EN 378-2:2016 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 27.080 - Heat pumps; 27.200 - Refrigerating technology. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 378-2:2016 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 378-2:2008+A2:2012, EN 60335-2-34:2013, EN 60335-1:2012, EN 61000-6-1:2007, EN 60335-2-89:2010, EN 61000-6-2:2005, EN 60335-2-40:2003, EN 61000-6-4:2007, EN 60079-15:2010, ISO 13043:2011, EN 61000-6-3:2007, EN 60335-2-24:2010, EN 60204-1:2006, ISO 817:2014, EN ISO 11202:2010. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 378-2:2016 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2006/42/EC, 2014/68/EU, 97/23/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/071, M/396. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 378-2:2016 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.PHQWDFLMDKälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen - Sicherheitstechnische und umweltrelevante Anforderungen - Teil 2: Konstruktion, Herstellung, Prüfung, Kennzeichnung und DokumentationSystèmes de réfrigération et pompes à chaleur - Exigences de sécurité et d'environnement - Partie 2 : Conception, construction, essais, marquage et documentationRefrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements - Part 2: Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation27.200Hladilna tehnologijaRefrigerating technology27.080Heat pumpsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 378-2:2016SIST EN 378-2:2017en,fr,de01-februar-2017SIST EN 378-2:2017SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 378-2:2008+A2:20121DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 378-2
November
t r s x ICS
t yä r z râ
t yä t r r Supersedes EN
u y zæ tã t r r z ªA tã t r s tEnglish Version
Refrigerating systems and heat pumps æ Safety and environmental requirements æ Part
tã Designá constructioná testingá marking and documentation Systèmes frigorifiques et pompes à chaleur æ Exigences de sécurité et d 5environnement æ Partie
tã Conceptioná constructioná essaisá marquage et documentation
Kälteanlagen und Wärmepumpen æ Sicherheitstechnische und umweltrelevante Anforderungen æ Teil
tã Konstruktioná Herstellungá Prüfungá Kennzeichnung und Dokumentation This European Standard was approved by CEN on
u September
t r s xä
egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey andUnited Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels
t r s x CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
u y zæ tã t r s x ESIST EN 378-2:2017
Additional requirements for refrigerating systems containing R-717 . 55 A.1 Systems with a refrigerant charge above 50 kg . 55 A.2 Systems with a refrigerant charge above 3 000 kg . 55 A.3 Pumps . 55 Annex B (normative)
Determination of category for components and refrigerating system assemblies . 56 B.1 General . 56 B.2 Classification of the refrigerant . 56 B.3 Determine the maximum allowable pressure of the assembly . 56 B.4 Determine the state (liquid or gas) of the refrigerant . 56 B.5 Determination of category of components . 56 B.5.1 General . 56 B.5.2 Pressure vessels and piping. 56 B.5.3 Safety accessories . 60 B.5.4 Joining of pressure equipment . 60 B.6 Determination of category of the assembly . 63 Annex C (normative)
Requirements for intrinsic safety test . 64 C.1 General . 64 C.2 Determination of the maximum pressure during abnormal operation . 64 C.2.1 Determination of the pressure at the high pressure side (PHIS) . 64 C.2.2 Determination of the pressure at the low pressure side (PLIS) . 64 C.2.3 Determination of PHIS and PLIS for reversible heat pumps . 65 C.3 Strength pressure test . 65 C.4 Test results . 65 Annex D (normative)
List of significant hazards . 66 Annex E (informative)
Assessment of assemblies for compliance with directive 2014/68/EU . 67 Annex F (informative)
Examples for arrangement of pressure relief devices in refrigerating systems . 68 Annex G (informative)
Checklist for external visual inspection of the installation . 71 Annex H (informative)
Stress corrosion cracking . 73 H.1 Introduction. 73 H.2 Stress corrosion in copper . 73 H.3 Stress corrosion in steel . 73 H.4 Factors that influence stress corrosion cracking . 74 SIST EN 378-2:2017
Leak simulation test for A2L, A2, A3, B2L, B2, B3 refrigerants . 76 Annex J (informative)
Commissioning procedure . 78 Annex K (informative)
Information on effective ignition sources . 79 Annex ZA (informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential Requirements of EU Directive 2014/68/EU . 81 Annex ZB (informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential Requirements of EU Directive 2006/42/EC . 83 Bibliography . 85
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