Pubs warned over 'F gas' regulations

New regulations to combat climate change mean licensees must carry out regular checks on cellar coolers and other refrigeration equipment.

Nearly every pub in the country is affected by the European Union legislation on 'F gases' which came into force in July - but went largely unnoticed in England because of the introduction of the smoking ban.

Now Innserve, the UK's biggest cellar services supplier, is urging publicans to take action - or face a possible fine of up to £5,000 in the magistrates court.

"This could be seen as more red tape for the licensed trade," says Innserve's engineering manager Kevin Reilly. "However, cooling cellars, bars and products is the largest energy demand of any pub and as an industry we need to do our bit to minimise consumption.

"This problem won't go away by ignoring it."

Equipment using F gas - mostly HFCs - includes cellar coolers and larger chilling systems. Under the new law pub operators have responsibility for arranging an annual check for leaks by a refrigeration engineer.

• See Cellar to Glass, page 35