Refrigerant Recovery Cylinders UK: Safety, Colour Codes & F-Gas Rules

Refrigerant recovery cylinders are a legal requirement for every F-Gas certified engineer in the UK. Under UK F-Gas Regulation, refrigerant cannot be vented to atmosphere — it must be recovered into a suitable cylinder before any system work begins. Choosing the wrong cylinder or overfilling it creates serious safety risks and can result in fines from the Environment Agency.

UK Refrigerant Recovery Cylinder Colour Codes

Recovery cylinders used in the UK follow the EN 13322 colour coding standard. Grey body with yellow shoulder is the standard colour for mixed or unknown refrigerant recovery cylinders. Cylinders for single-gas recovery are sometimes colour-matched to that refrigerant (e.g. green for R32), but grey/yellow is the universally accepted standard for field recovery work.

Always check the label before filling. Recovery cylinders are marked with a maximum fill weight — never fill beyond 80% of the water capacity to allow for thermal expansion. An overfilled cylinder can rupture if it warms in a van or direct sunlight.

Which Recovery Cylinder for R32, R410A and R404A?

Most modern recovery cylinders are rated for HFC refrigerants including R32, R410A and R404A. Check the cylinder’s pressure rating — R410A systems operate at higher pressures than R22 systems, so older cylinders rated for R22 only must not be used for R410A recovery.

For A2L refrigerants like R32, use a cylinder specifically rated for A2L gases. Ensure the recovery machine is also A2L compatible — sparks inside a non-rated machine can ignite R32 vapour during recovery.

F-Gas Disposal and Cylinder Handling Rules

Once a recovery cylinder contains refrigerant, it must be sent to an approved reclamation facility or returned to your refrigerant supplier. You cannot top up new cylinders with recovered gas or mix different refrigerant types in one cylinder — mixing contaminates the gas and makes reclamation impossible.

• Label each recovery cylinder with: refrigerant type, date of recovery, site address, engineer name
• Store recovery cylinders upright in a ventilated, locked cage away from heat sources
• Transport under ADR regulations — recovered refrigerant is classified as a dangerous good
• Never dispose of recovery cylinders in general waste — return to supplier or approved disposal point

Buying Refrigerant Gas in the UK

For new refrigerant charges after recovery, Refrigerant Gas Supplies Ltd stocks all major UK refrigerants including R32 9kg, R410A 10kg, R404A 10.9kg and R407C 10kg for next-day UK delivery. All cylinders are supplied as refillable, with full F-Gas documentation.