R 171215Z JUL 12

ALCOAST 340/12
COMDTNOTE 4000
SUBJ: ALCOAST ADVISORY MESSAGE, COUNTERFEIT REFRIGERANT (R-134A)
A. IN SERVICE ENGINEERING (ISE) ADVISORY NO. 004-12 AND AIR/
CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ADIVOSRY NO. 70
B. REFRIGERATED (R-134A) REEFER EXPLOSION ISSUE PAPER
1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ALCOAST IS TO ALERT THE COAST GUARD USER
COMMUNITY OF A POSSIBLE UNAUTHORIZED SUBSTITUTION OF A COUNTERFEIT
REFRIGERANT (R-134A). U.S. REEFER TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER CARRIER
TRANSICOLD HAS IDENTIFIED THE PORT WHERE FOUR REEFER MACHINES THAT
EXPERIENCED COMPRESSOR RUPTURES RECEIVED REFRIGERATION SYSTEM SERVICE
WORK AT REPAIR YARDS IN ITAJAI, BRAZIL, CAT LAI, VIETNAM, AND
QINGDAO, CHINA DURING 2011.
2. UNIT COMMANDING OFFICERS, OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE, COGNIZANT BASES, AIR
STATIONS, SECTORS, DISTRICTS, AND RESPONSIBLE DEPLOYABLE UNITS ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF THIS MESSAGE. ACTIVITIES AND
UNITS ARE DIRECTED TO USE THE CG PORTAL WEBSITE ADDRESS
HTTPS://COLLAB.USCG.MIL/LOTUS/MYQUICKR/CG-44-OFFICE-OF-LOGISTICS/.
ENTER THE ADDRESS (IN LOWER CASE). CLICK LIBRARY, THEN CLICK CG-441,
LOCATE THE OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES FOLDER, THEN CLICK ON IT TO
OBTAIN ACCESS TO REF (A) AND REF (B).
3. ALL COAST GUARD ACTIVITIES AND UNITS ARE ADVISED TO PROCURE
REFRIGERANT (R-134A) THROUGH DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY (DLA) UNTIL
FURTHER NOTICE. USCG ACTIVITIES AND SUBORDINATE UNITS SHOULD INFORM
THEIR LOCAL SUPPLY SOURCE IMMEDIATELY IF APPLICABLE.
4. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO SAFE MEASURE TO IDENTIFY A SYSTEM THAT HAS
BEEN COMTAMINATED WITH COUNTERFEIT (R-134A) CONTAINING R-40. THE ACT
OF REMOVING THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF REFRIGERANT TO TEST FOR R-40 MAY
BE ENOUGH TO SET OFF AN EXPLOSION.  IF AN UNAUTHORIZED SUBSTITUTION
OF A COUNTERFEIT REFRIGERANT (R-134A) IS SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN USED
DO NOT OPERATE THE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM(S) UNITL A REEFER TECHNOLOGY
PROVIDER CERTIFIES THE REEFER SYSTEM TO BE SAFE TO OPERATE.
5. POC: JOHN CEPHAS AT (202) 475-5668 OR JOHN.W.CEPHAS (AT) USCG.MIL
6. MR. A. CURRY JR, DEPUTY ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR ENGINEERING AND
LOGISTICS SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.