ISO 5149-2:2014 is applicable to the design, construction, and installation of refrigerating systems, including piping, components, materials, and ancillary equipment directly associated with such systems, which are not covered in ISO 5149-1, ISO 5149-3, or ISO 5149-4. It also specifies requirements for testing, commissioning, marking, and documentation. Requirements for secondary heat-transfer circuits are excluded except for any safety devices associated with the refrigerating system.

ISO 5149-2:2014 is applicable to new refrigerating systems, extensions or modifications of already existing systems, and for used systems, being transferred to and operated on another site.

ISO 5149-2:2014 applies to: a) refrigerating systems, stationary or mobile, of all sizes including heat pumps; b) secondary cooling or heating systems; c) the location of the refrigerating systems; and d)replaced parts and added components after the adoption of this part of ISO 5149, if they are not identical in function and in capacity.

ISO 5149-2:2014 does not cover "motor vehicle air conditioners". It does not apply to goods in storage, with respect to spoilage or contamination, but it also applies in the case of the conversion of a system for another refrigerant.