top of page

EPA 608 Certification & Trade School Diplomas designed to get you into a job in less than 4 weeks. 

Leak Repair Timeframe

EPA 608 Type 2 Chapter 5 (Take full course)


In this module, we will discuss about the time frame to repair any leak. We will also learn some EPA regulations and recordkeeping requirements after the leak has been repaired.


1. Time Frame Requirements


If a technician detects a leak in any equipment having 50 or more pounds of refrigerant, the owner or operator must get the leak repaired within 30 days of detecting it. An owner is the one who owns the appliance. An operator is the one who is using the appliance.


In addition to repairing the leak, leak verification tests must also be conducted within the 30-day period to confirm the result. Recall the two leak verification tests

  • Initial leak verification test and

  • Follow-up leak verification test.

EPA states that the follow-up leak verification test must be conducted within 10 days of the leak repair. The follow-up leak verification test is compulsory for an appliance having 200 pounds or more refrigerant.


ree

If any of the leak verification tests fail, the owner or operator of the appliance can conduct additional repairs and repeat the process within the 30-day window.


If the owner or operator fails to repair the appliance, they must develop a retirement or retrofit plan. The plan must be executed within 12 months. The appliance can continue to operate without repair for 12 months, before which the appliance must be retrofitted or retired.


Recall that natural refrigerants like ammonia (R717) and carbon dioxide (R744) are exempt from the venting prohibitions. The owner or operator has 18 months to retrofit or retire a leaking appliance if the replacement uses a refrigerant exempt from the venting prohibition.


2. Leak Inspection Frequency


After any system that has been repaired for leaks, the owner or operator must get a leak inspection done after a specific time. Leak inspections should be done until the owner/operator can show that the leak rates for one year are lower than the maximum leak rates.


Recall the maximum leak rates:

Appliance Type Leak Rate

Comfort cooling systems 10%

Commercial refrigeration 20%

Industrial Process Refrigeration (IPR) 30%


For Comfort Cooling Systems having more than 50 pounds of refrigerant, Leak inspections should be done once per calendar year (Jan - Dec).

ree

For Commercial refrigeration and IPR (Industrial Process Refrigeration) systems having 50 to 500 pounds of refrigerant, Leak inspections should be done once per calendar year.


For Commercial refrigeration and IPR systems having 500 pounds or more refrigerant, leak inspections:

  • Should be done once every 3 months.

  • Performed until the owner or operator can show that the leak rate has not exceeded 20% (commercial refrigeration) or 30% (IPR) for four quarters (one year).


3. Extending Deadlines


ree

The EPA allows certain situations in which the 30-day deadline can be extended. These may include extensions due to federal, state, or local regulations.


The leak repair deadline can also be extended if a component is not available at the moment. To extend the deadline, the owner or operator cannot use a reason that a certified service technician is unavailable.

4. Conclusion


In this module, we discussed the timeframes for repairing a leak. We also learned about how frequently should a leak inspection be done. Finally, we also discussed the situations in which the leak repair deadlines can be extended.




Other References:

 
 
bottom of page