EPA 608 Type 2 Chapter 5 (Take full course for free)
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. Skip to quiz!
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.
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).
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
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.
Question #1: After a leak repair of a cold storage refrigeration system using 2500 pounds of R-410A and a successful initial verification test, when must a follow-up leak verification test be conducted?
The same day
The next day
Within 10 days
Within 30 days
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As the given system contains more than 200 pounds of refrigerant, it is compulsory to perform a follow-up leak verification test within 10 days of repairing the leak.
Question #2: How long do owners or operators of an appliance with a full charge of 50 or more pounds of ozone-depleting refrigerant have to retire an appliance if the replacement uses a refrigerant that is exempt from the venting prohibition?
3 months
6 months
12 months
18 months
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The replacement uses a refrigerant exempt from venting prohibitions. The owner or operator has 18 months to retire or retrofit the appliance in such a case.
Question #3: A customer has an industrial process refrigeration system that contains 2000 pounds of R-22 that have exceeded the applicable leak rate threshold. How often is the customer required to perform a leak inspection?
Every month
Every 3 months
Every 6 months
Once per calendar year
Scroll down for the answer...
The given system is an IPR system and contains more than 500 pounds of refrigerant. it is compulsory to perform a leak inspection every 3 months after repairing the system.
Question #4: A supermarket rack that contains 400 pounds of R-410A that have exceeded the applicable leak rate threshold. How often is the customer required to perform a leak inspection?
Every month
Every 3 months
Every 6 months
Once per calendar year
Scroll down for the answer...
The given system is a commercial refrigeration system. It falls in the category of systems having 50 to 500 pounds of refrigerant. It is compulsory to perform a leak inspection once per calendar year after repairing the system.
Question #5: Which of the following cannot be used as a reason to extend the appliance repair deadlines?
Requirements of state regulations make the repair within 30 days impossible.
A necessary component is not available.
The appliance is located in a radiologically contaminated area.
A certified service technician is not available.
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Out of all the other reasons, not having a certified service technician available for service cannot be used as a reason to extend the leak repair deadline.