Quick Reference Study Guide
EPA Section 608 Study Cheat Sheet
All the key dates, leak repair thresholds, evacuation depths, and refrigerant classifications compiled for last-minute exam prep.
Critical Regulatory Dates
| Date | Event / Regulation | Refrigerants Affected |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 1992 | Knowingly venting banned during service & disposal | CFCs and HCFCs |
| Nov 14, 1994 | Refrigerant sales restriction & recovery equipment certification | CFCs and HCFCs |
| Nov 15, 1995 | Venting prohibition extended to substitutes | HFCs, PFCs, and others |
| Jan 1, 2020 | Virgin production & import banned in the US | HCFC-22 (R-22) |
| Jan 1, 2036 | AIM Act phasedown target (85% reduction from baseline) | HFCs (high-GWP) |
Leak Repair Rates (Systems ≥ 50 lbs)
If an appliance containing 50 pounds or more of a regulated refrigerant leaks above the annual threshold, it must be repaired within 30 days (or 120 days for IPR if a retrofit/retirement plan is drafted).
Comfort Cooling
10%
Residential & office building A/C systems
Commercial Ref.
20%
Supermarket racks, cold storage, food retail
Industrial Process
30%
Chemical plants, power plants, manufacturing
Mandatory Evacuation Levels
| Appliance / Refrigerant Type | Pre-Nov 15, 1993 Equipment | Post-Nov 15, 1993 Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Small Appliances (Type I) | 80% charge (or 4 in. Hg) | 90% charge (comp works) / 80% (comp dead) |
| High Pressure < 200 lbs | 0 in. Hg | 0 in. Hg |
| High Pressure ≥ 200 lbs | 4 in. Hg | 10 in. Hg |
| Very High Pressure (any size) | 0 in. Hg | 0 in. Hg |
| Low Pressure (Type III chillers) | 25 in. Hg absolute | 25 mm Hg absolute (or ~29 in. Hg) |
Crucial Safety Rules
- Cylinder Filling: Never fill a recovery cylinder past 80% of its volume by weight to prevent thermal expansion rupture.
- Cylinder Colors: DOT-approved recovery cylinders must be painted gray with a yellow top.
- Pressure Testing: Never pressure-test or leak-test with oxygen or compressed air. The oil in the system can react explosively with pressurized oxygen. Always use dry nitrogen with a pressure regulator.
- Tube Freezing: When evacuating or charging a low-pressure chiller (Type III), water must be kept circulating to prevent the water tubes from freezing and rupturing.
- Toxic Gas: When exposed to open flames or hot surfaces, CFC/HCFC refrigerants decompose to form highly toxic gases like phosgene.