313D Safety and Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under EPA Section 608, which refrigerant recovery technique is required when the compressor is inoperative?
- Push-pull recovery (Correct answer)
- Passive recovery using system pressure
- System-dependent (passive) recovery only
- No recovery is required if the compressor is broken
Correct answer: Push-pull recovery
Push-pull recovery uses both the recovery machine inlet and outlet to maximize refrigerant removal when the system compressor cannot assist.
Question 2: What is the maximum allowable leak rate for a comfort cooling appliance containing 50 or more pounds of refrigerant before repair is required?
- 5% per year
- 10% per year (Correct answer)
- 15% per year
- 20% per year
Correct answer: 10% per year
EPA regulations set the leak rate threshold for comfort cooling appliances at 10% of charge per year, above which the owner must repair the leak.
Question 3: Which OSHA standard governs lockout/tagout procedures for HVAC technicians working on energized equipment?
- 29 CFR 1910.132
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.303
- 29 CFR 1910.212
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.147
29 CFR 1910.147 is the OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) standard that applies to servicing and maintenance of equipment.
Question 4: A technician discovers a system using R-22. Under current EPA rules, what refrigerant options exist for topping off this system?
- Virgin R-22 only
- Reclaimed R-22 or approved substitute refrigerants (Correct answer)
- Any HFC refrigerant as a drop-in replacement
- The system must be immediately decommissioned
Correct answer: Reclaimed R-22 or approved substitute refrigerants
As of 2020, only reclaimed or recycled R-22 may be used for servicing existing R-22 systems; virgin R-22 production has been phased out.
Question 5: When working with refrigerants, safety data sheets (SDS) must be available to employees under which OSHA standard?
- 29 CFR 1910.119
- 29 CFR 1910.1000
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.134
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.1200
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires employers to maintain SDS for all hazardous chemicals, including refrigerants.
Question 6: What minimum concentration of oxygen in air is considered acceptable for safe entry into a confined space?
- 16%
- 18%
- 19.5% (Correct answer)
- 21%
Correct answer: 19.5%
OSHA defines an oxygen-deficient atmosphere as one with less than 19.5% oxygen, making 19.5% the minimum acceptable level for safe entry.
Question 7: Which document must an HVAC technician have to legally purchase refrigerants regulated under EPA Section 608?
- A state contractor's license
- An EPA Section 608 technician certification (Correct answer)
- A manufacturer's authorization letter
- An OSHA 10-hour card
Correct answer: An EPA Section 608 technician certification
EPA Section 608 requires technicians who purchase refrigerants in containers larger than 2 lbs to hold a valid Section 608 certification.
313D Safety and Regulations 2
Under EPA Section 608, which refrigerant recovery technique is required when the compressor is inoperative?