ASCS Quality Assurance & Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which NADCA standard establishes the benchmark cleanliness level for HVAC system components after cleaning?
- NADCA ACR 2013 (Correct answer)
- NADCA ACR 2006
- ASHRAE 62.1
- OSHA 1910.94
Correct answer: NADCA ACR 2013
NADCA ACR 2013 (Assessment, Cleaning, and Restoration of HVAC Systems) sets the industry benchmark for cleanliness verification.
Question 2: When performing a visual inspection of ductwork post-cleaning, which lighting level is recommended by NADCA for adequate assessment?
- 50 foot-candles at the duct surface (Correct answer)
- 100 foot-candles at the duct surface
- 25 foot-candles at the duct surface
- 75 foot-candles at the duct surface
Correct answer: 50 foot-candles at the duct surface
NADCA recommends a minimum of 50 foot-candles of illumination at the duct surface to conduct an adequate visual inspection.
Question 3: A client requests third-party verification of duct cleanliness. Which test method involves collecting a surface sample and analyzing it under a microscope?
- Surface comparison
- Vacuum test
- Particle count test
- Tape lift sample (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Tape lift sample
A tape lift sample collects debris from duct surfaces and is analyzed microscopically to quantify contamination levels.
Question 4: Under NADCA guidelines, what is the maximum acceptable level of non-fibrous particulate on duct surfaces after cleaning?
- 0.75 mg per 100 cm² (Correct answer)
- 1.0 mg per 100 cm²
- 0.50 mg per 100 cm²
- 2.0 mg per 100 cm²
Correct answer: 0.75 mg per 100 cm²
NADCA ACR 2013 specifies that non-fibrous particulate should not exceed 0.75 mg per 100 cm² after cleaning.
Question 5: Which document should an ASCS technician provide to the building owner upon project completion to demonstrate compliance?
- Certificate of occupancy
- Project completion report with pre/post inspection findings (Correct answer)
- OSHA safety audit
- EPA certification letter
Correct answer: Project completion report with pre/post inspection findings
A project completion report documenting pre- and post-cleaning inspection findings demonstrates that work met NADCA standards.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of performing a pre-cleaning inspection before HVAC cleaning begins?
- To satisfy insurance requirements
- To establish baseline contamination levels and identify system deficiencies (Correct answer)
- To train new technicians on equipment
- To calculate the number of labor hours needed
Correct answer: To establish baseline contamination levels and identify system deficiencies
A pre-cleaning inspection establishes baseline contamination conditions and identifies deficiencies that must be addressed during the project.
Question 7: Which regulatory agency requires HVAC cleaning contractors to maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemical agents used on the job site?
- EPA
- NADCA
- OSHA (Correct answer)
- ASHRAE
Correct answer: OSHA
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) requires contractors to maintain SDS for all hazardous chemicals used at job sites.
ASCS Quality Assurance & Compliance 2
Which NADCA standard establishes the benchmark cleanliness level for HVAC system components after cleaning?