CCT Safety Standards & Regulatory Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under EPA Section 608, which refrigerants are exempt from the venting prohibition during small appliance repair?
- No refrigerants are exempt; all must be recovered
- CFC refrigerants only, due to phase-out
- Refrigerants containing less than 2 pounds of charge
- Natural refrigerants such as CO2 and propane (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Natural refrigerants such as CO2 and propane
EPA Section 608 exempts refrigerants that are not ozone-depleting substances and have negligible global warming potential, including natural refrigerants like CO2 and hydrocarbon refrigerants, from the venting prohibition.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a pressure relief valve on a refrigeration system per ASHRAE Standard 15?
- To prevent system pressure from exceeding safe limits and causing vessel rupture (Correct answer)
- To regulate suction pressure during normal operation
- To vent refrigerant intentionally when the system is over-charged
- To equalize high and low side pressures during shutdown
Correct answer: To prevent system pressure from exceeding safe limits and causing vessel rupture
Pressure relief valves are safety devices that open to discharge refrigerant when system pressure threatens to exceed the design pressure of the vessel.
Question 3: A technician is using a recovery cylinder that is past its retest date. What should the technician do?
- Remove it from service and send it for retesting or dispose of it properly (Correct answer)
- Use it only for low-pressure refrigerants until it can be tested
- Inspect it visually and continue using it if no damage is found
- Stamp a new date on it and continue using it for up to 6 more months
Correct answer: Remove it from service and send it for retesting or dispose of it properly
DOT regulations prohibit using cylinders past their retest date; they must be retested by a qualified facility or properly disposed of.
Question 4: Which safety data sheet (SDS) section contains information about proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for handling a refrigerant?
- Section 8 — Exposure Controls/Personal Protection (Correct answer)
- Section 4 — First Aid Measures
- Section 6 — Accidental Release Measures
- Section 10 — Reactivity and Stability
Correct answer: Section 8 — Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
SDS Section 8 specifically covers exposure limits, engineering controls, and required personal protective equipment.
Question 5: Under NFPA 70 (NEC), what is the required disconnect means for a hermetic refrigeration motor-compressor?
- A readily accessible disconnect within sight of or lockable in the open position from the equipment location (Correct answer)
- A circuit breaker located only at the main electrical panel
- A fuse block installed inside the compressor housing
- Any switch within 50 feet of the compressor
Correct answer: A readily accessible disconnect within sight of or lockable in the open position from the equipment location
NEC requires that the disconnect for motor-compressors be readily accessible and within sight of or capable of being locked open from the equipment location.
Question 6: Which safety hazard is associated with using an open flame or non-intrinsically safe equipment near flammable A2L refrigerants such as R-32?
- Risk of ignition since A2L refrigerants have lower flammability limits than A1 refrigerants (Correct answer)
- No hazard because A2L refrigerants cannot ignite under any conditions
- Risk only applies at concentrations above 50% by volume in air
- Flame exposure only damages equipment without risk of refrigerant combustion
Correct answer: Risk of ignition since A2L refrigerants have lower flammability limits than A1 refrigerants
A2L refrigerants are mildly flammable and can ignite under certain conditions, requiring ignition-source control and intrinsically safe tools.
Question 7: Which federal agency enforces regulations on the transportation of compressed gas cylinders containing refrigerants?
- Department of Transportation (DOT) (Correct answer)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Correct answer: Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT regulates the transportation of hazardous materials including compressed gas cylinders under 49 CFR.
CCT Safety Standards & Regulatory Compliance 3
Under EPA Section 608, which refrigerants are exempt from the venting prohibition during small appliance repair?