Professional Standards and Ethics Flashcards

A customer asks a technician to simply top off a leaking residential AC system to avoid repair costs. What is the most professional response?

Answer: Explain the leak and recommend repair, since repeatedly charging a leaking system wastes refrigerant and harms the environment

Ethical practice means informing customers of leaks and recommending repair rather than repeatedly adding refrigerant.

Since July 1, 1992, the Clean Air Act prohibits which action during the service, maintenance, or disposal of appliances?

Answer: Knowingly venting ozone-depleting refrigerants

Section 608 prohibits knowingly venting ODS refrigerants into the atmosphere.

Which type of refrigerant release is NOT considered a violation of the venting prohibition?

Answer: De minimis releases that occur during good-faith recovery attempts

Small de minimis releases during proper recovery, recycling, or connecting/disconnecting hoses are permitted.

Who can be held liable for violating Section 608 refrigerant regulations?

Answer: Both individual technicians and the companies they work for

EPA can assess penalties against technicians, employers, and owners who violate the rules.

EPA may award up to how much to a person who provides information leading to a conviction for illegal venting?

Answer: $10,000

EPA can pay an award of up to $10,000 for information leading to a criminal conviction for venting.

How are Clean Air Act civil penalties for Section 608 violations assessed?

Answer: Per day, per violation

Fines can be assessed for each day of each violation, so they accumulate quickly.

A technician with Universal certification loses the card. What should the technician do?

Answer: Contact the certifying organization for a replacement card

The certifying organization that administered the exam keeps records and can issue a replacement.