EPA Practice Test (608 Core) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The EPA Section 608 "Core" exam section covers knowledge required of ALL certified technicians. Which topic is specifically part of the Core exam?
- Type III low-pressure chiller service procedures
- Ozone depletion, the refrigerant recycling mandate, and the venting prohibition (Correct answer)
- MVAC R-134a recovery efficiency standards
- Type I small appliance passive recovery procedures
Correct answer: Ozone depletion, the refrigerant recycling mandate, and the venting prohibition
The Core section of the EPA Section 608 exam covers fundamental knowledge that every refrigerant handling technician must have, regardless of specialty. Core topics include: stratospheric ozone depletion and its causes, the Clean Air Act's refrigerant recycling mandate, the venting prohibition, refrigerant recovery requirements, and safe refrigerant handling practices. Type-specific procedures are tested in the Type I, II, III, and Universal sections.
Question 2: What is the refrigerant numbering system's significance for the first digit after "R-" for single-component refrigerants?
- The first digit indicates the number of carbon atoms minus one (Correct answer)
- The first digit indicates the number of hydrogen atoms
- The first digit indicates the refrigerant's boiling point in Fahrenheit
- The first digit has no standardized meaning
Correct answer: The first digit indicates the number of carbon atoms minus one
The ASHRAE refrigerant numbering system uses a specific formula for single-component halocarbons: R-(m+1)(n)(p+1) where m = carbon atoms, n = hydrogen atoms, p = fluorine atoms. The first significant digit in the series represents (carbon atoms - 1). For example, R-22 has one carbon atom (m=1, m+1=2 in the tens position), two hydrogen atoms... Understanding this system helps technicians identify refrigerant families.
Question 3: What class of substances are specifically regulated under Section 608 as "class I" ozone-depleting substances?
- HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) like R-410A and R-134a
- CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) like R-11, R-12, R-113, R-114, and R-502 (Correct answer)
- HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) like R-22 and R-123
- Natural refrigerants including ammonia and CO2
Correct answer: CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) like R-11, R-12, R-113, R-114, and R-502
Under the Clean Air Act, Class I ozone-depleting substances include the most damaging compounds with the highest ODP values: CFCs such as R-11, R-12, R-113, R-114, R-115, R-500, R-502, and halons. Class II substances include HCFCs, which have lower but non-zero ODPs. Both classes are regulated under Section 608, with Class I substances having been phased out earlier than Class II substances.
Question 4: Under EPA Section 608, what must a technician do before disposing of a refrigerant-containing appliance?
- Notify the local EPA regional office of the pending disposal
- Remove and recover the refrigerant using approved recovery equipment (Correct answer)
- Drain all oil from the system before removal of refrigerant
- Obtain a disposal permit from the state environmental agency
Correct answer: Remove and recover the refrigerant using approved recovery equipment
Before disposing of any appliance containing regulated refrigerants, the technician (or final disposal facility for certain small appliances) must remove and recover the refrigerant using EPA-approved recovery equipment. This prevents the refrigerant from being released as the appliance is crushed, shredded, or processed. No EPA notification or disposal permit is specifically required — only proper refrigerant recovery.
Question 5: A refrigerant is identified as having a boiling point of approximately -41°F at atmospheric pressure. Which refrigerant does this most closely match?
- R-11 (boiling point +74.7°F)
- R-22 (boiling point -41.4°F) (Correct answer)
- R-123 (boiling point +82°F)
- R-134a (boiling point -15.1°F)
Correct answer: R-22 (boiling point -41.4°F)
R-22 (HCFC-22, chlorodifluoromethane) has an atmospheric boiling point of approximately -41.4°F (-40.8°C), making it a high-pressure refrigerant that is a vapor at room temperature. R-11 and R-123 have boiling points well above 0°F, meaning they are liquids at room temperature and operate under vacuum. R-134a boils at -15.1°F. Knowing boiling points helps technicians understand system pressure behavior.
Question 6: Which statement accurately describes the "safe disposal" exemption for small appliances under EPA Section 608?
- Appliances under 2 lbs of charge may be disposed without refrigerant recovery
- Final disposal entities (scrap dealers, recyclers) may receive small appliances with refrigerant if they use recovery equipment approved for that purpose (Correct answer)
- Appliances manufactured before 1980 are exempt from safe disposal requirements
- Homeowners may dispose of small appliances without recovery as only technicians are regulated
Correct answer: Final disposal entities (scrap dealers, recyclers) may receive small appliances with refrigerant if they use recovery equipment approved for that purpose
Under the safe disposal requirements, final disposal entities such as scrap dealers and recyclers who receive small appliances are subject to requirements to ensure refrigerant is removed before the appliances are shredded or crushed. These entities may use approved recovery equipment and are required to store recovered refrigerant properly. The rules establish a chain of responsibility from service technician through to final disposal.
EPA Practice Test (608 Core) 2
The EPA Section 608 "Core" exam section covers knowledge required of ALL certified technicians.
Which topic is specifically part of the Core exam?