RSES Code Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the EPA de minimis exemption under Section 608 that allows venting during normal service operations?
- Releases of less than 1 lb per incident
- Releases that are not avoidable using reasonable measures during good-faith repair (Correct answer)
- Releases less than 5% of total charge
- There is no de minimis exemption; all releases are prohibited
Correct answer: Releases that are not avoidable using reasonable measures during good-faith repair
The EPA allows releases that are unavoidable during good-faith repair, testing, or servicing operations as a de minimis exemption.
Question 2: Under ASHRAE 15, Group A1 refrigerants are classified as:
- Higher toxicity, lower flammability
- Lower toxicity, higher flammability
- Lower toxicity, no flame propagation (Correct answer)
- Higher toxicity, higher flammability
Correct answer: Lower toxicity, no flame propagation
Group A1 refrigerants have lower toxicity and no flame propagation, making them the safest classification under ASHRAE 34/15.
Question 3: Which ASHRAE standard specifically governs the safety practices for refrigerating systems, including machinery room requirements?
- ASHRAE 34
- ASHRAE 90.1
- ASHRAE 15 (Correct answer)
- ASHRAE 62.1
Correct answer: ASHRAE 15
ASHRAE 15 (Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems) governs machinery room requirements, refrigerant quantities, and safe system design.
Question 4: Under the EPA's refrigerant management program, what leak rate triggers a required repair for commercial refrigeration equipment with more than 50 lbs of charge?
- 5% per year
- 10% per year (Correct answer)
- 20% per year
- 30% per year
Correct answer: 10% per year
The EPA requires repair when commercial refrigeration systems with >50 lbs of refrigerant exceed a 10% annual leak rate.
Question 5: What does a pressure-enthalpy (P-h) diagram compliance check verify in a refrigeration system?
- That the system uses an EPA-approved refrigerant
- That operating pressures and temperatures match design conditions within code limits (Correct answer)
- That the system is registered with the local AHJ
- That the refrigerant charge meets weight limits per ASHRAE 15
Correct answer: That operating pressures and temperatures match design conditions within code limits
A P-h diagram check confirms that actual operating conditions align with design parameters, indicating correct system performance and safety margin compliance.
Question 6: Under NFPA 70 (NEC), refrigeration equipment in a Class I hazardous location requires what type of electrical components?
- Standard residential-grade components
- Explosion-proof or intrinsically safe rated components (Correct answer)
- GFCI-protected circuits only
- Double-insulated components
Correct answer: Explosion-proof or intrinsically safe rated components
NEC Class I hazardous locations require explosion-proof or intrinsically safe electrical components to prevent ignition of flammable vapors.
Question 7: Which document must accompany refrigerant cylinders shipped via DOT regulations?
- EPA Section 608 technician certification copy
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and proper DOT shipping labels (Correct answer)
- ASHRAE 15 compliance certificate
- Local AHJ approval letter
Correct answer: Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and proper DOT shipping labels
DOT regulations require refrigerant cylinders to be accompanied by an SDS and bear proper hazard communication labels during transport.
RSES Code Compliance 3
What is the EPA de minimis exemption under Section 608 that allows venting during normal service operations?