Environmental Compliance Flashcards
7 cards from real STEAMFITTER practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Environmental Compliance flashcards as text
Which class of refrigerants is completely prohibited from production and import in the United States under the Montreal Protocol implementation?
Answer: CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)
CFCs were completely phased out in the United States in 1996 under the Montreal Protocol because of their high ozone depletion potential (ODP).
A facility discharges treated cooling water to a storm drain. Under the Clean Water Act, what permit is typically required for this discharge?
Answer: NPDES permit
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program under the Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of pollutants from point sources into waters of the United States.
What is the EPA's definition of a 'Significant New Alternatives Policy' (SNAP) program in the context of refrigerant systems?
Answer: A program evaluating and listing acceptable substitutes for ozone-depleting substances
The EPA's SNAP program evaluates alternative substances to ozone-depleting chemicals and determines whether they are acceptable based on overall risk to human health and the environment.
When a piping project disturbs soil near a former industrial site and petroleum-contaminated soil is encountered, what is the FIRST required action?
Answer: Stop work and notify the project owner and appropriate regulatory authority
Discovery of contaminated soil triggers stop-work obligations under most state environmental regulations; the project owner and state environmental agency must be notified before work continues.
Under the EPA's RMP rule, what is the purpose of a Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) for piping systems containing regulated toxic substances?
Answer: To identify and evaluate potential hazards and consequences of chemical releases
A Process Hazard Analysis systematically identifies potential hazards in chemical processes, including piping systems, to prevent accidental releases and protect workers and the surrounding community.
Which environmental regulation requires facilities to report accidental releases of extremely hazardous substances above the reportable quantity to the National Response Center?
Answer: CERCLA Section 103 and EPCRA Section 304
CERCLA Section 103 and EPCRA Section 304 require immediate notification to the National Response Center and local emergency planning committees when releases of listed substances exceed reportable quantities.
A steamfitter is replacing pipe insulation in a facility that uses R-22 refrigerant. What should the technician know about the future availability of R-22?
Answer: R-22 production was eliminated in the US as of January 1, 2020
Under the Montreal Protocol and Clean Air Act, production and import of R-22 (an HCFC) was banned in the United States effective January 1, 2020; only reclaimed or recycled R-22 is permitted for servicing existing equipment.