Does the venting prohibition apply to him?

Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol · EPA 608 Core. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Phaseout dates and the venting prohibitions at servicing, at disposal and for substitutes.

The question

A building owner who is not a technician opens a valve and releases R-410A from his own rooftop unit. Does the venting prohibition apply to him?

• ANo, it applies only to certified technicians
• BYes, it applies to anyone servicing or disposing of oneCorrect answer
• CNo, owners may do what they want with their own equipment
• DYes, but only if the unit holds more than 50 pounds

Why “Yes, it applies to anyone servicing or disposing of one” is correct

40 CFR 82.154(a)(1) says no person maintaining, servicing, repairing or disposing of an appliance may knowingly vent refrigerant. "Person" includes individuals and companies, so the rule applies to owners as well as technicians.

Source: 40 CFR 82.154(a)(1); 40 CFR 82.152

Why the other answers are wrong

• No, it applies only to certified technicians — The prohibition covers every person, not just certified technicians.
• No, owners may do what they want with their own equipment — Owning the equipment does not give permission to vent.
• Yes, but only if the unit holds more than 50 pounds — The venting prohibition has no charge-size threshold.

Practice more of this

More EPA 608 Core practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.