A household refrigerator's label says it uses R-600a. What extra precaution applies?
Safety · EPA 608 Type I. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Decomposition products of refrigerants at high temperatures, and safe handling.
The question
A household refrigerator's label says it uses R-600a. What extra precaution applies?
- Wear a respirator, because it is toxic like ammonia
- Use high-pressure hoses, because it runs above 400 psig
- None, because it behaves the same as R-134a
- Keep sparks and flames away, since it is flammableCorrect answer
Why “Keep sparks and flames away, since it is flammable” is correct
R-600a is isobutane, a hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbons burn, so a technician working on such a unit must keep ignition sources away and work with good ventilation.
Source: EPA: Test Topics; 40 CFR 82.154(a)
Why the other answers are wrong
- Wear a respirator, because it is toxic like ammonia — Isobutane's main hazard is flammability, not toxicity like ammonia.
- Use high-pressure hoses, because it runs above 400 psig — Isobutane is not a very high-pressure refrigerant.
- None, because it behaves the same as R-134a — R-134a is not flammable; R-600a is.
Practice more of this
More EPA 608 Type I practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.
Unofficial, not affiliated with the EPA or any EPA-approved certifying organization. Questions are original practice written from public EPA material, not real exam questions.