What kind of recovery equipment should be used on it?

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 portable air conditioner uses R-32, a mildly flammable refrigerant. What kind of recovery equipment should be used on it?

• AAny small-appliance recovery unit already certified for R-134a
• BEquipment certified for use with flammable refrigerantsCorrect answer
• CA homemade pump with a spark-proof switch
• DNo equipment, because R-32 may be vented

Why “Equipment certified for use with flammable refrigerants” is correct

Section 82.154(b)(2) requires recovery equipment certified for that type of refrigerant and appliance. Under 82.158(e)(4), newer equipment is tested under appendix B3 for non-flammable refrigerants or appendix B4, based on AHRI 740-2016 and UL 1963 Supplement SB, for flammable refrigerants, so a flammable refrigerant such as R-32 calls for equipment certified for that use.

Source: 40 CFR 82.154(b); 40 CFR 82.158(e)

Why the other answers are wrong

• Any small-appliance recovery unit already certified for R-134a — Equipment for non-flammable refrigerants is tested under a different appendix.
• A homemade pump with a spark-proof switch — Recovery equipment must be certified, and a homemade rig is not.
• No equipment, because R-32 may be vented — R-32 is not on the list of exempt substitutes in 82.154(a).

Practice more of this

More EPA 608 Type I practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.