According to EPA's Type II test outline, which sensor does ASHRAE Standard 15 require in equipment rooms…

Safety · EPA 608 Type II. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Hermetic compressors under vacuum and other high-pressure hazards.

The question

According to EPA's Type II test outline, which sensor does ASHRAE Standard 15 require in equipment rooms, whatever the refrigerant?

• AA smoke detector
• BA carbon monoxide detector near the door
• CA humidity sensor
• DAn oxygen deprivation sensorCorrect answer

Why “An oxygen deprivation sensor” is correct

EPA's outline lists an oxygen deprivation sensor in equipment rooms, with all refrigerants, as an ASHRAE Standard 15 requirement, and that is the answer on the 608 test. That wording dates from the 1992 edition. Current Standard 15 instead requires a refrigerant detector in every machinery room that alarms and starts ventilation at or below the refrigerant's occupational exposure limit.

Source: EPA: Test Topics; ASHRAE Interpretation IC 15-1992-11 (oxygen sensor wording, 1994); ASHRAE 15-2016 Addendum c (detector set point at OEL)

Why the other answers are wrong

• A smoke detector — Smoke detection is a fire code matter, not the ASHRAE 15 item EPA lists.
• A carbon monoxide detector near the door — Carbon monoxide is not what a refrigerant leak produces.
• A humidity sensor — Humidity sensors are not a safety requirement for refrigerant leaks.

Practice more of this

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