Does the equipment room oxygen deprivation requirement in EPA's test outline apply when the chiller uses an…

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

Hermetic compressors under vacuum and other high-pressure hazards.

The question

Does the equipment room oxygen deprivation requirement in EPA's test outline apply when the chiller uses an HFC rather than a CFC or HCFC?

• AYes, it applies with all refrigerantsCorrect answer
• BNo, it applies only to CFCs
• CNo, it applies only to flammable refrigerants
• DOnly if the room has no windows

Why “Yes, it applies with all refrigerants” is correct

EPA's outline specifies an oxygen deprivation sensor with all refrigerants. Any refrigerant vapor that fills an enclosed room can displace oxygen, whether it depletes ozone or not. Current ASHRAE Standard 15 also covers every refrigerant, but with a refrigerant detector set at or below its exposure limit rather than an oxygen sensor.

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

• No, it applies only to CFCs — The outline says all refrigerants, not just CFCs.
• No, it applies only to flammable refrigerants — The concern is oxygen displacement, which any refrigerant can cause.
• Only if the room has no windows — Windows are not an exemption in the outline.

Practice more of this

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