If this is not a major repair, what is the highest pressure the chiller or isolated section may be at when…

Recovery requirements · EPA 608 Type III. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Evacuation levels for low-pressure appliances, and major versus non-major repairs.

The question

Before servicing a low-pressure chiller, a technician wants to drain the oil only. If this is not a major repair, what is the highest pressure the chiller or isolated section may be at when it is opened for the oil change?

• A0 psig
• B10 psig
• C5 psigCorrect answer
• D15 psig

Why “5 psig” is correct

For oil changes, 40 CFR 82.156(a)(1)(iii) allows the appliance to be evacuated or pressurized to no higher than 5 psig before opening, or the oil can be drained into a receiver that is brought to 5 psig or less. EPA notes that changing oil above 5 psig is a violation because oil holds a lot of dissolved refrigerant.

Source: 40 CFR 82.156(a)(1)(iii); EPA: Service Practice Requirements

Why the other answers are wrong

• 0 psig — 0 psig is the general non-major limit; oil changes have their own, slightly higher 5 psig limit.
• 10 psig — 10 psig is above the oil-change limit.
• 15 psig — 15 psig is well above the limit and close to a typical rupture disc setting.

Practice more of this

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