Under the leaky-appliance rule, what is the first thing the technician should do?

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

An R-11 chiller has a leaking evaporator that cannot reach Table 1 levels. Under the leaky-appliance rule, what is the first thing the technician should do?

• AEvacuate the whole chiller to 0 psig and open it
• BIsolate leaking components from non-leaking ones where possibleCorrect answer
• CPressurize the whole chiller with nitrogen to locate the leak first
• DVent the remaining vapor because it is contaminated

Why “Isolate leaking components from non-leaking ones where possible” is correct

40 CFR 82.156(a)(2) starts by asking the technician to isolate leaking from non-leaking components wherever possible. The non-leaking parts then go to the Table 1 level and the leaking parts to the lowest level attainable without substantial contamination, never above 0 psig.

Source: 40 CFR 82.156(a)(2)

Why the other answers are wrong

• Evacuate the whole chiller to 0 psig and open it — Non-leaking parts must still reach Table 1 levels, so the whole chiller cannot simply be taken to 0 psig.
• Pressurize the whole chiller with nitrogen to locate the leak first — The rule's first step is isolating leaking components, and adding nitrogen would contaminate the refrigerant still to be recovered.
• Vent the remaining vapor because it is contaminated — Venting refrigerant is prohibited; contaminated refrigerant is still recovered.

Practice more of this

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