The R-123 alarm is sounding in an equipment room after a major leak. What protection is needed to go in?
Safety · EPA 608 Type III. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
ASHRAE Standard 15 equipment-room requirements and refrigerant sensors.
The question
The R-123 alarm is sounding in an equipment room after a major leak. What protection is needed to go in?
- A paper dust mask
- Safety glasses and gloves only
- A self-contained breathing apparatusCorrect answer
- A cartridge respirator for paint fumes
Why “A self-contained breathing apparatus” is correct
A large leak can leave the room short of oxygen and full of refrigerant vapor. In that extreme case only self-contained breathing apparatus supplies safe air; otherwise people should stay out until the room is ventilated.
Source: EPA: Test Topics; ASHRAE 15-2016 Addendum c, Appendix E
Why the other answers are wrong
- A paper dust mask — Dust masks do not protect against refrigerant vapor or low oxygen.
- Safety glasses and gloves only — Glasses and gloves do not protect breathing.
- A cartridge respirator for paint fumes — Cartridge respirators do not supply oxygen in a displaced atmosphere.
Practice more of this
More EPA 608 Type III practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.
Unofficial, not affiliated with the EPA or any EPA-approved certifying organization. Questions are original practice written from public EPA material, not real exam questions.