A technician is performing a leak repair on a high-pressure appliance containing 55 pounds of R-407C. After the repair, the appliance is found to be leaking at a rate that would release the entire charge within 6 months. According to EPA regulations, what action must the technician take?
- ANo further action is required as the leak rate is within acceptable limits for this size system.
- BThe technician must add a leak sealant to the system and monitor for 90 days.
- CThe technician must repair the leak again within 30 days and verify the repair within 30 days of the repair.
- DThe technician must recover the remaining refrigerant and retire the appliance.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. The technician must repair the leak again within 30 days and verify the repair within 30 days of the repair.
For commercial refrigeration and industrial process refrigeration appliances with 50 pounds or more of refrigerant, leaks that exceed 20% of the charge per year (or 10% for comfort cooling) must be repaired. A leak rate that would release 55 pounds in 6 months is 110 pounds per year, which is 200% of the charge, far exceeding the 20% threshold. The technician must repair the leak again and conduct verification tests within 30 days of the repair. If the second repair fails, the owner has 30 days to develop a retrofit or retirement plan.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A leak rate of 200% per year is far from acceptable; the threshold for commercial refrigeration is 20%.
- B. Leak sealants are not an approved method for fixing leaks under EPA regulations, and monitoring alone is insufficient for a failed repair.
- D. Retirement is an option if repairs repeatedly fail, but the first step after a failed repair is re-repair.
Repeated Leak Repair Requirements
If a leak repair on a large appliance fails the verification test, EPA regulations require further action, typically another repair attempt and verification within a specified timeframe.
- For commercial refrigeration (50+ lbs), annual leak rate threshold is 20%.
- If initial repair fails verification, a second repair attempt and verification are required within 30 days.
- If subsequent repair fails, a retrofit or retirement plan must be developed within 30 days.
Memory trick: Fix it, check it, if it fails, fix and check again, or say goodbye!