EPA 608 Certification Study Guide

The EPA Section 608 certification is required for technicians who work with refrigerants. This guide covers the key topics you need to know for the certification exam.

Overview

The Clean Air Act (Section 608) regulates the handling of refrigerants to protect the ozone layer and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment containing regulated refrigerants must be certified.

Certification Types

Type I - Small Appliances

• Covers equipment with 5 lbs or less of refrigerant
• Examples: refrigerators, window AC units, PTACs, vending machines
• Recovery requirements: 90% efficiency or 4 oz remaining (if compressor operational)
• Recovery requirements: 80% efficiency or 4 oz remaining (if compressor non-operational)

Type II - High-Pressure Equipment

• Covers equipment using refrigerants with boiling points between -50°C and 10°C
• Examples: residential AC, commercial refrigeration, heat pumps
• Common refrigerants: R-22, R-410A, R-407C, R-134a
• Must recover to specific vacuum levels before opening system

Type III - Low-Pressure Equipment

• Covers equipment using refrigerants with boiling points above 10°C
• Examples: centrifugal chillers
• Common refrigerants: R-11, R-123, R-245fa
• Special procedures due to operating below atmospheric pressure

Universal Certification

• Covers all three types
• Required for technicians who work on various equipment types

Key Concepts

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)

• Measures a substance's ability to destroy stratospheric ozone
• CFC refrigerants (R-11, R-12) have highest ODP
• HCFC refrigerants (R-22) have lower but significant ODP
• HFC refrigerants (R-410A, R-134a) have zero ODP

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

• Measures heat-trapping ability relative to CO2
• HFC refrigerants have high GWP despite zero ODP
• AIM Act regulates HFC phase-down based on GWP

Refrigerant Recovery Requirements

| Equipment Type | Charge Size | Required Recovery Level | |---------------|-------------|------------------------| | Type I | < 200 lbs | 90% (or 4 oz) | | Type II | < 200 lbs | 0 psig | | Type II | ≥ 200 lbs | 10 inches Hg vacuum | | Type III | < 200 lbs | 0 psig | | Type III | ≥ 200 lbs | 25 inches Hg vacuum |

Safety Considerations

Refrigerant Hazards

• Asphyxiation: Refrigerants displace oxygen in enclosed spaces
• Frostbite: Liquid refrigerant causes severe cold burns
• Pressure hazards: Cylinders can explode if overfilled or overheated
• Toxicity: Decomposition products from flame contact are toxic

Cylinder Safety

• Never heat cylinders with open flame
• Never fill above 80% capacity
• Store in cool, dry locations
• Use DOT-approved cylinders only
• Gray cylinders with yellow tops are for recovery

Personal Protective Equipment

• Safety glasses when handling refrigerants
• Gloves when handling liquid refrigerant
• Work in well-ventilated areas

Recovery Equipment

Self-Contained Recovery

• Has its own compressor and storage tank
• Can recover refrigerant without system compressor
• Required for non-operational systems

System-Dependent Recovery

• Uses system compressor to push refrigerant
• Only works with operational compressor
• Cannot be used for final recovery

Recovery Cylinder Requirements

• Must be DOT approved
• Gray body with yellow top
• Must have working pressure rating appropriate for refrigerant
• Cannot exceed 80% fill capacity

Leak Detection and Repair

Leak Detection Methods

• Electronic leak detectors
• Ultrasonic leak detectors
• Fluorescent dye and UV light
• Soap bubbles
• Standing pressure/vacuum tests

Leak Repair Requirements

• Commercial refrigeration: 30% annual leak rate triggers repair
• Industrial process refrigeration: 30% annual leak rate triggers repair
• Comfort cooling: 15% annual leak rate triggers repair
• Appliances with 50+ lbs must have leak rate calculated and documented

Repair Timeline

• Repairs must be completed within 30 days of discovery
• Follow-up verification test within 30 days of repair
• Extensions available under certain conditions

Recordkeeping

Required Records

• Date and type of service
• Amount of refrigerant added
• Leak rate calculations (for equipment with 50+ lbs)
• Proof of certification
• Recovery equipment certification

Retention Period

• Service records: 3 years minimum
• Leak rate records: 3 years minimum
• Disposal records: 3 years minimum

Refrigerant Sales Restrictions

Who Can Purchase

• Section 608 certified technicians only
• Must show proof of certification
• Self-contained refrigerant (cans) restricted to certified technicians

Sales Documentation

• Seller must verify buyer certification
• Records of sales must be maintained

Disposal Requirements

Equipment Disposal

• Refrigerant must be recovered before disposal
• Must use certified recovery equipment
• Documentation required

Refrigerant Disposal

• Cannot vent or release to atmosphere
• Must be reclaimed, recycled, or destroyed
• Use EPA-certified reclaimers

Penalties for Violations

• Fines up to $44,539 per day per violation
• Criminal penalties possible for knowing violations
• Rewards available for reporting violations (up to $10,000)

Exam Tips

1. Know the certification types and what equipment each covers
2. Memorize recovery requirements for different equipment types and sizes
3. Understand ODP vs GWP and which refrigerants have each
4. Know safety procedures for handling refrigerants and cylinders
5. Review leak repair timelines and leak rate thresholds
6. Understand recordkeeping requirements and retention periods

Practice Resources

Use our EPA 608 Practice Tests to prepare for your certification exam. Our question bank covers all certification types and core topics.

This guide is for educational purposes only and should be used alongside official EPA resources and approved training materials.