EPA 608 609 Leak Detection and Repair 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the current EPA annual leak rate threshold that triggers mandatory repair for a commercial refrigeration appliance?
- 10%
- 20% (Correct answer)
- 30%
- 35%
Correct answer: 20%
Commercial refrigeration appliances must be repaired when the annual leak rate exceeds 20%.
Question 2: Once a leak exceeding the trigger rate is found, how many days do owners generally have to repair the leak?
- 10 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
- 60 days
- 90 days
Correct answer: 30 days
Owners must repair leaks exceeding the applicable rate within 30 days of discovery.
Question 3: A soap-bubble test is best described as which type of leak detection method?
- Electronic
- Direct (visual/physical) method (Correct answer)
- Ultrasonic
- Fluorescent dye
Correct answer: Direct (visual/physical) method
Soap bubbles are a direct method, revealing escaping gas as visible bubbles.
Question 4: Which leak detection method involves adding a substance that glows under ultraviolet light?
- Halide torch
- Fluorescent dye tracer (Correct answer)
- Electronic sniffer
- Nitrogen pressure test
Correct answer: Fluorescent dye tracer
Fluorescent dye injected into the system glows under UV light at leak points.
Question 5: What gas is most commonly used to pressurize a system for leak testing without introducing refrigerant?
- Oxygen
- Dry nitrogen (Correct answer)
- Compressed air
- Carbon dioxide
Correct answer: Dry nitrogen
Dry nitrogen is used to pressure-test systems because it is inert and moisture-free.
Question 6: Why should oxygen never be used to pressurize a refrigeration system for leak testing?
- It is too expensive
- It can cause a violent explosion when mixed with oil (Correct answer)
- It corrodes copper
- It leaks too fast to detect
Correct answer: It can cause a violent explosion when mixed with oil
Oxygen combined with compressor oil under pressure can cause a violent explosion.
Question 7: If a leak repair attempt fails verification, the owner must do which of the following?
- Vent the system and abandon it
- Conduct a follow-up verification and possibly develop a retrofit/retire plan (Correct answer)
- Ignore it until next year
- Top off the charge weekly
Correct answer: Conduct a follow-up verification and possibly develop a retrofit/retire plan
Failed repairs require follow-up verification and may require a retrofit or retirement plan.
EPA 608 609 Leak Detection and Repair 2
What is the current EPA annual leak rate threshold that triggers mandatory repair for a commercial refrigeration appliance?