There are several different systems that requires all technicians to be certified in an EPA approved course. One of those systems is a motor vehicle air conditioning system also known as a MVAC.
Full Answer
EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act define a "technician" as an individual who performs any of the following activities: Attaching and detaching hoses and gauges to and from an appliance to measure pressure within the appliance. Adding refrigerant to or removing refrigerant from an appliance.
Types of Certification. EPA has developed four types of certification: For servicing small appliances (Type I). For servicing or disposing of high- or very high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and MVACs (Type II). For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances (Type III). For servicing all types of equipment (Universal).
The EPA does not administer the tests, and we do not issue test results or certification cards. The tests are administered by EPA approved Section 608 testing and certification organizations and their proctors.
EPA manages several programs that certify technicians, service locations, laboratories or products. The page contains an automatically-generated list of EPA webpages that include the word “certification” in the title. Entries are listed with the most recently updated pages at the top.
This means that the United States Environmental Protection Agency has examined the work that the company does and has certified that they are meeting the EPA's standards for protecting the environment.
EPA Type 3 covers low-pressure appliances. Technicians working on a Type 3 appliance must be certified as either a Type 3 or a Universal technician. Recall that the EPA Type 1 covers Small Appliances like small refrigerators and air conditioners. EPA Type 2 covers high-pressure refrigeration appliances.
Does EPA require an "R-410A Certification”? EPA requires a section 608 certification regardless of refrigerant type based on the type of appliance (Type I, Type II, Type III, or Universal). However, EPA does not have a certification that is exclusively focused on R-410A.
EPA regulations require a service aperture or process stub on all appliances that use a Class I or Class II refrigerant in order to make it easier to recover refrigerant.
Type III – Type III EPA 608 licenses allow HVAC workers to focus on low-pressure appliances. It requires expertise with leak detection and fixes, disposal of refrigerants, safety, and recovery techniques. Some low-pressure appliances use nitrogen, so technicians need to have extensive knowledge about this chemical.
EPA has developed four types of certification:For servicing small appliances (Type I).For servicing or disposing of high- or very high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and MVACs (Type II).For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances (Type III).For servicing all types of equipment (Universal).
Individuals do not need to have certification in order to purchase small cans (under two pounds) of R-134a. However, all cans produced after Jan. 1, must come equipped with a self-sealing valve capable of preventing the container from venting refrigerant after it is removed from the charging valves.
What is R-410A Certification? R-410A Certification is a certification offered by Mainstream to allow you to demonstrate that you have received additional training in the handling, servicing, and recovery of R-410A equipment.
HCFC-22 is the only EPA-approved refrigerant that can be used for leak testing. A safe leak testing pressure is typically 125 psig.
Section 608 of the Clean Air Act requires all refrigerant recovery equipment be certified by an EPA-approved testing organization to assure that the equipment meets EPA standards based on the test method established by AHRI Standard 740.
domestic refrigeratorA domestic refrigerator is an example of an appliance on which it would be permissible to use a passive recovery device.
If you discover that R-410a was added to this system, you need to recover the mixture in a separate recovery tank. u must use a separate recovery cylinder for the other refrigerant. At the end of recovery service, technicians need to make sure that there is no liquid refrigerant trapped in the service hose.
To certify your equipment, provide a written statement signed by the person who acquired the equipment (this person may be the owner of the establishment or another responsible officer). This certification statement shall include:
EPA evaluates alternative refrigerants under its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program, established under section 612 of the CAA. SNAP lists refrigerants for MVAC systems as either “acceptable subject to use conditions” or “unacceptable.” For additional information on the individual MVAC refrigerants, and the transition from CFC-12 to HFC-134a to new climate-friendly refrigerants, see the webpage " Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Refrigerant Transition & Environmental Impacts ."
Section 609 certification is required to service any MVAC system for consideration, regardless of what refrigerant is used in the system.
Section 608 of the Clean Air Act prohibits the intentional release (venting) of any refrigerant when maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of air conditioning or refrigeration equipment, including MVAC systems.
Each SNAP-approved refrigerant is required to be used with a unique set of fittings to prevent the accidental mixing of different refrigerants. These fittings are attachment points on the car itself, on all recovery and recycling equipment, on can taps and other charging equipment, and on all refrigerant containers. An adapter should not be used to convert a fitting.
Motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) equipment uses refrigeration to cool the driver's or passenger's compartment. This page describes the EPA requirements for servicing these systems, and how these requirements impact service technicians, shop owners, and some refrigerant retailers. Most of these requirements come from regulations ...
Certification is required for anybody who in the course of maintenance, service, or repair of an appliance could be reasonably expected to violate the integrity of the refrigerant circuit and therefore release refrigerants into the environment.
If you believe someone is using your technician certification card to purchase refrigerant without your permission, contact your refrigerant supplier and let them know that this person is not your employer or employee, and is not purchasing refrigerant for your use. You can also report possible violations to EPA.
A leak inspection is the examination of an appliance to determine the location of refrigerant leaks. Methods include ultrasonic tests, gas-imaging cameras, bubble tests, or the use of a leak detection device operated and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines. Methods that determine whether the appliance is leaking - but do not determine the location of a leak - such as standing pressure/vacuum decay tests, sight glass checks, viewing receiver levels, pressure checks, and charging charts are not leak inspections, and must be used in conjunction with methods that can determine the location of a leak.
Is section 608 certification required to dispose of appliances? Section 608 technician certification is required to dispose of appliances, except for small appliances (an appliance that is fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with five pounds or less of refrigerant), motor vehicle air conditioners (MVACs), ...
As a section 608 certified technician who installs, services, and/or disposes of appliances, you are required to keep a copy of your certification at your place of business and keep it until three years after you are no longer operating as a technician.
Is technician certification required to install an R-410A mini-split? Yes. Adding or removing refrigerant from a mini-split as part of installation, and/or connecting or disconnecting hoses or pre-charged lines requires a section 608 technician certification.
Refrigerant sellers must verify that the buyer is a certified technician or currently employs a certified technician. Documentation such as a copy of a technician certification card, a technician certificate issued by the certification program, or documentation that demonstrates that the buyer currently employs a certified technician (if the buyer is an employer) is acceptable.
EPA regulations ( 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified. Technicians are required ...
Any other activity that violates the integrity of a motor vehicle air conditioner (MVAC)-like appliance or small appliance (other than disposal). Apprentices are exempt from certification requirements provided they are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.
The core test must be taken as a proctored exam in order to attain Universal Certification. EPA regulations ( 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act define a "technician" as an individual who performs any of the following activities: Attaching and detaching hoses and gauges to and from an appliance to measure pressure ...
Apprentices are exempt from certification requirements provided they are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.
Tests must be administered by an EPA-approved certifying organization. Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire. Core tests taken as an open book exam cannot be used to get your Universal Certification.
49. T/F R-134A is a flammable at ambient temperatures and atmospheric pressures
28. T/F MVAC systems need not be evacuated to a vacuum before servicing