3 Type II: High-Pressure Appliances

Scope of Type II work

Type II certification applies to servicing or disposing of stationary high- and very-high-pressure appliances. It excludes small appliances and motor-vehicle air conditioners. Technicians whose work may release refrigerant generally must hold the appropriate Section 608 certification.

Recovery and refrigerant handling

Recover means removing refrigerant from an appliance and storing it in an external container. This process does not necessarily clean or process the refrigerant. Use recovery equipment certified for the appliance and refrigerant, follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions, and use a suitable recovery cylinder. When practical, recover liquid refrigerant first because removing liquid before vapor can speed recovery.

Use a scale and never exceed the cylinder's rated fill limit. Do not intentionally vent refrigerant during service. Only limited, de minimis releases during good-faith recovery efforts, such as some hose-connection losses, are allowed.

Recovered refrigerant may generally be returned to the same appliance or to another appliance owned by the same person. If the refrigerant changes ownership, it must be reclaimed by an EPA-certified reclaimer.

Evacuation before opening

For an appliance containing more than $5$ lb of refrigerant, recover refrigerant, including liquid, before opening the appliance or the section to be serviced. If refrigerant can be isolated to a system receiver, it is permissible to isolate and evacuate only the part being worked on. Verify the required evacuation level before opening.

The levels below are vacuum readings in inches of mercury below atmospheric pressure. The applicable level depends on the appliance category, charge, and when the recovery equipment was made:

• Very-high-pressure appliance: $0$ in. Hg vacuum, with either equipment made before November 15, 1993, or equipment made on or after that date.

• High-pressure appliance with a charge under $200$ lb: $0$ in. Hg vacuum, with either equipment age category.

• High-pressure appliance with a charge of $200$ lb or more: $4$ in. Hg vacuum with equipment made before November 15, 1993; $10$ in. Hg vacuum with equipment made on or after that date.

For example, a high-pressure appliance charged with $250$ lb requires $4$ in. Hg vacuum with pre-November 15, 1993 equipment, or $10$ in. Hg vacuum with newer equipment. For a high-pressure appliance charged with less than $200$ lb, the table requires $0$ in. Hg vacuum regardless of equipment age.

Exceptions and recovery equipment

• Leaking appliance: If a leak prevents reaching the table level, isolate leaking from non-leaking sections where possible. Evacuate non-leaking sections to the table level. Evacuate leaking sections to the lowest attainable level without substantial contamination, but not above $0$ psig.

• Non-major repair without later evacuation to the atmosphere: Before opening a high- or very-high-pressure appliance, bring it to $0$ psig or lower. This pressure requirement is distinct from the table's vacuum levels.

System-dependent recovery equipment generally cannot be used on an appliance with a full charge over $15$ lb unless the equipment is permanently attached as a pump-out unit. After reaching the target vacuum, pause and check whether pressure rises. A rise can indicate that refrigerant remains in liquid or is dissolved in oil.

Leak repair and regulatory scope

Under Section 608 ozone-depleting-substance (ODS) leak-repair rules, owners or operators must take corrective action when an appliance with a full charge of $50$ lb or more exceeds the applicable $12$-month leak-rate trigger:

• Industrial process refrigeration: $30\%$.

• Commercial refrigeration: $20\%$.

• Comfort cooling and other covered appliances: $10\%$.

In general, leaks must be repaired within $30$ days. Alternatively, within that period the owner must develop a retrofit-or-retirement plan and complete it within one year. Industrial-process shutdowns can allow a $120$-day repair period. When applicable, repairs require initial and follow-up verification tests.

Separate requirements for certain HFC appliances

Do not assume the Section 608 ODS thresholds apply to every current refrigerant. Beginning January 1, 2026, separate AIM Act requirements apply to certain appliances charged with $15$ lb or more of an HFC or certain HFC substitutes. Some residential and light-commercial air-conditioning and heat-pump appliances are excluded. Check current EPA rules for the appliance, refrigerant, and sector.

Safe service practices

Identify the refrigerant and appliance before connecting equipment, and use compatible recovery equipment, hoses, and cylinders. Wear appropriate eye and hand protection. Avoid skin contact with liquid refrigerant, which can cause frostbite, and work with adequate ventilation because refrigerant can displace oxygen.

Use dry nitrogen with a regulator for pressure testing when appropriate; never use oxygen or compressed air to pressurize a refrigerant system. Never energize a hermetic compressor while the system is under vacuum. Follow the appliance and recovery-equipment manufacturers' procedures and applicable workplace safety requirements.

• 12-month leak rate