EPA 608 Type II Practice Test: Real Questions & Answers (High-Pressure)

Correct answer: B. Any refrigerant with boiling point below 50°F at atmospheric pressure, excluding small appliances and MVACs

Type II covers high-pressure appliances — refrigerants with boiling point below 50°F at atmospheric pressure. Excludes Type I (≤5 lbs), Type III (low-pressure chillers), and MVACs.

Correct answer: B. R-245fa

R-245fa is a low-pressure refrigerant (BP well above 50°F) used in centrifugal chillers — Type III. R-407C, R-22, and R-134a are all high-pressure (Type II).

Correct answer: B. Type II

R-410A is a high-pressure refrigerant. A rooftop unit isn't a small appliance (Type I) or low-pressure chiller (Type III). Type II covers high-pressure appliances including commercial RTUs and split systems.

Correct answer: C. Industrial process refrigeration (IPR) — because more than 50% serves an industrial process

When more than 50% of cooling capacity serves an industrial process, the appliance is classified as IPR. Significant because IPR has the highest allowable leak rate (30%) and a 120-day repair window for shutdown situations.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: C. Supermarket's display-case refrigeration system

Supermarket display cases are the classic commercial refrigeration example. Office chiller = comfort cooling. Pharma chiller and ice rink = generally IPR.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: C. 10 inches Hg

Per Appendix B to Subpart F: post-1993 equipment on HCFC-22 appliances ≥200 lbs requires 10 in Hg vacuum. HCFC-22 ≥200 lbs requires 10 in Hg — different from the 15 in Hg required for OTHER high-pressure refrigerants at the same charge.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156, Appendix B

Correct answer: D. 15 inches Hg

Per Appendix B: post-1993 equipment on non-HCFC-22 high-pressure ≥200 lbs requires 15 in Hg — stricter than the 10 in Hg for HCFC-22 at the same charge. Most commonly confused evacuation level on the Type II exam.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156, Appendix B

Correct answer: C. 10 inches Hg

For non-HCFC-22 high-pressure appliances with <200 lb charge, post-1993 equipment must achieve 10 in Hg. The 200-lb threshold is what determines whether 10 or 15 in Hg applies for non-HCFC-22 high-pressure.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156, Appendix B

Correct answer: B. 4 inches Hg

Pre-Nov 15, 1993 equipment on ≥200 lb high-pressure appliances must achieve 4 in Hg — significantly less stringent than the 10-15 in Hg required of post-1993 equipment. The 1993 date is the key dividing line.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156, Appendix B

Correct answer: A. 0 inches Hg (atmospheric)

Very high-pressure appliances require recovery only to atmospheric pressure (0 in Hg) regardless of equipment age or charge size. The high operating pressures of very-high-pressure refrigerants (R-503, R-508B) make deeper evacuation impractical. 25 mm Hg absolute is the LOW-pressure (Type III) standard.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156, Appendix B

Correct answer: C. 10 inches Hg

R-134a = high-pressure non-HCFC-22. System contains <200 lbs and equipment is post-1993. Per Appendix B: 10 in Hg vacuum.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156, Appendix B

Correct answer: C. 15 inches Hg

R-404A = high-pressure non-HCFC-22. Charge 500 lbs ≥ 200 lbs. With post-1993 equipment: 15 in Hg — strictest high-pressure standard in Appendix B.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156, Appendix B

Correct answer: C. 15 pounds

Per 40 CFR 82.156: system-dependent recovery equipment (relies on appliance's own compressor) may not be used on appliances with >15 lb full charge, unless permanently attached as a pump-out unit.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.156

Correct answer: C. Minimize refrigerant release when connecting and disconnecting hoses

Self-sealing connectors and hand valves are required to minimize refrigerant release during hose connection/disconnection. Reduces technician exposure and prevents venting during routine service.

Correct answer: B. Cool the recovery cylinder with ice or water

Cooling the recovery cylinder reduces its internal pressure, creating a larger pressure differential between appliance and cylinder. Heating the cylinder would slow recovery.

Correct answer: B. At deep vacuum, refrigerant flow through the compressor is reduced, providing less cooling for the motor windings

Hermetic compressor motors are cooled by refrigerant passing through them. At deep vacuum, refrigerant density drops and flow decreases, reducing motor cooling — causing overheating. Monitor recovery machine temperature near end of recovery.

Correct answer: B. 10%

Current 40 CFR 82.157 sets the comfort cooling threshold at 10% per year. Regulations before 2019 used 15% — that figure is now outdated. Exceeding 10% in 12 months triggers the 30-day repair obligation.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: B. 20% commercial refrigeration — exceeded

Commercial refrigeration = 20% threshold. A 22% leak rate exceeds 20%, triggering repair obligations. The 120-lb charge exceeds the 50-lb applicability threshold.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: C. 30%

IPR = 30% — the most permissive threshold under 40 CFR 82.157. Comfort cooling 10%, commercial refrigeration 20%, IPR 30%.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: B. 30 days from when the refrigerant addition that triggered the threshold was made

Under 40 CFR 82.157: 30 days from the date refrigerant was added (i.e., the date the threshold was triggered). 120-day extension applies only to IPR systems where process shutdown is required.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: D. 120 days

40 CFR 82.157 provides a 120-day extension for IPR systems when a process shutdown is required. All other appliances: 30-day standard. The IPR exception recognizes that industrial processes can't be shut down on short notice.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: B. 30 days / 1 year

Under 40 CFR 82.157: retrofit/retirement plan within 30 days, completion within 1 year of plan creation. Total maximum timeline ~13 months from threshold exceedance.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: C. 50 lbs or more

40 CFR 82.157 leak repair rules — leak rate thresholds, 30-day repair, retrofit/retirement, chronic leaker reporting — apply to appliances with 50+ lbs of ODS refrigerant. Below 50 lbs are not subject to these obligations.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: D. R-508B

R-508B (a blend used in ultra-low-temp applications) is defined as a 'very high-pressure appliance' refrigerant at 40 CFR 82.152 — that definition explicitly lists R-13, R-23, R-503, R-508A, and R-508B as examples. Very high-pressure recovery only requires reaching atmospheric pressure (0 in Hg) per 40 CFR 82.156. R-22, R-410A, and R-134a are high-pressure (stricter recovery levels).

Reference: 40 CFR 82.152 (definition), 40 CFR 82.156 (recovery)

Correct answer: D. Liquid charge through liquid-line service valve

R-407C is a zeotropic (non-azeotropic) blend. Vapor charging causes fractionation — components vaporize at different rates and change blend composition. Zeotropic blends must be charged as liquid through the liquid-line.

Correct answer: C. Polyol ester (POE) oil

R-410A is an HFC — not miscible with mineral oil. Requires POE oil, which is miscible with HFCs and returns properly with the refrigerant. R-22 (HCFC) used mineral oil.

Correct answer: C. R-22

R-22 (HCFC) was the dominant refrigerant in residential/commercial HVAC for decades and is miscible with mineral oil. Retrofitting from R-22 to HFCs (R-410A, R-407C) requires flushing mineral oil and replacing with POE.

Correct answer: C. Pressurize with nitrogen containing a trace amount of R-407C, then check with a leak detector

Correct procedure: dry nitrogen with a trace amount of system refrigerant to test pressure. Dry nitrogen prevents oxidation; trace refrigerant allows electronic leak detection. Never use air (oxygen = explosion/acid risk) or full refrigerant charge.

Correct answer: B. A slow refrigerant leak at or near the compressor

Classic visual indicator of a slow refrigerant leak. Slow leaks carry small amounts of compressor oil; the oil film attracts and holds dust, creating the characteristic dirty oily appearance.

Correct answer: C. Soap bubble test

Electronic and ultrasonic detectors are useful for locating general leak areas, but the soap bubble test (approved bubble solution on suspect joints/fittings) provides the most precise pinpointing — bubbles form directly at the leak.

Correct answer: B. Pressurize with an inert gas (dry nitrogen) and perform a leak check

Standard first step: pressurize with dry nitrogen (inert, non-flammable, non-reactive) to test pressure and check joints with leak detector or soap bubbles. Identifies leaks before refrigerant is introduced.

Correct answer: B. Recover the refrigerant to atmospheric pressure, shut down, and document the mothballing

Mothballing requires recovering refrigerant to atmospheric pressure and shutting down. Suspends the EPA compliance clock (repair / retrofit / retirement timelines) until returned to service. Simply powering off without recovery doesn't qualify.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: B. Heats compressor oil to boil off refrigerant that migrated into the crankcase during off-cycle

During off-cycle, refrigerant migrates toward the crankcase and dissolves in the oil, diluting it. Crankcase heater warms oil so refrigerant vaporizes and leaves. Starting with refrigerant-saturated oil causes liquid slugging that damages compressor valves and bearings.

Correct answer: B. Initial verification test and follow-up verification test

40 CFR 82.157 requires both an INITIAL verification test (confirming repair was successful at service time) and a FOLLOW-UP verification test (confirming repair held under normal operating conditions). Both must be documented.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: C. Within 10 days

For >200 lb appliances, follow-up verification must occur within 10 days of the initial test (or when normal operating conditions are restored). Confirms the repair held once the system returned to normal pressures and temperatures.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: D. 125% or more

Chronic leaker = 125%+ of full charge in a calendar year. Possible because refrigerant can be added and leak out multiple times. Commonly confused with 100% — must EXCEED the full charge by one-quarter.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: D. By March 1 of the following year

Chronic leaker reports must be submitted by March 1 of the calendar year following the year of excessive leakage. Parallels the March 1 deadline used for other EPA environmental reporting.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: B. Every 3 months (quarterly)

Per 40 CFR 82.157(g)(1)(i): for commercial refrigeration AND industrial process refrigeration appliances with a full charge of 500 or more pounds, leak inspections must be conducted once every three months until the owner can demonstrate the appliance has not exceeded the applicable leak rate for four consecutive quarters. Note the threshold is ≥500 lbs (not >500), and the rule applies equally to both commercial refrigeration and IPR.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157(g)(1)(i)

Correct answer: D. Annually (once per calendar year)

Commercial refrigeration in the 50–500 lb ODS range = annual follow-up leak inspections. Less frequent than the quarterly requirement for larger IPR (>500 lbs), reflecting smaller refrigerant inventory.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.157

Correct answer: C. 3 years

Three-year minimum retention for service records on 50+ lb ODS appliances. Records include date, type of service, and quantity of refrigerant added. Technicians provide invoices; owners maintain the 3-year record.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.166

Correct answer: B. An invoice showing the type and amount of refrigerant added

Technicians must provide the owner an invoice documenting refrigerant type and quantity added. Owner uses invoices to track cumulative additions, calculate annual leak rate, and maintain 3-year records.

Reference: 40 CFR 82.166