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Industrial Process Refrigeration Compliance Guide

Purpose

The purpose of this guidance is to explain portions of the August 8, 1995, amendments to the leak repair provisions of the refrigerant recycling regulations (hereafter refered to as "the amendments") and assist those affected by these amendments in complying with them. The original refrigerant recycling regulations were published on May 14, 1993 (58 FR 28660). The amendments were issued by EPA on August 8, 1995, and became effective on September 7, 1995. The amendments make important changes to the leak repair rules and readers familiar with the original rule should review the amendments and this guidance carefully.

Intended Audience

This guidance is intended for those persons who are responsible for their company or organization complying with the amendments. This may include plant engineers, maintenance supervisors, or maintenance technicians.

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What the Guidance Covers

This guidance is focused on aspects of the amendments relevant to industrial process refrigeration systems. All refrigeration systems, including industrial process refrigeration, are subject to various requirements of the refrigerant recycling regulations. Therefore, you should also read the amendments and other pertinent sections of those regulations.

What the Guidance Does Not Cover

This guidance does not discuss:

This guidance does not explain how to do everything required or permitted by the amendments, such as how to perform a leak test using an ultrasonic leak detector. The guidance assumes that its readers are properly trained in the various actions it describes. If you are not sure how to do what the guidance recommends, consult with knowledgeable personnel in your company or organization.

Compliance with the portions of the refrigerant recycling regulations that are not covered by this guidance are very important. Severe penalties can be imposed for violation of these regulations. You should seek appropriate assistance if you have any questions regarding provisions of the regulations not covered here. The guidance contains a list of references, Module K, containing information on those provisions.

Compliance

The policies set out in this document are not final agency action, but are intended solely as interpretive guidance. The guidance should not be used to replace the amendments; rather, it is intended as a supplement to explain their practical requirements. Compliance with this guidance generally should result in compliance with those aspects of the amendments that it covers.

Varying from the guidance does not necessarily mean that you will be in violation of the amendments. If you have any questions about whether or how you can depart from the guidance refer to the amendments, consult with counsel, or call the EPA Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline at 800-296-1996.

For More Information

The compliance guide includes a list of references containing more information about the amendments and the refrigerant recycling regulations generally.

In addition, EPA operates a Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline that provides information about ozone protection regulations and requirements under Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The Hotline also serves as a distribution center and point of referral for an array of information pertaining to other general aspects of stratospheric ozone protection and depletion.

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