Refrigerant Handling Certification Requirements
REFRIGERANT HANDLING CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENT
Since Jan. 1,1993, any technician servicing, repairing, or opening a motor vehicle air conditioning system "for consideration" - anything other than free service- must use either refrigerant recovery/recycling or recovery-only equipment approved by the EPA.
There are certification requirement for the technicians and the equipment; there are also record-keeping requirements.
TECHNICIAN TRAINING/CERTIFICATION
Technicians using approved equipment must be trained and certified by an EPA-approved organization, such as your BMW training center. To be certified, technicians must pass a test demonstrating their knowledge in the use of recycling equipment in compliance with SAE Standard J1989, the regulatory requirements, the importance of referant containment, and the effects of ozone depletion.
EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION
The equipment owner or another responsible officer must certify (report) to the EPA that they own approved equipment. The information provided must include the name, address, and telephone number of the establishment where the recovery/recycling equipment is located; the name brand, model number, year and serial number(s) of the equipment acquired for use at the establishment; and the signature of the person who acquired the equipment (the owner or another responsible officer), certifying that they have acquired the equipment that each individual authorized to use the equipment is properly trained, and that the information provided is true and correct.
RECORD-KEEPING REQUIREMENTS
If the refrigerant is recovered and sent to a reclamation facility the name and address of that facility must be retained.
IMPORTANT DATES
Jan. 1,1992; Since this date, containment and recycling of R-12 have been required.
Nov. 14,1994: Since this date, the sale of refrigerant in any size container is restricted to certified technicians.
July, 1995: Since this date, any R-12 mobile air conditioning system that is converted to use an acceptable alternate refrigerant must have the appropriate unique service fittings and label for that refrigerant.
Nov. 15,1995: Since this date, recovery and recycling of any substitute substance for R-12, such as R-134a, used in a motor vehicle air conditioner have been required.
RECOMMENDED REFRIGERANT RECOVERY, RECYCLING, EVACUATION, AND CHARGING EQUIPMENT
A proper system charging station includes the following components:
- A manifold gauge set.
- A charging cylinder.
- A bulk refrigerant supply tank.
- A vacuum pump.
- Hoses for connection to the automotive A/C system.
- An electronic leak detector.
- A thermometer.
This setup will allow you to evacuate and charge an A/C system.
For handling R-12 refrigerant, use an R-12 recycling unit (such as the Kent-Moore ACR).
For R-134a refrigerant, a different unit is used (the Kent-Moore ACR). These units filter and remove moisture the refrigerant, before discharging it into a recovery tank.
Never use any R-12 service tool, such as manifold gauge sets, on R-134a systems. Tools retain small amounts of refrigerant and lubricant. Attempting to use the same equipment on both R-12 and R-134a vehicles will contaminate the air conditioning systems. Manifold gauge sets must be constructed of the proper hose material and fitting to be compatible with R-134a. Compatible units should be labeled be appropriately.
When servicing is completed, the protective sealing caps must always be reinstalled to prevent contamination via the service fittings.
The R-134a system (early models) uses a standard sight glass to view the refrigerant charge. The sight glass view may turn "cloudy" if the wrong compressor oil is used.