Motor Vehicle A/C

This section addresses the operating procedures, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements applicable to University staff. It is the responsibility of contractors or vendors employed through the University to follow the requirements of regulation 40 CFR 82, Subpart B, Servicing of Motor Vehicle Air Conditioners.  The University must only employ the services of contractors or vendors that adhere to the regulatory requirements of this program. 

Certified technicians working on MVAC or MVAC-like appliances must use recycling and/or recovering equipment certified by EPA to meet standards contained in the appendices of 40 CFR 82, Subpart B.  Recycling equipment that has not been certified is approved equipment if it is substantially identical to certified equipment, a request for determination has been submitted to EPA, and

• For equipment that recovers and recycles CFC-12 refrigerant, it was initially purchased before September 4, 1991;
• For equipment that recovers but does not recycle CFC-12 refrigerant, it was initially purchased before April 22, 1992;
• For equipment that recovers and recycles HFC-134a refrigerant, it was initially purchased before March 6, 1996;
• For equipment that recovers but does not recycle HFC-134a refrigerant, it was initially purchased before March 6, 1996;
  • For equipment that recovers but does not recycle any single, specific refrigerant other than CFC-12 or HFC-134a, it was initially purchased      before March 6, 1996; or
• For equipment that recovers and recycles HFC-134a and CFC-12 refrigerant using common circuitry, it was initially purchased before March 6, 1996.

Refrigerant recycling equipment that recovers or recovers and recycles CFC-12 refrigerant and has not been EPA certified or approved is considered approved for use with an MVAC-like appliance if it was manufactured or imported before November 15, 1993, and is capable of reducing the system pressure to 102 mm of mercury vacuum under the conditions set forth in Appendix A of  40 CFR 82, Subpart B.

Each area of the University that repairs or services MVAC or MVAC-like appliances must have at least one piece of approved recovery or recovery/recycling equipment available on-site.  An area in the University that only charges MVAC-like appliances is not required to have recycling equipment.

Recovery and recycle equipment must be properly used in accordance with the recommended service procedures and practices set forth in Appendices A, B, C, D, E, and F of 40 CFR 82, Subpart B.  For equipment that extracts and recycles refrigerant, properly using means to recycle refrigerant before it is returned to a motor vehicle air conditioner or MVAC-like appliance. For equipment that only recovers refrigerant, properly using includes the requirement to recycle the refrigerant on-site or send the refrigerant off-site for reclamation.  Refer to the definition of Properly Using in the RMP for complete details.

Departments that own approved refrigerant recycling equipment must maintain records of the name and address of any facility to which refrigerant is sent.

Departments must retain records demonstrating that all persons authorized to repair or service MVAC or MVAC-like appliances are current certified technicians.

Maintain record of signed statement or contract with the final processor of a MVAC or MVAC-like appliance containing conditions that the final processor will evacuate refrigerant and use recovery equipment that meets §82.155.

Records must be kept for a minimum of three years.

No later than January 1, 1993, the University was required to certify with EPA that the University had acquired, and properly uses, approved equipment and that each individual authorized to use the equipment is properly trained and certified. Certification is a statement signed by the owner of the equipment or another responsible officer stating:

• The name of the purchaser of the equipment;
• The address of the where the equipment is located; and
• The manufacturer name and equipment model number, the date of manufacture, and the serial number of the equipment. The certification must also include a statement that the equipment will be properly used in servicing motor vehicle air conditioners, that each individual authorized by the purchaser to perform service is properly trained and certified in accordance with §82.40, and that the information given is true and correct.