Q. What are the inspection requirements for refrigeration equipment?

A. Any time an appliance exceeds the applicable leak rate trigger inspections to identify the leak must be conducted by a certified technician using appropriate methods for the specific appliance, as determined by the certified technician.

All visible and accessible components of an appliance must be inspected, with the following exceptions:

• Where components are insulated, under ice that forms on the outside of equipment, underground, behind walls, or are otherwise inaccessible;
• Where personnel must be elevated more than two meters above a support surface; or
• Where components are unsafe to inspect, as determined by site personnel.

Potential inspection methods include, but are not limited to, ultrasonic tests, gas-imaging cameras, bubble tests as appropriate, or the use of a leak detection device operated and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines.

Inspection Schedule

Commercial refrigeration and industrial process refrigeration appliances with a full charge of 500 or more pounds. For commercial refrigeration and industrial process refrigeration appliances with a full charge of 500 or more pounds, leak inspections must be conducted once every 3 months until the owner or operator can demonstrate, using leak rate calculations, that the appliance has not leaked in excess of the applicable leak rate trigger for 4 quarters in a row.

Commercial refrigeration and industrial process refrigeration appliances with a full charge of 50 or more pounds but less than 500 pounds. For commercial refrigeration and industrial process refrigeration appliances with a full charge of 50 or more pounds but less than 500 pounds, leak inspections must be conducted once per calendar year until the owner or operator can demonstrate, using leak rate calculations, that the appliance has not leaked in excess of the applicable leak rate trigger for one year.

Comfort cooling appliances and other appliances not otherwise covered. For comfort cooling appliances and other appliances not otherwise covered by inspection requirements, leak inspections must be conducted once per calendar year until the owner or operator can demonstrate, using leak rate calculations, that the appliance has not leaked in excess of the applicable leak rate trigger for one year.

Exceptions. Quarterly or annual leak inspections are not required for appliances that are continuously monitored by an automatic leak detection system that is audited or calibrated annually. Automatic leak detection systems must meet the criteria in 40 CFR 82.157(g)(4).