Flammable Refrigerants

FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
As part of the Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP), the EPA requires that a new refrigerant be tested according to the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) E-681 testing method. E-681 is used to determine the concentrations in air at which a substance is flammable, at normal atmospheric pressure. In addition to testing the refrigerant itself, if a blend contains a flammable component, the EPA requires leak testing to ensure that the composition does not change and become flammable.

If an alternative refrigerant is flammable, the EPA requires a comprehensive risk assessment for each proposed end-use. This risk assessment estimates the likelihood of fire and the potential results if a fire were to occur, in addition to suggesting measures to mitigate this risk.

NOTES:
- The Clean Air Act only granted the EPA the authority to regulate the use of alternative refrigerants, not the sale of them. Even if the EPA determines that an alternative is unacceptable, it is still legal to sell it. However, putting it in a a customer's A/C system is considered use, not sale, so a service technician who charges a system with a unacceptable refrigerant may be subject to a 25,000 dollar fine and up to five years jail time.
- Flammable refrigerants may also be prohibited for use or sale by state governments, fire marshals, building code organizations, and other local authorities.
- There are currently NO FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS APPROVED FOR USE BY THE EPA in automotive air conditioning systems.


PREVIOUSLY MARKETED FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS
HC-12a and OZ-12 are blends of hydrocarbons.They were submitted to the EPA for review and were found unacceptable for use as substitutes for R-12 in all end-uses other then industrial process refrigeration.

Although banned for USE as a substitute for R-12 in automotive applications, the sale of these two flammable refrigerants may still be legal (depending upon state and local regulations).