Refrigerant leak repair verification tests: what the rule says

“The owner or operator must conduct both initial and follow-up verification tests on each leak that was repaired under paragraph (d) of this section.”

84.106(e)

For the initial test, the rule text separates two cases:

• Repairs that can be done without opening or evacuating the appliance: “the test must be performed after the conclusion of the repairs and before any additional refrigerant is added” (84.106(e)(1)(i)).
• Repairs that need evacuation of the appliance or part of it: “the test must be performed before adding any refrigerant to the refrigerant-containing appliance” (84.106(e)(1)(ii)).
• If the test shows the repair did not work, the owner or operator “may conduct as many additional repairs and initial verification tests as needed within the applicable time period” (84.106(e)(1)(iii)).

“Where it is unsafe to be present or otherwise impossible to conduct a follow-up verification test when the system is operating at normal operating characteristics and conditions, the verification test must, where practicable, be conducted prior to the system returning to normal operating characteristics and conditions.”

84.106(e)(2)

If the follow-up test shows the repair failed, the owner or operator “may conduct as many additional repairs and verification tests as needed to bring the refrigerant-containing appliance below the leak rate within the applicable time period and to verify the repairs” (84.106(e)(2)(i)).

“Repairs of leaks must be documented by both an initial and a follow-up verification test or tests.”

84.106(d)(2)

The same paragraph says repairs “will be presumed to be successful if, over the 12-month period after the date of a successful follow-up verification test, there is no further refrigerant addition or if the leak inspections required under paragraph (g) and/or automatic leak detection systems required by § 84.108 do not find any leaks in the appliance.” Leak inspection frequency is counted “after the date of a successful follow-up verification test” in 84.106(g)(1). The leak rate math is on the leak rate page.

“Owners or operators must maintain records of the dates and results of all initial and follow-up verification tests. Records must include the location of the refrigerant-containing appliance, the date(s) of the verification tests, the location(s) of all repaired leaks that were tested, the type(s) of verification test(s) used, and the results of those tests.”

84.106(m)(7)

The same paragraph adds that the certified technicians doing the tests “must, upon conclusion of that service, provide the owner or operator of the appliance with documentation that meets these requirements.” As columns: the log template. The 30-day repair window itself: the requirements, quoted.

• For the last repaired leak, can you find a dated initial test and a dated follow-up test, each tied to the leak location?
• Does each test record say which type of test was used and what the result was?
• Is the gap between the two tests written down, so you can see it against the 10 days in the rule text?
• Did the technician hand you the documentation when the service ended?

The rule text does not tell us whether a specific appliance is covered. EPA and your counsel can answer that. Book a walkthrough call for the concept, not for advice.