Recover Refrigerant Under 40 CFR Part 82 Before Demolishing HVAC-Equipped Buildings
domain: epa.gov · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Inventory all refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment in the building (central AC, chillers, process refrigeration, standalone units) before demolition, noting refrigerant type and approximate charge size.
Engage an EPA Section 608-certified technician to recover refrigerant using certified recovery equipment before equipment is dismantled or the building is demolished — intentional venting is prohibited.
For appliances with a full charge of 50 pounds or more of refrigerant, recover to the specific evacuation levels set in 40 CFR 82.156 Table 1 before disposal.
Route recovered refrigerant to an EPA-certified reclaimer or permitted destruction facility (or store properly if it will be reused), and document the recovery and disposition.
Confirm recovery is complete and documented before HVAC equipment is crushed, cut apart, or sent for scrap/demolition debris processing.
Known gotchas
Recovery must occur before the equipment is physically damaged — refrigerant vented incidentally during demolition (e.g., a chiller crushed with charge still inside) is treated the same as intentional venting.
Only technicians certified under Section 608 with the correct certification type may perform recovery — using uncertified demolition labor to 'drain' refrigerant is a compliance violation.
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