Section 95385 - Leak Detection and Monitoring Requirements for Facilities with Stationary Refrigeration Systems(a)Refrigeration Systems with a Full Charge Greater Than or Equal to 2,000 Pounds. The owner or operator of a refrigeration system with a full charge greater than or equal to 2,000 pounds of a high-GWP refrigerant must do the following:(1)(A) Except as provided in subsection (a)(1)(B), after January 1, 2011, the owner or operator of a refrigeration system that operates year round, or is intended to be operated year round, must conduct a leak inspection of the refrigeration system monthly using a refrigerant leak detection device, a bubble test, or observation of oil residue if:1. The refrigerant circuit is located entirely within an enclosed building or structure, or2. The compressor, evaporator, condenser, or any other component of the refrigeration system(s) with a high potential for a refrigerant leak is located inside an enclosed building or structure.(B) A monthly leak inspection of the refrigeration system is not required pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(A) if an automatic leak detection system meeting the specifications provided in subsections 95385(a)(5) or 95385(a)(6) is used to monitor the refrigeration system.(2) By January 1, 2012, the owner or operator of a refrigeration system, that operates year round, or is intended to be operated year-round, must install an automatic leak detection system if: (A) The refrigerant circuit is located entirely within an enclosed building or structure, or(B) The compressor, evaporator, condenser, or any other component of the refrigeration system(s) with a high potential for a refrigerant leak is located inside an enclosed building or structure.(3) After January 1, 2011, the owner or operator of a refrigeration system that does not operate with the refrigerant circuit located entirely within an enclosed building or structure must conduct a leak inspection once every three months using a calibrated refrigerant leak detection device, a bubble test, or observation of oil residue of all refrigerant circuit components that are not located within an enclosed building or structure or that are not monitored using an automatic leak detection system meeting the specifications provided in subsections 95385(a)(5) or 95385(a)(6).(4) If a facility has installed an automatic leak detection system which directly detects the presence in air of a high-GWP refrigerant, sensors or intakes must be placed so that they will continuously monitor the refrigerant concentrations in air in proximity of the compressor, evaporator, condenser, and other areas with a high potential for a refrigerant leak.(5) If a facility has installed an automatic leak detection system which detects the presence in air of a high-GWP refrigerant, the owner or operator must annually audit and calibrate the system using manufacturer recommended procedures, so that it: (A) Accurately detects a concentration level of 10 parts per million of vapor of the specific refrigerant or refrigerants used in the refrigeration system(s), and(B) Alerts the operator when a refrigerant concentration of 100 parts per million of vapor of the specific refrigerant or refrigerants used in the refrigeration system(s) is reached.(6) If a facility has installed an automatic leak detection system that automatically interprets measurements to indicate a refrigerant leak, the owner or operator must annually audit and calibrate the system, so that it will automatically alert the operator when measurements indicate a loss of refrigerant of 50 pounds or 10 percent of the refrigeration system full charge, whichever is less.(7) If an automatic leak detection system alerts the owner or operator pursuant to subsections 95385(a)(5) or 95385(a)(6), the owner or operator must ensure that a leak inspection is conducted within 24 hours after the system alert. The leak inspections must be conducted using a calibrated refrigerant leak detection device or a bubble test to confirm a refrigerant leak and determine the refrigerant leak location(s).(b)Refrigeration Systems with a Full Charge Greater Than or Equal to 200 Pounds, but Less Than 2,000 Pounds. After January 1, 2011, the owner or operator of a refrigeration system with a full charge greater than or equal to 200 pounds, but less than 2,000 pounds, of a high-GWP refrigerant, and that is intended to be operated year round, must conduct a leak inspection of the refrigeration system once every three months. The leak inspection must be conducted using a calibrated refrigerant leak detection device, a bubble test, or observation of oil residue. A leak inspection of the refrigeration system is not required pursuant to this subsection (b) if an automatic leak detection system meeting the specifications provided in subsections 95385(a)(5) or 95385(a)(6) is used to monitor the refrigeration system.(c)Refrigeration Systems with a Full Charge Greater Than 50 Pounds, but Less Than 200 Pounds. After January 1, 2011, the owner or operator of a refrigeration system with a full charge greater than 50, but less than 200 pounds, of a high-GWP refrigerant, and that is intended to be operated year round, must annually conduct a leak inspection of the refrigeration system. The leak inspection must be conducted using a calibrated refrigerant leak detection device, a bubble test, or observation of oil residue. A leak inspection of the refrigeration system is not required pursuant to this subsection (c) if an automatic leak detection system meeting the specifications provided in subsections 95385(a)(5) or 95385(a)(6) is used to monitor the refrigeration system.(d)Requirements That Apply When Additional Refrigerant is Added to All Refrigeration Systems Regulated by this Subarticle. After January 1, 2011, the owner or operator of any refrigeration system with a full charge greater than 50 pounds of a high-GWP refrigerant must conduct a leak inspection each time an additional refrigerant charge equal to or greater than 5 pounds, or one percent of the refrigeration system full charge, whichever amount is greater, is added to a refrigeration system. The leak inspection must be conducted using a calibrated refrigerant leak detection device, a bubble test, or observation of oil residue.(e)Refrigeration Systems Not Operated Year-Round. The owner or operator of a refrigeration system that does not operate, or is not intended to operate, year-round must conduct a leak inspection within 30 days after starting each operation of the refrigeration system, and once every three months thereafter until the refrigeration system is shut down. The leak inspection must be conducted using a calibrated refrigerant leak detection device, a bubble test, or observation of oil residue. A leak inspection is not required after starting operation if there has been a leak inspection of the refrigeration system conducted within the preceding 90 days.(f)Alternative Test Methods. The leak inspections required by this section may be conducted using alternative test methods that are demonstrated to the written satisfaction of the Executive Officer to be equally or more accurate than using a calibrated refrigerant leak detection device or bubble test.(g)Leak Inspection Requirements if Oil Residue is Observed. If during a required leak inspection or at any time oil residue is observed indicating a refrigerant leak, a leak inspection must be conducted using a calibrated refrigerant leak detection device or bubble test to confirm a refrigerant leak.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 17, § 95385
1. New section filed 10-20-2010; operative 11-19-2010 (Register 2010, No. 43). Note: Authority cited: Sections 38501, 38510, 38560, 38562, 38563, 38580, 38597, 39600, 39601 and 41511, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 38501, 38505, 38510, 38560, 38562, 38563, 38580, 38597, 39600, 39601 and 41511, Health and Safety Code.
1. New section filed 10-20-2010; operative 11-19-2010 (Register 2010, No. 43).