• Evacuate nonleaking components to the required levels. • • Evacuate leaking components to the lowest attainable level without substantially contaminating the refrigerant. The level cannot exceed 0 psig (0 kPa). 15.9.2 Recovery Cylinders Recovery cylinders are heavy-duty refillable cylinders that must meet Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications. The color code for recovery cylinders is a gray bottom with yellow shoulders and top. See Figure 15‑9. Avoid mixing refrigerants in a recovery cylinder. Label Job certification skills training is offered by industry organizations. However, not all contractors and service companies require job certification. 15.8.4 Equipment Certification The EPA requires recovery units manufactured on or after November 15, 1993, be tested by an EPA-approved testing organization to ensure the equipment will achieve the required vacuum levels shown in the third column of Figure 15‑8. The EPA requires that persons servicing or disposing of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment certify to the EPA that they have acquired (built, bought, or leased) recovery equip- ment and are complying with the applicable require- ments. The certification must be signed by the owner of the equipment or another responsible officer and sent to the appropriate EPA regional office. 15.9 Recovery Requirements Technicians are required by law to use recovery systems to evacuate air conditioning and refrigeration equipment to established vacuum levels. If the recovery equipment was manufactured before November 15, 1993, the air conditioning and refrigeration system must be evacuated to the levels indicated in Figure 15‑8. If the recovery equipment is manufactured on or after November 15, 1993, the air conditioning and refrigeration system must be evacuated to the levels indicated in Figure 15‑8 and the recovery equipment must be certified by an EPA-approved equipment testing organization. Technicians repairing small appliances, such as household refrigerators, household freezers, and water coolers, are required to recover 80% to 90% of the refrigerant in the system, depending on the status of the system’s compressor. 15.9.1 Exceptions to Recovery Requirements If evacuation to the required levels is not attainable due to leaks, or if it would substan- tially contaminate the refrigerant being recov- ered, the person opening the system must: • • Isolate leaking components from nonleaking components, wherever possible. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 15‑8. Required vacuum levels are based on the type of refrigeration appliance and the manufacture date of the recovery equipment. Recovery Requirements Type of Appliance Inches Mercury (in. Hg) Vacuum Using Equipment Manufactured: Before 11/15/93 On or After 11/15/93 High-pressure appliance normally containing less than 200 pounds of refrigerant 0 0 High-pressure appliance normally containing more than 200 pounds of refrigerant 4 10 Medium-pressure appliance normally containing less than 200 pounds of refrigerant 4 10 Medium-pressure appli- ance normally contain- ing more than 200 pounds of refrigerant 4 15 Very high-pressure appliance 0 0 Low-pressure appliance 25 mm Hg absolute 25 mm Hg absolute Chapter 15 Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling 267 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.