Shipping & cylinders: EPA 608 Practice Questions

What colors identify a refillable refrigerant recovery cylinder?

Recovery cylinders are gray with a yellow shoulder or top. A cylinder for flammable refrigerant also carries a red band.

How often must a refillable DOT refrigerant recovery cylinder generally be hydrostatically retested?

The general DOT requalification interval for refillable cylinders is five years (49 CFR 180.209); longer intervals apply only to special services. The test date is stamped on the cylinder; do not refill one that is out of date.

May a disposable (non-refillable) refrigerant cylinder be used to hold recovered refrigerant?

Disposable cylinders are designed for one fill at the factory. Refilling them is dangerous and illegal for transport; use a DOT-rated recovery cylinder.

Before throwing away an empty disposable refrigerant cylinder, what should be done?

Any refrigerant left inside must be recovered, not vented. From January 1, 2028, a certified technician must pump a used disposable cylinder down to a 15 in Hg vacuum before it is discarded, unless it goes to a reclaimer, supplier or scrap processor that removes what is left.

A cylinder of recovered R-410A is shipped to a reclaimer. Which DOT hazard class label does it carry?

A1 refrigerants such as R-410A ship as Class 2.2 nonflammable gases. Flammable refrigerants such as R-32 or R-290 ship as Class 2.1.

How should refrigerant cylinders be carried in a service vehicle?

Secure cylinders upright, with valve caps on where provided, so they cannot roll, fall or be struck during transport.