40 CFR Appendix H to Subpart G of Part 82
Substitutes Subject to Use Restrictions and Unacceptable Substitutes, Effective May 28, 1999
June 9, 2020
CFR

CFC-12 Automobile and Non-automobile Motor Vehicle Air Conditioners, Retrofit and New

Criteria for Uniqueness of Fittings

(a) All fittings for alternative motor vehicle refrigerants must meet the following requirements:

(1) High-side screw-on fittings for each refrigerant must differ from high-side screw-on fittings for all other refrigerants, including CFC-12, and from low-side screw-on fittings for CFC-12;

(2) Low-side screw-on fittings for each refrigerant must differ from low-side screw-on fittings for all other refrigerants, including CFC-12;

(3) High-side screw-on fittings for a given refrigerant must differ from low-side screw-on fittings for that refrigerant, to protect against connecting a low-pressure system to a high-pressure one;

(4) High-side quick-connect fittings for each refrigerant must differ from high-side quick-connect fittings for all other refrigerants, including CFC-12 (if they exist);

(5) Low-side quick-connect fittings for each refrigerant must differ from low-side quick-connect fittings for all other refrigerants, including CFC-12 (if they exist);

(6) High-side quick-connect fittings for a given refrigerant must differ from low-side quick-connect fittings for that refrigerant, to protect against connecting a low-pressure system to a high-pressure one;

(7) For each type of container, the fitting for each refrigerant must differ from the fitting for that type of container for all other refrigerants, including CFC-12.

(b) For screw-on fittings, “differ” means that either the diameter must differ by at least 116 inch or the thread direction must be reversed (i.e. right-handed vs. left-handed). Simply changing the thread pitch is not sufficient. For quick-connect fittings, “differ” means that a person using normal force and normal tools (including wrenches) must not be able to cross-connect fittings.

(c) The sole exception to the 116 inch difference requirement is the difference between the small can fittings for GHG-X4 and R-406A. The GHG-X4 small can fitting uses a metric measurement, and is slightly less than 116 inch larger than the small can fitting for R-406A. EPA has concluded that these fittings will not cross-connect, and therefore they may be used.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning—Unacceptable Substitutes

Open Table
End-use Substitute Decision Comments
All HCFC-22 end-uses, retrofit and new NARM-22 Unacceptable This blend contains HCFC-22, and it is inappropriate to use such a blend as a substitute for HCFC-22. In addition, this blend contains HFC-23, which has an extremely high GWP and lifetime. Other substitutes for HCFC-22 exist that do not contain either HCFC-22 or HFC-23.

Solvents Cleaning—Unacceptable Substitutes

Open Table
End-use Substitute Decision Comments
Metals, Electronic, and Precision cleaning with CFC-113, methyl chloroform, and HCFC-141b Chlorobromo-methane Unacceptable Other alternatives exist with zero or much lower ODP.

Fire Suppression and Explosion Protection—Acceptable Subject to Narrowed Use Limits: Total Flooding Agents

Open Table
End-use Substitute Decision Conditions Further information
Total flooding HFC-236fa Acceptable subject to narrowed use limits. Acceptable when manufactured using any process that does not convert perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) directly to HFC-236fa in a single step:
for use in explosion suppression and explosion inertion applications, and
for use in fire suppression applications where other non-PFC agents or alternatives are not technically feasible due to performance or safety requirements:
(a) because of their physical or chemical properties, or
(b) where human exposure to the extinguishing agents may result in failure to meet safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
Use of this agent should be in accordance with the safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Systems.
Users should observe the limitations on HFC-236fa acceptability by taking the following measures:
(i) conduct an evaluation of foreseeable conditions of end-use;
(ii) determine that the physical or chemical properties, or other technical constraints of the other available agents preclude their use; and
(iii) determine that human exposure to the other alternative extinguishing agents may result in failure to meet safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
    Documentation of such measures should be available for review upon request.
The principal environmental characteristic of concern for HFC-236fa is its high GWP of 9400 and long atmospheric lifetime of 226 years. Actual contributions to global warming depend upon the quantities emitted.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Total flooding C3F8 Acceptable subject to narrowed use limits. Acceptable for nonresidential uses where other alternatives are not technically feasible due to performance or safety requirements:
(a) because of their physical or chemical properties, or
(b) where human exposure to the extinguishing agents may result in failure to meet safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
Use of this agent should be in accordance with the safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
Users should observe the limitations on PFC acceptability by taking the following measures:
(i) conduct an evaluation of foreseeable conditions of end-use;
(ii) determine that the physical or chemical properties or other technical constraints of the other available agents preclude their use; and
    (iii) determine that human exposure to the other alternative extinguishing agents may result in failure to meet safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
Documentation of such measures should be available for review upon request.
The principal environmental characteristic of concern for PFCs is that they have high GWPs and long atmospheric lifetimes. Actual contributions to global warming depend upon the quantities of PFCs emitted.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Total flooding C4F10 Acceptable subject to narrowed use limits Acceptable for nonresidential uses where other alternatives are not technically feasible due to performance or safety requirements:
(a) because of their physical or chemical properties, or
(b) where human exposure to the extinguishing agents may result in failure to meet safety guidelinesin the latest edition of the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
Use of this agent should be in accordance with the safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
Users should observe the limitations on PFC acceptability by taking the following measures:
(i) conduct an evaluation of foreseeable conditions of end-use;
(ii) determine that the physical or chemical properties or other technical constraints of the other available agents preclude their use; and
    (iii) determine that human exposure to the other alternative extinguishing agents may result in failure to meet safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001 Standard for Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
Documentation of such measures should be available for review upon request.
The principal environmental characteristic of concern for PFCs is that they have high GWPs and long atmospheric lifetimes. Actual contributions to global warming depend upon the quantities of PFCs emitted.
See additional comments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Additional comments:

1—Should conform with relevant OSHA requirements, including 29 CFR 1910, Subpart L, Sections 1910.160 and 1910.162.

2—Per OSHA requirements, protective gear (SCBA) should be available in the event personnel should reenter the area.

3—Discharge testing should be strictly limited to that which is essential to meet safety or performance requirements.

4—The agent should be recovered from the fire protection system in conjunction with testing or servicing, and recycled for later use or destroyed.

5—EPA has no intention of duplicating or displacing OSHA coverage related to the use of personal protective equipment (e.g., respiratory protection), fire protection, hazard communication, worker training or any other occupational safety and health standard with respect to halon substitutes.

Fire Suppression and Explosion Protection—Streaming Agents—Acceptable Subject to Narrowed Use Limits

Open Table
End-use Substitute Decision Conditions Comments
Halon 1211
replacement
C6F14 Acceptable for nonresidential uses where other alternatives are not technically feasible due to performance or safety requirements: (a) because of their physical or chemical properties, or (b) where human exposure to the extinguishing agents may result in failure to meet applicable use conditions. Users should observe the limitations on PFC acceptability by taking the following measures: (i) conduct an evaluation of foreseeable conditions of end-use; (ii) determine that the physical or chemical properties or other technical constraints of the other available agents preclude their use; and (iii) determine that human exposure to the other alternative extinguishing agents may result in failure to meet applicable use conditions Documentation of such measures should be available for review upon request. The principal environmental characteristic of concern for PFCs is that they have high GWPs and long atmospheric lifetimes. Actual contributions to global warming depend upon the quantities of PFCs emitted. For additional guidance regarding applications in which PFCs may be appropriate, users should consult the description of potential uses which is included in the March 18, 1994 Final Rule (59 FR 13044.) See comments 1, 2.
Halon 1211 replacement HFC-236fa Acceptable in nonresidential uses when manufactured using any process that does not convert perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) directly to HFC-236fa in a single step See comments 1, 2, 3.
Halon 1211 replacement HFC-227ea Acceptable in nonresidential uses only See comments 1, 2.
Additional comments:

1—Discharge testing and training should be strictly limited only to that which is essential to meet safety or performance requirements.

2—The agent should be recovered from the fire protection system in conjunction with testing or servicing, and recycled for later use or destroyed.

3—Acceptable for local application systems inside textile process machinery.

Fire Suppression and Explosion Protection—Total Flooding Agents—Unacceptable Substitutes

Open Table
End-use Substitute Decision Comments
Halon 1301 replacement Chlorobromo-methane Unacceptable Other alternatives exist with zero or lower ODP; OSHA regulations prohibit its use as extinguishing agent in fixed extinguishing systems where employees may be exposed. See 29 CFR 1910.160(b)(11).

Aerosols—Unacceptable Substitutes

Open Table
End-use Substitute Decision Comments
Solvent in aerosols with CFC-113, MCF, or HCFC-141b Chlorobromo-methane Unacceptable Other alternatives exist with zero or much lower ODP.

Adhesives, Coatings, and Inks—Unacceptable Substitutes

Open Table
End-use Substitute Decision Comments
Solvent in adhesives, coatings, and inks with CFC-113 Chlorobromo-methane Unacceptable Other alternatives exist with zero or much lower ODP.
Solvent in adhesives, coatings, and inks with MCF Chlorobromo-methane Unacceptable Other alternatives exist with zero or much lower ODP.
Solvent in adhesives, coatings and inks with HCFC-141b Chlorobromo-methane Unacceptable Other alternatives exist with zero or much lower ODP.

[64 FR 22996, Apr. 28, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 4201, Jan. 29, 2002]


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