Document ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0836-0001
Agency: epa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Fire Suppression
Posted Date: 2022-07-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 144 (Thursday, July 28, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45508-45562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14665]

[[Page 45507]]

Vol. 87

Thursday,

No. 144

July 28, 2022

Part III

Environmental Protection Agency

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40 CFR Part 82

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes Under the 
Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Refrigeration, Air 
Conditioning, and Fire Suppression; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 144 / Thursday, July 28, 2022 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 45508]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 82

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0836; FRL-6399-01-OAR]
RIN 2060-AT78

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes Under 
the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Refrigeration, Air 
Conditioning, and Fire Suppression

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 
Significant New Alternatives Policy program, this action proposes to 
list certain substances as acceptable subject to use conditions in the 
refrigeration and air conditioning sector for chillers--comfort 
cooling, residential dehumidifiers, non-residential dehumidifiers, 
residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pumps, and a 
substance as acceptable subject to use conditions and narrowed used 
limits in very low temperature refrigeration. Through this action, EPA 
is proposing to incorporate by reference standards which establish 
requirements for electrical air conditioners, heat pumps, and 
dehumidifiers, laboratory equipment containing refrigerant, safe use of 
flammable refrigerants, and safe design, construction, installation, 
and operation of refrigeration systems. Additionally, this action 
proposes to list certain substances as acceptable subject to use 
conditions in the fire suppression sector for certain streaming and 
total flooding uses. Finally, EPA requests advance comment on potential 
approaches to SNAP listing decisions for very short-lived substances 
that have ozone depletion potentials similar to those of ozone-
depleting substances scheduled to be phased out.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 12, 2022. Any 
party requesting a public hearing must notify the contact listed below 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time 
on August 2, 2022. If a virtual public hearing is held, it will take 
place on or before August 12, 2022 and further information will be 
provided on EPA's Stratospheric Ozone website at https://www.epa.gov/snap.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0836. All documents in the docket are listed on the 
https://www.regulations.gov website. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is 
not placed on the internet and will be publicly available only in hard 
copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available 
electronically through https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at 
the Air and Radiation Docket, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460. The Docket Center's hours 
of operations are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday (except Federal 
Holidays). For further information on EPA Docket Center services and 
the current status, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Holly Tapani, Stratospheric Protection 
Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (Mail Code 6205T), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, 
DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-0679; email address: 
[email protected]. Notices and rulemakings under EPA's Significant 
New Alternatives Policy program are available on EPA's SNAP website at 
https://www.epa.gov/snap/snap-regulations.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. General Information
    A. Executive Summary and Background
    B. Does this action apply to me?
    C. What acronyms and abbreviations are used in the preamble?
II. What is EPA proposing in this action?
    A. Chillers--Proposed Listing of HFO-1234yf, R-454A, R-454B, and 
R-454C as Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions, for Use in New 
Chiller Equipment, and Proposed Listing of HFC-32 and R-452B as 
Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions, for Use in New Rotary and 
Scroll Chiller Equipment, for Chillers Used in Comfort Cooling, 
Including Both Commercial and Industrial Process AC
    1. Background on Chillers--Commercial AC and Industrial Process 
AC
    2. What are the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and 
Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) classifications for refrigerant 
flammability?
    3. What are HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-
454C and how do they compare to other refrigerants in the same end-
use?
    4. Why is EPA proposing these specific use conditions?
    5. What additional information is EPA including in these 
proposed listings?
    6. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    B. Residential Dehumidifiers--Proposed Listing of HFO-1234yf, 
HFC-32, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C as Acceptable, Subject to 
Use Conditions, for Use in New Residential Dehumidifiers End-Use
    1. Background on Residential Dehumidifiers
    2. What are the ASHRAE classifications for refrigerant 
flammability?
    3. What are HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-
454C and how do they compare to other refrigerants in the same end-
use?
    4. Why is EPA proposing these specific use conditions?
    5. What additional information is EPA including in these 
proposed listings?
    6. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    C. Non-Residential Dehumidifiers--Proposed Listing HFC-32 as 
Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions, for Use in New Non-
Residential Dehumidifiers End-Use
    1. Background on Non-Residential Dehumidifiers
    2. What are the ASHRAE classifications for refrigerant 
flammability?
    3. What is HFC-32 and how does it compare to other refrigerants 
in the same end-use?
    4. Why is EPA proposing these specific use conditions?
    5. What additional information is EPA including in these 
proposed listings?
    6. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    D. Residential and Light Commercial AC and Heat Pumps (HPs)--
Proposed Listing of HFC-32 as Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions, 
for Use in New Self-Contained Room ACs and HPs End-Use
    1. Background on Self-Contained Room ACs and HPs
    2. What are the ASHRAE classifications for refrigerant 
flammability?
    3. What is HFC-32 and how does it compare to other refrigerants 
in the same end-use?
    4. What use conditions currently apply to this refrigerant in 
this end-use category?
    5. What use conditions is EPA proposing?
    6. How do the proposed use conditions differ from the existing 
ones and why is EPA proposing to change the use conditions?
    7. What is the acceptability status of HFC-32 in self-contained 
room ACs and HPs?
    8. What additional information is EPA including in these 
proposed listings?
    9. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    E. Use Conditions and Further Information for Chillers, 
Residential Dehumidifiers, Non-Residential Dehumidifiers, and HFC-32 
Self-Contained Room ACs and HPs
    1. What use conditions is EPA proposing and why?
    2. What additional information is EPA including in these 
proposed listings?
    3. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    F. Very Low Temperature Refrigeration (VLTR)--Proposed Listing 
of R-1150 as

[[Page 45509]]

Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions and Narrowed Use Limits, for 
Use in VLTR End-Use
    1. Background on VLTR
    2. What is EPA's proposed listing decision for R-1150?
    3. What is R-1150 and how does it compare to other refrigerants 
in the same end-use?
    4. What use conditions is EPA proposing?
    5. Why is EPA proposing these specific use conditions?
    6. What narrowed use limits is EPA proposing?
    7. Why is EPA proposing these specific narrowed use limits?
    8. What additional information is EPA including in these 
proposed listings?
    9. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    G. Streaming and Total Flooding Fire Suppression--Proposed 
Listing of 2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (2-BTP) as Acceptable, 
Subject to Use Conditions, as a Streaming Agent in Non-Residential 
Applications and as a Total Flooding Agent in Normally Unoccupied 
Spaces Under 500 ft\3\
    1. Background on Streaming and Total Flooding Fire Suppression
    2. What is EPA's proposed listing decision for 2-BTP?
    3. What is 2-BTP and how does it compare to other fire 
suppressants in the same end-uses?
    4. What use conditions is EPA proposing?
    5. Why is EPA proposing these specific use conditions?
    6. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    H. Total Flooding Fire Suppression--Proposed Listing of 
EXXFIRE[supreg] as Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions, for Use in 
Normally Unoccupied Spaces
    1. What is EPA's proposed listing decision for EXXFIRE[supreg]?
    2. What is EXXFIRE[supreg] and how does it compare to other fire 
suppressants in the same end-use?
    3. What use conditions is EPA proposing and why?
    4. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    I. Total Flooding Fire Suppression--Proposed Listing of Powdered 
Aerosol H (Pyroquench-[alpha]TM) as Acceptable, Subject 
to Use Conditions, for Use in Normally Unoccupied Spaces
    1. What is EPA's proposed listing decision for Powdered Aerosol 
H?
    2. What is Powdered Aerosol H and how does it compare to other 
fire suppressants in the same end-use?
    3. What use conditions is EPA proposing and why?
    4. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
III. Request for Advance Comment on Potential Approaches to SNAP 
Listing Decisions for Certain Very Short-Lived Substances
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
    A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and 
Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
    B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
    E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
    F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With 
Indian Tribal Governments
    G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From 
Environmental Health and Safety Risks
    H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
    I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations
V. References

I. General Information

A. Executive Summary and Background

    This action proposes to list new alternatives for the refrigeration 
and air conditioning (AC) and fire suppression sectors. Specifically, 
EPA is:
     Listing hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)-1234yf, R-454A, R-454B, 
and R-454C as acceptable, subject to use conditions, for use in 
chillers used in comfort cooling, including commercial and industrial 
process AC;
     Listing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-32 and R-452B as 
acceptable, subject to use conditions, for use in scroll and rotary 
chillers used in comfort cooling, including commercial and industrial 
process AC;
     Listing HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-
454C as acceptable, subject to use conditions, for use in residential 
dehumidifiers;
     Listing HFC-32 as acceptable, subject to use conditions, 
for use in non-residential dehumidifiers;
     Listing HFC-32 as acceptable, subject to use conditions, 
for use in self-contained room air conditioners (ACs) and heat pumps 
(HPs);
     Listing R-1150 as acceptable, subject to use conditions 
and narrowed use limits, for use in very low temperature refrigeration 
(VLTR);
     Listing 2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (2-BTP) as 
acceptable, subject to use conditions, in streaming--for non-
residential use, except home offices and boats--and total flooding--in 
normally unoccupied spaces under 500 ft\3\;
     Listing of EXXFIRE[supreg] as acceptable, subject to use 
conditions, in total flooding--for normally unoccupied areas; and
     Listing of Powdered Aerosol H, also known as Pyroquench-
[alpha]TM, as acceptable, subject to use conditions, in 
total flooding--for normally unoccupied areas.
    EPA is proposing these new listings after its evaluation of human 
health and environmental information for these substitutes under the 
Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. The Agency is 
proposing action on these new listings in the refrigeration and AC 
sector and the fire suppression sector based on the information that 
EPA has included in the docket. This proposed action provides 
additional flexibility for industry by providing new options in 
specific uses.
    Additionally, EPA requests advance comment on potential approaches 
to SNAP listing decisions for very short-lived substances (VSLS) that 
have ozone depletion potentials (ODPs) similar to those of class II 
ozone-depleting substances (ODS) that are currently being phased out, 
in particular trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and blends 
containing CF3I. EPA is not proposing to include any 
regulatory requirements with respect to such VSLS in this rulemaking.
    EPA is not requesting comment on the republication of the first six 
entries of the table titled ``Substitutes That Are Acceptable Subject 
to Use Conditions''. Those entries are being republished to bring the 
table in line with the Office of the Federal Register's general 
requirement for orderly codification by: adding entry numbers, 
replacing prohibited language, and properly formatting the footnotes.

SNAP Program Background

    The SNAP program implements section 612 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). 
Several major provisions of section 612 are:
1. Rulemaking
    Section 612(c) requires EPA to promulgate rules making it unlawful 
to replace any class I (chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), halon, carbon 
tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, methyl bromide, 
hydrobromofluorocarbon, and chlorobromomethane) or class II 
(hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)) ODS with any substitute that the 
Administrator determines may present adverse effects to human health or 
the environment where the Administrator has identified an alternative 
that (1) reduces the overall risk to human health and the environment 
and (2) is currently or potentially available.
2. Listing of Unacceptable/Acceptable Substitutes
    Section 612(c) requires EPA to publish a list of the substitutes 
that it finds to be unacceptable for specific uses and to publish a 
corresponding list

[[Page 45510]]

of acceptable substitutes for specific uses.
3. Petition Process
    Section 612(d) grants the right to any person to petition EPA to 
add a substance to, or delete a substance from, the lists published in 
accordance with section 612(c).
4. 90-Day Notification
    Section 612(e) directs EPA to require any person who produces a 
chemical substitute for a class I substance to notify the Agency not 
less than 90 days before a new or existing chemical is introduced into 
interstate commerce for significant new use as a substitute for a class 
I substance. The producer must also provide the Agency with the 
producer's unpublished health and safety studies on such substitutes.
    The regulations for the SNAP program are promulgated at 40 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) part 82, subpart G, and the Agency's process 
for reviewing SNAP submissions is described in regulations at 40 CFR 
82.180. Under these rules, the Agency has identified five types of 
listing decisions: acceptable; acceptable subject to use conditions; 
acceptable subject to narrowed use limits; unacceptable; and pending 
(40 CFR 82.180(b)). Use conditions and narrowed use limits are both 
considered ``use restrictions,'' as described below. Substitutes that 
are deemed acceptable with no use restrictions (no use conditions or 
narrowed use limits) can be used for all applications within the 
relevant end-uses in the sector. After reviewing a substitute, the 
Agency may determine that a substitute is acceptable only if certain 
conditions in the way that the substitute is used are met to minimize 
risks to human health and the environment. EPA describes such 
substitutes as ``acceptable subject to use conditions'' (40 CFR 
82.180(b)(2)). For some substitutes, the Agency may permit a narrowed 
range of use within an end-use or sector. For example, the Agency may 
limit the use of a substitute to certain end-uses or specific 
applications within an industry sector. EPA describes these substitutes 
as ``acceptable subject to narrowed use limits.'' Under the narrowed 
use limit, users intending to adopt these substitutes ``must ascertain 
that other alternatives are not technically feasible.'' (40 CFR 
82.180(b)(3)).
    In making decisions regarding whether a substitute is acceptable or 
unacceptable, and whether substitutes present risks that are lower than 
or comparable to risks from other substitutes that are currently or 
potentially available in the end-uses under consideration, EPA examines 
the criteria in 40 CFR 82.180(a)(7): (i) atmospheric effects and 
related health and environmental impacts; (ii) general population risks 
from ambient exposure to compounds with direct toxicity and to 
increased ground-level ozone; (iii) ecosystem risks; (iv) occupational 
risks; (v) consumer risks; (vi) flammability; and (vii) cost and 
availability of the substitute.
    Many SNAP listings include ``comments'' or ``further information'' 
to provide additional information on substitutes. Since this additional 
information is not part of the regulatory decision under SNAP, these 
statements are not binding for use of the substitute under the SNAP 
program. However, regulatory requirements so listed are binding under 
other regulatory programs (e.g., worker protection regulations 
promulgated by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
(OSHA)). The ``further information'' classification does not 
necessarily include all other legal obligations pertaining to the use 
of the substitute. While the items listed are not legally binding under 
the SNAP program, EPA encourages users of substitutes to apply all 
statements in the ``Further Information'' column in their use of these 
substitutes. In many instances, the information simply refers to sound 
operating practices that have already been identified in existing 
industry and/or building codes or standards. Thus, many of the 
statements, if adopted, would not require the affected user to make 
significant changes in existing operating practices.
    For additional information on the SNAP program, visit the SNAP 
website at https://www.epa.gov/snap. The full lists of acceptable 
substitutes for ODS in all industrial sectors are available at https://www.epa.gov/snap/snap-substitutes-sector. For more information on the 
Agency's process for administering the SNAP program or criteria for 
evaluation of substitutes, refer to the initial SNAP rulemaking 
published March 18, 1994 (59 FR 13044), codified at 40 CFR part 82, 
subpart G. SNAP decisions and the appropriate Federal Register 
citations can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/snap/snap-regulations. 
Substitutes listed as unacceptable; acceptable, subject to narrowed use 
limits; or acceptable, subject to use conditions, are also listed in 
the appendices to 40 CFR part 82, subpart G.

B. Does this action apply to me?

    The following list identifies regulated entities that may be 
affected by this rule and their respective North American Industrial 
Classification System (NAICS) codes:

 Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractors (NAICS 
238220)
 All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (NAICS 325199)
 Pharmaceutical Preparations (e.g., Capsules, Liniments, 
Ointments, Tablets) Manufacturing (NAICS 325412)
 Air Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial 
and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (NAICS 333415)
 Household Appliances, Electric Housewares, and Consumer 
Electronics Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 423620)
 Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers 
(NAICS 423740)
 Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 423930)
 Appliance Repair and Maintenance (NAICS 811412)
 Fire Protection (NAICS 922160)

    This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to provide a 
guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. To determine whether your facility, company, business, or 
organization could be affected by this action, you should carefully 
examine the regulations at 40 CFR part 82, subpart G and the revisions 
below. If you have questions regarding the applicability of this action 
to a particular entity, consult the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section.

C. What acronyms and abbreviations are used in the preamble?

    Below is a list of acronyms and abbreviations used in the preamble 
of this document:

2-BTP--2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene
AC--Air Conditioning or Air Conditioner
ACCA--Air Conditioning Contractors of America
ACGIH--American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
AEL--Acceptable Exposure Limit
AIHA--American Industrial Hygiene Association
AHRI--Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
ANSI--American National Standards Institute
ASHRAE--American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-
Conditioning Engineers
ASTM--American Society for Testing and Materials

[[Page 45511]]

CAA--Clean Air Act
CAS Reg. No.--Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Identification 
Number
CBI--Confidential Business Information
CFC--Chlorofluorocarbon
CFR--Code of Federal Regulations
CO2--Carbon Dioxide
EPA--United States Environmental Protection Agency
FR--Federal Register
GWP--Global Warming Potential
HCFC--Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
HCFO--Hydrochlorofluoroolefin
HFC--Hydrofluorocarbon
HFO--Hydrofluoroolefin
HP--Heat Pump
ICF--ICF International, Inc.
IPCC--Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
LFL--Lower Flammability Limit
LOAEL--Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level
NAAQS--National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NAICS--North American Industrial Classification System
NARA--National Archives and Records Administration
NFPA--National Fire Protection Association
NIOSH--National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NPRM--Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
ODP--Ozone Depletion Potential
ODS--Ozone Depleting Substances
OMB--United States Office of Management and Budget
OSHA--United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PMS--Pantone[supreg] Matching System
ppm--Parts Per Million
PRA--Paperwork Reduction Act
PTAC--Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner
PTHP--Packaged Terminal Heat Pump
RAL--``Reichs-Ausschu[szlig] f[uuml]r Lieferbedingungen und 
G[uuml]tesicherung,'' Germany's National Commission for Delivery 
Terms and Quality Assurance
RCRA--Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RFA--Regulatory Flexibility Act
SCBA--Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
SDS--Safety Data Sheet
SIP--State Implementation Plan
SNAP--Significant New Alternatives Policy
TLV-TWA--Threshold Limit Value-Time-Weighted Average
TSCA--Toxic Substances Control Act
TWA--Time Weighted Average
UL--UL, formerly known as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
UMRA--Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
VOC--Volatile Organic Compound, Volatile Organic Compounds
VSLS--Very Short-Lived Substances
VLTR--Very Low Temperature Refrigeration
WEEL--Workplace Environmental Exposure Limit
WMO--World Meteorological Organization

II. What is EPA proposing in this action?

A. Chillers--Proposed Listing of HFO-1234yf, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C 
as Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions, for Use in New Chiller 
Equipment, and Proposed Listing of HFC-32 and R-452B as Acceptable, 
Subject to Use Conditions, for Use in New Rotary and Scroll Chiller 
Equipment, for Chillers Used in Comfort Cooling, Including Both 
Commercial and Industrial Process AC

    EPA previously listed HFO-1234yf as acceptable subject to use 
conditions in motor vehicle AC in light-duty vehicles (74 FR 53445; 
October 19, 2009), in heavy-duty pickup trucks and complete heavy-duty 
vans (81 FR 86778; December 1, 2016) and in nonroad vehicles and 
service fittings for small refrigerant cans (87 FR 26276; May 4, 2022). 
EPA previously listed HFC-32 as acceptable subject to use conditions as 
a substitute in residential and light commercial AC and HPs (80 FR 
19454; April 10, 2015) (86 FR 24444; May 6, 2021) and previously listed 
R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C, (hereafter called ``the four 
refrigerant blends''), as acceptable subject to use conditions as 
substitutes in residential and light commercial AC and HPs (86 FR 
24444; May 6, 2021).\1\
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    \1\ In this proposed rule, we use the term ``air conditioner'' 
and ``AC'' to cover equipment that cools air, heats air, or has the 
function to do both (typically referred to as a ``heat pump''). 
While such equipment might humidify or dehumidify the air, the term 
does not include equipment whose purpose is for latent cooling only 
(i.e., dehumidifiers), which are a separate end-use under SNAP and 
are addressed in section II.B of this proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Today's proposed rulemaking is proposing to find HFC-32, HFO-
1234yf, and the four refrigerant blends acceptable subject to use 
conditions as substitutes in certain types of chillers. This proposed 
listing for HFO-1234yf, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C applies to all 
compressor types of chillers, i.e., centrifugal and positive 
displacement (including reciprocating, screw, scroll and rotary) 
chillers, while the proposed listing for HFC-32 and R-452B applies to 
only scroll and rotary chillers. The proposed listings are for comfort 
cooling applications of such chillers under EPA's proposed use 
conditions, including but not limited to use in commercial AC and 
industrial process AC.
    Several use conditions proposed for chillers are identical to those 
proposed for other end-uses (residential dehumidifiers, non-residential 
dehumidifiers, and residential and light commercial AC and HPs) 
proposed in sections II.B, II.C, and II.D. below. Because of this 
similarity, EPA discusses the use conditions that would apply to all 
three end-uses in section II.E below. For chillers, EPA is also 
proposing an additional use condition related to adherence to the 
ASHRAE 15-2019 standard. In summary, the common use conditions proposed 
are:
    (1) New equipment only--These refrigerants may be used only in new 
equipment designed specifically and clearly identified for the 
refrigerant, i.e., none of these substitutes may be used as a 
conversion or ``retrofit'' refrigerant for existing equipment.
    (2) UL Standard--These refrigerants may be used only in chillers 
that meet all requirements listed in the 3rd edition, dated November 1, 
2019, of UL Standard 60335-2-40, ``Household and Similar Electrical 
Appliances--Safety--Part 2-40: Particular Requirements for Electrical 
Heat Pumps, Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers'' (hereafter in this 
section, ``UL Standard''). If this rule is finalized as proposed, in 
cases where the final rule would include requirements different than 
those of the 3rd edition of UL Standard 60335-2-40, EPA is proposing 
that the appliance would need to meet the requirements of the final 
rule in place of the requirements in the UL Standard. See section II.E 
below for further discussion on the requirements of this standard that 
EPA is proposing to incorporate by reference.
    (3) Warning labels--Several warning labels are proposed as use 
conditions as detailed in section II.E below. These labels are similar 
or verbatim in language to those required by the UL Standard. The 
warning labels must be provided in letters no less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ 
inch) high and must be permanent.
    (4) Markings--Equipment must have distinguishing red 
(Pantone[supreg] Matching System (PMS) #185 or Reichs-Ausschu[szlig] 
f[uuml]r Lieferbedingungen und G[uuml]tesicherung \2\ (RAL) 3020) 
color-coded hoses and piping to indicate use of a flammable 
refrigerant. The chiller shall have marked service ports, pipes, hoses 
and other devices through which the refrigerant is serviced. Markings 
shall extend at least 1 inch (25 millimeters) from the servicing port 
and shall be replaced if removed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Germany's National Commission for Delivery Terms and Quality 
Assurance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For chillers, EPA is also proposing a use condition related to 
adherence to the ASHRAE 15-2019 standard in addition to those common 
proposed use conditions. Specifically, we are proposing that these 
refrigerants may only be used in chillers that meet all

[[Page 45512]]

requirements listed in the American National Standards Institute 
(ANSI)/ASHRAE Standard 15-2019 (hereafter ``ASHRAE Standard''). If this 
rule is finalized as proposed, in cases where the final rule would 
include requirements different than those of ASHRAE Standard 15-
2019,\3\ EPA is proposing that the appliance would need to meet the 
requirements of the final rule in place of the requirements in the 
ASHRAE Standard. EPA is also proposing that if this rule is finalized 
as proposed, in cases where similar requirements of ASHRAE Standard 15 
and UL Standard 60335-2-40 differ, the more stringent or conservative 
condition shall apply unless superseded by the final rule. This 
additional use condition is discussed further in section II.A.4 below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ ASHRAE, 2019b. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/
American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning 
Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 15. Safety Standard for Refrigeration 
Systems. 2019.
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    The regulatory text of the proposed decisions appears in tables at 
the end of this document. If finalized as proposed, this text would be 
codified in appendix X of 40 CFR part 82, subpart G. The proposed 
regulatory text contains listing decisions for the end-uses discussed 
above. EPA notes that there may be other legal obligations pertaining 
to the manufacture, use, handling, and disposal of the proposed 
refrigerants that are not included in the information listed in the 
tables (e.g., the CAA section 608(c)(2) prohibition on knowingly 
venting or otherwise knowingly releasing or disposing of substitute 
refrigerants in the course of maintaining, servicing, repairing or 
disposing of an appliance or industrial process refrigeration or 
Department of Transportation requirements for transport of flammable 
gases). Flammable refrigerants being recovered or otherwise disposed of 
from chillers are likely to be hazardous waste under the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (see 40 CFR parts 260-270).
1. Background on Chillers--Commercial AC and Industrial Process AC
    This proposal applies to chillers that are covered by the UL 60335-
2-40 standard ``Household and Similar Electrical Appliances--Safety--
Part 2-40: Requirements for Electrical Heat Pumps, Air Conditioners and 
Dehumidifiers'' and ASHRAE Standard 15-2019, ``Safety Standard for 
Refrigeration Systems.'' EPA understands that the UL Standard applies 
to chillers used for comfort cooling.
    In the initial rule establishing the SNAP program (59 FR 13044; 
March 18, 1994), EPA included within the refrigeration and AC sector 
the end-use ``commercial comfort air conditioning'' and then elaborated 
on that end-use by saying that ``CFCs are used in several different 
types of mechanical commercial comfort AC systems, known as chillers.'' 
EPA indicated ``that over time, existing cooling capacity [from 
chillers] will be either retrofitted or replaced by systems using non-
CFC refrigerants in a vapor compression cycle or by alternative 
technologies.'' We also explained in that rule that vapor compression 
chillers can be categorized by the type of compressor used, including 
centrifugal, rotary, screw, scroll and reciprocating compressors. These 
compressor types are also divided into centrifugal and positive 
displacement chillers, the latter of which includes those with 
reciprocating, screw, scroll or rotary compressors.
    Centrifugal chillers are equipment that utilize a centrifugal 
compressor in a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. Centrifugal 
chillers are typically used for commercial comfort AC, although other 
uses, that we are not proposing here, do exist. Centrifugal chillers 
can be found in office buildings, hotels, arenas, convention halls, 
airport terminals and other buildings. Centrifugal chillers tend to be 
used in larger buildings.
    Positive displacement chillers are those that utilize positive 
displacement compressors such as reciprocating, screw, scroll or rotary 
types. Positive displacement chillers are applied in similar situations 
as centrifugal chillers, again primarily for commercial comfort AC, 
except that positive displacement chillers tend to be used for smaller 
capacity needs such as in mid- and low-rise buildings.
    A chiller is a type of equipment using refrigerant that typically 
cools water or a brine solution, which is then pumped to fan coil units 
or other air handlers to cool the air that is supplied to the occupied 
spaces transferring the heat to the water. The heat absorbed by the 
water can then be used for heating purposes, and/or can be transferred 
directly to the air (``air-cooled''), to a cooling tower or body of 
water (``water-cooled''), or through evaporative coolers 
(``evaporative-cooled''). A chiller or a group of chillers could 
similarly be used for district cooling where the chiller plant cools 
water or another fluid that is then pumped to multiple locations being 
served such as several different buildings within the same complex. 
Chillers may also be used to maintain operating temperatures in various 
types of buildings, for example, in data centers, server farms, and 
agricultural/food operations. Chillers are used in other applications, 
for example, to cool process streams in industrial applications. 
Chillers are also used for comfort cooling of operators or climate 
control and protecting process equipment in industrial buildings, for 
example, in industrial processes when ambient temperatures could 
approach 200 [deg]F (93 [deg]C) and corrosive conditions could exist. 
The listings proposed today would apply to all types of chillers in 
comfort cooling applications.
2. What are the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) classifications for refrigerant 
flammability?
    The ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34-2019 assigns a safety group 
classification for each refrigerant which consists of two to three 
alphanumeric characters (e.g., A2L or B1). The initial capital letter 
indicates the toxicity, and the numeral denotes the flammability. 
ASHRAE classifies Class A refrigerants as refrigerants for which 
toxicity has not been identified at concentrations less than or equal 
to 400 parts per million (ppm) by volume, based on data used to 
determine threshold limit value-time-weighted average (TLV-TWA) or 
consistent indices. Class B signifies refrigerants for which there is 
evidence of toxicity at concentrations below 400 ppm by volume, based 
on data used to determine TLV-TWA or consistent indices.
    The refrigerants are also assigned a flammability classification of 
1, 2, 2L, or 3. Tests for flammability are conducted in accordance with 
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E681 using a spark 
ignition source at 140 [deg]F (60 [deg]C) and 14.7 psia (101.3 kPa).\4\ 
The flammability classification ``1'' is given to refrigerants that, 
when tested, show no flame propagation. The flammability classification 
``2'' is given to refrigerants that, when tested, exhibit flame 
propagation, have a heat of combustion less than 19,000 kJ/kg (8,169 
Btu/lb), and have a lower flammability limit (LFL) greater than 0.10 
kg/m\3\. The flammability classification ``2L'' is given to 
refrigerants that, when tested, exhibit flame propagation, have a heat 
of combustion less than 19,000 kJ/kg (8,169 BTU/lb), have an LFL 
greater than 0.10 kg/m\3\, and have a maximum burning velocity of 10 
cm/s or lower

[[Page 45513]]

when tested in dry air at 73.4 [deg]F (23.0 [deg]C) and 14.7 psi (101.3 
kPa). The flammability classification ``3'' is given to refrigerants 
that, when tested, exhibit flame propagation and that either have a 
heat of combustion of 19,000 kJ/kg (8,169 BTU/lb) or greater or have an 
LFL of 0.10 kg/m\3\ or lower.
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    \4\ ASHRAE, 2019a. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34-2019: Designation and 
Safety Classification of Refrigerants.
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    For flammability classifications, refrigerant blends are designated 
based on the worst case of formulation for flammability and the worst 
case of fractionation for flammability determined for the blend.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP28JY22.000

    Using these safety group classifications, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34-
2019 categorizes HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and the four refrigerant blends in 
this section of the proposed rulemaking in the A2L Safety Group.
3. What are HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C and 
how do they compare to other refrigerants in the same end-use?
    HFO-1234yf and HFC-32 are lower flammability refrigerants, and the 
four refrigerant blends are lower flammability refrigerant blends, all 
with an ASHRAE safety classification of A2L. The respective Chemical 
Abstracts Service Registry Identification Numbers (CAS Reg. Nos.) of 
HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and the components of the four refrigerant blends 
are listed below.
    HFO-1234yf, also known by the trade names ``Solstice[supreg] yf'' 
and ``Opteon TM YF,'' is also known as 2,3,3,3-
tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (CAS Reg. No. 754-12-1). HFC-32 is also known as 
R-32 or difluoromethane (CAS Reg. No. 75-10-5). R-452B, also known by 
the trade names ``Opteon TM XL 55'' and ``Solstice[supreg] 
L41y,'' is a blend consisting of 67 percent by weight HFC-32; seven 
percent HFC-125, also known as 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane (CAS Reg. 
No. 354-33-6); and 26 percent HFO-1234yf. R-454A, also known by the 
trade name ``OpteonTM XL 40,'' is a blend consisting of 35 
percent HFC-32 and 65 percent HFO-1234yf. R-454B, also known by the 
trade names ``OpteonTM XL 41'' and ``Puron 
AdvanceTM,'' is a blend consisting of 68.9 percent HFC-32 
and 31.1 percent HFO-1234yf. R-454C, also known by the trade name 
``OpteonTM XL 20,'' is a blend consisting of 21.5 percent 
HFC-32 and 78.5 percent HFO-1234yf.
    Redacted submissions and supporting documentation for HFO-1234yf, 
HFC-32 and the four refrigerant blends are provided in the docket for 
this proposed rule (EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0836) at https://www.regulations.gov. EPA performed an assessment to examine the health 
and environmental risks of each of these substitutes. These assessments 
are available in the docket for this proposed 
rule.5 6 7 8 9 10
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    \5\ ICF, 2022a. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and 
Industrial Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: R-
32.
    \6\ ICF, 2022b. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and 
Industrial Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: 
HFO-123yf.
    \7\ ICF, 2022c. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and 
Industrial Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: R-
452B.
    \8\ ICF, 2022d. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and 
Industrial Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: R-
454A.
    \9\ ICF, 2022e. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and 
Industrial Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: R-
454B.
    \10\ ICF, 2022f. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and 
Industrial Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: R-
454C.
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    Environmental information: HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and the four 
refrigerant blends have ODPs of zero.
    HFO-1234yf has a 100-year integrated global warming potential (GWP) 
of less than one to four. 11 12 13 HFC-32 has a GWP of 675. 
The four refrigerant blends are made up of the components HFC-32, HFC-
125, and HFO-1234yf, which have GWPs of 675, 3,500, and one to four, 
respectively.\14\ If these values are weighted by mass percentage, then 
R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C have GWPs of about 700, 240, 470, 
and 150, respectively.
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    \11\ World Meteorological Organization (2018). Burkholder et al. 
Appendix A, Table A-1 in Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 
2018, Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project, Report No. 58, 
World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, http://ozone.unep.org/science/assessment/sap. (WMO, 2018).
    \12\ Nielsen et al., 2007. Nielsen, O.J., Javadi, M.S., Sulbaek 
Andersen, M.P., Hurley, M.D., Wallington, T.J., Singh, R. 2007. 
Atmospheric chemistry of CF3CF=CH2: Kinetics and mechanisms of gas-
phase reactions with Cl atoms, OH radicals, and O3. Chemical Physics 
Letters 439, 18-22. Available online at http://www.cogci.dk/network/OJN_174_CF3CF=CH2.pdf.
    \13\ Hodnebrog [Oslash];. et al., 2013. Hodnebrog [Oslash];., 
Etminan, M., Fuglestvedt, J.S., Marston, G., Myhre, G., Nielsen, 
C.J., Shine, K.P., Wallington, T.J.: Global Warming Potentials and 
Radiative Efficiencies of Halocarbons and Related Compounds: A 
Comprehensive Review, Reviews of Geophysics, 51, 300-378, 
doi:10.1002/rog.20013, 2013.
    \14\ Unless otherwise specified, GWP values are 100-year values 
from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2007) Climate 
Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working 
Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental 
Panel on Climate Change. S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. 
Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds.). Cambridge 
University Press. Cambridge, United Kingdom 996 pp.
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    HFC-32, HFO-1234yf, and the other component of one of the four 
refrigerant

[[Page 45514]]

blends, HFC-125, are excluded from EPA's regulatory definition of 
volatile organic compounds (VOC) (see 40 CFR 51.100(s)) addressing the 
development of State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to attain and maintain 
the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). That definition 
provides that ``any compound of carbon'' which ``participates in 
atmospheric photochemical reactions'' is considered a VOC unless 
expressly excluded in that provision based on a determination of 
``negligible photochemical reactivity.'' Knowingly venting or otherwise 
knowingly releasing or disposing of these refrigerants in the course of 
maintaining, servicing, repairing or disposing of an appliance or 
industrial process refrigeration is prohibited as provided in section 
608(c)(2) of the CAA and EPA's regulations at 40 CFR 82.154(a)(1).
    Flammability information: HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and the four 
refrigerant blends have lower flammability. All have an ASHRAE 
flammability classification of 2L.
    Toxicity and exposure data: HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and the four 
refrigerant blends have an ASHRAE toxicity classification of A. 
Potential health effects of exposure to these substitutes include 
drowsiness or dizziness. The substitutes may also irritate the skin or 
eyes or cause frostbite. At sufficiently high concentrations, the 
substitutes may cause irregular heartbeat. The substitutes could cause 
asphyxiation if air is displaced by vapors in a confined space. These 
potential health effects are common to many refrigerants.
    The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has established 
Workplace Environmental Exposure Limits (WEELs) of 1,000 ppm as an 
eight-hour time-weighted average (8-hr TWA) for HFC-32 and the 
component refrigerant HFC-125; the AIHA has established a WEEL of 500 
ppm as an 8-hr TWA for HFO-1234yf. The manufacturer of R-452B, R-454A, 
R-454B, and R-454C recommends AELs, respectively, of 874, 690, 854, and 
615 ppm on an 8-hr TWA for these blends. EPA anticipates that users 
will be able to meet the AIHA WEELs and manufacturers' AELs and address 
potential health risks by following requirements and recommendations in 
the manufacturers' safety data sheet (SDS), the use conditions proposed 
(including adherence to ASHRAE Standard 15), and other safety 
precautions common to the refrigeration and AC industry.
    Comparison to other substitutes in this end-use: HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 
and the four refrigerant blends all have an ODP of zero, comparable to 
or lower than some of the acceptable substitutes in these end-uses, 
such as HFO-1234ze(E) with an ODP of zero. Although HCFC-123 and R-406A 
(with components HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b) have been listed acceptable in 
this end-use with ODPs of 0.02 and 0.057, respectively, HCFC-123 
(unless used, recovered, and recycled) may not be used as a refrigerant 
in equipment manufactured on or after January 1, 2020, under 40 CFR 
82.15(g)(5)(i).\15\ Similarly, components of R-406A (HCFC-22 and HCFC-
142b) (unless used, recovered, and recycled) may not be used as a 
refrigerant for use in chillers manufactured on or after January 1, 
2010, under 40 CFR 82.15(g)(2)(i).\16\ Under 40 CFR 82.16, EPA has not 
issued any production and consumption allowances for HCFC-22 and HCFC-
142b since 2019.
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    \15\ The regulations at 40 CFR 82.15(g)(5)(iii) provide a 
limited exception to the prohibition on use in 82.15(g)(5)(i), for 
use of HCFC-123 as a refrigerant in equipment manufactured on or 
after January 1, 2020 but before January 1, 2021 if the conditions 
of 40 CFR 82.15(g)(5)(iii) are met.
    \16\ The regulations at 40 CFR 82.15(g)(2)(ii) provide limited 
exceptions to the prohibitions in 82.15(g)(2)(i), including for 
HCFC-22 ``for use as a refrigerant in appliances manufactured before 
January 1, 2012, provided that the components are manufactured prior 
to January 1, 2010, and are specified in a building permit or a 
contract dated before January 1, 2010, for use on a particular 
project.''
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    HFC-32 and the four refrigerant blends' GWPs, ranging from about 
150 to 700, are higher than those of some of the acceptable substitutes 
for new centrifugal and positive displacement chillers, including HCFO-
1233zd(E), HFO-1336mzz(Z) and R-515B, with GWPs of 3.7, 9 and 287, 
respectively. The GWPs of HFO-1234yf, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C are 
lower than some of the acceptable substitutes for new centrifugal and 
positive displacement chillers, such as R-450A and R-513A, with GWPs of 
approximately 600 and 630, respectively. For scroll and rotary 
chillers, HFC-32's and R-452B's GWPs of 675 and about 700 are higher 
than the GWPs of those refrigerants. The GWPs of HFC-32 and R-452B are, 
however, lower than R-410A, with a GWP of approximately 2,090, which is 
the refrigerant that has typically been employed in such systems. EPA 
listed R-410A as unacceptable for chillers as of January 1, 2024. Our 
initial evaluation is that the characteristics of these two 
alternatives meet the technical needs of scroll and rotary chillers 
while lower-GWP alternatives do not. For instance, under the Air-
Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute's (AHRI) Low-GWP 
Alternative Refrigerants Evaluation Program, manufacturers specifically 
chose HFC-32 amongst others to test in scroll chillers \17\ but not in 
screw chillers.\18\ EPA understands that the decision to investigate 
this refrigerant in scroll chillers was made because it has the higher 
volumetric capacity that is needed for this type of compressor. This 
thermodynamic property is important to achieve the cooling capacity 
needed without increasing equipment sizes, which could lead to weights 
exceeding code requirements, for instance, when a chiller on top of an 
existing building is replaced with a new one. In contrast, for other 
types of compressors, such as centrifugal, reciprocating, and screw, 
the higher volumetric capacity is not required; lower-GWP refrigerants, 
such as HCFO-1233zd(E), R-450A, and R-513A, with GWPs ranging from less 
than one to 630, are available and meet technical needs for those 
compressor types.
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    \17\ For example, test report #46 (https://ahrinet.org/App_Content/ahri/files/RESEARCH/AREP_Final_Reports/AHRI%20Low-GWP%20AREP-Rpt-046.pdf).
    \18\ For example, test report #7 (https://ahrinet.org/App_Content/ahri/files/RESEARCH/AREP_Final_Reports/AHRI%20Low-GWP%20AREP-Rpt-024.pdf) and test report #25 (https://ahrinet.org/App_Content/ahri/files/RESEARCH/AREP_Final_Reports/AHRI%20Low-GWP%20AREP-Rpt-025.pdf).
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    HFC-32's and the four refrigerant blends' GWPs, ranging from about 
150 to 700, are higher than those of some of the acceptable substitutes 
for new industrial process AC, including carbon dioxide 
(CO2), HFO-1336mzz(Z) and R-515B with GWPs of 1, 9 and 287 
respectively. Their GWPs are lower than some of the acceptable 
substitutes for new industrial process AC, such as HFC-134a, R-410A, 
and R-507A with GWPs of 1,430, 2,090 and 3,990 respectively. HFO-
1234yf's GWP of one to four is comparable to or lower than that of 
other acceptable substitutes for new industrial process AC, such as 
CO2, HFO-1336mzz(Z) and R-515B with GWPs of 1, 9 and 287, 
respectively.
    Information regarding the toxicity of other available alternatives 
is provided in the listing decisions previously made (see https://www.epa.gov/snap/substitutes-chillers). Toxicity risks of use, 
determined by the likelihood of exceeding the exposure limit, of HFO-
1234yf, HFC-32, and the four refrigerant blends in these end-uses are 
evaluated in the risk screens referenced above. The toxicity risks of 
using HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, and the four refrigerant blends in chillers 
and industrial process AC are comparable to or lower than toxicity 
risks of other available substitutes in the same end-uses. Toxicity 
risks of the

[[Page 45515]]

proposed refrigerants can be minimized by use consistent with ASHRAE 
15--which would be required by our proposed use conditions--and other 
industry standards, recommendations in the manufacturers' SDS, and 
other safety precautions common in the refrigeration and AC industry.
    The flammability risk with HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, and the four 
refrigerant blends in these end-uses, determined by the likelihood of 
exceeding their respective lower flammability limits, are evaluated in 
the risk screens referenced above. In conclusion, while these 
refrigerants may pose greater flammability risk than other available 
substitutes in the same end-uses, this risk can be minimized by use 
consistent with ASHRAE 15--which would be required by our proposed use 
conditions--and other industry standards such as UL 60335-2-40--which 
is also required by our proposed use conditions--as well as 
recommendations in the manufacturers' SDS and other safety precautions 
common in the refrigeration and AC industry. EPA is proposing use 
conditions to reduce the potential risk associated with the 
flammability of these alternatives so that they will not pose 
significantly greater risk than other acceptable substitutes in this 
end-use.
4. Why is EPA proposing these specific use conditions?
    The UL Standard 60335-2-40 discussed in section II.E indicates that 
refrigerant charges greater than a specific amount (called 
``m3'' in the UL Standard and based on the refrigerant's 
LFL) are beyond its scope and that national standards might apply, such 
as for instance ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2019. Hence, EPA is including adherence 
to both standards as use conditions for chillers, broadening the 
coverage under this proposed rule.
    EPA is proposing that ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15-2019, with all 
addenda published to date of this proposal, including addenda a, b, c, 
d, e, f, i, j, k, n, o, q, and r apply specifically to chillers. Where 
the requirements specified in this proposed rule (if finalized) and 
ASHRAE Standard 15 are different, the requirements of this proposed 
rule (if finalized) would apply. In cases where similar requirements of 
ASHRAE Standard 15 and UL Standard 60335-2-40 differ, EPA proposes that 
the more stringent or conservative condition would apply.
    A summary of certain aspects of ASHRAE Standard 15 is provided here 
for information only. This is not meant to be a full explanation of the 
Standard or how it is applied. ASHRAE Standard 15 specifies 
requirements for refrigeration systems,\19\ including chillers, based 
on the safety group classification of the refrigerant used, the type of 
occupancy in the location for which the system is used, and whether 
refrigerant-containing parts of the system enter the space or ductwork 
and so leakage in the space is deemed ``probable.'' ``High-
Probability'' installations are those such that leaks or failures will 
result in refrigerant entering the occupied space. As explained above, 
HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and the four refrigerant blends are all classified 
as A2L refrigerants. Occupancies are divided into six classifications: 
institutional, public assembly, residential, commercial, large 
mercantile, and industrial. Examples of these include jails, theaters, 
apartment buildings, office buildings, shopping malls, and chemical 
plants, respectively.
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    \19\ We note that while the ASHRAE 15-2019 purpose indicates 
``refrigeration systems,'' EPA believes this includes applications 
that are typically called ``air conditioning.''
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    Sections 7.2 and 7.3 of ASHRAE Standard 15 determine the maximum 
amount of refrigerant allowed in the system, while section 7.4 provides 
an option to locate equipment outdoors or in a machinery room 
constructed and maintained under conditions specified in the standard. 
Section 7.6 of ASHRAE Standard 15 addresses the refrigerants in this 
proposal when used for human comfort in ``high-probability'' systems, 
including requirements for nameplates, labels, refrigerant detectors 
(under certain conditions), airflow initiation and other actions (if a 
rise in refrigerant concentration is detected), and other restrictions.
    EPA recognizes that ASHRAE Standard 15 is undergoing revisions and 
is typically updated and republished every three years. While this 
proposed rule incorporates all addenda published by the date of this 
proposal, the 2022 version of the standard may incorporate additional 
changes. ASHRAE standards are open for public comment and participation 
following ANSI requirements.
5. What additional information is EPA including in these proposed 
listings?
    EPA is providing additional information related to these proposed 
listings. Since this additional information is not part of the 
regulatory decision under SNAP, these statements are not binding for 
use of the substitute under the SNAP program. See section II.E.2 below 
for further discussion on what additional information EPA is including 
in these proposed listings. While the items listed are not legally 
binding under the SNAP program, EPA encourages users of substitutes to 
apply all statements in the ``Further Information'' column in their use 
of these substitutes.
6. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    EPA is requesting comment on all aspects of the proposed listing 
decision above for use of HFC-32 and R-452B in scroll and rotary 
chillers. EPA is also requesting comment on the proposal to list HFO-
1234yf, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C acceptable in all chillers. We 
request comment on our initial evaluation and our proposal to find HFC-
32 and R-452B acceptable, subject to use conditions, for use only in 
scroll and rotary chillers. EPA also seeks specific comments on the use 
conditions including the proposed requirements to comply with both the 
third edition of UL Standard 60335-2-40 and ASHRAE 15-2019 including 
published addenda. With respect to these standards, EPA is requesting 
comment on the risk mitigation offered by compliance with the current 
version of the standards proposed as use conditions, the nature of 
updates proposed for these standards, and the expected timeline for 
those updates. EPA is requesting comment on the applicability of UL 
Standard 60335-2-40, 3rd Edition to chillers, including which chillers 
and under which applications the standard applies, as well as on the 
applicability of ASHRAE Standard 15-2019 with the addenda published to 
date.
    EPA recognizes that these standards are undergoing revision. Both 
UL and ASHRAE standards are open for public comment and participation 
following ANSI requirements. UL opened for comment a proposed 4th 
edition of this standard as an update to the 3rd Edition to which 
comments were due March 1, 2022. If the final 4th edition is published 
before EPA takes final action on today's proposed listings that would 
incorporate the 3rd edition by reference, EPA may incorporate the 4th 
Edition by reference into those listings in lieu of the 3rd Edition. 
Similarly, ASHRAE has opened for comment a 2022 version of ANSI/ASHRAE 
15. If the final 2022 edition of ASHRAE 15 is published before EPA 
takes final action on today's proposed listings that would incorporate 
the 2019 edition by reference, EPA may incorporate the 2022 edition by 
reference into those listings in lieu of the 2019 edition. If either 
revised standard becomes final before EPA takes final action on these

[[Page 45516]]

listings, EPA anticipates reopening or extending the public comment 
period to provide an opportunity for public comment on incorporating 
the final 4th edition of UL 60335-2-40 or the final 2022 edition of 
ASHRAE 15 by reference into those listings.

B. Residential Dehumidifiers--Proposed Listing of HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, 
R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C as Acceptable, Subject to Use 
Conditions, for Use in New Residential Dehumidifiers End-Use

    EPA previously listed HFO-1234yf as acceptable subject to use 
conditions in motor vehicle AC in light-duty vehicles (74 FR 53445; 
October 19, 2009), in heavy-duty pickup trucks and complete heavy-duty 
vans (81 FR 86778; December 1, 2016) and in nonroad vehicles and 
service fittings for small refrigerant cans (87 FR 26276; May 4, 2022). 
EPA previously listed HFC-32 as acceptable subject to use conditions as 
a substitute in residential and light commercial AC and HPs (80 FR 
19454; April 10, 2015 and 86 FR 24444, May 6, 2021) and previously 
listed R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C (hereafter called ``the four 
refrigerant blends'') as acceptable subject to use conditions as 
substitutes in residential and light commercial AC and HPs (86 FR 
24444; May 6, 2021).
    Several use conditions proposed for residential dehumidifiers are 
common to those proposed for other end-uses in section II.A, above, and 
II.C and II.D, below. Because of this similarity, EPA discusses the use 
conditions that would apply to all four end-uses in section II.E. For 
residential dehumidifiers, those are the only use conditions EPA is 
proposing. In summary the use conditions proposed are:
    (1) New equipment only--These refrigerants may be used only in new 
equipment designed specifically and clearly identified for the 
refrigerant, i.e., none of these substitutes may be used as a 
conversion or ``retrofit'' refrigerant for existing equipment.
    (2) UL Standard--These refrigerants may be used only in residential 
dehumidifiers that meet all requirements listed in the 3rd edition, 
dated November 1, 2019, of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard 
60335-2-40, ``Household and Similar Electrical Appliances--Safety--Part 
2-40: Particular Requirements for Electrical Heat Pumps, Air 
Conditioners and Dehumidifiers'' (UL Standard). If this rule is 
finalized as proposed, in cases where the final rule would include 
requirements different from those of the 3rd edition of UL Standard 
60335-2-40, EPA is proposing that the appliance would need to meet the 
requirements of the final rule in place of the requirements in the UL 
Standard. See section II.E below for further discussion on the 
requirements of this standard that EPA is proposing to incorporate by 
reference.
    (3) Warning labels--Several warning labels are proposed as use 
conditions as detailed in section II.E below. These labels are similar 
or verbatim in language to those required by the UL Standard. The 
warning labels must be provided in letters no less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ 
inch) high and must be permanent.
    (4) Markings--Equipment must have distinguishing red (PMS #185 or 
RAL 3020) color-coded hoses and piping to indicate use of a flammable 
refrigerant. The residential dehumidifier shall have marked service 
ports, pipes, hoses and other devices through which the refrigerant is 
serviced. Markings shall extend at least 1 inch (25mm) from the 
servicing port and shall be replaced if removed.
    The regulatory text of the proposed decisions appears in tables at 
the end of this document. If finalized as proposed, this text would be 
codified in appendix X of 40 CFR part 82, subpart G. The proposed 
regulatory text contains listing decisions for the end-use discussed 
above. EPA notes that there may be other legal obligations pertaining 
to the manufacture, use, handling, and disposal of the proposed 
refrigerants that are not included in the information listed in the 
tables (e.g., the CAA section 608(c)(2) prohibition on knowingly 
venting or otherwise knowingly releasing or disposing of substitute 
refrigerants in the course of maintaining, servicing, repairing or 
disposing of an appliance or industrial process refrigeration, or 
Department of Transportation requirements for transport of flammable 
gases). Flammable refrigerants being recovered or otherwise disposed of 
from residential dehumidifiers are likely to be hazardous waste under 
RCRA (see 40 CFR parts 260-270).
1. Background on Residential Dehumidifiers
    Residential dehumidifiers are primarily used to remove water vapor 
from ambient air or directly from indoor air for comfort or material 
preservation purposes in the context of the home.\20\ While AC systems 
often combine cooling and dehumidification, this end-use only serves 
the latter purpose and is often used in homes for comfort purposes. 
This equipment is self-contained and circulates air from a room, passes 
it through a cooling coil, and collects condensed water for disposal. 
Residential dehumidifiers fall under the scope of the UL 60335-2-40 
standard ``Household and Similar Electrical Appliances--Safety--Part 2-
40: Requirements for Electrical Heat Pumps, Air Conditioners and 
Dehumidifiers.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ SNAP regulations (see 40 CFR 82.172) define residential use 
as use by a private individual of a chemical substance or any 
product containing the chemical substance in or around a permanent 
or temporary household, during recreation, or for any personal use 
or enjoyment. Use within a household for commercial or medical 
applications is not included in this definition, nor is use in 
automobiles, watercraft, or aircraft.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some dehumidifiers for residential or light commercial use are 
integrated with the space air conditioning equipment, for instance via 
a separate bypass in the duct through which air is dehumidified, a 
dehumidifying heat pipe across the indoor coil, or other types of 
energy recovery devices that move sensible and/or latent heat between 
air streams (e.g., between incoming air and air vented to the outside). 
EPA classifies this application as a component of a residential or 
light commercial AC system or HP. As such, EPA has already listed HFC-
32 as acceptable for such uses, subject to the use conditions specified 
in SNAP Rule 23 (86 FR 24444; May 6, 2021).
    Today's proposal, if finalized, would find HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, and 
the four refrigerant blends acceptable, subject to use conditions, in 
self-contained residential dehumidifiers. Note that dehumidifiers for 
residential or light commercial use that are integrated with air 
conditioning equipment (i.e., not self-contained), are not addressed in 
this listing because EPA classifies that type of equipment as 
residential or light commercial AC and HP.
2. What are the ASHRAE classifications for refrigerant flammability?
    HFO-1234yf and HFC-32 are lower flammability refrigerants, and the 
four refrigerant blends are lower flammability refrigerant blends, all 
with an ASHRAE safety classification of A2L. See section II.A.2 above 
for further discussion on ASHRAE classifications.
3. What are HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C and 
how do they compare to other refrigerants in the same end-use?
    See section II.A.3 above for further discussion on the 
environmental, flammability, toxicity, and exposure information for 
these refrigerants.
    Redacted submissions and supporting documentation for HFO-1234yf, 
HFC-32 and the four refrigerant blends are provided in the docket for 
this proposed rule (EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0836) at

[[Page 45517]]

https://www.regulations.gov. EPA performed an assessment to examine the 
health and environmental risks of each of these substitutes. These 
assessments are available in the docket for this proposed 
rule.21 22 23 24 25 26
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ ICF, 2022g. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential 
Dehumidifiers (New Equipment); Substitute: HFC-32.
    \22\ ICF, 2022h. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential 
Dehumidifiers (New Equipment); Substitute: R-452B.
    \23\ ICF, 2022i. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential 
Dehumidifiers (New Equipment); Substitute: R-454A.
    \24\ ICF, 2022j. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential 
Dehumidifiers (New Equipment); Substitute: R-454B.
    \25\ ICF, 2022k. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential 
Dehumidifiers (New Equipment); Substitute: R-454C.
    \26\ ICF, 2022l. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential 
Dehumidifiers (New Equipment); Substitute: HFO-1234yf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comparison to other substitutes in this end-use: HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 
and the four refrigerant blends all have an ODP of zero, comparable to 
or lower than some of the acceptable substitutes in new residential 
dehumidifiers, such as HFC-134a, R-410A, and R-513A, with ODPs of zero. 
HCFC-22 and R-406A (a blend of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b) have ODPs of 
0.055 and 0.057, respectively, and are listed as acceptable in new 
residential dehumidifiers. However, HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b are 
controlled substances under Title VI of the CAA and (unless used, 
recovered, and recycled) may not be used as a refrigerant in equipment 
manufactured on or after January 1, 2010, under 40 CFR 
82.15(g)(2)(i).\27\ Under 40 CFR 82.16, EPA has not issued any 
production and consumption allowances for HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b (which 
is a component of R-406A, along with HCFC-22) since 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ The regulations at 40 CFR 82.15(g)(2)(ii) provide limited 
exceptions to the prohibitions in 82.15(g)(2)(i), including for 
HCFC-22 ``for use as a refrigerant in appliances manufactured before 
January 1, 2012, provided that the components are manufactured prior 
to January 1, 2010, and are specified in a building permit or a 
contract dated before January 1, 2010, for use on a particular 
project.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    HFO-1234yf, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C have GWPs ranging up to 
about 470, lower than all the acceptable substitutes for new 
residential dehumidifiers, including R-513A and R-410A with GWPs of 630 
and 2,090, respectively. HFC-32 and R-452B have GWPs of 675 and 700, 
respectively, which are lower than some of the other acceptable 
substitutes for new residential dehumidifiers, such as HFC-134a, R-
410A, and R-507A with GWPs of 1,430, 2,090 and 3,990 respectively, but 
higher than R-513A, with a GWP of about 630.
    Information regarding the toxicity of other available alternatives 
is provided in the previous listing decisions for new residential 
dehumidifiers (https://www.epa.gov/snap/substitutes-residential-dehumidifiers). Toxicity risks of use, determined by the likelihood of 
exceeding the exposure limit, of HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, and the four 
refrigerant blends in these end-uses are evaluated in the risk screens 
referenced above. The toxicity risks of using HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, and 
the four refrigerant blends in new residential dehumidifiers are 
comparable to or lower than toxicity risks of other available 
substitutes in the same end-use. Toxicity risks of the proposed 
refrigerants can be mitigated by use consistent with ASHRAE 15 and 
other industry standards, recommendations in the manufacturers' SDS, 
and other safety precautions common in the refrigeration and AC 
industry.
    The flammability risk with HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, and the four 
refrigerant blends in the new residential dehumidifiers end-use, 
determined by the likelihood of exceeding their respective lower 
flammability limits, are evaluated in the risk screens referenced in 
this section above. While these refrigerants may pose greater 
flammability risk than other available substitutes in the new 
residential dehumidifiers end-use, this risk can be mitigated by use 
consistent with ASHRAE 15 and UL 60335-2-40, required by our proposed 
use conditions, as well as recommendations in the manufacturers' SDS 
and other safety precautions common in the refrigeration and AC 
industry. EPA is proposing use conditions to reduce the potential risk 
associated with the flammability of these alternatives so that they 
will not pose significantly greater risk than other acceptable 
substitutes in the new residential dehumidifiers end-use.
4. Why is EPA proposing these specific use conditions?
    EPA is proposing to list HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and the four 
refrigerant blends as acceptable, subject to use conditions, for use in 
residential dehumidifiers for new equipment. The use conditions 
identified in the listing above are explained below in section II.E.1 
in greater detail.
5. What additional information is EPA including in these proposed 
listings?
    EPA is providing additional information related to these proposed 
listings. Since this additional information is not part of the 
regulatory decision under SNAP, these statements are not binding for 
use of the substitute under the SNAP program. See section II.E.2 below 
for further discussion on what additional information EPA is including 
in these proposed listings. While the items listed are not legally 
binding under the SNAP program, EPA encourages users of substitutes to 
apply all statements in the ``Further Information'' column in their use 
of these substitutes.
6. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    EPA is requesting comment on all aspects of the proposed listing 
decision in section II.B above, proposing to find HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, 
and the four refrigerant blends acceptable, subject to use conditions, 
in new residential dehumidifiers. EPA seeks comment on the risk 
mitigation offered by the use conditions proposed, including requiring 
compliance with the third edition of UL Standard 60335-2-40, except to 
the extent the proposed rule conflicts with the UL Standard, in which 
case we propose that the conditions specified in the proposed rule 
would apply if finalized. We also request comment on whether EPA should 
consider other use conditions to further mitigate potential risk from 
refrigerants. EPA requests comment on whether residential dehumidifiers 
have been designed for the refrigerants proposed and any information on 
the safety of such equipment in other countries, and if and how such 
experience would translate to safe use in the United States. EPA also 
requests comment on our description of different types of dehumidifiers 
and how EPA classifies different types in different end-uses.

C. Non-Residential Dehumidifiers--Proposed Listing of HFC-32 as 
Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions, for Use in New Non-Residential 
Dehumidifiers End-Use

    EPA is proposing to list HFC-32 as acceptable, subject to use 
conditions for use in new non-residential dehumidifiers. EPA previously 
listed HFC-32 as acceptable subject to use conditions as a substitute 
in residential and light commercial AC and HPs (80 FR 19454; April 10, 
2015 and 86 FR 24444, May 6, 2021).
    The use conditions proposed for non-residential dehumidifiers are 
the same as those proposed for residential dehumidifiers. The use 
conditions are common to those proposed for other end-uses in section 
II.A and II.B, above, and II.D, below. Because of this similarity, EPA 
discusses the use

[[Page 45518]]

conditions that would apply to all four end-uses in section II.DE. In 
summary, the use conditions proposed are:
    (1) New equipment only--These refrigerants may be used only in new 
equipment designed specifically and clearly identified for the 
refrigerant, i.e., none of these substitutes may be used as a 
conversion or ``retrofit'' refrigerant for existing equipment.
    (2) UL Standard--These refrigerants may be used only in non-
residential dehumidifiers that meet all requirements for dehumidifiers 
listed in the 3rd edition, dated November 1, 2019, of Underwriters 
Laboratories (UL) Standard 60335-2-40, ``Household and Similar 
Electrical Appliances--Safety--Part 2-40: Particular Requirements for 
Electrical Heat Pumps, Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers'' (UL 
Standard). If this rule is finalized as proposed, in cases where the 
final rule would include requirements different from those of the 3rd 
edition of UL Standard 60335-2-40, EPA is proposing that the appliance 
would need to meet the requirements of the final rule in place of the 
requirements in the UL Standard. See section II.E below for further 
discussion on the requirements of this standard that EPA is proposing 
to incorporate by reference.
    (3) Warning labels--Several warning labels are proposed as use 
conditions as detailed in section II.E below. These labels are similar 
or verbatim in language to those required by the UL Standard. The 
warning labels must be provided in letters no less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ 
inch) high and must be permanent.
    (4) Markings--Equipment must have distinguishing red (PMS #185 or 
RAL 3020) color-coded hoses and piping to indicate use of a flammable 
refrigerant. The non-residential dehumidifier shall have marked service 
ports, pipes, hoses and other devices through which the refrigerant is 
serviced. Markings shall extend at least 1 inch (25mm) from the 
servicing port and shall be replaced if removed.
    The regulatory text of the proposed decisions appears in tables at 
the end of this document. If finalized as proposed, this text would be 
codified in appendix X of 40 CFR part 82, subpart G. The proposed 
regulatory text contains listing decisions for the end-use discussed 
above. EPA notes that there may be other legal obligations pertaining 
to the manufacture, use, handling, and disposal of the proposed 
refrigerants that are not included in the information listed in the 
tables (e.g., the CAA section 608(c)(2) prohibition on knowingly 
venting or otherwise knowingly releasing or disposing of substitute 
refrigerants in the course of maintaining, servicing, repairing or 
disposing of an appliance or industrial process refrigeration, or 
Department of Transportation requirements for transport of flammable 
gases). Flammable refrigerants being recovered or otherwise disposed of 
from non-residential dehumidifiers are likely to be hazardous waste 
under RCRA (see 40 CFR parts 260-270).
1. Background on Non-Residential Dehumidifiers
    Today's proposal would create a new SNAP end-use for non-
residential dehumidifiers. As described in section II.B.1 above, while 
AC systems often combine cooling and dehumidification, the non-
residential dehumidifier end-use serves only the latter purpose. This 
equipment is self-contained and circulates air from a room, passes it 
through a cooling coil, and collects condensed water for disposal. Non-
residential dehumidifiers are similar in function to residential 
dehumidifiers described in section II.B.1 above, but are used in spaces 
not covered by residential use (see definition provided in section 
II.B.1 above). These types of non-residential spaces include 
commercial, industrial, or agricultural spaces (e.g., grow-rooms for 
plants) to provide finely controlled environments with temperature and 
humidity monitored carefully to ensure optimal conditions (e.g., plant 
growth). Examples of non-residential settings where self-contained 
dehumidifiers are used include food production and preparation where 
excessive humidity could damage the product or to manage humidity in 
greenhouses to protect crops. This type of equipment falls under the 
scope of the UL 60335-2-40 standard ``Household and Similar Electrical 
Appliances--Safety--Part 2-40: Requirements for Electrical Heat Pumps, 
Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers.''
2. What are the ASHRAE classifications for refrigerant flammability?
    HFC-32 is a lower flammability refrigerant with an ASHRAE safety 
classification of A2L. See section II.A.2 above for further discussion 
on ASHRAE classifications.
3. What is HFC-32 and how does it compare to other refrigerants in the 
same end-use?
    See section II.A.3 above for further discussion on the 
environmental, flammability, toxicity and exposure information for HFC-
32.
    The redacted submission and supporting documentation for HFC-32 is 
provided in the docket for this proposed rule (EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0836) at 
https://www.regulations.gov. EPA performed an assessment to examine the 
health and environmental risks of this substitute. This assessment is 
available in the docket for this proposed rule.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ ICF, 2022m. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Non-residential 
Dehumidifiers (New Equipment); Substitute: HFC-32.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because EPA is proposing new non-residential self-contained 
dehumidifiers as a new end-use, there are no other listed substitutes 
to compare to HFC-32.
4. Why is EPA proposing these specific use conditions?
    The use conditions identified in the listing above are explained 
below in section II.E.1 in greater detail.
5. What additional information is EPA including in these proposed 
listings?
    EPA is providing additional information related to these proposed 
listings. Since this additional information is not part of the 
regulatory decision under SNAP, these statements are not binding for 
use of the substitute under the SNAP program. See section II.E.2 below 
for further discussion on what additional information EPA is including 
in these proposed listings. While the items listed are not legally 
binding under the SNAP program, EPA encourages users of substitutes to 
apply all statements in the Further Information column in their use of 
these substitutes.
6. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    EPA is requesting comment on all aspects of the proposed listing 
decision in section II.C above, proposing to find HFC-32 acceptable, 
subject to use conditions, in non-residential dehumidifiers. EPA seeks 
comment on the risk mitigation offered by the use conditions proposed, 
including requiring compliance with the third edition of UL Standard 
60335-2-40, except to the extent the proposed rule conflicts with the 
UL Standard, in which case we propose that the conditions specified in 
the proposed rule would apply if finalized. We also request comment on 
whether other use conditions would offer needed risk mitigation for the 
flammable refrigerants proposed. EPA requests comment on whether non-
residential dehumidifiers have been designed for the refrigerant 
proposed, HFC-32, any information on the safety of such equipment in 
other countries, and if and how such experience would translate to safe 
use in the United States. EPA also requests

[[Page 45519]]

comment on our description of different types of dehumidifiers and how 
EPA classifies different types in different end-uses.

D. Residential and Light Commercial AC and Heat Pumps (HPs)--Proposed 
Revision of Use Conditions Provided in the Previous Listing of HFC-32 
as Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions, for Use in New Self-Contained 
Room ACs and HPs

    EPA previously listed HFC-32 as acceptable, subject to use 
conditions, in new self-contained room ACs and HPs in SNAP Rule 19 (80 
FR 19461; April 10, 2015). Today we are proposing to update those use 
conditions to be consistent with use conditions applied to other 
refrigerants with lower flammability as finalized in SNAP Rule 23 (86 
FR 24444; May 6, 2021). The proposed use conditions would be required 
on all such equipment manufactured on or after the effective date of 
the final rule and would not apply to or affect equipment manufactured 
before the effective date of the final action and manufactured in 
compliance with the SNAP requirements applicable at the time of 
manufacture.
1. Background on Self-Contained Room ACs and HPs
    EPA provided an overview of the residential and light commercial AC 
and HPs end-use, and the self-contained equipment category within that 
end-use, in SNAP Rule 19 (80 FR 19461; April 10, 2015) and the Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking for SNAP Rule 23 (85 FR 35881-35882; June 12, 
2020). We believe the descriptions there adequately describe the end-
use category as it exists today.
2. What are the ASHRAE classifications for refrigerant flammability?
    See section II.A.2 above for further discussion on ASHRAE 
classifications.
3. What is HFC-32 and how does it compare to other refrigerants in the 
same end-use?
    See section II.A.3 above for further discussion on the 
environmental, flammability, toxicity and exposure information for HFC-
32.
    A redacted submission and supporting documentation for HFC-32 are 
provided in the docket for this proposed rule (EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0836) at 
https://www.regulations.gov. EPA performed an assessment to examine the 
health and environmental risks of this substitute, available in the 
docket for this proposed rule.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ ICF, 2022n. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential and 
Light Commercial Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (New Equipment) 
Substitute: HFC-32 (Difluoromethane).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comparison to other substitutes in this end-use: HFC-32 has an ODP 
of zero, the same as other acceptable substitutes in this end-use, such 
as R-290, HFC-134a, R-410A, and R-513A, with ODPs of zero.
    HFC-32 has a GWP of 675, higher than some of the acceptable 
substitutes for residential and light commercial air conditioning and 
heat pumps, including ammonia absorption, R-290, and R-454B with GWPs 
of zero, three, and about 470, respectively. HFC-32's GWP is lower than 
some of the acceptable substitutes for residential and light commercial 
air conditioning and heat pumps, such as R-452B, HFC-134a, and R-410A, 
with GWPs of approximately 700, 1,430, and 2,090, respectively.
    Information on the toxicity and flammability risk of HFC-32 in this 
end-use category was provided in SNAP Rule 19. In summary, EPA found 
the toxicity risks of HFC-32 to be comparable to or lower than other 
acceptable alternatives. Although we noted that the flammability risk 
of HFC-32 may be greater than that of other available, nonflammable 
substitutes in the same end-use, we found that those risks are not 
significant even under worst-case assumptions. These risks of HFC-32 
are similar to the risks of other flammable refrigerants found 
acceptable for this end-use category in SNAP Rule 23 (i.e., R-452B, R-
454A, R-454B, R-454C, and R-457A). We noted there that this risk can be 
minimized by use consistent with industry standards such as UL 60335-2-
40--which would be required by our proposed revision to the use 
conditions--and other industry standards, such as ASHRAE 15, as well as 
recommendations in the manufacturers' SDS and other safety precautions 
common in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The updates 
to the use conditions proposed maintain the low potential risk 
associated with the flammability of this alternative so that it will 
not pose significantly greater risk than other acceptable substitutes 
in this end-use category.
4. What use conditions currently apply to this refrigerant in this end-
use category?
    EPA previously found HFC-32 acceptable, subject to use conditions, 
in new residential and light commercial AC for self-contained room AC 
units, including packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) units, 
packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs), window AC and HP units, and 
portable AC units, designed for use in a single room in SNAP Rule 19 
(80 FR 19454; April 10, 2015). Those requirements are codified in 
appendix R of 40 CFR part 82, subpart G. EPA provided information on 
the environmental and health properties of HFC-32 and the various 
substitutes available at that time for use in this end-use. 
Additionally, EPA's risk screen for this refrigerant is available in 
the docket for this previous rulemaking (EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0748).
    HFC-32 has an ASHRAE classification of A2L, indicating that it has 
low toxicity and lower flammability. The flammability risks are of 
potential concern because residential ACs and HPs traditionally used 
refrigerants that are not flammable. In the presence of an ignition 
source (e.g., static electricity, a spark resulting from a closing 
door, or a cigarette), an explosion or a fire could occur if the 
concentration of HFC-32 were to exceed the LFL of 144,000 ppm by 
volume.
    To address flammability, EPA listed HFC-32 as acceptable, subject 
to use conditions, in new self-contained room AC units. The current use 
conditions address safe use of this flammable refrigerant and include 
incorporation by reference of Supplement SA to the 8th edition (August 
2, 2012) of UL Standard 484, refrigerant charge size limits based on 
cooling capacity and type of equipment, and requirements for markings 
and warning labels on equipment using the refrigerant to inform 
consumers and technicians of potential flammability hazards. Without 
appropriate use conditions, the flammability risk posed by this 
refrigerant could be higher than non-flammable refrigerants because 
individuals may not be aware that their actions could potentially cause 
a fire, and because the refrigerant could be used in existing equipment 
that has not been designed specifically to minimize flammability risks. 
Our assessment and listing decisions in SNAP Rule 19 (80 FR 19454; 
April 10, 2015) found that with the use conditions, the overall risk of 
this substitute, including the risk due to flammability, does not 
present significantly greater risk in the end-use than other 
substitutes that are currently or potentially available for that same 
end-use.
5. What updates to the use conditions is EPA proposing?
    EPA is proposing to update the use conditions that apply to HFC-32 
in new self-contained room ACs and HPs for

[[Page 45520]]

equipment manufactured after the effective date of a final rule based 
on this proposal. Several of the updated use conditions proposed for 
self-contained room ACs and HPs are common to those proposed for other 
end-uses in sections II.A, II.B, and II.C above. Because of this 
similarity, EPA discusses the use conditions that would apply to all 
four end-uses in section II.E. For HFC-32 in self-contained room ACs 
and HPs, these are the only use conditions EPA is proposing. In 
summary, with the updates proposed, the use conditions proposed are the 
following:
    (1) New equipment only--This refrigerant may only be used in new 
equipment designed specifically and clearly identified for the 
refrigerant, i.e., this substitute may not be used as a conversion or 
``retrofit'' refrigerant for existing equipment. This use condition is 
the same as what currently exists for HFC-32 in this end-use category.
    (2) UL Standard--This refrigerant (i.e., in this case, HFC-32) may 
be used only in equipment (i.e., in this case, self-contained room ACs 
and HPs) that meet all requirements listed in the 3rd edition, dated 
November 1, 2019, of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard 60335-2-
40, ``Household and Similar Electrical Appliances--Safety--Part 2-40: 
Particular Requirements for Electrical Heat Pumps, Air Conditioners and 
Dehumidifiers'' (UL Standard). If this rule is finalized as proposed, 
in cases where the final rule would include requirements different than 
those of the 3rd edition of UL Standard 60335-2-40, EPA is proposing 
that the appliance would need to meet the requirements of the final 
rule in place of the requirements in the UL Standard. See section II.E 
below for further discussion on the requirements of this standard that 
EPA is proposing to incorporate by reference. This change in the use 
condition updates the standard to which the equipment must comply from 
Supplement SA to the 8th edition, dated August 2, 2012, of UL Standard 
484, ``Room Air Conditioners'' to the 3rd edition of UL 60335-2-40.
    (3) Warning labels--Several warning labels are proposed as use 
conditions as detailed in section II.E below. These labels are similar 
or verbatim in language to those required by the UL Standard. The 
warning labels must be provided in letters no less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ 
inch) high and must be permanent. While the font size is the same as in 
the use conditions that currently apply, several revisions to the 
labels and the language in them have changed and are based on the 
updated UL Standard, the 3rd edition of UL 60335-2-40.
    (4) Markings--Equipment must have distinguishing red (PMS #185 or 
RAL 3020) color-coded hoses and piping to indicate use of a flammable 
refrigerant. The equipment shall have marked service ports, pipes, 
hoses and other devices through which the refrigerant is serviced. 
Markings shall extend at least 1 inch (25mm) from the servicing port 
and shall be replaced if removed. This use condition is the same as 
what currently exists for HFC-32 in this end-use category.
    The regulatory text of the proposed decisions appears in tables at 
the end of this document. If finalized as proposed, this text would be 
codified by amending appendix R. The amendment would be to indicate 
that the use conditions finalized apply to HFC-32 self-contained room 
AC units manufactured on or after the effective date of such a final 
rule (which we anticipate would be 30 days after publication in the 
Federal Register). Equipment manufactured before the effective date of 
the final rule would not be affected by this action and would hence be 
subject to the use conditions included in appendix R at the time they 
were manufactured. The proposed revisions to the current regulatory 
text update the use conditions as they apply to the previous listing 
decision for HFC-32 in self-contained room ACs and HPs. EPA notes that 
there may be other legal obligations pertaining to the manufacture, 
use, handling, and disposal of the proposed refrigerants that are not 
included in the information listed in the tables (e.g., the CAA section 
608(c)(2) prohibition on knowingly venting or otherwise knowingly 
releasing or disposing of substitute refrigerants in the course of 
maintaining, servicing, repairing or disposing of an appliance or 
industrial process refrigeration, or Department of Transportation 
requirements for transport of flammable gases). Flammable refrigerants 
being recovered or otherwise disposed of from residential and light AC 
appliances are likely to be hazardous waste under RCRA (see 40 CFR 
parts 260-270).
6. How do the proposed use conditions differ from the existing ones and 
why is EPA proposing to change the use conditions?
    The updated use conditions EPA is proposing are similar to the ones 
that exist today in appendix R of 40 CFR part 82, subpart G for HFC-32 
in this end-use category. The proposed requirements that HFC-32 must be 
used in new equipment only and must include red markings at service 
ports are repeated in this proposed listing. Existing room ACs using 
HFC-32 manufactured before the effective date of a final rule to this 
proposal would not be affected by these updated use conditions.
    Warning labels are required under EPA's current regulations, and 
EPA is proposing to continue to require them, although with some 
specific language changes. The warning labels EPA is proposing are 
identical to those required as use conditions for the use of HFC-32 in 
residential and light commercial AC and HPs (excluding self-contained 
room ACs and HPs) and for R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, R-454C, and R-457A in 
residential and light commercial AC and HPs (including self-contained 
room ACs and HPs). EPA finds that using a common set of labels, similar 
to those from UL Standard 60335-2-40, will aid in compliance especially 
for a manufacturer that uses more than one of these refrigerants or 
produces both self-contained room ACs and HPs and other types of 
residential and light commercial AC and HPs. The updated labels EPA is 
proposing use the opening word ``WARNING'' in lieu of ``DANGER'' or 
``CAUTION'' and change ``Risk of Fire or Explosion'' to just ``Risk of 
Fire.'' EPA is proposing that the labels must be provided in letters no 
less than 6.4 millimeter (\1/4\ inch) high and must be permanent, which 
is identical to the current requirement for HFC-32 in self-contained 
room ACs and HPs.
    EPA is proposing to update the standard incorporated by reference 
in the use conditions, replacing the requirement to follow certain 
sections of the 2012 version of UL 484 with the proposed requirement to 
adhere to the 3rd edition of UL Standard 60335-2-40. UL Standard 60335-
2-40 was developed in an open and consensus-based approach, with the 
assistance of experts in the refrigeration and AC industry as well as 
experts involved in assessing the safety of products. The revision 
cycle for the 3rd edition, including final recirculation, concluded 
with its publication on November 1, 2019. The 2019 UL Standard replaces 
the previously published version of several standards, including UL 
Standard 484, which had already been revised into a ninth edition by 
that time. EPA was aware of the continuing progress of UL Standards to 
address flammable refrigerants more appropriately. In the 2021 SNAP 
Rule (SNAP Rule 23) listing HFC-32 for other categories within the 
residential and light commercial AC and HPs end-use, we stated, ``EPA 
understands that the standard we relied on in [SNAP] Rule 19 might 
`sunset' in the future.

[[Page 45521]]

Therefore, we will continue to evaluate the market for the equipment 
addressed in that rule, including HFC-32 in self-contained room ACs, 
and whether to establish new or revised use conditions that reference 
UL 60335-2-40'' (86 FR 24463; May 6, 2021). Today, we are proposing 
such a change knowing that UL is replacing the standard to which such 
equipment is certified from UL 484 to the newer UL 60335-2-40 standard.
    Updating the UL Standard incorporated as a use condition will 
provide more consistency amongst the products within this end-use and 
between HFC-32 and the five A2L refrigerants listed as acceptable, 
subject to use conditions, for this end-use including self-contained 
room ACs and HPs in SNAP Rule 23. This change will allow the industry 
to focus on the existing standard. The change will be helpful in 
implementing any transitions needed or planned for manufacturers, 
installers, and technicians. A manufacturer, who may offer different 
products within this end-use with different refrigerants, could use 
similar processes, such as in developing and applying the warning 
labels required. Installers and technician, likewise, would not need to 
reference different standards depending on the type of equipment and 
the particular A2L refrigerant being used in that equipment, when 
putting in a new piece of equipment or servicing that equipment.
    Another revision to the use conditions is charge sizes. In the 2019 
SNAP Rule, charge sizes from both UL 484 (8th edition) and those 
stipulated by tables within the rule needed to be followed. Rather than 
requiring examination of both items and determining which charge size 
was lower, the proposed updated use conditions would rely on a single 
document, the 3rd edition of UL Standard 60335-2-40.
7. What is the acceptability status of HFC-32 in self-contained room 
ACs and HPs?
    If finalized as proposed, the use conditions in this action would 
apply to new self-contained room ACs and HPs using HFC-32 manufactured 
on or after the effective date of the final rule (which we anticipate 
would be 30 days after publication in the Federal Register). The final 
rule would not apply to or affect equipment manufactured before the 
effective date of this action and manufactured in compliance with the 
SNAP requirements applicable at the time of manufacture as stipulated 
in SNAP Rule 19 and appendix R of 40 CFR part 82, subpart G at that 
time. EPA views equipment to be manufactured at the date upon which the 
appliance's refrigerant circuit is complete, the appliance can 
function, the appliance holds a full refrigerant charge, and the 
appliance is ready for use for its intended purposes. For self-
contained room ACs and HPs, this occurs at the factory. If this rule is 
finalized as proposed, products manufactured between May 11, 2015, and 
the effective date of the final rule would be required to meet the use 
conditions in SNAP Rule 19 (which took effect May 11, 2015) and as 
listed in appendix R of 40 CFR part 82, subpart G. Such products would 
be permitted to be warehoused and sold through normal channels, even if 
they are sold or installed after the effective date of the final rule 
based on this proposed rule. Self-contained room ACs and HPs using HFC-
32 manufactured on or after the effective date of the final rule based 
on this proposed rule would be required to meet the use conditions so 
finalized and listed in the revisions to appendix R.
8. What additional information is EPA including in these proposed 
listings?
    EPA is providing additional information related to these proposed 
listings. Since this additional information is not part of the 
regulatory decision under SNAP, these statements are not binding for 
use of the substitute under the SNAP program. See section II.E.2 below 
for further discussion on what additional information EPA is including 
in these proposed listings. EPA notes that the additional information 
is similar to, but not identical with, the addition information in the 
listing for HFC-32 in self-contained room ACs and HPs in SNAP Rule 19. 
EPA is proposing additional information consistent with that included 
in the other proposed listings for air conditioning equipment in this 
rule and consistent with that included in the listings for four A2L 
refrigerant blends listed as acceptable subject to use conditions in 
self-contained room ACs and HPs in SNAP Rule 23. While the items listed 
are not legally binding under the SNAP program, EPA encourages users of 
substitutes to apply all statements in the Further Information column 
in their use of these substitutes.
9. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    EPA is requesting comment on all aspects of the proposed updates to 
the use conditions as discussed in section II.D above. EPA requests 
comments on the proposed change in use conditions and if and how such 
change would affect the safety of self-contained room ACs and HPs using 
HFC-32.

E. Use Conditions and Further Information for Chillers, Residential 
Dehumidifiers, Non-Residential Dehumidifiers, and HFC-32 Self-Contained 
Room ACs and HPs

1. What use conditions is EPA proposing and why?
    As described above, EPA is proposing to list:

 HFO-1234yf, R-454A, R-454B and R-454C as acceptable, subject 
to use conditions, for use in centrifugal and positive displacement 
chillers for new equipment in comfort cooling applications, including 
commercial AC and industrial process AC
 HFC-32 and R-452B as acceptable, subject to use conditions, 
for use in scroll and rotary chillers for new equipment in comfort 
cooling applications, including commercial AC and industrial process AC
 HFO-1234yf, HFC-32, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C as 
acceptable, subject to use conditions, for use in residential 
dehumidifiers for new equipment
 HFC-32 as acceptable, subject to use conditions, for use in 
non-residential dehumidifiers for new equipment

    In addition, EPA is proposing to update the use conditions that 
apply to the previous listing of:
     HFC-32 as acceptable, subject to use conditions, for use 
in self-contained room ACs and HPs for new equipment.
    These use conditions are summarized in the listings under 
subheadings II.A, II.B, and II.C, and the revisions to the use 
conditions are summarized under subheading II.D, above, and are 
explained here in greater detail. The use conditions EPA proposes 
(either as new listings or revisions to a previous listing) include 
conditions requiring use of each refrigerant in new equipment, which 
can be specifically designed for the refrigerant; use consistent with 
the UL 60335-2-40 industry standard, 3rd Edition, including testing, 
charge sizes, ventilation, usage space requirements, and certain hazard 
warnings and markings; and requirements for warning labels and markings 
on equipment to inform consumers and technicians of potential 
flammability hazards. The listings with specific use conditions are 
intended to allow for the use of these lower flammability refrigerants 
in a manner that will ensure they do not pose a greater overall risk to 
human health and the environment than other substitutes in these end-
uses.

[[Page 45522]]

New Equipment Only; Not Intended for Use as a Retrofit Alternative
    EPA is proposing that these refrigerants may be used only in new 
equipment which has been designed to address concerns unique to 
flammable refrigerants--i.e., none of these substitutes may be used as 
a conversion or ``retrofit'' refrigerant for existing equipment. EPA is 
unaware of information on how to address hazards if these flammable 
refrigerants were to be used in equipment that was designed for non-
flammable refrigerants. Given the flammable nature of these 
refrigerants, the fact that EPA is unaware of information to assess the 
risk if such retrofits were allowed, and because the refrigerants were 
not submitted to the SNAP program for retrofits, EPA has not reviewed 
them for retrofit applications for this proposal and is only proposing 
that they may be used in new equipment which can be properly designed 
for their use. This proposed use condition would not affect the ability 
to service a system using one of these refrigerants once installed, 
including the adding of refrigerant or replacing components.
Standards
    EPA is proposing that the flammable refrigerants may be used only 
in equipment that meets all requirements in UL Standard 60335-2-40, 3rd 
Edition.
    Those participating in the UL 60335-2-40 consensus standards 
process (hereafter ``UL'') have tested equipment for flammability risk 
and evaluated the relevant scientific studies. Further, UL has 
developed safety standards including requirements for construction and 
system design, for markings, and for performance tests concerning 
refrigerant leakage, ignition of switching components, surface 
temperature of parts, and component strength after being scratched. 
Certain aspects of system construction and design, including charge 
size, ventilation, and installation space, and greater detail on 
markings, are discussed further below in this section. The UL 60335-2-
40 Standard was developed in an open and consensus-based approach, with 
the assistance of experts in the AC industry as well as experts 
involved in assessing the safety of products. While similar standards 
exist from other bodies such as the International Electrotechnical 
Commission (IEC), we are proposing to rely on specific UL standards 
that are most applicable and recognized by the U.S. market. This 
approach is the same as that in our previous rules on flammable 
refrigerants (e.g., 76 FR 78832; December 20, 2011 and 80 FR 19454; 
April 10, 2015 and 86 FR 24444; May 6, 2021).
    A summary of the requirements of UL 60335-2-40 as they affect the 
refrigerants and end-use addressed in this section of our proposal 
follows. This summary is offered for information only and does not 
provide a complete review of the requirements in this standard.
    Among the provisions in UL 60335-2-40 are limits on the amount of 
refrigerant allowed in each type of appliance based on several factors 
explained in that standard. The requirements in UL 60335-2-40 would 
reduce the risk to workers and consumers. Annex GG of the standard 
provides the charge limits, ventilation requirements and requirements 
for secondary circuits. The standard specifies requirements for 
installation space of an appliance (i.e., room floor area) and/or 
ventilation or other requirements that are determined according to the 
refrigerant charge used in the appliance, the installation location and 
the type of ventilation of the location or of the appliance. Within 
Annex GG, Table GG.1 provides guidance on how to apply the requirements 
to allow for safe use of flammable refrigerants. UL 60335-2-40, 3rd 
Edition contains provisions for safety mitigation. These mitigation 
requirements were developed to ensure the safe use of flammable 
refrigerants over a range of appliances. In general, as larger charge 
sizes are used, more stringent mitigation requirements are required. In 
certain applications refrigerant detection systems (as described in 
Annex LL, Refrigerant detection systems for A2L refrigerants) and 
refrigerant sensors (as described in Annex MM, Refrigerant sensor 
location confirmation tests) such as safety alarms are required. Where 
air circulation (i.e., fans) is required in accordance with Annex GG or 
Annex 101.DVG, it must be initiated by a separate refrigerant detection 
system either as part of the appliance or installed separately. In a 
room with no mechanical ventilation, Annex GG provides requirements for 
openings to rooms based on several factors, including the charge size 
and the room area. The minimum opening is intended to be sufficient so 
that natural ventilation would reduce the risk of using a flammable 
refrigerant. The standard also includes specific requirements covering 
construction, instruction manuals, allowable charge sizes, mechanical 
ventilation, safety alarms, and shut off valves for A2L refrigerants.
    In addition to Annex GG and Table GG.1 mentioned above, UL 60335-2-
40 has a requirement for the maximum charge for an appliance using an 
A2L refrigerant. Additional requirements exist for charge sizes 
exceeding three times the LFL.
    Table GG.1 of the UL standard indicates that systems with 
refrigerant charges exceeding certain amounts are outside the scope of 
the standard, stating that ``National standards apply.'' Specifically, 
if the refrigeration circuit with the greatest mass of a flammable 
refrigerant is more than 260 times the lower flammability limit (in kg/
m\3\), such equipment is outside the scope. For example, HFC-32 has an 
LFL of approximately 0.307 kg/m\3\ (0.0192 lb/ft\3\); therefore, 
equipment with charge sizes of a single circuit exceeding 79.82 kg 
(176.0 lb) would fall outside the scope of the UL Standard. EPA expects 
that many chillers could exceed these charge thresholds and therefore 
is proposing that an additional safety standard would apply for all 
chillers, as discussed in section II.A above. EPA does not expect this 
situation to occur for residential dehumidifiers or self-contained room 
ACs and HPs because of their smaller charge sizes.
    EPA recognizes that this standard is undergoing revision. UL opened 
for comment a proposed 4th edition of this standard as an update to the 
3rd Edition to which comments were due March 1, 2022. UL standards are 
open for public comment and participation following ANSI requirements.
Warning Labels
    As a use condition or revision to existing use conditions, EPA is 
proposing to require labeling of chillers, residential dehumidifiers, 
non-residential dehumidifiers, and HFC-32 self-contained room ACs and 
HPs (``equipment'') containing the proposed flammable refrigerants. EPA 
is proposing that the following markings, or the equivalent, must be 
provided in letters no less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch) high and must be 
permanent:

i. On the outside of the equipment: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Flammable 
Refrigerant Used. To Be Repaired Only By Trained Service Personnel. Do 
Not Puncture Refrigerant Tubing''
ii. On the outside of the equipment: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Dispose 
of Properly In Accordance With Federal Or Local Regulations. Flammable 
Refrigerant Used''
iii. On the inside of the equipment near the compressor: ``WARNING--
Risk of Fire. Flammable Refrigerant Used. Consult Repair Manual/Owner's 
Guide Before Attempting to Service

[[Page 45523]]

This Product. All Safety Precautions Must Be Followed''
iv. For any equipment pre-charged at the factory, on the equipment 
packaging or on the outside of the equipment: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire 
due to Flammable Refrigerant Used. Follow Handling Instructions 
Carefully in Compliance with National Regulations''
1. If the equipment is delivered packaged, this label shall be applied 
on the packaging
2. If the equipment is not delivered packaged, this label shall be 
applied on the outside of the appliance

    EPA expects that all residential dehumidifiers and non-residential 
dehumidifiers and all self-contained room ACs and HPs would be 
packaged, and hence this label would be placed as stipulated in item 1 
above. EPA expects that chillers could be provided packaged or not, and 
this label would be placed as stipulated in item 1 or 2, respectively.

v. On the equipment near the nameplate:
1. At the top of the marking: ``Minimum installation height, X m (W 
ft)''. This marking is only required if the similar marking is required 
by the 3rd edition of UL 60335-2-40. The terms ``X'' and ``W'' shall be 
replaced by the numeric height as calculated per the UL Standard. Note 
that the formatting here is slightly different than the UL Standard; 
specifically, the height in Inch-Pound units is placed in parentheses 
and the word ``and'' has been replaced by the opening parenthesis.
2. Immediately below v.1. above or at the top of the marking if v.1. is 
not required: ``Minimum room area (operating or storage), Y m\2\ (Z 
ft\2\)''. The terms ``Y'' and ``Z'' shall be replaced by the numeric 
area as calculated per the UL Standard. Note that the formatting here 
is slightly different than the UL Standard; specifically, the area in 
Inch-Pound units is placed in parentheses and the word ``and'' has been 
replaced by the opening parenthesis.
vi. For non-fixed equipment, including residential dehumidifiers, non-
residential dehumidifiers, and self-contained room ACs and HPs, on the 
outside of the product: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire or Explosion--Store in 
a well-ventilated room without continuously operating flames or other 
potential ignition.'' EPA expects that this label would be required on 
residential dehumidifiers, non-residential dehumidifiers, and HFC-32 
self-contained room ACs (e.g., including portable ACs, window ACs, 
PTACs and PTHPs).
vii. For fixed equipment that is ducted, including chillers, near the 
nameplate: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire--Auxiliary devices which may be 
ignition sources shall not be installed in the ductwork, other than 
auxiliary devices listed for use with the specific appliance. See 
instructions.'' EPA expects that residential dehumidifiers, non-
residential dehumidifiers, and self-contained ACs and HPs would not be 
ducted, but that chillers used for comfort cooling could be.

    The text of the warning labels, above, is exactly the same as that 
required in UL 60335-2-40, with the exception of the label identified 
in v., which is similar to that in the UL Standard. The major 
difference between this proposed requirement and the requirements in 
Table 101.DVF.1 of UL 60335-2-40 is that the markings for A2L 
refrigerants, including HFO-1234yf, HFC-32 and the four refrigerant 
blends, are required to be no less than 3.2 mm (\1/8\ inch) high in the 
standard instead of 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch) as EPA is proposing in this 
action. EPA believes that it would be difficult to see warning labels 
with the minimum lettering height requirement for A2L refrigerants of 
\1/8\ inch in the UL Standard. Therefore, as in the requirements in our 
previous flammable refrigerants rules (e.g., 76 FR 78832; December 20, 
2011 and 80 FR 19454; April 10, 2015 and 86 FR 24444; May 6, 2021), EPA 
is proposing that the minimum height for lettering must be \1/4\ inch 
as opposed to \1/8\ inch, which will make it easier for technicians, 
consumers, retail storeowners, first responders, and those disposing 
the appliance to view the warning labels.
Markings
    Our understanding of the UL Standard is that red markings, similar 
to those EPA has applied as use conditions in past actions for 
flammable refrigerants (76 FR 78832; December 20, 2011 and 80 FR 19454; 
April 10, 2015 and 86 FR 24444; May 6, 2021), are required by the UL 
Standard for A2 and A3 refrigerants but not A2L refrigerants. EPA is 
proposing that such markings apply to these A2L refrigerants as well to 
establish a common, familiar and standard means of identifying the use 
of a flammable refrigerant.
    These red markings will help technicians immediately identify the 
use of a flammable refrigerant, thereby potentially reducing the risk 
of using sparking equipment or otherwise having an ignition source 
nearby. The AC and refrigeration industry currently uses red-colored 
hoses and piping as means for identifying the use of a flammable 
refrigerant based on previous SNAP listings. Likewise, distinguishing 
coloring has been used elsewhere to indicate an unusual and potentially 
dangerous situation, for example in the use of orange-insulated wires 
in hybrid electric vehicles. Currently in SNAP listings, color-coded 
hoses or pipes must be used for ethane, HFC-32, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, 
R-454C, R-457A, isobutane, propane, and R-441A in certain types of 
equipment where these are listed acceptable, subject to use conditions. 
All such tubing must be colored red PMS #185 or RAL 3020 to match the 
red band displayed on the container of flammable refrigerants AHRI 
Guideline N, ``2017 Guideline for Assignment of Refrigerant Container 
Colors.'' The intent of this aspect of the proposal is to provide 
adequate notice for technicians and others that a flammable refrigerant 
is being used within a particular piece of equipment or appliance. 
Another goal is to provide adequate notification of the presence of 
flammable refrigerants for personnel disposing of appliances containing 
flammable refrigerants. As explained in a previous SNAP rule, one 
mechanism to distinguish hoses and pipes is to add a colored plastic 
sleeve or cap to the service tube. (80 FR 19465; April 10, 2015). Other 
methods, such as a red-colored tape could be used. The colored plastic 
sleeve, cap, or tape would have to be forcibly removed in order to 
access the service tube and would have to be replaced if removed. This 
would signal to the technician that the refrigeration circuit that she/
he was about to access contained a flammable refrigerant, even if all 
warning labels were somehow removed. This sleeve, cap or tape would be 
of the same red color (PMS #185 or RAL 3020) and could also be boldly 
marked with a graphic to indicate the refrigerant was flammable. This 
could be a cost-effective alternative to painting or dyeing the hose or 
pipe.
    EPA is proposing the use of color-coded hoses or piping as a way 
for technicians and others to recognize that a flammable refrigerant is 
used in the equipment. This would be in addition to the proposed use of 
warning labels discussed above. EPA believes having two such warning 
methods is reasonable and consistent with other general industry 
practices. This approach is the same as that adopted in our previous 
rules on flammable refrigerants (e.g., 76 FR 78832; December 20, 2011 
and 80 FR 19454; April 10, 2015 and 86 FR 24444; May 6, 2021).

[[Page 45524]]

2. What additional information is EPA including in these proposed 
listings?
    For chillers, residential, dehumidifiers, non-residential 
dehumidifiers, and self-contained room ACs and HPs, EPA is including 
recommendations, found in the ``Further Information'' column of the 
regulatory text at the end of this document, to protect personnel from 
the risks of using flammable refrigerants. Similar to our previous 
listings of flammable refrigerants, EPA is including information on the 
OSHA requirements at 29 CFR part 1910, proper ventilation, personal 
protective equipment, fire extinguishers, use of spark-proof tools and 
equipment designed for flammable refrigerants, and training. Since this 
additional information is not part of the regulatory decision under 
SNAP, these statements are not binding for use of the substitute under 
the SNAP program. While the items listed are not legally binding under 
the SNAP program, EPA encourages users of substitutes to apply all 
statements in the Further Information column in their use of these 
substitutes.
3. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    EPA is requesting comment on all aspects of the proposed use 
conditions described above and the appropriateness for applying these 
use conditions to the listings for chillers, residential dehumidifiers, 
and non-residential dehumidifiers, and the revisions to the listing for 
self-contained room ACs and HPs described in sections II.A, II.B, II.C, 
and II.D, respectively.
    EPA is requesting comment on the applicability of UL Standard 
60335-2-40, 3rd Edition, to chillers, including for which chillers and 
under which applications the standard applies. We likewise are 
requesting comment on the applicability of the UL Standard to 
residential dehumidifiers, non-residential dehumidifiers, and self-
contained room ACs and HPs.
    With regard to UL Standard 60335-2-40, EPA is requesting comment on 
the status of the standard, the modifications that are being or have 
been incorporated in it, how those modifications would change the risk 
associated with the use of these flammable refrigerants in these end-
uses, and the appropriateness of adopting as a use condition the 
current (3rd) edition of this standard.
    EPA recognizes that this standard is undergoing revision. UL opened 
for comment a proposed 4th edition of this standard as an update to the 
3rd Edition to which comments were due March 1, 2022. UL standards are 
open for public comment and participation following ANSI requirements. 
If the final 4th edition is published before EPA takes final action on 
today's proposed listings that would incorporate the 3rd edition by 
reference, EPA may incorporate the 4th Edition by reference into those 
listings in lieu of the 3rd Edition. In that situation, EPA anticipates 
reopening or extending the public comment period to provide an 
opportunity for public comment on incorporating the final 4th edition 
by reference into those listings.
    EPA is also requesting comment on requiring labeling, the height of 
the lettering, and the likelihood of labels remaining on a product 
throughout the lifecycle of the product, including its disposal.

F. Very Low Temperature Refrigeration (VLTR)--Proposed Listing of R-
1150 as Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions and Narrowed Use Limits, 
for Use in VLTR End-Use

1. Background on VLTR
    The very low temperature refrigeration end-use includes a wide 
range of equipment types. VLTR equipment is intended to maintain 
temperatures considerably lower than for refrigeration of food (below -
62 [deg]C or -80 [deg]F). Examples of very low temperature 
refrigeration equipment include medical freezers and freeze-dryers, 
which generally require extremely reliable refrigeration cycles to 
maintain low temperatures and must meet stringent technical standards. 
In some cases, VLTR equipment may use a refrigeration system with two 
stages, each with its own refrigerant loop. This allows a greater range 
of temperatures and may reduce the overall refrigerant charge.
    For this notice of proposed rulemaking, only equipment designed to 
reach temperatures lower than -80 [deg]C (-112 [deg]F) is addressed. 
See sections II.E.6 and II.E.7 below for a discussion of the narrowed 
use limits describing the reasoning for this temperature requirement. 
Examples of equipment covered by this proposed rule in the VLTR end-use 
include:
     Freeze dryers. This equipment typically includes a two-
stage system, with a VLTR stage being addressed by this proposed rule 
and a warmer stage, usually classified as industrial process 
refrigeration, not addressed in this proposed rule. The primary 
application of this equipment is for freeze drying material in a 
laboratory setting.
     Cold traps required to operate below -80 [deg]C or -112 
[deg]F. This equipment is used during laboratory evaporation to 
condense vapors to prevent them from entering and damaging the pump, or 
leaking into the environment, ensuring a closed system within the 
vacuum pump.
     Very low temperature freezers designed to reach 
temperatures below -80 [deg]C or -112 [deg]F.
    Each of these types of laboratory equipment, including other VLTR 
equipment not mentioned that fit within the narrowed use limits 
proposed in section II.F.6, would be subject to the listing decision 
under this rule for R-1150 if this decision were to become final as 
proposed.
2. What is EPA's proposed listing decision for R-1150?
    EPA is proposing to list R-1150 as acceptable, subject to use 
conditions and narrowed use limits, for use in VLTR equipment, 
including freeze-dryers, cold traps, and laboratory freezers. This 
proposed listing would apply to all types of VLTR equipment that meet 
the requirements of the UL Standard 61010-2-011, 2nd Edition, and for 
all applications of such equipment under EPA's proposed use conditions 
and narrowed use limits.
3. What is R-1150 and how does it compare with other refrigerants in 
the same end-use?
    R-1150, also known as ethene or ethylene (CAS Reg. No. 75-85-1), is 
an unsaturated hydrocarbon (HC). It is a flammable refrigerant with the 
ASHRAE safety classification A3. You may find a copy of the applicants' 
submissions, with CBI redacted, providing the required health and 
environmental information for this substitute in this end-use in Docket 
EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0836 at www.regulations.gov under the names 
``Supporting Materials for Rule 25 Listing of R-1150 in Refrigeration 
and Air Conditioning. SNAP Submission Received December 3, 2018'' and 
``Supporting Materials for Rule 25 Listing of R-1150 in Refrigeration 
and Air Conditioning. SNAP Submission Received January 21, 2021.'' EPA 
performed an assessment to examine the health and environmental risks 
of this substitute. This assessment is available in Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-
2021-0836: ``Risk Screen on Substitutes in Very Low Temperature 
Refrigeration (New Equipment). Substitute: R-1150.'' \30\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ ICF, 2022o. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Very Low 
Temperature Refrigeration (New Equipment); Substitute: R-1150.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Environmental information: R-1150 has an ODP of zero and a GWP of 
four.
    In addition to ODP and GWP, EPA evaluated potential impacts of R-
1150

[[Page 45525]]

and other HC refrigerants on local air quality. R-1150 is considered a 
VOC and not excluded from EPA's regulatory definition of VOC (see 40 
CFR 51.100(s)) addressing the development of SIPs to attain and 
maintain the NAAQS. As described below, EPA estimates that potential 
emissions of HCs do not have a significant impact on local air quality. 
This includes R-1150 in VLTR, when used in the refrigeration and AC 
sector as substitute refrigerants in end-uses consistent with their 
listings under the SNAP program.\31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ ICF, 2014. Assessment of the Potential Impact of 
Hydrocarbon Refrigerants on Ground Level Ozone Concentrations. 
February, 2014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response to the increased market share of HCs, particularly in 
VLTR applications, EPA conducted additional analysis of various 
scenarios to consider the potential impacts on local air quality if HC 
refrigerants were used in further applications.\32\ In particular, use 
of R-1150 in very low temperature freezers, including VLTR equipment 
with an industrial process refrigeration (IPR) stage using propylene, 
and R-1150 in retail food refrigeration systems \33\ were investigated 
for ground-level ozone effects. The analysis first considers highly 
conservative modeling scenarios where a specific HC would be used 
widely across all end-uses in the refrigeration and AC sector. Scenario 
1b** estimates propylene's emissions using EPA's Vintaging Model (VM) 
and Community Multi-stage Air Quality (CMAQ) model,\34\ and Scenario 1b 
estimates R-1150's emissions using the same VM and CMAQ versions as in 
Scenario 1b.**
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ Ibid.
    \33\ EPA is aware that such refrigeration equipment exists in 
Europe. Thus, EPA evaluated R-1150 in retail food refrigeration--
stand-alone units as well as in VLTR and other hydrocarbon 
refrigerants, to consider the greatest impact that reasonably could 
occur when using increasing amounts of such refrigerants.
    \34\ VM IO file_v5.1_10.01.19 and CMAQ 5.2.1 with carbon bond 06 
(CB06) mechanism, as cited in ICF, 2022p. Additional Assessment of 
the Potential Impact of Hydrocarbon Refrigerants on Ground Level 
Ozone Concentrations. May, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, the analysis also considers the more realistic 
scenarios (Scenario 2, Scenario 3a, and Scenario 3b) where HCs are 
modeled only in the end-uses where the SNAP program has already listed 
them as acceptable, or for which SNAP submissions or international 
market trends indicate HCs soon could be used. Scenario 2 examines the 
likely emissions of lower maximum incremental reactivity (MIR) HCs, 
propane, isobutane, and ethane, in the residential and light commercial 
AC, residential dehumidifiers, retail refrigeration, and household 
refrigeration end-uses. Scenarios 3a and 3b also consider the use of 
higher MIR refrigerants propylene and R-1150 in laboratory equipment 
(IPR and VLTR end-uses, respectively) and R-1150 in small retail food 
refrigeration equipment (e.g., stand-alone units) in addition to the 
HCs used in Scenario 2. Scenarios 3a and 3b differentiate based on 
whether propylene and R-1150 would be subject to the prohibition under 
CAA sections 608(c)(1) and (2) against knowingly venting or otherwise 
knowingly releasing or disposing of any refrigerant substitute for 
class I or class II substances by any person maintaining, servicing, 
repairing, or disposing of appliances or IPR. For further information 
on the specific assumptions, see the docket for this rulemaking.\35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ ICF, 2022p. Additional Assessment of the Potential Impact 
of Hydrocarbon Refrigerants on Ground Level Ozone Concentrations. 
May, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In highly conservative Scenario 1b, examining widespread R-1150 
adoption across the refrigeration and AC sector, modeling predicts that 
the single 8-hour average ground-level ozone concentration could 
increase by 11.7 percent in Los Angeles, which is the area with the 
highest level of ground-level ozone pollution in the United States. 
However, in the more realistic scenarios 3a and 3b, 8-hour ground-level 
ozone concentration in Los Angeles was found to increase by a maximum 
of 0.017 percent relative to the NAAQS on the worst modeled day. For 
purposes of this SNAP determination, this is not a significant increase 
in ground-level ozone. The modeling is also conservative by assuming a 
one-for-one substitution of HCs for current refrigerants because an 
actual transition would likely introduce less than one kg of HC for 
each kg replaced. As a result of this analysis, EPA believes that the 
use of R-1150 consistent with the use conditions and narrowed use 
limits proposed would not result in significantly greater risk to 
people's health or the environment than other alternatives available 
for the same use.
    Ecosystem effects from R-1150 are expected to be small, as are the 
effects of other acceptable substitutes in this end-use. R-1150 is 
highly volatile and typically evaporates or partitions to air, rather 
than contaminating ground or surface waters, and thus R-1150's effects 
on aquatic life are expected to be small. Based on these 
considerations, R-1150 is not expected to pose a greater risk of 
ecosystem effects than other alternatives for these uses.
    Flammability information: ASHRAE Standard 34 classifies R-1150 as a 
Class A3 refrigerant.\4\ R-1150 is flammable when its concentration in 
the air is in the range of 2.7 percent to 36 percent by volume (27,000 
ppm to 360,000 ppm).4 30
    Toxicity and exposure data: Exposure to R-1150 may be hazardous if 
inhalation, skin contact, or eye contact with the proposed substitute 
occurs at sufficiently high levels. The most likely pathway of exposure 
is through inhalation, which can cause symptoms of asphyxiation. 
Exposures of R-1150 to the skin may cause frostbite. Exposures of R-
1150 to the eyes could cause eye irritation. These potential health 
effects are common to many refrigerants.
    The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists 
(ACGIH) has established a TLV of 200 ppm as an 8-hour TWA for R-1150. 
EPA anticipates that users will be able to meet the TLV and address 
potential health risks by following the use condition limiting charge 
sizes to 150 g and the requirements and recommendations in the 
manufacturer's SDS, ASHRAE Standard 15, UL Standard 61010-2-011, 2nd 
Edition, and other safety precautions common to the refrigeration and 
AC industry.3 30
    Comparison to other substitutes in this end-use: R-1150 has an ODP 
of zero, comparable to or less than other listed substitutes in this 
end-use with ODPs ranging from zero to 0.098. For new VLTR equipment, 
R-1150's GWP of four is comparable to that of other acceptable 
substitutes such as ethane and CO2, with respective GWPs of 
5.5 and one, and lower than other acceptable substitutes such as R-
410A, R-507A, and HFC-23 with respective GWPs of 1,890, 3,990, and 
14,800.
    R-1150 is a VOC that is more photochemically reactive and more 
likely to cause ground-level ozone pollution than acceptable 
refrigerants in this end-use. For example, R-1150 has a MIR of 9.07 g-
O3/g-substance, which is higher than propane's MIR of 0.56 
g-O3/g-substance or ethane's MIR of 0.28 g-O3/g-
substance.\36\ EPA proposes to address this potential risk through a 
narrowed use limit, restricting use of this refrigerant to VLTR 
equipment designed to reach temperatures lower than -80 [deg]C (-112 
[deg]F). See section

[[Page 45526]]

II.F.6 below for a discussion of the proposed narrowed use limits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ In addition to being an acceptable refrigerant in very low 
temperature refrigeration, ethane's MIR is one threshold that EPA 
considers in deciding whether a compound makes a negligible 
contribution to tropospheric ozone formation and should be excluded 
from EPA's regulatory definition of VOC (see 40 CFR 51.100(s)) 
addressing the development of SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Flammability risks of R-1150 are comparable to flammability risks 
of other available substitutes in the same end-use, such as ethane, 
while R-1150's flammability risks are higher than those of nonflammable 
refrigerants such as R-410A, CO2, or HFC-23. Flammability 
risks can be addressed by following the proposed use conditions, such 
as use only in new equipment that is designed and tested to meet the UL 
Standard 61010-2-011. See section II.F.4 below for a discussion of the 
proposed use conditions.
    Toxicity risks are comparable to or lower than toxicity risks of 
other available substitutes in the same end-use. Toxicity risks can be 
minimized by use consistent with the TLV issued by the ACGIH, ASHRAE 
Standard 15, UL standards, and other industry standards, 
recommendations in the manufacturer's SDS, and other safety precautions 
common in the refrigeration and AC industry.
    Although R-1150 presents a higher risk to local air quality than 
other available alternatives for this end-use, other alternatives such 
as ethane, propane, and most HFOs or HFCs that are less photochemically 
reactive than R-1150 are not able to attain temperatures as low as R-
1150 because of their higher boiling points. Thus, EPA is proposing to 
list this substitute as acceptable subject to use conditions and 
narrowed use limits in VLTR.
4. What use conditions is EPA proposing?
    EPA proposes the following use conditions to address flammability 
risks of R-1150:
    (1) New equipment only--R-1150 may be used only in new equipment 
designed specifically and clearly identified for the refrigerant, i.e., 
the substitute shall not be used as a conversion or ``retrofit'' 
refrigerant for existing equipment.
    (2) UL Standard--R-1150 may be used only in laboratory equipment 
that meet all requirements listed in the 2nd edition, dated May 13th, 
2021, of UL Standard 61010-2-011, ``Safety Requirements for Electrical 
Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use--Part 011: 
Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Equipment'' (hereafter in 
this section, ``UL Standard''). If this rule is finalized as proposed, 
in cases where the final rule would include requirements different than 
those of the UL Standard, EPA is proposing that the equipment would 
need to meet the requirements of the final rule in place of the 
requirements in the UL Standard. Requirements of note include:
     Warning labels--The following markings, or the equivalent, 
must be provided in letters no less than 6.4 millimeter (\1/4\ inch) 
high and must be permanent:
    i. Attach near the machine compartment: ``DANGER--Risk of Fire or 
Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. To Be Repaired Only By Trained 
Service Personnel. Do Not Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''
    ii. Attach near the machine compartment: ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or 
Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. Consult Repair Manual/Owner's 
Guide Before Attempting To Service This Product. All Safety Precautions 
Must be Followed.''
    iii. Attach on the exterior of the refrigeration equipment: 
``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or Explosion. Dispose of Properly In Accordance 
With Federal Or Local Regulations. Flammable Refrigerant Used.''
    iv. Attach near all exposed refrigerant tubing: ``CAUTION--Risk of 
Fire or Explosion Due To Puncture Of Refrigerant Tubing; Follow 
Handling Instructions Carefully. Flammable Refrigerant Used.''
    v. Attach on the exterior of the refrigeration equipment: ``This 
equipment is intended for use in commercial, industrial, or 
institutional occupancies as defined in the Safety Standard for 
Refrigeration Systems, ANSI/ASHRAE 15''.
    vi. Attach on the exterior of the shipping carton: ``CAUTION--Risk 
of Fire or Explosion. Dispose of Properly In Accordance With Federal Or 
Local Regulations.''
    vii. The instructions shall include the following warnings as 
necessary:
    a. ``WARNING: Ensure all ventilation openings are not obstructed.''
    b. ``WARNING: Do not use mechanical devices or other means to 
accelerate the defrosting process, other than those recommended by the 
manufacturer.''
    c. ``WARNING: Do not damage the refrigerant circuit.''
     Markings--Equipment must have distinguishing red (PMS #185 
or RAL 3020) color-coded hoses and piping to indicate use of a 
flammable refrigerant. The laboratory equipment shall have marked 
service ports, pipes, hoses and other devices through which the 
refrigerant is serviced. Markings shall extend at least 1 inch (25 
millimeter) from the servicing port and shall be replaced if removed.
    (3) Charge size--Equipment must use no more than 150 g of R-1150 in 
each refrigerant circuit using this refrigerant.
    The regulatory text of the proposed decisions appears in tables at 
the end of this document. If finalized as proposed, this text would be 
codified in appendix X of 40 CFR part 82, subpart G. The proposed 
regulatory text contains listing decisions for the end-use discussed 
above. EPA notes that there may be other legal obligations pertaining 
to the manufacture, use, handling, and disposal of the proposed 
refrigerant that are not included in the information listed in the 
tables (e.g., the CAA section 608(c)(2) prohibition on knowingly 
venting or otherwise knowingly releasing or disposing of substitute 
refrigerants in the course of maintaining, servicing, repairing or 
disposing of an appliance or industrial process refrigeration, or 
Department of Transportation requirements for transport of flammable 
gases). Flammable refrigerants being recovered or otherwise disposed of 
from VLTR appliances are likely to be hazardous waste under the RCRA 
(see 40 CFR parts 260-270).
5. Why is EPA proposing these specific use conditions?
    EPA is proposing to list R-1150 as acceptable, subject to use 
conditions, for use in the VLTR end-use for new equipment reaching 
temperatures lower than -80 [deg]C (-112 [deg]F). The use conditions 
are identified in the listing under subheading II.F.4, above, and are 
explained here in greater detail. The use conditions EPA proposes 
include conditions requiring use of R-1150 in new equipment, which can 
be specifically designed for the refrigerant; use consistent with the 
UL Standard, including testing, charge sizes, ventilation, usage space 
requirements, and certain hazard warnings and markings; and limiting 
charge size to 150 g of R-1150 per refrigerant circuit. The listings 
with specific use conditions are intended to allow for the use of this 
flammable refrigerant in a manner that will ensure it does not pose a 
greater overall risk to human health and the environment than other 
substitutes in this end-use.

New Equipment Only; Not Intended for Use as a Retrofit Alternative

    EPA is proposing that R-1150 may be used only in new equipment \37\ 
which has been designed to address concerns unique to flammable 
refrigerants--i.e., this substitute may not be used as a conversion or 
``retrofit'' refrigerant for existing equipment. EPA is unaware of

[[Page 45527]]

information on how to address hazards if this flammable refrigerant 
were to be used in equipment that was designed for non-flammable 
refrigerants. Given the flammable nature of the refrigerant, the fact 
that EPA is unaware of information to assess the risk if such retrofits 
were allowed, and because the refrigerant was not submitted to the SNAP 
program for retrofits, EPA has not reviewed it for retrofit 
applications for this proposal and is only proposing that it may be 
used in new equipment which can be properly designed for their use. 
Therefore, EPA is proposing that R-1150 may only be used in new 
equipment that can be properly designed for its use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ This is intended to mean a completely new refrigeration 
circuit containing a new compressor, evaporator, and condenser.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Standards

    EPA is proposing that R-1150 may be used only in equipment that 
meets all requirements in the UL Standard. This UL Standard indicates 
that refrigerant charges greater than 150 g are beyond its scope and 
that additional requirements apply, such as for instance ANSI/ASHRAE 
15-2019. EPA has only evaluated equipment that fits within the scope of 
the UL Standard.
    UL has developed safety standards including requirements for 
construction and system design, for markings, and for performance tests 
concerning refrigerant leakage, ignition of switching components, 
surface temperature of parts, and component strength after being 
scratched. Certain aspects of system construction and design, including 
charge size, ventilation, and installation space, and greater detail on 
markings, are discussed further below in this section. The UL Standard 
was developed in an open and consensus-based approach, with the 
assistance of experts in the laboratory equipment industry as well as 
experts involved in assessing the safety of products. While similar 
standards exist from other bodies such as the IEC, we are proposing to 
rely on a specific UL standard that is most applicable and recognized 
by the U.S. market. This approach is the same as that in our previous 
rules on flammable refrigerants (e.g., 76 FR 78832, December 20, 2011; 
80 FR 19454, April 10, 2015; 86 FR 24444, May 6, 2021).
    A summary of the requirements of the UL Standard as they affect R-
1150 and the end-use addressed in this section of our proposal follows. 
This summary is offered for information only and does not provide a 
complete review of the requirements in this standard. The UL Standard 
requires the warning labels on the equipment to contain letters at 
least \1/4\ inch high. The label must be permanently affixed to the 
equipment. Warning label language requirements are described in section 
II.F.4 of this proposed rule. Additionally, red markings, similar to 
those EPA has applied as use conditions in past actions for flammable 
refrigerants (76 FR 78832, December 20, 2011; 80 FR 19454, April 10, 
2015; 86 FR 24444, May 6, 2021), are required by the UL Standard for A2 
and A3 refrigerants to establish a common, familiar and standard means 
of identifying the use of a flammable refrigerant.
    These red markings will help technicians immediately identify the 
use of a flammable refrigerant, thereby potentially reducing the risk 
of using sparking equipment or otherwise having an ignition source 
nearby. The colored plastic sleeve or cap would have to be forcibly 
removed in order to access the service port, hose, or pipe. This would 
signal to the technician that the refrigeration circuit that she/he was 
about to access contained a flammable refrigerant, even if all warning 
labels were somehow removed. This sleeve would be of the same red color 
(PMS #185 or RAL 3020) and could also be boldly marked with a graphic 
to indicate the refrigerant was flammable. The use of a colored plastic 
sleeve or cap that is boldly marked with a graphic could be a cost-
effective alternative to painting or dyeing the service port, hose, or 
pipe.

Charge Size Limitation

    Among the provisions in the UL Standard are limits on the amount of 
refrigerant allowed in each appliance. The limitations on refrigerant 
charge size for VLTR would be consistent with the UL Standard to reduce 
the risk to workers and consumers. EPA is proposing to require a charge 
size limit of 150 g for each refrigerant circuit or stage for the 
proposed refrigerant. Section 1.1.1 of the UL Standard states, ``This 
document details all the requirements when up to 150 g of FLAMMABLE 
REFRIGERANT are used per stage of a REFRIGERATING SYSTEM. Additional 
requirements beyond the current scope of this document apply if a 
REFRIGERANT charge of FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANT exceeds this amount.'' 
Thus, in order to ensure the standard's provisions apply and 
sufficiently address flammability risk, EPA is proposing that each 
refrigerant circuit must contain no more than 150 g of R-1150.
    In addition to the general requirement that each refrigerant 
circuit must contain no more than 150 g of R-1150, the UL Standard has 
a requirement for the maximum charge for remote condensing unit using a 
flammable refrigerant in Annex DD and Table DD.1. Section DD.2.4 of 
Annex DD sets requirements for the minimum associated room area for a 
given charge, based on a maximum refrigerant concentration of 0.38 lb/
1000 ft\3\, 5200 ppm, or 6 g/m\3\ for R-1150.
6. What narrowed use limits is EPA proposing?
    EPA is proposing the following narrowed use limits for use of R-
1150 in VLTR:
    (1) Temperature range--R-1150 may only be used in equipment 
designed specifically to reach temperatures lower than -80 [deg]C (-112 
[deg]F).
    (2) The manufacturers of new very low temperature equipment would 
need to demonstrate that other alternatives are not technically 
feasible. They must document the results of their evaluation that 
showed the other alternatives to be not technically feasible and 
maintain that documentation in their files. This documentation, which 
does not need to be submitted to EPA unless requested to demonstrate 
compliance, ``shall include descriptions of substitutes examined and 
rejected, processes or products in which the substitute is needed, 
reason for rejection of other alternatives, e.g., performance, 
technical or safety standards, and the anticipated date other 
substitutes will be available and projected time for switching to other 
available substitutes.'' (40 CFR 82.180(b)(3)).
7. Why is EPA proposing these specific narrowed use limits?
    The boiling point (b.p.) of a refrigerant determines the coldest 
temperature it can reach within its refrigerating capabilities. R-1150 
has a b.p. of -104 [deg]C, allowing it to refrigerate as cold as -104 
[deg]C. There are a limited number of refrigerants that are capable of 
reaching temperatures below -80 [deg]C, such as the ODSs CFC-13 (b.p., 
-81.4 [deg]C) and R-503 (b.p., -88.9 [deg]C), and among the acceptable 
refrigerants in this end-use, ethane (b.p., -88.3 [deg]C) and the high 
GWP refrigerants HFC-23 (b.p., -84.4 [deg]C), R-508A (b.p., -87.4 
[deg]C) and R-508B (b.p., -87.4 [deg]C).\38\ Given the limited 
refrigerant options available for equipment designed to reach the sub -
80 [deg]C temperature range, EPA understands there is a need for 
listing R-1150. However, EPA proposes that limiting the use of R-1150 
to VLTR equipment designed to reach temperatures lower than -80 [deg]C 
(-112 [deg]F) is necessary to mitigate local

[[Page 45528]]

air quality concerns discussed in section II.F.3 that could occur with 
broad use, given the larger picture of VOC and generation of ground-
level ozone in areas like Los Angeles. If R-1150 were used broadly 
across the refrigeration and AC sector, it could have significant 
impacts on local air quality. For equipment in this end-use designed to 
reach temperatures higher than -80 [deg]C (-112 [deg]F), other 
alternatives with lower reactivities are widely available, e.g., 
CO2, ethane, propane, and R-410A. There are sufficient 
refrigerant options available to fill the need in VLTR equipment 
designed to reach temperatures higher than -80 [deg]C (-112 [deg]F) 
without allowing the use of refrigerants as photochemically reactive as 
R-1150.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ Engineering ToolBox, (2005). Refrigerants--Physical 
Properties. Available online at: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/refrigerants-d_902.html Accessed October 28, 2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. What additional information is EPA including in these proposed 
listings?
    EPA is providing additional information related to these proposed 
listings. Since this additional information is not part of the 
regulatory decision under SNAP, these statements are not binding for 
use of the substitute under the SNAP program. See section II.E.2 above 
for further discussion on what additional information EPA is including 
in these proposed listings. While the items listed are not legally 
binding under the SNAP program, EPA encourages users of substitutes to 
apply all statements in the ``Further Information'' column in their use 
of these substitutes.
9. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    EPA takes comment on this listing, including the proposed use 
conditions and narrowed use limits. In particular, EPA takes comment on 
the specific temperature range to which R-1150 should be limited. For 
example, R-1150 could instead be listed as acceptable for equipment 
designed to attain temperatures of -89 [deg]C (-128.2 [deg]F), lower 
than the boiling point of ethane, since ethane could attain 
temperatures down to -89 [deg]C and would present lower risk of 
potential local air quality impacts because of lower reactivity in the 
lower atmosphere than R-1150. EPA also takes comment on whether R-1150 
should be listed as unacceptable, given the potential local air quality 
impacts.

G. Streaming and Total Flooding Fire Suppression--Proposed Listing of 
2-bromo-3,3,3 trifluoropropene (2-BTP) as Acceptable, Subject to Use 
Conditions, as a Streaming Agent in Non-Residential Applications and as 
a Total Flooding Agent in Normally Unoccupied Spaces Under 500 ft\3\

1. Background on Streaming and Total Flooding Fire Suppression
    The fire suppression and explosion protection end-uses addressed in 
this action are total flooding and streaming. Total flooding systems, 
which historically employed halon 1301 as a fire suppression agent, are 
used in both normally occupied and unoccupied areas. In the United 
States, approximately 90 percent of installed total flooding systems 
protect anticipated hazards from ordinary combustibles (i.e., Class A 
fires), while the remaining ten percent protect against applications 
involving flammable liquids and gases (i.e., Class B fires).\39\ It is 
also estimated that approximately 75 percent of total flooding systems 
protect electronics (e.g., computers, telecommunications, process 
control areas), while the remaining 25 percent protect other 
applications, primarily in civil aviation (e.g., engine nacelles/
auxiliary power units, cargo compartments, lavatory trash receptacles), 
military weapons systems (e.g., combat vehicles, machinery spaces on 
ships, aircraft engines and tanks), oil/gas and manufacturing 
industries (e.g., gas/oil pumping, compressor stations), and maritime 
(e.g., machinery space, cargo pump rooms). Streaming applications, 
which have historically used halon 1211 as an extinguishing agent, 
include portable fire extinguishers designed to protect against 
specific hazards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ Wickham, 2002. Status of Industry Efforts to Replace Halon 
Fire Extinguishing Agents. March 2002.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. What is EPA's proposed listing decisions for 2-BTP?
    EPA is proposing to list 2-BTP as acceptable, subject to use 
conditions, for use in normally unoccupied spaces under 500 ft\3\ in 
total flooding fire suppression systems. In addition, EPA proposes to 
list 2-BTP as acceptable, subject to use conditions, as a streaming 
agent for use in non-residential applications, except for commercial 
home office and personal watercraft. 2-BTP was previously listed as 
acceptable, subject to use conditions, for use in engine nacelles and 
auxiliary power units on aircraft in total flooding fire suppression 
systems and for use in aircraft as a streaming agent (81 FR 86778, 
December 1, 2016).
    The redacted submission and supporting documentation for 2-BTP are 
provided in the docket for this proposed rule (EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0836) at 
https://www.regulations.gov. EPA performed assessments to examine the 
health and environmental risks of this substitute during production 
operations and the filling of fire extinguishers as well as in the case 
of an inadvertent discharge of the system during maintenance activities 
on the fire extinguishing system. These assessments are available in 
the docket for this proposed rule.40 41
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ ICF, 2022q. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Total Flooding 
Systems in Normally Unoccupied Spaces. Substitute: 2-bromo-3,3,3-
trifluoropropene (2-BTP).
    \41\ ICF, 2022r. Risk Screen on Substitutes as Streaming Agents 
in Non-Residential Applications. Substitute: 2-bromo-3,3,3-
trifluoropropene (2-BTP).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. What is 2-BTP and how does it compare to other fire suppressants in 
the same end-uses?
a. Total Flooding
    Environmental information: 2-BTP has an ODP of 0.0028 and a GWP of 
0.23-0.26. The ODPs of other total flooding agents range from 0 to 
0.048 and GWPs of other total flooding alternatives range from 0 to 
3,500. 2-BTP is considered a VOC and is not excluded from EPA's 
regulatory definition of VOC (see 40 CFR 51.100(s)) for the purpose of 
addressing the development of SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS.
    Flammability information: 2-BTP is nonflammable.
    Toxicity and exposure data: EPA assessed potential health risks 
from exposure to the proposed substitute as a total flooding agent in 
normally unoccupied spaces up to 14.2 m\3\ (500 ft\3\) during 
manufacture, installation, and servicing, consistent with the use 
description provided by the submitter. According to the SDS, exposure 
to 2-BTP following a discharge may be hazardous if inhalation, skin 
contact, or eye contact with the proposed substitute occurs at 
sufficiently high levels. However, the most likely pathway of exposure 
is through inhalation, which may cause central nervous system effects, 
such as dizziness, confusion, physical incoordination, drowsiness, 
anesthesia, or unconsciousness. The cardiotoxic Lowest Observed Adverse 
Effect Level (LOAEL) for this agent is 1.0 percent (10,000 ppm), at 
which level exposure may cause increased sensitivity of the heart to 
adrenaline, which might cause irregular heartbeats

[[Page 45529]]

and possibly ventricular fibrillation or death.
    2-BTP vapors may reduce oxygen available for breathing, causing 
asphyxiation in high concentrations. Such vapors pose a potential 
hazard if large volumes are trapped in enclosed or low places. In 
addition, as noted above, if person(s) are exposed to high 
concentrations, the person(s) may experience central nervous system 
effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness, which may result in the 
person(s) not realizing that he/she is suffocating. These health 
effects after exposure are similar for other common fire suppressants.
    To assess potential health risks from exposure to the proposed 
substitute for personnel during manufacturing, EPA developed an AEL of 
2 ppm for 2-BTP based on review of available toxicity studies.\42\ The 
AEL represents the maximum 8-hour TWA at which personnel in an 
occupational environment can be exposed regularly without adverse 
effects. The estimated exposure values provided by the submitter are 
greater than the occupational AEL. To effectively mitigate potential 
occupational exposure and maintain average exposure levels below the 
occupational AEL of 2 ppm, the manufacturing space should be equipped 
with specialized engineering controls and well ventilated with a local 
exhaust system and low-lying source ventilation. The sampling data 
provided by the submitter demonstrate that local exhaust ventilation 
greatly reduces exposure concentration inside the fill booth and in the 
filling area.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ ICF, 2022q. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Total Flooding 
Systems in Normally Unoccupied Spaces. Substitute: 2-bromo-3,3,3-
trifluoropropene (2-BTP).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Exposure to the proposed substitute is not likely during 
installation or servicing of 2-BTP total flooding systems for normally 
unoccupied spaces. The risk of accidental activation of the fire 
extinguishing system while personnel are present near the protected 
space is highly unlikely if proper procedures are followed. Proper 
instructions on system installation and servicing included in manuals 
for the 2-BTP systems should be adhered to. In the case of accidental 
release, required engineering controls in accordance with the National 
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire 
Extinguishing Systems to limit personnel exposure to discharges should 
be employed with 2-BTP systems.
    EPA provides additional information on safe use of this substitute 
for establishments manufacturing, installing and maintaining equipment 
using this agent in the ``Further Information'' column of the 
regulatory listing. EPA recommends that a time delay of 30 to 60 
seconds is programmed in accordance with the NFPA 2001 standard. 
Although exposure is highly unlikely during installation and 
maintenance activities, exposure is possible upon reentry into a space 
after a system has been discharged. In the event of an accidental 
release, the space should be adequately ventilated. EPA recommends that 
personnel wear protective clothing, goggles, gloves, and particulate-
removing respirators with National Institute for Occupational Safety 
and Health (NIOSH) type N95 or better filters while performing 
installation or maintenance, and a self-contained breathing apparatus 
(SCBA) while performing clean-up activities to reduce the risk of 
exposure. Since this additional information is not part of the 
regulatory decision under SNAP, these statements are not binding for 
use of the substitute under the SNAP program. While the items listed 
are not legally binding under the SNAP program, EPA encourages users of 
substitutes to apply all statements in the ``Further Information'' 
column in their use of this substitute.
    2-BTP is not expected to cause a significant risk to human health 
in the general population when used in total flooding systems in 
normally unoccupied areas. The proposed use in spaces under 500 ft\3\ 
would require a smaller amount of fire suppressant, reducing potential 
exposures to workers and the general public and reducing potential 
toxicity risks. Disposal of 2-BTP total flooding systems is subject to 
local, state, and federal regulations, which ensure that 2-BTP and 
water contaminated with 2-BTP are not to be dumped into sewers, on the 
ground, or into any body of water, but rather taken to a wastewater 
treatment facility or disposed of properly. 2-BTP is not considered to 
be hazardous waste under EPA regulations implementing RCRA at 40 CFR 
part 261. EPA provides additional information on safe use of this 
substitute for establishments manufacturing, installing and maintaining 
equipment using this agent in the ``Further Information'' column of the 
proposed regulatory listing. Since this additional information is not 
part of the regulatory decision under SNAP, these statements are not 
binding for use of the substitute under the SNAP program. While the 
items listed are not legally binding under the SNAP program, EPA 
encourages users of substitutes to apply all statements in the 
``Further Information'' column in their use of this substitute.
    Comparison to other fire suppressants: 2-BTP has an ODP of 0.0028, 
comparable to or lower than other listed substitutes in this end-use, 
with ODPs ranging from zero to 0.048. 2-BTP has a GWP of 0.23-0.26 that 
is lower than or comparable to that of other acceptable substitutes for 
total flooding agents, with GWPs that range from about zero to 3,500. 
2-BTP is considered a VOC and is not excluded from EPA's regulatory 
definition of VOC (see 40 CFR 51.100(s)) addressing the development of 
SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS. Other acceptable fire 
suppression agents currently in use in this end-use are also VOC (e.g., 
C6-perfluoroketone), and 2-BTP is anticipated to pose no 
greater risk than other alternatives listed as acceptable in this end-
use. Emissions of 2-BTP should be controlled by adhering to standard 
industry practices. Toxicity risks can be minimized by use consistent 
with the NFPA 2001 standard, recommendations in the SDS, and other 
safety precautions common in the fire suppression industry. The 
potential toxicity risks due to inhalation exposure are common to many 
total flooding agents, including those already listed as acceptable 
under SNAP for this same end-use. 2-BTP post-activation products are 
nonflammable, as are all other available total flooding agents.
    EPA is proposing to find 2-BTP acceptable, subject to use 
conditions, as a total flooding agent for use in normally unoccupied 
spaces under 500 ft\3\ because the overall environmental and human 
health risk posed by the substitute is lower than or comparable to the 
overall risk posed by other alternatives listed as acceptable in the 
same end-use.
b. Streaming Uses
    Environmental information: The environmental information for this 
substitute is set forth in the ``Environmental information'' section in 
listing II.G.3.a above.
    Flammability information: 2-BTP is nonflammable.
    Toxicity and exposure data: Toxicity and personal protective 
equipment (PPE) information is described above under total flooding 
applications. EPA evaluated occupational and general population 
exposure at manufacture and at end-use to ensure that the use of 2-BTP 
as a streaming agent will not pose unacceptable risks to workers or the 
general public. For the occupational exposure assessment, EPA has 
evaluated

[[Page 45530]]

the risks associated with potential exposures to 2-BTP during 
production operations and the filling of fire extinguishers as well as 
in the case of an inadvertent discharge of the fire extinguisher during 
maintenance activities.
    2-BTP is not expected to pose a risk to workers during manufacture 
when the engineering controls and PPE requirements as referenced in the 
SDS for this proposed substitute are followed. The potential health 
risks from exposure to the proposed substitute for personnel during 
manufacturing is described above under total flooding applications.
    EPA also assessed potential end-use exposure scenario at 7.5-minute 
and 15-minute TWA exposures for 2-BTP following potential release of 
agent from the handheld extinguisher in confined spaces (e.g., 
electronics and server rooms).\43\ These exposures were then compared 
with the cardiotoxic LOAEL for 2-BTP. All but one modeled 7.5-minute 
and 15-minute exposures for varying ventilation rates were lower than 
the LOAEL of 10,000 ppm for 2-BTP. The estimated exposures were derived 
using conservative assumptions (i.e., no mechanical ventilation) and 
represent a worst-case scenario with a low probability of occurrence. 
Because anticipated exposures could exceed the exposure limit for 2-
BTP, EPA recommends that standard safety techniques to ensure safety 
during the use of 2-BTP fire extinguishers be followed in non-
residential locations. 2-BTP handheld extinguishers must follow 
required minimum room volumes established by UL 2129, Halocarbon Clean 
Agent Fire Extinguishers,\44\ when discharged into a confined space. 
This standard prohibits the exceedance of the cardiotoxic LOAEL for any 
fire suppressant (i.e., 10,000 ppm or 1.0% for 2-BTP). Therefore, per 
UL 2129, a warning label for 2-BTP extinguishers will mitigate use in 
confined spaces. Based on the above results, 2-BTP is not expected to 
pose significant risk to end users when used as a streaming fire 
extinguishing agent in non-residential applications, except for 
commercial home office and personal watercraft. EPA provides additional 
information on safe use of this substitute for establishments 
manufacturing, installing and maintaining equipment using this agent in 
the ``Further Information'' column of the regulatory listing. Since 
this additional information is not part of the regulatory decision 
under SNAP, these statements are not binding for use of the substitute 
under the SNAP program. While the items listed are not legally binding 
under the SNAP program, EPA encourages users of substitutes to apply 
all statements in the ``Further Information'' column in their use of 
this substitute.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ ICF, 2022r. Risk Screen on Substitutes as Streaming Agents 
in Non-Residential Applications. Substitute: 2-bromo-3,3,3-
trifluoropropene (2-BTP).
    \44\ UL, 2017. Standard 2129--Halocarbon Clean Agent Fire 
Extinguishers. Edition 3. This document is accessible at: https://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?UniqueKey=32182.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Comparison to other fire suppressants: 2-BTP has an ODP of 0.0028, 
comparable to other listed substitutes in this end-use, with ODPs 
ranging from zero to 0.022. 2-BTP has a GWP of 0.23-0.26, which for 
streaming agents is lower than or comparable to that of other 
acceptable substitutes, with GWPs that range from about zero to 3,220. 
2-BTP is considered a VOC and is not excluded from EPA's regulatory 
definition of VOC (see 40 CFR 51.100(s)) addressing the development of 
SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS. Other acceptable fire 
suppression agents currently in use in this end-use are also VOC (e.g., 
C6-perfluoroketone), and 2-BTP is anticipated to pose no 
greater risk than other alternatives listed as acceptable in this end-
use. Toxicity risks can be minimized by use consistent with the NFPA 10 
Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, recommendations in the SDS, 
and other safety precautions common in the fire suppression industry.
    EPA is proposing to find 2-BTP as acceptable, subject to use 
conditions, as a streaming agent for use in non-residential 
applications, except for commercial home office and personal 
watercraft, because the overall environmental and human health risk 
posed by the substitute is lower than or comparable to the overall risk 
posed by other alternatives listed as acceptable in the same end-use.
4. What use conditions is EPA proposing?
    EPA is proposing to list 2-BTP as acceptable, subject to use 
conditions, for use in normally unoccupied spaces under 500 ft\3\ in 
total flooding fire suppression systems, and as acceptable, subject to 
use conditions, as a streaming agent for use in non-residential 
applications, except for commercial home offices and personal 
watercrafts.
5. Why is EPA proposing these specific use conditions?
    EPA is proposing to list 2-BTP as acceptable, subject to use 
conditions, for use in normally unoccupied spaces under 500 ft\3\ in 
total flooding fire suppression systems. These limitations are 
consistent with additional information submitted to EPA. The 
limitations correspond to use in small enclosed spaces, such as an 
electrical closet. Such spaces would require a smaller amount of fire 
suppressant, reducing potential exposures to workers and the general 
public and reducing potential toxicity risks.
    Additionally, EPA is proposing to list 2-BTP as acceptable subject 
to use conditions as a streaming agent for use in non-residential 
applications, except for commercial home office and personal 
watercrafts. The definition of ``residential use'' in the SNAP 
regulations at 40 CFR 82.172 is use by a private individual of a 
chemical substance or any product containing the chemical substance in 
or around a permanent or temporary household, during recreation, or for 
any personal use or enjoyment. Use within a household for commercial or 
medical applications is not included in this definition, nor is use in 
automobiles, watercraft, or aircraft. Use in a commercial home office 
or in personal watercraft could result in exposure to members of the 
general public, including sensitive individuals such as children or the 
elderly. In addition, air exchange is often lower in a home office or a 
personal watercraft than in industrial or other commercial 
applications, potentially resulting in higher exposure levels than in 
those other non-residential applications. Because of the more sensitive 
populations and potentially higher exposures associated with those 
applications, EPA is proposing to list 2-BTP for use in non-residential 
applications other than commercial home office and personal watercraft.
6. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    EPA is requesting comment on all aspects of the proposed listing 
decision, including the proposed use conditions.

H. Total Flooding Fire Suppression--Proposed Listing of EXXFIRE[supreg] 
as Acceptable, Subject to Use Conditions, for Use in Normally 
Unoccupied Spaces

1. What is EPA's proposed listing decision for EXXFIRE[supreg]?
    EPA is proposing to list EXXFIRE[supreg] as acceptable, subject to 
use conditions, for use in total flooding fire suppression systems in 
normally unoccupied spaces. Prior to activation, the EXXFIRE[supreg] 
formulation is in solid form and contained within a hermetically sealed 
steel container. Upon detection of a fire, nitrogen gas is released 
from the unit.

[[Page 45531]]

The nitrogen gas dilutes the oxygen level within the enclosure, and 
consequently suppresses the fire. After activation, only gas components 
exit the casing. All solid products remain inside the casing before, 
during and after activation. Use of this agent should be in accordance 
with the safety guidelines in the latest edition of the NFPA 2001 
standard.
    The redacted submission and supporting documentation for 
EXXFIRE[supreg] are provided in the docket for this proposed rule (EPA-
HQ-OAR-2021-0836) at https://www.regulations.gov. EPA performed an 
assessment to examine the health and environmental risks of each of 
this substitute. This assessment is available in the docket for this 
proposed rule.\45\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ ICF, 2022s. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Total Flooding 
Systems in Normally Unoccupied Spaces; Substitute: EXXFIRE[supreg].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. What is EXXFIRE[supreg] and how does it compare to other fire 
suppressants in the same end-use?
    Environmental information: According to the submitter, the active 
ingredients for this technology are nonvolatile solids before 
activation so the ODP, atmospheric lifetime, and GWP are all zero. The 
gaseous post-activation products that are released upon activation of 
the fire suppressant with GWPs are carbon monoxide (CO), 
CO2, and various hydrocarbons with GWPs ranging from less 
than one to 25; however, these compounds are present in trace amounts, 
together making up less than 0.5 percent of the total weight of the 
post-activation products. The majority of the post-activation 
constituents of EXXFIRE[supreg] are either not organic (e.g., nitrogen, 
oxygen, water, hydrogen) or are excluded from EPA's regulatory 
definition of VOC (see 40 CFR 51.100(s)), addressing the development of 
SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS. Some constituents of 
EXXFIRE[supreg] are considered VOC and are not excluded from EPA's 
regulatory definition of VOC (see 40 CFR 51.100(s)), including a 
variety of hydrocarbons; however, these compounds are present in trace 
amounts.
    Flammability information: EXXFIRE[supreg] post-activation products 
are nonflammable, except for certain hydrocarbons that are present in 
trace amounts.
    Toxicity and exposure data: EPA assessed potential health risks 
from exposure . . . . Most post-activation products for EXXFIRE[supreg] 
are not expected to result in adverse health effects; however, due to 
the potential presence of lithium fluoride, which is acutely toxic upon 
inhalation or ingestion and can cause serious skin, eye, and 
respiratory tract irritation, the use of this system is only 
recommended for use in normally unoccupied spaces. Although expected to 
be maintained inside the generator, the potential presence of lithium 
fluoride in the post-activation particulate products justifies the 
necessity for personnel to wear proper PPE (i.e., particulate-removing 
respirator with NIOSH type N95 or better filters) upon reentry into the 
space following a discharge of the system to mitigate those risks. The 
submitter indicates that the proposed substitute can reduce oxygen 
levels to 10 to 12 percent, which can cause a potential asphyxiation 
hazard.
    EPA evaluated occupational and general population exposure at 
manufacture and at end use to ensure that the use of EXXFIRE[supreg] 
will not pose unacceptable risks to workers or the general public. 
Exposure is possible upon reentry into a space after a system has been 
discharged. Protective gloves, tightly sealed goggles, protective work 
clothing, and particulate-removing respirators should be worn for 
installation and servicing activities, to protect workers in any event 
of potential discharge of the proposed substitute, accidental or 
otherwise. Filling or servicing operations should be performed in well-
ventilated areas. Toxicity risks can be minimized by use consistent 
with the NFPA 2001 standard, recommendations in the SDS, and other 
safety precautions common in the fire suppression industry. EPA 
provides additional information on safe use of this substitute for 
establishments manufacturing, installing and maintaining equipment 
using this agent in the ``Further Information'' column of the 
regulatory listing. Since this additional information is not part of 
the regulatory decision under SNAP, these statements are not binding 
for use of the substitute under the SNAP program. While the items 
listed are not legally binding under the SNAP program, EPA encourages 
users of substitutes to apply all statements in the ``Further 
Information'' column in their use of this substitute.
    Comparison to other fire suppressants: EXXFIRE[supreg] has an ODP 
of zero, comparable to other listed substitutes in this end-use, with 
ODPs ranging from zero to 0.048. For total flooding agents, 
EXXFIRE[supreg] has a GWP of zero prior to activation (and one to 25 
for certain post-activation products present in trace amounts), which 
is comparable to or lower than that of other acceptable substitutes, 
such as HFC-227ea and other HFCs, with GWPs up to 3,500. The majority, 
approximately 99.5 percent, of the post-activation constituents of 
EXXFIRE[supreg] are either not organic or are excluded from EPA's 
regulatory definition of VOC (see 40 CFR 51.100(s)), addressing the 
development of SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS. EXXFIRE[supreg] 
is anticipated to pose no greater risk than other alternatives listed 
as acceptable in this end-use. Toxicity risks can be minimized by use 
consistent with the NFPA 2001 standard, recommendations in the SDS, and 
other safety precautions common in the fire suppression industry. The 
potential toxicity risks due to inhalation exposure are common to many 
total flooding agents, including those already listed as acceptable 
under SNAP for this same end-use. EXXFIRE[supreg]'s post-activation 
products are nonflammable, as are all other available total flooding 
agents.
    EPA is proposing to list EXXFIRE[supreg] as acceptable, subject to 
use conditions, in the end-use listed above because it does not pose 
greater overall environmental and human health risk than other 
available substitutes in the same end-use.
3. What use conditions is EPA proposing and why?
    Consistent with the request by the submitter, the use condition 
requires that EXXFIRE[supreg] be used in total flooding fire 
suppression systems only in areas that are not normally occupied. EPA 
conducted this evaluation for use only in unoccupied spaces, and 
information was provided by the submitter in the SNAP application 
specific for this type of space based on EPA guidance.\46\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ EPA, 2004. A Guide to Completing a Risk Screen: Collection 
and Use of Risk Screen Data. Fire Suppression Sector. April 2004.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    EPA is requesting comment on all aspects of the proposed listing 
decision, including the proposed use conditions.

I. Total Flooding Fire Suppression--Proposed Listing of Powdered 
Aerosol H (Pyroquench-[alpha]TM) as Acceptable, Subject to 
Use Conditions, for Use in Normally Unoccupied Spaces

1. What is EPA's proposed listing decision for Powdered Aerosol H?
    EPA is proposing to list Powdered Aerosol H, also known as 
Pyroquench-[alpha]TM, as acceptable, subject to use 
conditions, for use in total flooding fire suppression systems in 
normally unoccupied spaces. Prior to activation, the Powdered Aerosol H 
formulation is

[[Page 45532]]

contained as a solid disk of chemicals in insulated and dual-sealed 
casings. In response to heat and lack of oxygen, the formulation 
undergoes a chemical reaction; once the Powdered Aerosol H system is 
activated, it generates and discharges a homogenous mixture of gas and 
particulates into a space containing a fire hazard or directly on the 
hazard itself, extinguishing the fire. In the ``Further Information'' 
column of the tables at the end of this document, we state that use of 
this agent should be in accordance with the safety guidelines in the 
latest edition of the NFPA 2010 Standard for Fixed Aerosol Fire 
Extinguishing Systems.
    The redacted submission and supporting documentation for Powdered 
Aerosol H are provided in the docket for this proposed rule (EPA-HQ-
OAR-2021-0836) at https://www.regulations.gov. EPA performed an 
assessment to examine the health and environmental risks of each of 
this substitute. This assessment is available in the docket for this 
proposed rule.\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ ICF, 2022t. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Total Flooding 
Systems in Normally Unoccupied Spaces; Substitute: Pyroquench-
[alpha]TM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. What is Powdered Aerosol H and how does it compare to other fire 
suppressants in the same end-use?
    Environmental information: According to the submitter, the active 
ingredients for this technology are nonvolatile solids before 
activation so the ODP, atmospheric lifetime, and GWP are all zero. The 
gaseous post-activation products that are released upon activation of 
the fire suppressant with GWPs are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 
and CO2, with GWPs of 120 and one, respectively. The post-
activation constituents of Powdered Aerosol H are excluded from EPA's 
regulatory definition of VOC (see 40 CFR 51.100(s)), addressing the 
development of SIPs to attain and maintain the NAAQS.
    Flammability information: Powdered Aerosol H post-activation 
products are nonflammable.
    Toxicity and exposure data: EPA assessed potential health risks 
from exposure to the proposed substitute as a total flooding agent in 
normally unoccupied spaces. Because the pre-activation components of 
the fire suppressant are prepared in tablets that are non-reactive and 
do not crumble or flake, there is no concern with regard to inhalation 
or ingestion of the pre-activation compounds. The discharge of the 
powdered aerosol after activation results in temporary reduced 
visibility in the protected space due to the uniform distribution of 
the particulate generated and may cause ocular, dermal, and respiratory 
irritation. EPA recommends that workers should not enter the space 
following discharge until all particles have settled and the gases 
released by the total flooding system have dissipated. Use according to 
the NFPA 2010 Standard will reduce any safety risks due to reduced 
visibility. The use of proper PPE, such as protective clothing, gloves, 
goggles, and particulate-removing respirators, during manufacturing, at 
installation, maintenance, and clean-up, minimizes personnel exposure 
from inhalation of the substitute. EPA provides additional information 
on safe use of this substitute for establishments manufacturing, 
installing and maintaining equipment using this agent in the ``Further 
Information'' column of the regulatory listing. Since this additional 
information is not part of the regulatory decision under SNAP, these 
statements are not binding for use of the substitute under the SNAP 
program. While the items listed are not legally binding under the SNAP 
program, EPA encourages users of substitutes to apply all statements in 
the ``Further Information'' column in their use of this substitute.
    EPA expects that procedures identified in the SDS for Powdered 
Aerosol H and good manufacturing practices will be adhered to, and that 
the appropriate safety and personal PPE consistent with OSHA guidelines 
will be used during installation, servicing, post-discharge clean-up 
and disposal of total flooding systems using Powdered Aerosol H. The 
manufacturer guidance upon installation of the system provides the 
appropriate time after which workers may re-enter the area for disposal 
to allow the maximum settling of all particulates.
    Comparison to other fire suppressants: The post-activation products 
of Powdered Aerosol H have an ODP of zero, comparable to or lower than 
other listed substitutes in this end-use, with ODPs ranging from zero 
to 0.048. For total flooding agents, Powdered Aerosol H's GWP of zero 
prior to activation (and one to 120 for certain post-activation 
products) is comparable to or lower than that of other acceptable 
substitutes, such as HFC-227ea and other HFCs, with GWPs up to 3,500. 
Other acceptable substitutes in this end-use have comparable GWPs 
ranging from zero to one, such as water, inert gases, and other 
powdered aerosol fire suppressants. Toxicity risks can be minimized by 
use consistent with the NFPA 2010 standard, recommendations in the SDS, 
and other safety precautions common in the fire suppression industry. 
The potential toxicity risks due to inhalation exposure are common to 
many total flooding agents, including those already listed as 
acceptable under SNAP for this same end-use. Powdered Aerosol H's post-
activation products are nonflammable, as are all other available total 
flooding agents.
    EPA is proposing to list Powdered Aerosol H as acceptable, subject 
to use conditions, in the end-use listed above because it does not pose 
greater overall environmental and human health risk than other 
available substitutes in the same end-use.
3. What use conditions is EPA proposing and why?
    Consistent with the submitter's request, EPA proposes the use 
condition that Powdered Aerosol H be used in total flooding fire 
suppression systems only in areas that are not normally occupied. EPA 
conducted this evaluation for use only in unoccupied spaces, and 
information was provided by the submitter in the SNAP application 
specific for this type of space based on EPA guidance.\48\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ EPA, 2004. A Guide to Completing a Risk Screen: Collection 
and Use of Risk Screen Data. Fire Suppression Sector. April, 2004.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. On which topics is EPA specifically requesting comment?
    EPA is requesting comment on all aspects of the proposed listing 
decision, including the proposed use conditions.

III. Request for Advance Comment on Potential Approaches to SNAP 
Listing Decisions for Certain Very Short-Lived Substances

    In making decisions regarding whether a substitute is acceptable or 
unacceptable, and whether substitutes present risks that are lower than 
or comparable to risks from other substitutes that are currently or 
potentially available in the end-uses under consideration, EPA examines 
the criteria in 40 CFR 82.180(a)(7) which includes (i) atmospheric 
effects and related health and environmental impacts; (ii) general 
population risks from ambient exposure to compounds with direct 
toxicity and to increased ground-level ozone; (iii) ecosystem risks; 
(iv) occupational risks; (v) consumer risks; (vi) flammability; and 
(vii) cost and availability of the substitute. The ability of a 
chemical to destroy ozone is represented quantitatively by its ODP, 
which is the ratio of the amount of ozone that would be destroyed by 
the emission of a given mass of that chemical to the amount of

[[Page 45533]]

ozone destroyed by emission of the same mass of CFC-11. In order for a 
chemical to deplete stratospheric ozone, it must be transported from 
the troposphere, where almost all emissions occur, to the stratosphere, 
where release of its halogen atoms can trigger catalytic ozone 
destruction.
    Most class I and class II ODS are fairly stable in the troposphere 
and persist long enough to become well-mixed in the troposphere and 
then be transported into the stratosphere. Because of their longer 
tropospheric lifetimes and tropospheric mixing, the ability of these 
chemicals to deplete stratospheric ozone depends little on where on the 
surface of the Earth or during which season the chemicals are released, 
and so the ability of a particular chemical to destroy ozone can 
reasonably be represented by a single ODP value that is constant over 
space and time. However, some alternatives that contain chlorine, 
bromine, and/or iodine are more reactive and have shorter atmospheric 
lifetimes. Halogenated substances with atmospheric lifetimes shorter 
than about six months are called very short-lived substances (VSLS). 
Given the shorter atmospheric lifetimes of VSLS, the location of 
emissions can significantly impact the amount of ozone depletion that 
results. Emissions at locations where atmospheric conditions quickly 
move VSLS to the stratosphere will result in more ozone depletion. 
Conversely, emissions from locations where atmospheric conditions 
result in VSLS moving more slowly to the stratosphere result in less 
ozone depletion. If there are different ODPs calculated for different 
regions, the reported consensus value in WMO (2018) is the upper limit 
of those values. While not the only source of information used by the 
Agency, EPA regards the quadrennial report of the Montreal Protocol's 
Scientific Assessment Panel as the premier source for information 
concerning stratospheric ozone science. Appendix A of the Scientific 
Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2018 (WMO, 2018) contains a compilation 
of metrics, including ODPs, for ODS, ODS alternatives, and related 
species, based on best available data. The international scientific 
community considers these ODPs to be consensus ODPs.
    Given the United States is a party to the Montreal Protocol with 
196 other countries, we recognize the importance of a globally 
consistent approach to considering ODPs. A globally consistent approach 
to assessing risk of alternatives is also important because SNAP 
listing decisions are often used by other countries as a signal that 
the alternative is safe. Thus, considerations under the SNAP program 
about the ozone depletion risk of a particular chemical have been based 
on an ODP that is the consensus of the scientific community.
    Under the SNAP program EPA has found alternatives with ODPs to be 
unacceptable. However, having a non-zero ODP does not necessarily make 
a substance unacceptable in all contexts. We have previously listed 
alternatives with an ODP, including listing class II substances as 
alternatives to class I substances--noting that many of those class II 
substances have subsequently been listed as unacceptable and were also 
listed as chemicals to be phased out under the Montreal Protocol and 
the Clean Air Act. We have also listed alternatives with an ODP as 
acceptable, subject to use restrictions. In a few cases, particularly 
where the ODP is several orders of magnitude below that of the class II 
substances, we have listed the alternative as acceptable without any 
use restrictions. In other words, a substitute with a measurable ODP 
could be determined to reduce overall risks to human health and the 
environment, compared with other currently or potentially available 
alternatives. For example, the SNAP program listed a number of class II 
ODS as acceptable as substitutes to class I ODS and changed the status 
to unacceptable when alternatives with lower ODPs became available.
    The SNAP program has made some acceptability determinations 
regarding VSLS in the past. Two examples are given below:
     In 1995, EPA listed the VSLS trifluoroiodomethane 
(CF3I) as acceptable with use restrictions for specialized 
total flooding fire suppression applications, noting that its ODP was 
then estimated to be 0.008-0.01, lower than some class II ODS listed as 
acceptable fire suppressants in the same end-use at that time.\49\ 
Given the limited applications where this chemical was found to be 
acceptable, it has not been widely used. More recent studies have found 
CF3I emissions in different regions have an ODP ranging from 
0.0034 (Europe) to 0.094 (S. Asia).50 51 These studies were 
considered by WMO in their 2018 report, which lists an ODP of <0.09 for 
CF3I.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ 60 FR 31092, June 13, 1995.
    \50\ Brioude et al. (2010). Variations in ozone depletion 
potentials of very short-lived substances with season and emission 
region, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L19804, doi:10.1029/2010GL044856, 
2010.
    \51\ Youn et al. (2010). Potential impact of iodinated 
replacement compounds CF3I and CH3I on 
atmospheric ozone: A three-dimensional modeling study, Atmos. Chem. 
Phys., 10, 10,129-10,144,doi:10.5194/acp-10-10129-2010, 2010.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     In 2012, SNAP listed HCFO-1233zd(E), a VSLS with a WMO-
listed ODP of <0.0004 (WMO, 2018), as acceptable for use as a blowing 
agent in polyurethane foams (77 FR 47768; August 10, 2012). This VSLS 
has an ODP orders of magnitude below the class II substances it can 
replace and has become more widely used in part because of its very low 
ODP and GWP.
    EPA's SNAP program has received a submission to find the blend R-
466A acceptable in certain end uses in the refrigeration and AC sector. 
This blend contains CF3I, which is listed by the World 
Meteorological Organization (WMO, 2018) as having an ODP of < 0.09. 
This is significantly higher than the ODPs of some HCFCs subject to 
phaseout, e.g., HCFC-22 has an ODP of 0.055 and HCFC-123 has an ODP of 
0.02.\52\ While EPA has at times listed substitutes that have non-zero 
ODPs, including VSLS, as acceptable under the SNAP program, EPA has 
also at times listed substitutes with ODPs as unacceptable. While EPA 
is not proposing any action on the substitute R-466A in this proposal, 
we note that broad use of R-466A, containing CF3I, for air 
conditioning end-uses could lead to large amounts of emissions on an 
ODP-weighted basis. If R-466A were to penetrate the AC market to the 
extent that it substituted for 10 percent of the R-410A estimated to be 
used annually in the United States in 2022, this would mean consumption 
of over 200 ODP-weighted tons using the consensus ODP values of 0.09 
for CF3I and 0.036 for R-466A. For comparison, the U.S. cap 
on HCFC consumption is currently 75 ODP-weighted tons annually. While 
HCFO-1233zd(E) is also a VSLS with potential for widespread use, the 
WMO-listed ODP of <0.0004 for HCFO-1233zd(E) is two orders of magnitude 
less than that of CF3I and EPA's Vintaging Model estimates 
annual U.S. consumption at less than 5 ODP-weighted tons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ N.B. There are limitations on the use of HCFC-123 as 
detailed in section II.A.3 above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Agency is seeking advance comment on how EPA should address 
VSLS within the SNAP program to inform potential future listing 
decisions. EPA is specifically requesting comment on the following 
questions:
     Should EPA consider finding a VSLS with a WMO-listed ODP 
that is similar to the ODP of substances that have been phased out 
under the CAA Title VI to be unacceptable under SNAP?

[[Page 45534]]

     Should EPA take a more conservative approach when 
determining whether VSLS with ODPs similar to class II substances are 
acceptable alternatives under SNAP given these substances are not 
listed as class II substances under the CAA and therefore are not 
scheduled to be phased out?
     How should the Agency consider submissions of VSLS with 
ODPs similar to class II ODS, or blends containing such VSLS, as 
alternatives in light of the reality that SNAP listings are used by 
other countries to determine whether an alternative may be acceptable?

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action is not a significant regulatory action and was 
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This action does not impose any new information collection burden 
under the PRA. OMB has previously approved the information collection 
activities contained in the existing regulations and has assigned OMB 
control number 2060-0226. The approved Information Collection Request 
includes five types of respondent reporting and recordkeeping 
activities pursuant to SNAP regulations: submission of a SNAP petition, 
filing a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)/SNAP Addendum, 
notification for test marketing activity, recordkeeping for substitutes 
acceptable subject to use restrictions, and recordkeeping for small 
volume uses. This action does not impose an information collection 
burden under the PRA.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    I certify that this action will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. In 
making this determination, EPA concludes that the impact of concern for 
this rule is any significant adverse economic impact on small entities 
and that the agency is certifying that this rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
because the rule has no net burden on the small entities subject to the 
rule. This action proposes to add the additional options under SNAP of 
using HFC-32, HFO-1234yf, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, R-454C, R-1150, 2-
BTP, EXXFIRE[supreg], and Powdered Aerosol H in the specified end-uses, 
but does not mandate such use. Users who choose to avail themselves of 
this flexibility for R-1150 must make a reasonable effort to ascertain 
that other substitutes or alternatives are not technically feasible and 
must document and keep records of the results of such investigations. 
Because equipment for HFC-32, HFO-1234yf, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, R-
454C is not manufactured yet in the U.S. for the chillers, residential 
dehumidifiers, and non-residential dehumidifiers end-uses, no change in 
business practice is required to meet the use conditions, resulting in 
no adverse impact compared with the absence of this rule. Similarly, R-
1150, 2-BTP, EXXFIRE[supreg], and Powdered Aerosol H are proposed to be 
listed as acceptable with use conditions consistent with industry 
standards and with the intended uses described by the submitters, also 
requiring no change in business practices and resulting in no adverse 
impact compared with the absence of this rule. The new use conditions 
for HFC-32 in self-contained room ACs and HPs were requested by 
industry and are consistent with the most recent, updated standard; 
these would allow for greater consistency in business practices for 
different types of equipment using the same refrigerant. Equipment for 
HFC-32 already manufactured prior to the effective date of a final rule 
would not be required to be changed. Self-contained room ACs and HPs 
using HFC-32 have been subject to similar use conditions, and thus the 
updated requirements would result in no adverse impact compared with 
the absence of this rule. Thus, if the rule were finalized as proposed, 
it would not impose new costs on small entities. We have therefore 
concluded that this action will have no net regulatory burden for all 
directly regulated small entities.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in 
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. The action imposes no enforceable duty on any state, 
local or tribal governments or the private sector.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have 
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between 
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have tribal implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13175. It will not have substantial direct effects on 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal government 
and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal government and Indian tribes, as specified in 
Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to 
this action. EPA periodically updates tribal officials on air 
regulations through the monthly meetings of the National Tribal Air 
Association and will share information on this rulemaking through this 
and other fora.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because the 
rule is not economically significant as defined in Executive Order 
12866, and because EPA does not believe the environmental health or 
safety risks addressed by this action present a disproportionate risk 
to children. While EPA has not conducted a separate analysis of risks 
to infants and children associated with this rule, the rule does 
contain use conditions that would reduce exposure risks to the general 
population, with the reduction of exposure being most important to the 
most sensitive individuals. This action's health and risk assessments 
are contained in the comparisons of toxicity for the various 
substitutes, as well as in the risk screens for the substitutes that 
are listed in this proposed rule. The risk screens are in the docket 
for this rulemaking.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is 
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act and 1 CFR Part 51

    This action involves technical standards. EPA uses and incorporates 
by reference portions of the 2019 UL Standard 60335-2-40, which 
establishes requirements for the evaluation of residential AC equipment 
and safe use of flammable refrigerants, among other things. 
Additionally, EPA uses and incorporates by reference portions of the 
2021 UL Standard 61010-2-011, which establishes requirements for the 
evaluation of

[[Page 45535]]

laboratory equipment. These standards are discussed in greater detail 
in sections II.D.1 and II.E.4 of this preamble.
    The 2019 UL Standard 60335-2-40 and 2021 UL Standard 61010-2-011 
are available at http://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?UniqueKey=36463 and may be purchased by mail at: 
COMM 2000, 151 Eastern Avenue, Bensenville, IL 60106; email: 
[email protected]; Telephone: 1-888-853-3503 in the U.S. or 
Canada (other countries dial 1-415-352-2178); internet address: http://ulstandards.ul.com/ or www.comm-2000.com. The cost of each of the 2019 
UL Standard 60335-2-40 and 2021 UL Standard 61010-2-011 is $440 for an 
electronic copy and $550 for hard copy. UL also offers a subscription 
service to the Standards Certification Customer Library that allows 
unlimited access to their standards and related documents. The cost of 
obtaining this standard is not a significant financial burden for 
equipment manufacturers and purchase is not necessary for those 
selling, installing, and servicing the equipment. Therefore, EPA 
concludes that the UL standard incorporated by reference is reasonably 
available.
    EPA is also incorporating by reference ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15-
2019, Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems, in the use conditions 
for six refrigerants listed for use in chillers. This standard is 
available at https://www.ashrae.org/resources-publications/bookstore/standards-15-34 and may be purchased by mail at: 6300 Interfirst Drive, 
Ann Arbor, MI 48108; by telephone: 1-800-527-4723 in the U.S. or 
Canada; internet address: http://www.techstreet.com/ashrae/ashrae_standards.html?ashrae_auth_token=. The cost of ASHRAE Standard 
15-2019 is $159.00 for an electronic copy or hard copy. The cost of 
obtaining this standard is not a significant financial burden for 
equipment manufacturers or for those selling, installing and servicing 
the equipment. Therefore, EPA concludes that the ASHRAE standard 
proposed to be incorporated by reference is reasonably available.
    EPA has already incorporated the following standards into appendix 
R: UL 471 (November 24, 2010); UL 484 (December 21, 2007, with changes 
through August 3, 2012).; UL 541 (December 30, 2011); and UL 60335-2-24 
(April 28, 2017).

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    A regulatory action may involve potential environmental justice 
concerns if it could: (1) Create new disproportionate impacts on people 
of color, communities of low-income, and/or indigenous peoples; (2) 
exacerbate existing disproportionate impacts on people of color, 
communities of low-income, and/or indigenous peoples; or (3) present 
opportunities to address existing disproportionate impacts on people of 
color, communities of low-income, and/or indigenous peoples through the 
action under development.
    EPA believes that this action does not create disproportionately 
high and adverse human health or environmental effects on people of 
color, communities of low-income and/or indigenous peoples, as 
specified in Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) and 
may help reduce any existing disproportionate impacts. The proposed 
listings for HFC-32, HFO-1234yf, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, R-454C, R-
1150, 2-BTP, EXXFIRE[supreg], and Powdered Aerosol H in the end-uses 
addressed in this action would provide additional lower-GWP and ODP or 
comparable alternatives in their respective end-uses. By providing 
lower-GWP and ODP or comparable alternatives for these end-uses, this 
proposed rule is also anticipated to reduce the use and eventual 
emissions of potent GHGs in this end-use, which could help to reduce 
the effects of climate change, including the public health and welfare 
effects on people of color, communities of low-income and/or indigenous 
peoples. This action's health and environmental risk assessments are 
contained in the comparison of health and environmental risks for HFC-
32, HFO-1234yf, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, R-454C, R-1150, 2-BTP, 
EXXFIRE[supreg], and Powdered Aerosol H, as well as in the risk screens 
that are available in the docket for this rulemaking. EPA's analysis 
indicates that other environmental impacts and human health impacts of 
HFC-32, HFO-1234yf, R-452B, R-454A, R-454B, R-454C, R-1150, 2-BTP, 
EXXFIRE[supreg], and Powdered Aerosol H are comparable to or less than 
those of other substitutes that are listed as acceptable for the same 
end-use. Based on these considerations, EPA expects that the effects on 
people of color, communities of low-income and/or indigenous peoples 
would not be disproportionately high and adverse.

V. References

    Unless specified otherwise, all documents are available 
electronically through the Federal Docket Management System at 
regulations.gov, Docket number EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0836.

ASHRAE, 2019a. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34-2019: Designation and Safety 
Classification of Refrigerants.
ASHRAE, 2019b. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15-2019: Safety Standard for 
Refrigeration Systems. 2019.
Brioude et al., 2010. Brioude, J., R.W. Portmann, J.S. Daniel, O.R. 
Cooper, G.J. Frost, K.H. Rosenlof, C. Granier, A.R. Ravishankara, 
S.A. Montzka, and A. Stohl, Variations in ozone depletion potentials 
of very short-lived substances with season and emission region, 
Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L19804, doi:10.1029/2010GL044856, 2010.
Hodnebrog, et al., 2013. Hodnebrog, [Oslash]., Etminan, M., 
Fuglestvedt, J.S., Marston, G., Myhre, G., Nielsen, C.J., Shine, 
K.P., and Wallington, T.J. (2013). Global Warming Potentials and 
Radiative Efficiencies of Halocarbons and Related Compounds: A 
Comprehensive Review, Reviews of Geophysics, 51, 300-378. Available 
online at doi.org/10.1002/rog.20013.
EPA, 2004. A Guide to Completing a Risk Screen: Collection and Use 
of Risk Screen Data. Fire Suppression Sector. April, 2004.
ICF, 2014. Assessment of the Potential Impact of Hydrocarbon 
Refrigerants on Ground Level Ozone Concentrations. February, 2014.
ICF, 2022a. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and Industrial 
Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: R-32.
ICF, 2022b. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and Industrial 
Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: HFO-123yf.
ICF, 2022c. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and Industrial 
Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: R-452B.
ICF, 2022d. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and Industrial 
Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: R-454A.
ICF, 2022e. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and Industrial 
Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: R-454B.
ICF, 2022f. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Chillers and Industrial 
Process Air Conditioning (New Equipment); Substitute: R-454C.
ICF, 2022g. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential Dehumidifiers 
(New Equipment); Substitute: HFC-32.
ICF, 2022h. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential Dehumidifiers 
(New Equipment); Substitute: R-452B.
ICF, 2022i. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential Dehumidifiers 
(New Equipment); Substitute: R-454A.
ICF, 2022j. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential Dehumidifiers 
(New Equipment); Substitute: R-454B.

[[Page 45536]]

ICF, 2022k. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential Dehumidifiers 
(New Equipment); Substitute: R-454C.
ICF, 2022l. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential Dehumidifiers 
(New Equipment); Substitute: HFO-1234yf
ICF, 2022m. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Non-residential 
Dehumidifiers (New Equipment); Substitute: HFC-32.
ICF, 2022n. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Residential and Light 
Commercial Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (New Equipment); 
Substitute: HFC-32 (Difluoromethane).
ICF, 2022o. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Very Low Temperature 
Refrigeration (New Equipment); Substitute: R-1150.
ICF, 2022p. Additional Assessment of the Potential Impact of 
Hydrocarbon Refrigerants on Ground Level Ozone Concentrations. May, 
2020.
ICF, 2022q. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Total Flooding Systems in 
Normally Unoccupied Spaces. Substitute: 2-bromo-3,3,3-
trifluoropropene (2-BTP).
ICF, 2022r. Risk Screen on Substitutes as Streaming Agents in Non-
Residential Applications. Substitute: 2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene 
(2-BTP).
ICF, 2022s. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Total Flooding Systems in 
Normally Unoccupied Spaces; Substitute: EXXFIRE[supreg].
ICF, 2022t. Risk Screen on Substitutes in Total Flooding Systems in 
Normally Unoccupied Spaces; Substitute: Pyroquench-
[alpha]TM.
IPCC, 2007. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. 
Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of 
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Solomon, S., Qin, D., 
Manning, M., Chen, Z., Marquis, M., Averyt, K.B., Tignor, M., and 
Miller, H.L. (eds.). Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, United 
Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. Available online at: www.ipcc.ch/
publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/contents.html.
National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). 2018. NFPA 10: Standard for 
Portable Fire Extinguishers.
National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). 2018. NFPA 2001: Standard on 
Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). 2018. NFPA 2010. Standard 
for Fixed Aerosol Fire Extinguishing Systems.
Nielsen et al., 2007. Nielsen, O.J., Javadi, M.S., Sulbaek Andersen, 
M.P., Hurley, M.D., Wallington, T.J., Singh, R. (2007). Atmospheric 
chemistry of CF3CF=CH2: Kinetics and mechanisms of gas-phase 
reactions with Cl atoms, OH radicals, and O3. Chemical Physics 
Letters 439, 18-22. Available online at http://www.lexissecuritiesmosaic.com/gateway/FedReg/network_OJN_174_CF3CF=CH2.pdf.
UL 2129, 2017. UL Standard 2129--Halocarbon Clean Agent Fire 
Extinguishers. Edition 3.
UL 60335-2-40, 2019. Household And Similar Electrical Appliances--
Safety--Part 2-40: Particular Requirements for Electrical Heat 
Pumps, Air-Conditioners and Dehumidifiers. Third Edition. November 
1, 2019.
UL Standard 61010-2-011, 2021. Safety Requirements for Electrical 
Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use--Part 011: 
Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Equipment. Second edition. 
May 13, 2021.
Wickham, 2002. Status of Industry Efforts to Replace Halon Fire 
Extinguishing Agents. March 2002. Available online at: https://www.epa.gov/snap/status-industry-efforts-replace-halon-fire-extinguishing-agents.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2018. Burkholder et al. 
Appendix A, Table A-1 in Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 
2018, Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project, Report No. 58, 
World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, http://ozone.unep.org/science/assessment/sap.
Youn et al. (2010). Youn, D., K.O. Patten, D.J. Wuebbles, H. Lee, 
and C.-W. So, Potential impact of iodinated replacement compounds 
CF3I and CH3I on atmospheric ozone: A three-
dimensional modeling study, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 10,129-10,144, 
doi:10.5194/acp-10-10129-2010, 2010.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 82

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Stratospheric ozone 
layer.

Michael S. Regan,
Administrator.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, EPA proposes to amend 40 
CFR part 82 as follows:

PART 82--PROTECTION OF STRATOSPHERIC OZONE

0
1. The authority citation for part 82 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 7414, 7601, 7671-7671q.

Subpart G-Significant New Alternatives Policy Program

0
2. Amend appendix R to subpart G of part 82 by:
0
a. Revising the heading for appendix R to subpart G of part 82;
0
b. Revising the table titled ``Substitutes That Are Acceptable Subject 
to Use Conditions''; and
0
c. Removing the two undesignated paragraphs immediately preceding table 
A.
    The revisions read as follows:

Appendix R to Subpart G of Part 82--Substitutes Subject to Use 
Restrictions Listed in the December 20, 2011, Final Rule, Effective 
February 21, 2012, and in the April 10, 2015 Final Rule, Effective May 
11, 2015, and in the [Date of Publication of the Final Rule in the 
Federal Register] Final Rule, Effective [Date 30 Days After Date of 
Publication of the Final Rule in the Federal Register]

[[Page 45537]]

                                                Substitutes That Are Acceptable Subject to Use Conditions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            End-use                Substitute         Decision                         Use conditions                          Further information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Household refrigerators,     Isobutane (R-     Acceptable        As of September 7, 2018: These refrigerants may be   Applicable OSHA requirements at
 freezers, and combination       600a) Propane     subject to use    used only in new equipment designed specifically     29 CFR part 1910 must be
 refrigerators and freezers      (R-290) R-441A.   conditions.       and clearly identified for the refrigerant (i.e.,    followed, including those at
 (New equipment only).                                               none of these substitutes may be used as a           29 CFR 1910.106 (flammable and
                                                                     conversion or ``retrofit'' refrigerant for           combustible liquids), 1910.110
                                                                     existing equipment designed for a different          (storage and handling of
                                                                     refrigerant)                                         liquefied petroleum gases),
                                                                    These refrigerants may be used only in a              1910.157 (portable fire
                                                                     refrigerator or freezer, or combination              extinguishers), and 1910.1000
                                                                     refrigerator and freezer, that meets all             (toxic and hazardous
                                                                     requirements listed in UL 60335-2-24 1 2 6           substances).
                                                                                                                         Proper ventilation should be
                                                                                                                          maintained at all times during
                                                                                                                          the manufacture and storage of
                                                                                                                          equipment containing
                                                                                                                          hydrocarbon refrigerants
                                                                                                                          through adherence to good
                                                                                                                          manufacturing practices as per
                                                                                                                          29 CFR 1910.106. If
                                                                                                                          refrigerant levels in the air
                                                                                                                          surrounding the equipment rise
                                                                                                                          above one-fourth of the lower
                                                                                                                          flammability limit, the space
                                                                                                                          should be evacuated and re-
                                                                                                                          entry should occur only after
                                                                                                                          the space has been properly
                                                                                                                          ventilated.
                                                                                                                         Technicians and equipment
                                                                                                                          manufacturers should wear
                                                                                                                          appropriate personal
                                                                                                                          protective equipment,
                                                                                                                          including chemical goggles and
                                                                                                                          protective gloves, when
                                                                                                                          handling these refrigerants.
                                                                                                                          Special care should be taken
                                                                                                                          to avoid contact with the skin
                                                                                                                          since these refrigerants, like
                                                                                                                          many refrigerants, can cause
                                                                                                                          freeze burns on the skin.
                                                                                                                         A Class B dry powder type fire
                                                                                                                          extinguisher should be kept
                                                                                                                          nearby.
                                                                                                                         Technicians should only use
                                                                                                                          spark-proof tools when working
                                                                                                                          on refrigerators and freezers
                                                                                                                          with these refrigerants.
                                                                                                                         Any recovery equipment used
                                                                                                                          should be designed for
                                                                                                                          flammable refrigerants. Any
                                                                                                                          refrigerant releases should be
                                                                                                                          in a well-ventilated area,
                                                                                                                          such as outside of a building.
                                                                                                                         Only technicians specifically
                                                                                                                          trained in handling flammable
                                                                                                                          refrigerants should service
                                                                                                                          refrigerators and freezers
                                                                                                                          containing these refrigerants.
                                                                                                                          Technicians should gain an
                                                                                                                          understanding of minimizing
                                                                                                                          the risk of fire and the steps
                                                                                                                          to use flammable refrigerants
                                                                                                                          safely.

[[Page 45538]]

 
2. Retail food refrigerators    Isobutane (R-     Acceptable        As provided in clauses SB6.1.2 to SB6.1.5 of UL      Room occupants should evacuate
 and freezers (stand-alone       600a) Propane     subject to use    471,1 2 3 the following markings must be attached    the space immediately
 units only) (New equipment      (R-290) R-441A.   conditions.       at the locations provided and must be permanent:     following the accidental
 only).                                                             (a) On or near any evaporators that can be            release of this refrigerant.
                                                                     contacted by the consumer: ``DANGER--Risk of Fire   If a service port is added then
                                                                     or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. Do Not     retail food refrigerators and
                                                                     Use Mechanical Devices To Defrost Refrigerator. Do   freezers using these
                                                                     Not Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''                   refrigerants should have
                                                                    (b) Near the machine compartment: ``DANGER--Risk of   service aperture fittings that
                                                                     Fire or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. To    differ from fittings used in
                                                                     Be Repaired Only By Trained Service Personnel. Do    equipment or containers using
                                                                     Not Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''                   non-flammable refrigerant.
                                                                    (c) Near the machine compartment: ``CAUTION--Risk     ``Differ'' means that either
                                                                     of Fire or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used.    the diameter differs by at
                                                                     Consult Repair Manual/Owner's Guide Before           least 1/16 inch or the thread
                                                                     Attempting To Service This Product. All Safety       direction is reversed (i.e.,
                                                                     Precautions Must be Followed.''                      right-handed vs. left-handed).
                                                                    (d) On the exterior of the refrigerator: ``CAUTION--  These different fittings
                                                                     Risk of Fire or Explosion. Dispose of Properly In    should be permanently affixed
                                                                     Accordance With Federal Or Local Regulations.        to the unit at the point of
                                                                     Flammable Refrigerant Used.''                        service and maintained until
                                                                    (e) Near any and all exposed refrigerant tubing:      the end-of-life of the unit,
                                                                     ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or Explosion Due To          and should not be accessed
                                                                     Puncture Of Refrigerant Tubing; Follow Handling      with an adaptor.
                                                                     Instructions Carefully. Flammable Refrigerant
                                                                     Used.''
                                                                    All of these markings must be in letters no less
                                                                     than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch) high.
                                                                    The refrigerator or freezer must have red,
                                                                     Pantone[supreg] Matching System (PMS) #185 marked
                                                                     pipes, hoses, and other devices through which the
                                                                     refrigerant is serviced, typically known as the
                                                                     service port, to indicate the use of a flammable
                                                                     refrigerant. This color must be present at all
                                                                     service ports and where service puncturing or
                                                                     otherwise creating an opening from the refrigerant
                                                                     circuit to the atmosphere might be expected (e.g.,
                                                                     process tubes). The color mark must extend at
                                                                     least 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) from the compressor
                                                                     and must be replaced if removed.

[[Page 45539]]

 
3. Very low temperature         Ethane (R-170)..  Acceptable        This refrigerant may be used only in new equipment   Applicable OSHA requirements at
 refrigeration Non-mechanical                      subject to use    specifically designed and clearly identified for     29 CFR part 1910 must be
 heat transfer (New equipment                      conditions.       the refrigerant (i.e., the substitute may not be     followed, including those at
 only).                                                              used as a conversion or ``retrofit'' refrigerant     29 CFR 1910.94 (ventilation)
                                                                     for existing equipment designed for other            and 1910.106 (flammable and
                                                                     refrigerants).                                       combustible liquids), 1910.110
                                                                    This refrigerant may only be used in equipment that   (storage and handling of
                                                                     meets all requirements in Supplement SB to, UL       liquefied petroleum gases),
                                                                     471.1 32 3 In cases where listing 3 or 4 of this     1910.157 (portable fire
                                                                     table includes requirements more stringent than      extinguishers), and 1910.1000
                                                                     those of UL 471, the appliance must meet the         (toxic and hazardous
                                                                     requirements of listing 3 or 4 of this table in      substances).
                                                                     place of the requirements in UL 471.                Proper ventilation should be
                                                                    The charge size for the equipment must not exceed     maintained at all times during
                                                                     150 g (5.29 oz) in each circuit.                     the manufacture and storage of
                                                                                                                          equipment containing
                                                                                                                          hydrocarbon refrigerants
                                                                                                                          through adherence to good
                                                                                                                          manufacturing practices as per
                                                                                                                          29 CFR 1910.106. If
                                                                                                                          refrigerant levels in the air
                                                                                                                          surrounding the equipment rise
                                                                                                                          above one-fourth of the lower
                                                                                                                          flammability limit, the space
                                                                                                                          should be evacuated and re-
                                                                                                                          entry should occur only after
                                                                                                                          the space has been properly
                                                                                                                          ventilated.
                                                                                                                         Technicians and equipment
                                                                                                                          manufacturers should wear
                                                                                                                          appropriate personal
                                                                                                                          protective equipment,
                                                                                                                          including chemical goggles and
                                                                                                                          protective gloves, when
                                                                                                                          handling ethane. Special care
                                                                                                                          should be taken to avoid
                                                                                                                          contact with the skin since
                                                                                                                          ethane, like many
                                                                                                                          refrigerants, can cause freeze
                                                                                                                          burns on the skin.
                                                                                                                         A Class B dry powder type fire
                                                                                                                          extinguisher should be kept
                                                                                                                          nearby.
                                                                                                                         Technicians should only use
                                                                                                                          spark-proof tools when working
                                                                                                                          on equipment with flammable
                                                                                                                          refrigerants.
                                                                                                                         Any recovery equipment used
                                                                                                                          should be designed for
                                                                                                                          flammable refrigerants.
                                                                                                                         Any refrigerant releases should
                                                                                                                          be in a well-ventilated area,
                                                                                                                          such as outside of a building.
                                                                                                                         Only technicians specifically
                                                                                                                          trained in handling flammable
                                                                                                                          refrigerants should service
                                                                                                                          equipment containing ethane.
                                                                                                                          Technicians should gain an
                                                                                                                          understanding of minimizing
                                                                                                                          the risk of fire and the steps
                                                                                                                          to use flammable refrigerants
                                                                                                                          safely.

[[Page 45540]]

 
4. Very low temperature         Ethane (R-170)..  Ethane (R-170)..  As provided in clauses SB6.1.2 to SB6.1.5 of UL      Room occupants should evacuate
 refrigeration. Non-mechanical                                       471,1 2 3 the following markings must be attached    the space immediately
 heat transfer (New equipment                                        at the locations provided and must be permanent:     following the accidental
 only).                                                             (a) On or near any evaporators that can be            release of this refrigerant.
                                                                     contacted by the consumer: ``DANGER--Risk of Fire   If a service port is added then
                                                                     or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. Do Not     refrigeration equipment using
                                                                     Use Mechanical Devices To Defrost Refrigerator. Do   this refrigerant should have
                                                                     Not Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''                   service aperture fittings that
                                                                    (b) Near the machine compartment: ``DANGER--Risk of   differ from fittings used in
                                                                     Fire or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. To    equipment or containers using
                                                                     Be Repaired Only By Trained Service Personnel. Do    non-flammable refrigerant.
                                                                     Not Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''                   ``Differ'' means that either
                                                                    (c) Near the machine compartment: ``CAUTION--Risk     the diameter differs by at
                                                                     of Fire or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used.    least \1/16\ inch or the
                                                                     Consult Repair Manual/Owner's Guide Before           thread direction is reversed
                                                                     Attempting To Service This Product. All Safety       (i.e., right-handed vs. left-
                                                                     Precautions Must be Followed.''                      handed). These different
                                                                    (d) On the exterior of the refrigerator: ``CAUTION--  fittings should be permanently
                                                                     Risk of Fire or Explosion. Dispose of Properly In    affixed to the unit at the
                                                                     Accordance With Federal Or Local Regulations.        point of service and
                                                                     Flammable Refrigerant Used.''                        maintained until the end-of-
                                                                    (e) Near any and all exposed refrigerant tubing:      life of the unit, and should
                                                                     ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or Explosion Due To          not be accessed with an
                                                                     Puncture Of Refrigerant Tubing; Follow Handling      adaptor.
                                                                     Instructions Carefully. Flammable Refrigerant       Example of non-mechanical heat
                                                                     Used.''                                              transfer using this
                                                                    All of these markings must be in letters no less      refrigerant would be use in a
                                                                     than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch) high.                       secondary loop of a
                                                                    The refrigeration equipment must have red,            thermosiphon.
                                                                     Pantone[supreg] Matching System (PMS) #185 marked
                                                                     pipes, hoses, and other devices through which the
                                                                     refrigerant is serviced, typically known as the
                                                                     service port, to indicate the use of a flammable
                                                                     refrigerant. This color must be present at all
                                                                     service ports and where service puncturing or
                                                                     otherwise creating an opening from the refrigerant
                                                                     circuit to the atmosphere might be expected (e.g.,
                                                                     process tubes). The color mark must extend at
                                                                     least 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) from the compressor
                                                                     and must be replaced if removed.

[[Page 45541]]

 
5. Vending Machines (New        Isobutane (R-     Acceptable        These refrigerants may be used only in new           Applicable OSHA requirements at
 equipment only).                600a) Propane     subject to use    equipment specifically designed and clearly          29 CFR part 1910 must be
                                 (R-290) R-441A.   conditions.       identified for the refrigerants (i.e., none of       followed, including those at
                                                                     these substitutes may be used as a conversion or     29 CFR 1910.94 (ventilation)
                                                                     ``retrofit'' refrigerant for existing equipment      and 1910.106 (flammable and
                                                                     designed for other refrigerants). Detaching and      combustible liquids), 1910.110
                                                                     replacing the old refrigeration circuit from the     (storage and handling of
                                                                     outer casing of the equipment with a new one         liquefied petroleum gases),
                                                                     containing a new evaporator, condenser, and          1910.157 (portable fire
                                                                     refrigerant tubing within the old casing is          extinguishers), and 1910.1000
                                                                     considered ``new'' equipment and not a retrofit of   (toxic and hazardous
                                                                     the old, existing equipment.                         substances).
                                                                    These substitutes may only be used in equipment      Proper ventilation should be
                                                                     that meets all requirements in Supplement SA to UL   maintained at all times during
                                                                     541.1 2 5 In cases where listing 5 or 6 of this      the manufacture and storage of
                                                                     table includes requirements more stringent than      equipment containing
                                                                     those of UL 541, the appliance must meet the         hydrocarbon refrigerants
                                                                     requirements of listing 5 or 6 of this table in      through adherence to good
                                                                     place of the requirements in UL 541. The charge      manufacturing practices as per
                                                                     size for vending machines must not exceed 150 g      29 CFR 1910.106. If
                                                                     (5.29 oz) in each circuit.                           refrigerant levels in the air
                                                                                                                          surrounding the equipment rise
                                                                                                                          above one-fourth of the lower
                                                                                                                          flammability limit, the space
                                                                                                                          should be evacuated and re-
                                                                                                                          entry should occur only after
                                                                                                                          the space has been properly
                                                                                                                          ventilated.
                                                                                                                         Technicians and equipment
                                                                                                                          manufacturers should wear
                                                                                                                          appropriate personal
                                                                                                                          protective equipment,
                                                                                                                          including chemical goggles and
                                                                                                                          protective gloves, when
                                                                                                                          handling these refrigerants.
                                                                                                                          Special care should be taken
                                                                                                                          to avoid contact with the skin
                                                                                                                          since these refrigerants, like
                                                                                                                          many refrigerants, can cause
                                                                                                                          freeze burns on the skin.
                                                                                                                         A Class B dry powder type fire
                                                                                                                          extinguisher should be kept
                                                                                                                          nearby.
                                                                                                                         Technicians should only use
                                                                                                                          spark-proof tools when working
                                                                                                                          on refrigeration equipment
                                                                                                                          with flammable refrigerants.
                                                                                                                         Any recovery equipment used
                                                                                                                          should be designed for
                                                                                                                          flammable refrigerants.
                                                                                                                         Any refrigerant releases should
                                                                                                                          be in a well-ventilated area,
                                                                                                                          such as outside of a building.
                                                                                                                         Only technicians specifically
                                                                                                                          trained in handling flammable
                                                                                                                          refrigerants should service
                                                                                                                          refrigeration equipment
                                                                                                                          containing these refrigerants.
                                                                                                                          Technicians should gain an
                                                                                                                          understanding of minimizing
                                                                                                                          the risk of fire and the steps
                                                                                                                          to use flammable refrigerants
                                                                                                                          safely.

[[Page 45542]]

 
6. Vending Machines (New        Isobutane (R-     Acceptable        As provided in clauses SA6.1.2 to SA6.1.5 of UL      Room occupants should evacuate
 equipment only).                600a) Propane     subject to use    541,1 2 5 the following markings must be attached    the space immediately
                                 (R-290) R-441A.   conditions.       at the locations provided and must be permanent:     following the accidental
                                                                    (a) On or near any evaporators that can be            release of this refrigerant.
                                                                     contacted by the consumer: ``DANGER--Risk of Fire   If a service port is added then
                                                                     or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. Do Not     refrigeration equipment using
                                                                     Use Mechanical Devices To Defrost Refrigerator. Do   this refrigerant should have
                                                                     Not Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''                   service aperture fittings that
                                                                    (b) Near the machine compartment: ``DANGER--Risk of   differ from fittings used in
                                                                     Fire or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used. To    equipment or containers using
                                                                     Be Repaired Only By Trained Service Personnel. Do    non-flammable refrigerant.
                                                                     Not Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''                   ``Differ'' means that either
                                                                    (c) Near the machine compartment: ``CAUTION--Risk     the diameter differs by at
                                                                     of Fire or Explosion. Flammable Refrigerant Used.    least \1/16\ inch or the
                                                                     Consult Repair Manual/Owner's Guide Before           thread direction is reversed
                                                                     Attempting To Service This Product. All Safety       (i.e., right-handed vs. left-
                                                                     Precautions Must be Followed.''                      handed). These different
                                                                    (d) On the exterior of the refrigerator: ``CAUTION--  fittings should be permanently
                                                                     Risk of Fire or Explosion. Dispose of Properly In    affixed to the unit at the
                                                                     Accordance With Federal Or Local Regulations.        point of service and
                                                                     Flammable Refrigerant Used.''                        maintained until the end-of-
                                                                    (e) Near any and all exposed refrigerant tubing:      life of the unit, and should
                                                                     ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or Explosion Due To          not be accessed with an
                                                                     Puncture Of Refrigerant Tubing; Follow Handling      adaptor.
                                                                     Instructions Carefully. Flammable Refrigerant
                                                                     Used.'' All of these markings must be in letters
                                                                     no less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch) high
                                                                    The refrigeration equipment must have red,
                                                                     Pantone[supreg] Matching System (PMS) #185 marked
                                                                     pipes, hoses, and other devices through which the
                                                                     refrigerant is serviced, typically known as the
                                                                     service port, to indicate the use of a flammable
                                                                     refrigerant. This color must be present at all
                                                                     service ports and where service puncturing or
                                                                     otherwise creating an opening from the refrigerant
                                                                     circuit to the atmosphere might be expected (e.g.,
                                                                     process tubes). The color mark must extend at
                                                                     least 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) from the compressor
                                                                     and must be replaced if removed.

[[Page 45543]]

 
7. Residential and light-       Propane (R-290)   Acceptable        These refrigerants may be used only in new           Applicable OSHA requirements at
 commercial air conditioning     R-441A.           subject to use    equipment specifically designed and clearly          29 CFR part 1910 must be
 and heat pumps--self-                             conditions.       identified for the refrigerants (i.e., none of       followed, including those at
 contained room air                                                  these substitutes may be used as a conversion or     29 CFR 1910.94 (ventilation)
 conditioners only (New                                              ``retrofit'' refrigerant for existing equipment      and 1910.106 (flammable and
 equipment only).                                                    designed for other refrigerants).                    combustible liquids), 1910.110
                                                                    These refrigerants may only be used in equipment      (storage and handling of
                                                                     that meets all requirements in Supplement SA and     liquefied petroleum gases),
                                                                     Appendices B through F of UL 484.1 2 4 In cases      1910.157 (portable fire
                                                                     where listing 7 or 8 includes requirements more      extinguishers), and 1910.1000
                                                                     stringent than those of UL 484, the appliance must   (toxic and hazardous
                                                                     meet the requirements of listing 7 or 8 of this      substances).
                                                                     table in place of the requirements in UL 484.       Proper ventilation should be
                                                                    The charge size for the entire air conditioner must   maintained at all times during
                                                                     not exceed the maximum refrigerant mass determined   the manufacture and storage of
                                                                     according to Appendix F of UL 484 for the room       equipment containing
                                                                     size where the air conditioner is used. The charge   hydrocarbon refrigerants
                                                                     size for these three refrigerants must in no case    through adherence to good
                                                                     exceed 1,000 g (35.3 oz or 2.21 lbs) of propane or   manufacturing practices as per
                                                                     1,000 g (35.3 oz or 2.21 lb) of R-441A. For          29 CFR 1910.106. If
                                                                     portable air conditioners, the charge size must in   refrigerant levels in the air
                                                                     no case exceed 300 g (10.6 oz or 0.66 lbs) of        surrounding the equipment rise
                                                                     propane or 330 g (11.6 oz or 0.72 lb) of R-441A.     above one-fourth of the lower
                                                                     The manufacturer must design a charge size for the   flammability limit, the space
                                                                     entire air conditioner that does not exceed the      should be evacuated and re-
                                                                     amount specified for the unit's cooling capacity,    entry should occur only after
                                                                     as specified in table A, B, C, D, or E of this       the space has been properly
                                                                     appendix R.                                          ventilated.
                                                                                                                         Technicians and equipment
                                                                                                                          manufacturers should wear
                                                                                                                          appropriate personal
                                                                                                                          protective equipment,
                                                                                                                          including chemical goggles and
                                                                                                                          protective gloves, when
                                                                                                                          handling these refrigerants.
                                                                                                                          Special care should be taken
                                                                                                                          to avoid contact with the skin
                                                                                                                          since these refrigerants, like
                                                                                                                          many refrigerants, can cause
                                                                                                                          freeze burns on the skin.
                                                                                                                         A Class B dry powder type fire
                                                                                                                          extinguisher should be kept
                                                                                                                          nearby.
                                                                                                                         Technicians should only use
                                                                                                                          spark-proof tools when working
                                                                                                                          on air conditioning equipment
                                                                                                                          with flammable refrigerants.
                                                                                                                         Any recovery equipment used
                                                                                                                          should be designed for
                                                                                                                          flammable refrigerants.
                                                                                                                         Any refrigerant releases should
                                                                                                                          be in a well-ventilated area,
                                                                                                                          such as outside of a building.
                                                                                                                         Only technicians specifically
                                                                                                                          trained in handling flammable
                                                                                                                          refrigerants should service
                                                                                                                          refrigeration equipment
                                                                                                                          containing these refrigerants.
                                                                                                                          Technicians should gain an
                                                                                                                          understanding of minimizing
                                                                                                                          the risk of fire and the steps
                                                                                                                          to use flammable refrigerants
                                                                                                                          safely.

[[Page 45544]]

 
8. Residential and light-       Propane (R-290)R- Acceptable        As provided in clauses SA6.1.2 to SA6.1.5 of UL      Room occupants should evacuate
 commercial air conditioning     441A.             subject to use    484,1 2 4 the following markings must be attached    the space immediately
 and heat pumps--self-                             conditions.       at the locations provided and must be permanent:     following the accidental
 contained room air                                                 (a) On the outside of the air conditioner:            release of this refrigerant.
 conditioners only (New                                              ``DANGER--Risk of Fire or Explosion. Flammable      If a service port is added then
 equipment only).                                                    Refrigerant Used. To Be Repaired Only By Trained     air conditioning equipment
                                                                     Service Personnel. Do Not Puncture Refrigerant       using this refrigerant should
                                                                     Tubing.''                                            have service aperture fittings
                                                                    (b) On the outside of the air conditioner:            that differ from fittings used
                                                                     ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or Explosion. Dispose of     in equipment or containers
                                                                     Properly In Accordance With Federal Or Local         using non-flammable
                                                                     Regulations. Flammable Refrigerant Used.''           refrigerant. ``Differ'' means
                                                                    (c) On the inside of the air conditioner near the     that either the diameter
                                                                     compressor: ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or Explosion.    differs by at least 1/16 inch
                                                                     Flammable Refrigerant Used. Consult Repair Manual/   or the thread direction is
                                                                     Owner's Guide Before Attempting To Service This      reversed (i.e., right-handed
                                                                     Product. All Safety Precautions Must be              vs. left-handed). These
                                                                     Followed.''                                          different fittings should be
                                                                    (d) On the outside of each portable air               permanently affixed to the
                                                                     conditioner: ``WARNING: Appliance shall be           unit at the point of service
                                                                     installed, operated and stored in a room with a      and maintained until the end-
                                                                     floor area larger the ``X'' m\2\ (Y ft\2\).'' The    of-life of the unit, and
                                                                     value ``X'' on the label must be determined using    should not be accessed with an
                                                                     the minimum room size in m\2\ calculated using       adaptor.
                                                                     Appendix F of UL 484. For R-441A, use a lower       Air conditioning equipment in
                                                                     flammability limit of 0.041 kg/m\3\ in               this category includes:
                                                                     calculations in Appendix F of UL 484.               Window air conditioning units.
                                                                    All of these markings must be in letters no less     Portable room air conditioners.
                                                                     than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch) high.                      Packaged terminal air
                                                                    The air conditioning equipment must have red,         conditioners and heat pumps.
                                                                     Pantone[supreg] Matching System (PMS) #185 marked
                                                                     pipes, hoses, and other devices through which the
                                                                     refrigerant is serviced, typically known as the
                                                                     service port, to indicate the use of a flammable
                                                                     refrigerant. This color must be present at all
                                                                     service ports and where service puncturing or
                                                                     otherwise creating an opening from the refrigerant
                                                                     circuit to the atmosphere might be expected (e.g.,
                                                                     process tubes). The color mark must extend at
                                                                     least 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) from the compressor
                                                                     and must be replaced if removed.

[[Page 45545]]

 
9. Residential and light-       HFC-32..........  Acceptable        These refrigerants may be used only in new           Applicable OSHA requirements at
 commercial air conditioning                       subject to use    equipment specifically designed and clearly          29 CFR part 1910 must be
 and heat pumps--self-                             conditions.       identified for the refrigerants (i.e., none of       followed, including those at
 contained room air                                                  these substitutes may be used as a conversion or     29 CFR 1910.94 (ventilation)
 conditioners only.(New                                              ``retrofit'' refrigerant for existing equipment      and 1910.106 (flammable and
 equipment only) manufactured                                        designed for other refrigerants).                    combustible liquids), 1910.110
 on or after May 10, 2015 and                                       These refrigerants may only be used in equipment      (storage and handling of
 up to but not including [Date                                       that meets all requirements in Supplement SA and     liquefied petroleum gases),
 30 days after date of                                               Appendices B through F of UL 484.1 2 4 In cases      1910.157 (portable fire
 publication of the final rule                                       where listing 9 or 10 of this table includes         extinguishers), and 1910.1000
 in the Federal Register].                                           requirements more stringent than those of UL 484,    (toxic and hazardous
                                                                     the appliance must meet the requirements of          substances).
                                                                     listing 9 or 10 of this table in place of the       Proper ventilation should be
                                                                     requirements in UL 484.                              maintained at all times during
                                                                    The charge size for the entire air conditioner must   the manufacture and storage of
                                                                     not exceed the maximum refrigerant mass determined   equipment containing
                                                                     according to Appendix F of UL 484 for the room       hydrocarbon refrigerants
                                                                     size where the air conditioner is used. The charge   through adherence to good
                                                                     size for these three refrigerants must in no case    manufacturing practices as per
                                                                     exceed 1,000 g (35.3 oz or 2.21 lbs) of propane or   29 CFR 1910.106. If
                                                                     1,000 g (35.3 oz or 2.21 lb) of R-441A. For          refrigerant levels in the air
                                                                     portable air conditioners, the charge size must in   surrounding the equipment rise
                                                                     no case exceed 300 g (10.6 oz or 0.66 lbs) of        above one-fourth of the lower
                                                                     propane or 330 g (11.6 oz or 0.72 lb) of R-441A.     flammability limit, the space
                                                                     The manufacturer must design a charge size for the   should be evacuated and re-
                                                                     entire air conditioner that does not exceed the      entry should occur only after
                                                                     amount specified for the unit's cooling capacity,    the space has been properly
                                                                     as specified in table A, B, C, D, or E of this       ventilated.
                                                                     appendix.                                           Technicians and equipment
                                                                                                                          manufacturers should wear
                                                                                                                          appropriate personal
                                                                                                                          protective equipment,
                                                                                                                          including chemical goggles and
                                                                                                                          protective gloves, when
                                                                                                                          handling these refrigerants.
                                                                                                                          Special care should be taken
                                                                                                                          to avoid contact with the skin
                                                                                                                          since these refrigerants, like
                                                                                                                          many refrigerants, can cause
                                                                                                                          freeze burns on the skin.
                                                                                                                         A Class B dry powder type fire
                                                                                                                          extinguisher should be kept
                                                                                                                          nearby.
                                                                                                                         Technicians should only use
                                                                                                                          spark-proof tools when working
                                                                                                                          on air conditioning equipment
                                                                                                                          with flammable refrigerants.
                                                                                                                         Any recovery equipment used
                                                                                                                          should be designed for
                                                                                                                          flammable refrigerants.
                                                                                                                         Any refrigerant releases should
                                                                                                                          be in a well-ventilated area,
                                                                                                                          such as outside of a building.
                                                                                                                         Only technicians specifically
                                                                                                                          trained in handling flammable
                                                                                                                          refrigerants should service
                                                                                                                          refrigeration equipment
                                                                                                                          containing these refrigerants.
                                                                                                                          Technicians should gain an
                                                                                                                          understanding of minimizing
                                                                                                                          the risk of fire and the steps
                                                                                                                          to use flammable refrigerants
                                                                                                                          safely.

[[Page 45546]]

 
10. Residential and light-      HFC-32..........  Acceptable        As provided in clauses SA6.1.2 to SA6.1.5 of UL      Room occupants should evacuate
 commercial air conditioning                       subject to use    484,1 2 4 the following markings must be attached    the space immediately
 and heat pumps--self-                             conditions.       at the locations provided and must be permanent:     following the accidental
 contained room air                                                 (a) On the outside of the air conditioner:            release of this refrigerant.
 conditioners only. (New                                             ``DANGER--Risk of Fire or Explosion. Flammable      If a service port is added then
 equipment only) manufactured                                        Refrigerant Used. To Be Repaired Only By Trained     air conditioning equipment
 on or after May 10, 2015 and                                        Service Personnel. Do Not Puncture Refrigerant       using this refrigerant should
 up to but not including [Date                                       Tubing.''                                            have service aperture fittings
 30 days after date of                                              (b) On the outside of the air conditioner:            that differ from fittings used
 publication of the final rule                                       ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or Explosion. Dispose of     in equipment or containers
 in the Federal Register].                                           Properly In Accordance With Federal Or Local         using non-flammable
                                                                     Regulations. Flammable Refrigerant Used.''           refrigerant. ``Differ'' means
                                                                    (c) On the inside of the air conditioner near the     that either the diameter
                                                                     compressor: ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or Explosion.    differs by at least 1/16 inch
                                                                     Flammable Refrigerant Used. Consult Repair Manual/   or the thread direction is
                                                                     Owner's Guide Before Attempting To Service This      reversed (i.e., right-handed
                                                                     Product. All Safety Precautions Must be              vs. left-handed). These
                                                                     Followed.''                                          different fittings should be
                                                                    (d) On the outside of each portable air               permanently affixed to the
                                                                     conditioner: ``WARNING: Appliance shall be           unit at the point of service
                                                                     installed, operated and stored in a room with a      and maintained until the end-
                                                                     floor area larger the ``X'' m\2\ (Y ft\2\).'' The    of-life of the unit, and
                                                                     value ``X'' on the label must be determined using    should not be accessed with an
                                                                     the minimum room size in m\2\ calculated using       adaptor.
                                                                     Appendix F of UL 484. For R-441A, use a lower       Air conditioning equipment in
                                                                     flammability limit of 0.041 kg/m\3\ in               this category includes:
                                                                     calculations in Appendix F of UL 484.               Window air conditioning units.
                                                                    All of these markings must be in letters no less     Portable room air conditioners.
                                                                     than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch) high.                      Packaged terminal air
                                                                    The air conditioning equipment must have red,         conditioners and heat pumps.
                                                                     Pantone[supreg] Matching System (PMS) #185 marked
                                                                     pipes, hoses, and other devices through which the
                                                                     refrigerant is serviced, typically known as the
                                                                     service port, to indicate the use of a flammable
                                                                     refrigerant. This color must be present at all
                                                                     service ports and where service puncturing or
                                                                     otherwise creating an opening from the refrigerant
                                                                     circuit to the atmosphere might be expected (e.g.,
                                                                     process tubes). The color mark must extend at
                                                                     least 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) from the compressor
                                                                     and must be replaced if removed.
11. Residential and light-      HFC-32..........  Acceptable        This refrigerant may be used only in new equipment
 commercial air conditioning                       Subject to Use    specifically designed and clearly identified for
 and heat pumps--self-                             Conditions.       the refrigerant (i.e., this substitute may not be
 contained room air                                                  used as a conversion or ``retrofit'' refrigerant
 conditioners only. (New                                             for existing equipment designed for other
 equipment only) manufactured                                        refrigerants).
 on or after [Date 30 days
 after of publication of the
 final rule in the Federal
 Register].

[[Page 45547]]

 
                                                                    ...................................................
                                                                    This substitute may only be used in air
                                                                     conditioning equipment that meets all requirements
                                                                     in the UL 60335-2-40.1 2 7 In cases where this
                                                                     listing 11 includes requirements more stringent
                                                                     than those of UL 60335-2-40, the appliance must
                                                                     meet the requirements of this listing 11 in place
                                                                     of the requirements in UL 60335-2-40.
                                                                    The following markings must be attached at the
                                                                     locations provided and must be permanent:
                                                                    (a) On the outside of the equipment: ``WARNING--
                                                                     Risk of Fire. Flammable Refrigerant Used. To Be
                                                                     Repaired Only By Trained Service Personnel. Do Not
                                                                     Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''
                                                                    (b) On the outside of the equipment: ``WARNING--
                                                                     Risk of Fire. Dispose of Properly In Accordance
                                                                     With Federal Or Local Regulations. Flammable
                                                                     Refrigerant Used.''
                                                                    (c) On the inside of the equipment near the
                                                                     compressor: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Flammable
                                                                     Refrigerant Used. Consult Repair Manual/Owner's
                                                                     Guide Before Attempting to Service This Product.
                                                                     All Safety Precautions Must be Followed.''
                                                                    (d) For any equipment pre-charged at the factory,
                                                                     on the equipment packaging or on the outside of
                                                                     the equipment: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire due to
                                                                     Flammable Refrigerant Used. Follow Handling
                                                                     Instructions Carefully in Compliance with National
                                                                     Regulations''
                                                                    a. If the equipment is delivered packaged, this
                                                                     label shall be applied on the packaging.

[[Page 45548]]

 
                                                                    ...................................................  Applicable OSHA requirements at
                                                                    b. If the equipment is not delivered packaged, this   29 CFR part 1910 must be
                                                                     label shall be applied on the outside of the         followed, including those at
                                                                     equipment near the control panel or nameplate.       29 CFR 1910.94 (ventilation)
                                                                    (e) On the equipment near the nameplate:              and 1910.106 (flammable and
                                                                    a. At the top of the marking: ``Minimum               combustible liquids), 1910.110
                                                                     Installation height, X m (W ft)''. This marking is   (storage and handling of
                                                                     only required if required by the UL 60335-2-40.      liquefied petroleum gases),
                                                                     The terms ``X'' and ``W'' shall be replaced by the   and 1910.1000 (toxic and
                                                                     numeric height as calculated per UL 60335-2-40.      hazardous substances).
                                                                     Note that the formatting here is slightly           Proper ventilation should be
                                                                     different than UL 60335-2-40; specifically, the      maintained at all times during
                                                                     height in Inch-Pound units is placed in              the manufacture and storage of
                                                                     parentheses and the word ``and'' has been replaced   equipment containing flammable
                                                                     by the opening parenthesis.                          refrigerants through adherence
                                                                    b. Immediately below marking (a) of this listing      to good manufacturing
                                                                     11or at the top of the marking if marking (a) is     practices as per 29 CFR
                                                                     not required: ``Minimum room area (operating or      1910.106. If refrigerant
                                                                     storage), Y m\2\ (Z ft\2\)''. The terms ``Y'' and    levels in the air surrounding
                                                                     ``Z'' shall be replaced by the numeric area as       the equipment rise above one-
                                                                     calculated per UL 60335-2-40. Note that the          fourth of the lower
                                                                     formatting here is slightly different than UL        flammability limit, the space
                                                                     60335-2-40; specifically, the area in Inch-Pound     should be evacuated, and
                                                                     units is placed in parentheses and the word          reentry should occur only
                                                                     ``and'' has been replaced by the opening             after the space has been
                                                                     parenthesis.                                         properly ventilated.
                                                                    (f) For non-fixed equipment, on the outside of the   Technicians and equipment
                                                                     product: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire or Explosion--      manufacturers should wear
                                                                     Store in a well-ventilated room without              appropriate personal
                                                                     continuously operating flames or other potential     protective equipment,
                                                                     ignition.''                                          including chemical goggles and
                                                                    (g) All of these markings must be in letters no       protective gloves, when
                                                                     less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch) high.                  handling flammable
                                                                    The equipment must have red Pantone Matching System   refrigerants. Special care
                                                                     (PMS) #185 or RAL 3020 marked service ports,         should be taken to avoid
                                                                     pipes, hoses, or other devices through which the     contact with the skin which,
                                                                     refrigerant passes, to indicate the use of a         like many refrigerants, can
                                                                     flammable refrigerant. This color must be applied    cause freeze burns on the
                                                                     at all service ports and other parts of the system   skin.
                                                                     where service puncturing or other actions creating  A class B dry powder type fire
                                                                     an opening from the refrigerant circuit to the       extinguisher should be kept
                                                                     atmosphere might be expected and must extend a       nearby.
                                                                     minimum of one (1) inch (25mm) in both directions   Technicians should only use
                                                                     from such locations and shall be replaced if         spark-proof tools when working
                                                                     removed.                                             on air conditioning equipment
                                                                                                                          with flammable refrigerants.
                                                                                                                         Any recovery equipment used
                                                                                                                          should be designed for
                                                                                                                          flammable refrigerants. Only
                                                                                                                          technicians specifically
                                                                                                                          trained in handling flammable
                                                                                                                          refrigerants should service
                                                                                                                          refrigeration equipment
                                                                                                                          containing this refrigerant.
                                                                                                                          Technicians should gain an
                                                                                                                          understanding of minimizing
                                                                                                                          the risk of fire and the steps
                                                                                                                          to use flammable refrigerants
                                                                                                                          safely.
                                                                                                                         Room occupants should evacuate
                                                                                                                          the space immediately
                                                                                                                          following the accidental
                                                                                                                          release of this refrigerant.
                                                                                                                         Personnel commissioning,
                                                                                                                          maintaining, repairing,
                                                                                                                          decommissioning and disposing
                                                                                                                          of appliances with this
                                                                                                                          refrigerant should obtain
                                                                                                                          training and follow practices
                                                                                                                          consistent with Annex HH of UL
                                                                                                                          60335-2-40.2 7
                                                                                                                         CAA section 608(c)(2) prohibits
                                                                                                                          knowingly venting or otherwise
                                                                                                                          knowingly releasing or
                                                                                                                          disposing of substitute
                                                                                                                          refrigerants in the course of
                                                                                                                          maintaining, servicing,
                                                                                                                          repairing or disposing of an
                                                                                                                          appliance or industrial
                                                                                                                          process refrigeration.
                                                                                                                         Department of Transportation
                                                                                                                          requirements for transport of
                                                                                                                          flammable gases must be
                                                                                                                          followed.
                                                                                                                         Flammable refrigerants being
                                                                                                                          recovered or otherwise
                                                                                                                          disposed of from residential
                                                                                                                          and light commercial air
                                                                                                                          conditioning appliances are
                                                                                                                          likely to be hazardous waste
                                                                                                                          under the Resource
                                                                                                                          Conservation and Recovery Act
                                                                                                                          (RCRA) (see 40 CFR parts 260
                                                                                                                          through 270).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference (5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51). You may inspect a copy at the
  U.S. EPA or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Contact the U.S. EPA at: EPA Docket Center, WJC West Building, Room 3334, 1301
  Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, www.epa.gov/dockets, (202) 202-1744. For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email
  [email protected], or visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
\2\ You may obtain the material from: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) COMM 2000; 151 Eastern Avenue; Bensenville, IL 60106; email: 2000.com">[email protected]2000.com; phone: 1-888-853-3503 in the U.S. or Canada (other countries +1-415-352-2168); website: https://ulstandards.ul.com/ or www.comm-2000.com.
\3\ UL 471. Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers. 10th edition. Supplement SB: Requirements for Refrigerators and Freezers Employing a Flammable
  Refrigerant in the Refrigerating System. November 24, 2010.
\4\ UL 484. Room Air Conditioners. 8th edition. Supplement SA: Requirements for Room Air Conditioners Employing a Flammable Refrigerant in the
  Refrigerating System and Appendices B through F. December 21, 2007, with changes through August 3, 2012.
 

[[Page 45549]]

 
\5\ UL 541. Refrigerated Vending Machines. 7th edition. Supplement SA: Requirements for Refrigerated Venders Employing a Flammable Refrigerant in the
  Refrigerating System. December 30, 2011.
\6\ UL 60335-2-24. Standard for Safety: Requirements for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances--Safety--Part 2-24: Particular Requirements for
  Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream Appliances and Ice-Makers, Second edition, dated April 28, 2017.
\7\ UL 60335-2-40, Standard for Household And Similar Electrical Appliances--Safety--Part 2-40: Particular Requirements for Electrical Heat Pumps, Air-
  Conditioners and Dehumidifiers, 3rd edition, Dated November 1, 2019.

[[Page 45550]]

* * * * *
0
3. Add appendix X to subpart G of part 82 to read as follows:

Appendix X to Subpart G of Part 82--Substitutes Listed in the [Date of 
Publication of the Final Rule in the Federal Register] Final Rule--
Effective [Date 30 Days After Date of Publication of the Final Rule in 
the Federal Register]

[[Page 45551]]

                                           Refrigerants--Substitutes Acceptable Subject to Narrowed Use Limits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             End-use                     Substitute              Decision                Narrowed use limits                  Further information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Very low temperature            R-1150................  Acceptable Subject     Temperature range--R-1150
 refrigeration (new only).                                  to Use Conditions     may only be used in equipment
                                                            and Narrowed Use      designed specifically to reach
                                                            Limits.               temperatures lower than -80 [deg]C
                                                                                  (-112 [deg]F).
                                                                                  The manufacturers of new
                                                                                  very low temperature equipment
                                                                                  would need to demonstrate that
                                                                                  other alternatives are not
                                                                                  technically feasible. They must
                                                                                  document the results of their
                                                                                  evaluation that showed the other
                                                                                  alternatives to be not technically
                                                                                  feasible and maintain that
                                                                                  documentation in their files. This
                                                                                  documentation, which does not need
                                                                                  to be submitted to EPA unless
                                                                                  requested to demonstrate
                                                                                  compliance, ``shall include
                                                                                  descriptions of substitutes
                                                                                  examined and rejected, processes
                                                                                  or products in which the
                                                                                  substitute is needed, reason for
                                                                                  rejection of other alternatives,
                                                                                  e.g., performance, technical or
                                                                                  safety standards, and the
                                                                                  anticipated date other substitutes
                                                                                  will be available and projected
                                                                                  time for switching to other
                                                                                  available substitutes.'' ( Sec.
                                                                                  82.180(b)(3)).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                             Refrigerants--Substitutes Acceptable Subject to Use Conditions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           End-use                 Substitute          Decision                    Use conditions                          Further information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Centrifugal Chillers for    HFO-1234yf,         Acceptable        These refrigerants may be used only in     Applicable OSHA requirements at 29 CFR
 comfort cooling and           R-454A,...........   Subject to Use    new equipment specifically designed and    part 1910 must be followed, including
 Industrial Process Air        R-454B,...........   Conditions.       clearly identified for the refrigerant     those at 29 CFR 1910.94 (ventilation)
 Conditioning Positive         R-454C............                     (i.e., none of these substitutes may be    and 1910.106 (flammable and combustible
 Displacement Chillers for                                            used as a conversion or ``retrofit''       liquids), 1910.110 (storage and
 comfort cooling and                                                  refrigerant for existing equipment         handling of liquefied petroleum gases),
 Industrial Process Air                                               designed for other refrigerants).          and 1910.1000 (toxic and hazardous
 Conditioning.                                                       These substitutes may only be used in air   substances).
                                                                      conditioning equipment that meets all     Proper ventilation should be maintained
                                                                      requirements in UL 60335-2-40.1 3 5 In     at all times during the manufacture and
                                                                      cases where this listing 1 includes        storage of equipment containing
                                                                      requirements more stringent than those     flammable refrigerants through
                                                                      of UL 60335-2-40, the appliance must       adherence to good manufacturing
                                                                      meet the requirements of this listing 1    practices as per 29 CFR 1910.106. If
                                                                      in place of the requirements in the UL     refrigerant levels in the air
                                                                      60335-2-40.                                surrounding the equipment rise above
                                                                     These refrigerants may be used in           one-fourth of the lower flammability
                                                                      chillers if and only if such chiller       limit, the space should be evacuated,
                                                                      meets all requirements listed in ASHRAE    and reentry should occur only after the
                                                                      15-2019.1 2 4 In cases where this          space has been properly ventilated.
                                                                      listing 1 includes requirements           Technicians and equipment manufacturers
                                                                      different than those of ASHRAE 15-2019,    should wear appropriate personal
                                                                      the appliance must meet the requirements   protective equipment, including
                                                                      of this listing 1 in place of the          chemical goggles and protective gloves,
                                                                      requirements in ASHRAE 15-2019. Where      when handling flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      similar requirements of ASHRAE 15-2019     Special care should be taken to avoid
                                                                      and UL 60335-2-40 differ, the more         contact with the skin which, like many
                                                                      stringent or conservative condition        refrigerants, can cause freeze burns on
                                                                      shall apply unless superseded by this      the skin.
                                                                      listing 1.

[[Page 45552]]

 
                                                                     The following markings must be attached    A class B dry powder type fire
                                                                      at the locations provided and must be      extinguisher should be kept nearby.
                                                                      permanent:                                Technicians should only use spark-proof
                                                                     (a) On the outside of the equipment:        tools when working on air conditioning
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Flammable         equipment with flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      Refrigerant Used. To Be Repaired Only By  Any recovery equipment used should be
                                                                      Trained Service Personnel. Do Not          designed for flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''.            Only technicians specifically trained
                                                                     (b) On the outside of the equipment:        in handling flammable refrigerants
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Dispose of        should service refrigeration equipment
                                                                      Properly In Accordance With Federal Or     containing this refrigerant.
                                                                      Local Regulations. Flammable Refrigerant   Technicians should gain an
                                                                      Used.''.                                   understanding of minimizing the risk of
                                                                     (c) On the inside of the equipment near     fire and the steps to use flammable
                                                                      the compressor: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire.   refrigerants safely.
                                                                      Flammable Refrigerant Used. Consult       Room occupants should evacuate the space
                                                                      Repair Manual/Owner's Guide Before         immediately following the accidental
                                                                      Attempting to Service This Product. All    release of this refrigerant.
                                                                      Safety Precautions Must be Followed.''.   Personnel commissioning, maintaining,
                                                                     (d) For any equipment pre-charged at the    repairing, decommissioning and
                                                                      factory, on the equipment packaging or     disposing of appliances with this
                                                                      on the outside of the equipment:           refrigerant should obtain training and
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire due to Flammable   follow practices consistent with Annex
                                                                      Refrigerant Used. Follow Handling          HH of UL 60335-2-40, 3rd edition.3 5
                                                                      Instructions Carefully in Compliance      CAA section 608(c)(2) prohibits
                                                                      with National Regulations''.               knowingly venting or otherwise
                                                                     a. If the equipment is delivered            knowingly releasing or disposing of
                                                                      packaged, this label shall be applied on   substitute refrigerants in the course
                                                                      the packaging.                             of maintaining, servicing, repairing or
                                                                     b. If the equipment is not delivered        disposing of an appliance or industrial
                                                                      packaged, this label shall be applied on   process refrigeration.
                                                                      the outside of the equipment near the     Department of Transportation
                                                                      control panel or nameplate.                requirements for transport of flammable
                                                                     (e) On the equipment near the nameplate:.   gases must be followed.
                                                                     a. At the top of the marking: ``Minimum    Flammable refrigerants being recovered
                                                                      Installation Height, X m (W ft)''. This    or otherwise disposed of from
                                                                      marking is only required if required by    residential and light commercial air
                                                                      UL 60335-2-40. The terms ``X'' and ``W''   conditioning appliances are likely to
                                                                      shall be replaced by the numeric height    be hazardous waste under the Resource
                                                                      as calculated per UL 60335-2-40. Note      Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
                                                                      that the formatting here is slightly       (see 40 CFR parts 260 through 270).
                                                                      different than UL 60335-2-40;
                                                                      specifically, the height in Inch-Pound
                                                                      units is placed in parentheses and the
                                                                      word ``and'' has been replaced by the
                                                                      opening parenthesis.
                                                                     b. Immediately below marking (a) of this
                                                                      listing 1or at the top of the marking if
                                                                      marking (a) is not required: ``Minimum
                                                                      room area (operating or storage), Y m\2\
                                                                      (Z ft\2\)''. The terms ``Y'' and ``Z''
                                                                      shall be replaced by the numeric area as
                                                                      calculated per UL 60335-2-40. Note that
                                                                      the formatting here is slightly
                                                                      different than UL 60335-2-40;
                                                                      specifically, the area in Inch-Pound
                                                                      units is placed in parentheses and the
                                                                      word ``and'' has been replaced by the
                                                                      opening parenthesis.
                                                                        (f) For non-fixed equipment, on the
                                                                         outside of the product: ``WARNING--
                                                                         Risk of Fire or Explosion--Store in a
                                                                         well-ventilated room without
                                                                         continuously operating flames or
                                                                         other potential ignition.''.
                                                                     (g) For fixed equipment that is ducted,
                                                                      including chillers, near the nameplate:
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire--Auxiliary
                                                                      devices which may be ignition sources
                                                                      shall not be installed in the ductwork,
                                                                      other than auxiliary devices listed for
                                                                      use with the specific appliance. See
                                                                      instructions.''.
                                                                        (h) All of these markings must be in
                                                                         letters no less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\
                                                                         inch) high.
                                                                     The equipment must have red Pantone
                                                                      Matching System (PMS) #185 or RAL 3020
                                                                      marked service ports, pipes, hoses, or
                                                                      other devices through which the
                                                                      refrigerant passes, to indicate the use
                                                                      of a flammable refrigerant. This color
                                                                      must be applied at all service ports and
                                                                      other parts of the system where service
                                                                      puncturing or other actions creating an
                                                                      opening from the refrigerant circuit to
                                                                      the atmosphere might be expected and
                                                                      must extend a minimum of one (1) inch
                                                                      (25mm) in both directions from such
                                                                      locations and shall be replaced if
                                                                      removed.

[[Page 45553]]

 
2. Positive Displacement       HFC-32, R-452B....  Acceptable        These refrigerants may be used only in     Applicable OSHA requirements at 29 CFR
 chillers for comfort cooling                       Subject to Use    new equipment specifically designed and    part 1910 must be followed, including
 using a rotary or scroll                           Conditions.       clearly identified for the refrigerant     those at 29 CFR 1910.94 (ventilation)
 compressor and Industrial                                            (i.e., none of these substitutes may be    and 1910.106 (flammable and combustible
 Process Air Conditioning                                             used as a conversion or ``retrofit''       liquids), 1910.110 (storage and
 using a chiller with a                                               refrigerant for existing equipment         handling of liquefied petroleum gases),
 rotary or scroll compressor.                                         designed for other refrigerants).          and 1910.1000 (toxic and hazardous
                                                                     These substitutes may only be used in air   substances).
                                                                      conditioning equipment that meets all     Proper ventilation should be maintained
                                                                      requirements in UL 60335-2-40.1 2 3 In     at all times during the manufacture and
                                                                      cases where this listing 2 includes        storage of equipment containing
                                                                      requirements more stringent than those     flammable refrigerants through
                                                                      of UL 60335-2-40, the appliance must       adherence to good manufacturing
                                                                      meet the requirements of this listing 2    practices as per 29 CFR 1910.106. If
                                                                      in place of the requirements in UL 60335-  refrigerant levels in the air
                                                                      2-40.                                      surrounding the equipment rise above
                                                                     These refrigerants may be used in           one-fourth of the lower flammability
                                                                      chillers if and only if such chiller       limit, the space should be evacuated,
                                                                      meets all requirements listed in ASHRAE    and reentry should occur only after the
                                                                      15-2019.\1\ In cases where this listing    space has been properly ventilated.
                                                                      2 includes requirements different than    Technicians and equipment manufacturers
                                                                      those of ASHRAE 15-2019, the appliance     should wear appropriate personal
                                                                      must meet the requirements of this         protective equipment, including
                                                                      listing 2 in place of the requirements     chemical goggles and protective gloves,
                                                                      in ASHRAE 15-2019. Where similar           when handling flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      requirements of ASHRAE 15-2019 and UL      Special care should be taken to avoid
                                                                      60335-2-40 differ, the more stringent or   contact with the skin which, like many
                                                                      conservative condition shall apply         refrigerants, can cause freeze burns on
                                                                      unless superseded by this listing.         the skin.
                                                                     The following markings must be attached    A class B dry powder type fire
                                                                      at the locations provided and must be      extinguisher should be kept nearby.
                                                                      permanent:                                Technicians should only use spark-proof
                                                                     (a) On the outside of the equipment:        tools when working on air conditioning
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Flammable         equipment with flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      Refrigerant Used. To Be Repaired Only By  Any recovery equipment used should be
                                                                      Trained Service Personnel. Do Not          designed for flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''.            Only technicians specifically trained
                                                                     (b) On the outside of the equipment:        in handling flammable refrigerants
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Dispose of        should service refrigeration equipment
                                                                      Properly In Accordance With Federal Or     containing this refrigerant.
                                                                      Local Regulations. Flammable Refrigerant   Technicians should gain an
                                                                      Used.''.                                   understanding of minimizing the risk of
                                                                     (c) On the inside of the equipment near     fire and the steps to use flammable
                                                                      the compressor: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire.   refrigerants safely.
                                                                      Flammable Refrigerant Used. Consult       Room occupants should evacuate the space
                                                                      Repair Manual/Owner's Guide Before         immediately following the accidental
                                                                      Attempting to Service This Product. All    release of this refrigerant.
                                                                      Safety Precautions Must be Followed.''.   Personnel commissioning, maintaining,
                                                                     (d) For any equipment pre-charged at the    repairing, decommissioning and
                                                                      factory, on the equipment packaging or     disposing of appliances with this
                                                                      on the outside of the equipment:           refrigerant should obtain training and
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire due to Flammable   follow practices consistent with Annex
                                                                      Refrigerant Used. Follow Handling          HH of UL 60355-2-40.3 5
                                                                      Instructions Carefully in Compliance      CAA section 608(c)(2) prohibits
                                                                      with National Regulations''.               knowingly venting or otherwise
                                                                     a. If the equipment is delivered            knowingly releasing or disposing of
                                                                      packaged, this label shall be applied on   substitute refrigerants in the course
                                                                      the packaging.                             of maintaining, servicing, repairing or
                                                                     b. If the equipment is not delivered        disposing of an appliance or industrial
                                                                      packaged, this label shall be applied on   process refrigeration.
                                                                      the outside of the equipment near the     Department of Transportation
                                                                      control panel or nameplate.                requirements for transport of flammable
                                                                                                                 gases must be followed.
                                                                                                                Flammable refrigerants being recovered
                                                                                                                 or otherwise disposed of from
                                                                                                                 residential and light commercial air
                                                                                                                 conditioning appliances are likely to
                                                                                                                 be hazardous waste under the Resource
                                                                                                                 Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
                                                                                                                 (see 40 CFR parts 260 through 270).

[[Page 45554]]

 
                                                                        (e) On the equipment near the
                                                                         nameplate:.
                                                                     a. At the top of the marking: ``Minimum
                                                                      Installation height, X m (W ft)''. This
                                                                      marking is only required if required by
                                                                      UL 60335-2-40. The terms ``X'' and ``W''
                                                                      shall be replaced by the numeric height
                                                                      as calculated per UL 60335-2-40. Note
                                                                      that the formatting here is slightly
                                                                      different than UL 60335-2-40;
                                                                      specifically, the height in Inch-Pound
                                                                      units is placed in parentheses and the
                                                                      word ``and'' has been replaced by the
                                                                      opening parenthesis.
                                                                     b. Immediately below marking (a) or at
                                                                      the top of the marking if marking (a) is
                                                                      not required: ``Minimum room area
                                                                      (operating or storage), Y m\2\ (Z
                                                                      ft\2\)''. The terms ``Y'' and ``Z''
                                                                      shall be replaced by the numeric area as
                                                                      calculated per UL 60335-2-40. Note that
                                                                      the formatting here is slightly
                                                                      different than UL 60335-2-40;
                                                                      specifically, the area in Inch-Pound
                                                                      units is placed in parentheses and the
                                                                      word ``and'' has been replaced by the
                                                                      opening parenthesis.
                                                                     (f) For non-fixed equipment, on the
                                                                      outside of the product: ``WARNING--Risk
                                                                      of Fire or Explosion--Store in a well-
                                                                      ventilated room without continuously
                                                                      operating flames or other potential
                                                                      ignition.''.
                                                                     (g) For fixed equipment that is ducted,
                                                                      including chillers, near the nameplate:
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire--Auxiliary
                                                                      devices which may be ignition sources
                                                                      shall not be installed in the ductwork,
                                                                      other than auxiliary devices listed for
                                                                      use with the specific appliance. See
                                                                      instructions.''.
                                                                     (h) All of these markings must be in
                                                                      letters no less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch)
                                                                      high.
                                                                     The equipment must have red Pantone
                                                                      Matching System (PMS) #185 or RAL 3020
                                                                      marked service ports, pipes, hoses, or
                                                                      other devices through which the
                                                                      refrigerant passes, to indicate the use
                                                                      of a flammable refrigerant. This color
                                                                      must be applied at all service ports and
                                                                      other parts of the system where service
                                                                      puncturing or other actions creating an
                                                                      opening from the refrigerant circuit to
                                                                      the atmosphere might be expected and
                                                                      must extend a minimum of one (1) inch
                                                                      (25mm) in both directions from such
                                                                      locations and shall be replaced if
                                                                      removed.

[[Page 45555]]

 
3. Residential Dehumidifiers.  HFO-1234yf, HFC-    Acceptable        These refrigerants may be used only in     Applicable OSHA requirements at 29 CFR
                                32,                 Subject to Use    new equipment specifically designed and    part 1910 must be followed, including
                               R-452B,...........   Conditions.       clearly identified for the refrigerant     those at 29 CFR 1910.94 (ventilation)
                               R-454A,...........                     (i.e., none of these substitutes may be    and 1910.106 (flammable and combustible
                               R-454B, and.......                     used as a conversion or ``retrofit''       liquids), 1910.110 (storage and
                               R-454C............                     refrigerant for existing equipment         handling of liquefied petroleum gases),
                                                                      designed for other refrigerants).          and 1910.1000 (toxic and hazardous
                                                                     These substitutes may only be used in       substances).
                                                                      dehumidifier equipment that meets all     Proper ventilation should be maintained
                                                                      requirements in UL 60335-2-40.1 3 5 In     at all times during the manufacture and
                                                                      cases where this listing 3 includes        storage of equipment containing
                                                                      requirements more stringent than those     flammable refrigerants through
                                                                      of UL 60335-2-40, the appliance must       adherence to good manufacturing
                                                                      meet the requirements of this listing 3    practices as per 29 CFR 1910.106. If
                                                                      in place of the requirements in UL 60335-  refrigerant levels in the air
                                                                      2-40.                                      surrounding the equipment rise above
                                                                     The following markings must be attached     one-fourth of the lower flammability
                                                                      at the locations provided and must be      limit, the space should be evacuated,
                                                                      permanent:.                                and reentry should occur only after the
                                                                     (a) On the outside of the equipment:        space has been properly ventilated.
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Flammable        Technicians and equipment manufacturers
                                                                      Refrigerant Used. To Be Repaired Only By   should wear appropriate personal
                                                                      Trained Service Personnel. Do Not          protective equipment, including
                                                                      Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''.            chemical goggles and protective gloves,
                                                                     (b) On the outside of the equipment:        when handling flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Dispose of        Special care should be taken to avoid
                                                                      Properly In Accordance With Federal Or     contact with the skin which, like many
                                                                      Local Regulations. Flammable Refrigerant   refrigerants, can cause freeze burns on
                                                                      Used.''.                                   the skin.
                                                                     (c) On the inside of the equipment near    A class B dry powder type fire
                                                                      the compressor: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire.   extinguisher should be kept nearby.
                                                                      Flammable Refrigerant Used. Consult       Technicians should only use spark-proof
                                                                      Repair Manual/Owner's Guide Before         tools when working on air conditioning
                                                                      Attempting to Service This Product. All    equipment with flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      Safety Precautions Must be Followed.''.   Any recovery equipment used should be
                                                                     (d) For any equipment pre-charged at the    designed for flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      factory, on the equipment packaging or     Only technicians specifically trained
                                                                      on the outside of the equipment:           in handling flammable refrigerants
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire due to Flammable   should service refrigeration equipment
                                                                      Refrigerant Used. Follow Handling          containing this refrigerant.
                                                                      Instructions Carefully in Compliance       Technicians should gain an
                                                                      with National Regulations''.               understanding of minimizing the risk of
                                                                     a. If the equipment is delivered            fire and the steps to use flammable
                                                                      packaged, this label shall be applied on   refrigerants safely.
                                                                      the packaging.                            Room occupants should evacuate the space
                                                                     b. If the equipment is not delivered        immediately following the accidental
                                                                      packaged, this label shall be applied on   release of this refrigerant.
                                                                      the outside of the equipment near the     Personnel commissioning, maintaining,
                                                                      control panel or nameplate.                repairing, decommissioning and
                                                                     (e) On the equipment near the nameplate:.   disposing of appliances with this
                                                                     a. At the top of the marking: ``Minimum     refrigerant should obtain training and
                                                                      Installation Height, X m (W ft)''. This    follow practices consistent with Annex
                                                                      marking is only required if required by    HH of UL 60335-2-40.3 5
                                                                      UL 60335-2-40. The terms ``X'' and ``W''  CAA section 608(c)(2) prohibits
                                                                      shall be replaced by the numeric height    knowingly venting or otherwise
                                                                      as calculated per UL 60335-2-40. Note      knowingly releasing or disposing of
                                                                      that the formatting here is slightly       substitute refrigerants in the course
                                                                      different than UL 60335-2-40;              of maintaining, servicing, repairing or
                                                                      specifically, the height in Inch-Pound     disposing of an appliance or industrial
                                                                      units is placed in parentheses and the     process refrigeration.
                                                                      word ``and'' has been replaced by the     Department of Transportation
                                                                      opening parenthesis.                       requirements for transport of flammable
                                                                     b. Immediately below marking (a) of this    gases must be followed.
                                                                      listing 3or at the top of the marking if  Flammable refrigerants being recovered
                                                                      marking (a) is not required: ``Minimum     or otherwise disposed of from
                                                                      room area (operating or storage), Y m\2\   residential and light commercial air
                                                                      (Z ft\2\)''. The terms ``Y'' and ``Z''     conditioning appliances are likely to
                                                                      shall be replaced by the numeric area as   be hazardous waste under the Resource
                                                                      calculated per UL 60335-2-40. Note that    Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
                                                                      the formatting here is slightly            (see 40 CFR parts 260 through 270).
                                                                      different than UL 60335-2-40;
                                                                      specifically, the area in Inch-Pound
                                                                      units is placed in parentheses and the
                                                                      word ``and'' has been replaced by the
                                                                      opening parenthesis.
                                                                     (f) On the outside of the product:
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire or Explosion--
                                                                      Store in a well-ventilated room without
                                                                      continuously operating flames or other
                                                                      potential ignition.''.
                                                                     (g) All of these markings must be in
                                                                      letters no less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch)
                                                                      high.
                                                                     The equipment must have red Pantone
                                                                      Matching System (PMS) #185 or RAL 3020
                                                                      marked service ports, pipes, hoses, or
                                                                      other devices through which the
                                                                      refrigerant passes, to indicate the use
                                                                      of a flammable refrigerant. This color
                                                                      must be applied at all service ports and
                                                                      other parts of the system where service
                                                                      puncturing or other actions creating an
                                                                      opening from the refrigerant circuit to
                                                                      the atmosphere might be expected and
                                                                      must extend a minimum of one (1) inch
                                                                      (25mm) in both directions from such
                                                                      locations and shall be replaced if
                                                                      removed.

[[Page 45556]]

 
4. Non-residential             HFC-32............  Acceptable        This refrigerant may be used only in new
 Dehumidifiers.                                     Subject to Use    equipment specifically designed and
                                                    Conditions.       clearly identified for the refrigerant
                                                                      (i.e., this substitute may not be used
                                                                      as a conversion or ``retrofit''
                                                                      refrigerant for existing equipment
                                                                      designed for other refrigerants).
                                                                     This substitute may only be used in        Applicable OSHA requirements at 29 CFR
                                                                      dehumidifier equipment that meets all      part 1910 must be followed, including
                                                                      requirements in UL 60335-2-40.1 3 5 In     those at 29 CFR 1910.94 (ventilation)
                                                                      cases where this listing 4 includes        and 1910.106 (flammable and combustible
                                                                      requirements more stringent than those     liquids), 1910.110 (storage and
                                                                      of UL 60335-2-40, the appliance must       handling of liquefied petroleum gases),
                                                                      meet the requirements of this listing 4    and 1910.1000 (toxic and hazardous
                                                                      in place of the requirements in UL 60335-  substances).
                                                                      2-40.                                     Proper ventilation should be maintained
                                                                     The following markings must be attached     at all times during the manufacture and
                                                                      at the locations provided and must be      storage of equipment containing
                                                                      permanent:.                                flammable refrigerants through
                                                                     (a) On the outside of the equipment:        adherence to good manufacturing
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Flammable         practices as per 29 CFR 1910.106. If
                                                                      Refrigerant Used. To Be Repaired Only By   refrigerant levels in the air
                                                                      Trained Service Personnel. Do Not          surrounding the equipment rise above
                                                                      Puncture Refrigerant Tubing.''.            one-fourth of the lower flammability
                                                                     (b) On the outside of the equipment:        limit, the space should be evacuated,
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire. Dispose of        and reentry should occur only after the
                                                                      Properly In Accordance With Federal Or     space has been properly ventilated.
                                                                      Local Regulations. Flammable Refrigerant  Technicians and equipment manufacturers
                                                                      Used.''.                                   should wear appropriate personal
                                                                     (c) On the inside of the equipment near     protective equipment, including
                                                                      the compressor: ``WARNING--Risk of Fire.   chemical goggles and protective gloves,
                                                                      Flammable Refrigerant Used. Consult        when handling flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      Repair Manual/Owner's Guide Before         Special care should be taken to avoid
                                                                      Attempting to Service This Product. All    contact with the skin which, like many
                                                                      Safety Precautions Must be Followed.''.    refrigerants, can cause freeze burns on
                                                                     (d) For any equipment pre-charged at the    the skin.
                                                                      factory, on the equipment packaging or    A class B dry powder type fire
                                                                      on the outside of the equipment:           extinguisher should be kept nearby.
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire due to Flammable  Technicians should only use spark-proof
                                                                      Refrigerant Used. Follow Handling          tools when working on air conditioning
                                                                      Instructions Carefully in Compliance       equipment with flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      with National Regulations''.              Any recovery equipment used should be
                                                                     a. If the equipment is delivered            designed for flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      packaged, this label shall be applied on   Only technicians specifically trained
                                                                      the packaging.                             in handling flammable refrigerants
                                                                     b. If the equipment is not delivered        should service refrigeration equipment
                                                                      packaged, this label shall be applied on   containing this refrigerant.
                                                                      the outside of the equipment near the      Technicians should gain an
                                                                      control panel or nameplate.                understanding of minimizing the risk of
                                                                     (e) On the equipment near the nameplate:.   fire and the steps to use flammable
                                                                                                                 refrigerants safely.
                                                                                                                Room occupants should evacuate the space
                                                                                                                 immediately following the accidental
                                                                                                                 release of this refrigerant.
                                                                                                                Personnel commissioning, maintaining,
                                                                                                                 repairing, decommissioning and
                                                                                                                 disposing of appliances with this
                                                                                                                 refrigerant should obtain training and
                                                                                                                 follow practices consistent with Annex
                                                                                                                 HH of UL 6035-2-40.3 5
                                                                                                                CAA section 608(c)(2) prohibits
                                                                                                                 knowingly venting or otherwise
                                                                                                                 knowingly releasing or disposing of
                                                                                                                 substitute refrigerants in the course
                                                                                                                 of maintaining, servicing, repairing or
                                                                                                                 disposing of an appliance or industrial
                                                                                                                 process refrigeration.
                                                                                                                Department of Transportation
                                                                                                                 requirements for transport of flammable
                                                                                                                 gases must be followed.
                                                                                                                Flammable refrigerants being recovered
                                                                                                                 or otherwise disposed of from
                                                                                                                 residential and light commercial air
                                                                                                                 conditioning appliances are likely to
                                                                                                                 be hazardous waste under the Resource
                                                                                                                 Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
                                                                                                                 (see 40 CFR parts 260 through 270).

[[Page 45557]]

 
                                                                          a. At the top of the marking:
                                                                           ``Minimum Installation Height, X m
                                                                           (W ft)''. This marking is only
                                                                           required if required by UL 60335-2-
                                                                           40. The terms ``X'' and ``W'' shall
                                                                           be replaced by the numeric height
                                                                           as calculated per UL 60335-2-40.
                                                                           Note that the formatting here is
                                                                           slightly different than UL 60335-2-
                                                                           40; specifically, the height in
                                                                           Inch-Pound units is placed in
                                                                           parentheses and the word ``and''
                                                                           has been replaced by the opening
                                                                           parenthesis.
                                                                     b. Immediately below marking (a) of this
                                                                      listing 4 or at the top of the marking
                                                                      if marking (a) is not required:
                                                                      ``Minimum room area (operating or
                                                                      storage), Y m\2\ (Z ft\2\)''. The terms
                                                                      ``Y'' and ``Z'' shall be replaced by the
                                                                      numeric area as calculated per UL 60335-
                                                                      2-40. Note that the formatting here is
                                                                      slightly different than UL 60335-2-40;
                                                                      specifically, the area in Inch-Pound
                                                                      units is placed in parentheses and the
                                                                      word ``and'' has been replaced by the
                                                                      opening parenthesis.
                                                                     (f) On the outside of the product:
                                                                      ``WARNING--Risk of Fire or Explosion--
                                                                      Store in a well-ventilated room without
                                                                      continuously operating flames or other
                                                                      potential ignition.''.
                                                                     (g) All of these markings must be in
                                                                      letters no less than 6.4 mm (\1/4\ inch)
                                                                      high.
                                                                     The equipment must have red Pantone
                                                                      Matching System (PMS) #185 or RAL 3020
                                                                      marked service ports, pipes, hoses, or
                                                                      other devices through which the
                                                                      refrigerant passes, to indicate the use
                                                                      of a flammable refrigerant. This color
                                                                      must be applied at all service ports and
                                                                      other parts of the system where service
                                                                      puncturing or other actions creating an
                                                                      opening from the refrigerant circuit to
                                                                      the atmosphere might be expected and
                                                                      must extend a minimum of one (1) inch
                                                                      (25mm) in both directions from such
                                                                      locations and shall be replaced if
                                                                      removed.

[[Page 45558]]

 
5. Very Low Temperature        R-1150............  Acceptable        R-1150 may be used only in new equipment   Applicable OSHA requirements at 29 CFR
 Refrigeration.                                     Subject to Use    specifically designed and clearly          part 1910 must be followed, including
                                                    Conditions.       identified for the refrigerant (i.e.,      those at 29 CFR 1910.94 (ventilation)
                                                                      none of these substitutes may be used as   and 1910.106 (flammable and combustible
                                                                      a conversion or ``retrofit'' refrigerant   liquids), 1910.110 (storage and
                                                                      for existing equipment designed for        handling of liquefied petroleum gases),
                                                                      other refrigerants).                       and 1910.1000 (toxic and hazardous
                                                                     R-1150 may only be used in laboratory       substances).
                                                                      equipment that meet all requirements in   Proper ventilation should be maintained
                                                                      UL 61010-2-011.1 3 6 In cases where this   at all times during the manufacture and
                                                                      listing 5 includes requirements more       storage of equipment containing
                                                                      stringent than those of UL 61010-2-011,    flammable refrigerants through
                                                                      the appliance must meet the requirements   adherence to good manufacturing
                                                                      of this listing 5 in place of the          practices as per 29 CFR 1910.106. If
                                                                      requirements in UL 61010-2-011.            refrigerant levels in the air
                                                                     Requirements of note include:............   surrounding the equipment rise above
                                                                     (a) Warning labels--The following           one-fourth of the lower flammability
                                                                      markings, or the equivalent, must be       limit, the space should be evacuated,
                                                                      provided in letters no less than 6.4 mm    and reentry should occur only after the
                                                                      (\1/4\ inch) high and must be permanent:.  space has been properly ventilated.
                                                                     (b) Attach near the machine compartment:   Technicians and equipment manufacturers
                                                                      ``DANGER--Risk of Fire or Explosion.       should wear appropriate personal
                                                                      Flammable Refrigerant Used. To Be          protective equipment, including
                                                                      Repaired Only By Trained Service           chemical goggles and protective gloves,
                                                                      Personnel. Do Not Puncture Refrigerant     when handling flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      Tubing''.                                  Special care should be taken to avoid
                                                                     (c) Attach near the machine compartment:    contact with the skin which, like many
                                                                      ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or Explosion.      refrigerants, can cause freeze burns on
                                                                      Flammable Refrigerant Used. Consult        the skin.
                                                                      Repair Manual/Owner's Guide Before        A class B dry powder type fire
                                                                      Attempting To Service This Product. All    extinguisher should be kept nearby.
                                                                      Safety Precautions Must be Followed.''.   Technicians should only use spark-proof
                                                                     (d) Attach on the exterior of the           tools when working on air conditioning
                                                                      refrigeration equipment: ``CAUTION--Risk   equipment with flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      of Fire or Explosion. Dispose of          Any recovery equipment used should be
                                                                      Properly In Accordance With Federal Or     designed for flammable refrigerants.
                                                                      Local Regulations. Flammable Refrigerant   Only technicians specifically trained
                                                                      Used.''.                                   in handling flammable refrigerants
                                                                     (e) Attach near all exposed refrigerant     should service refrigeration equipment
                                                                      tubing: ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire or         containing this refrigerant.
                                                                      Explosion Due To Puncture Of Refrigerant   Technicians should gain an
                                                                      Tubing; Follow Handling Instructions       understanding of minimizing the risk of
                                                                      Carefully. Flammable Refrigerant Used.''.  fire and the steps to use flammable
                                                                     (f) Attach on the exterior of the           refrigerants safely.
                                                                      refrigeration equipment: ``This           Room occupants should evacuate the space
                                                                      equipment is intended for use in           immediately following the accidental
                                                                      commercial, industrial, or institutional   release of this refrigerant.
                                                                      occupancies as defined in the Safety      Personnel commissioning, maintaining,
                                                                      Standard for Refrigeration Systems, ANSI/  repairing, decommissioning and
                                                                      ASHRAE 15''.                               disposing of appliances with this
                                                                     (g) Attach on the exterior of the           refrigerant should obtain training and
                                                                      shipping carton: ``CAUTION--Risk of Fire   follow practices consistent with Annex
                                                                      or Explosion. Dispose of Properly In       HH of UL 60335-2-40.3 5
                                                                      Accordance With Federal Or Local          CAA section 608(c)(2) prohibits
                                                                      Regulations.''.                            knowingly venting or otherwise
                                                                     (h) The instructions shall include the      knowingly releasing or disposing of
                                                                      following warnings as necessary:.          substitute refrigerants in the course
                                                                     a. ``WARNING: Ensure all ventilation        of maintaining, servicing, repairing or
                                                                      openings are not obstructed.''.            disposing of an appliance or industrial
                                                                                                                 process refrigeration.
                                                                                                                Department of Transportation
                                                                                                                 requirements for transport of flammable
                                                                                                                 gases must be followed.
                                                                                                                Flammable refrigerants being recovered
                                                                                                                 or otherwise disposed of from
                                                                                                                 residential and light commercial air
                                                                                                                 conditioning appliances are likely to
                                                                                                                 be hazardous waste under the Resource
                                                                                                                 Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
                                                                                                                 (see 40 CFR parts 260 through 270).
                                                                          b. ``WARNING: Do not use mechanical
                                                                           devices or other means to
                                                                           accelerate the defrosting process,
                                                                           other than those recommended by the
                                                                           manufacturer.''.
                                                                     c. ``WARNING: Do not damage the
                                                                      refrigerant circuit.''.
                                                                     Equipment must have distinguishing red
                                                                      (Pantone[supreg] Matching System (PMS)
                                                                      #185 or RAL 3020) color-coded hoses and
                                                                      piping to indicate use of a flammable
                                                                      refrigerant. The laboratory equipment
                                                                      shall have marked service ports, pipes,
                                                                      hoses and other devices through which
                                                                      the refrigerant is serviced. Markings
                                                                      shall extend at least 1 inch (25mm) from
                                                                      the servicing port and shall be replaced
                                                                      if removed.
                                                                     Equipment must use no more than 150 g of
                                                                      R-1150 in each refrigerant circuit using
                                                                      this refrigerant.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference (5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51). You may inspect a copy at the
  U.S. EPA or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Contact the U.S. EPA at: EPA Docket Center, WJC West Building, Room 3334, 1301
  Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, www.epa.gov/dockets, (202) 202-1744. For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email
  [email protected], or visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

[[Page 45559]]

 
\2\ You may obtain this material from: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), 180 Technology Parkway NW,
  Peachtree Corners, Georgia 30092; phone: 404-636-8400; website: www.ashrae.org.
\3\ You may obtain this material from: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) COMM 2000; 151 Eastern Avenue; Bensenville, IL 60106; phone: 415-352-2168;
  email: 2000.com">[email protected]2000.com; website: https://ulstandards.ul.com/ or www.comm-2000.com.
\4\ ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 15-2019. Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems, including all addenda published as of July 28, 2022.
\5\ UL 60335-2-40, Standard for Household And Similar Electrical Appliances--Safety--Part 2-40: Particular Requirements for Electrical Heat Pumps, Air-
  Conditioners and Dehumidifiers, 3rd edition, Dated November 1, 2019.
\6\ UL 61010-2-011, Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use--Part 011: Particular Requirements for
  Refrigerating Equipment, 2nd edition, dated May 13th, 2021.

                                 Fire Suppression and Explosion Protection Agents--Acceptable Subject to Use Conditions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             End-use                     Substitute              Decision                   Use conditions                    Further information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Total Flooding................  2-BTP.................  Acceptable Subject    Acceptable only for use in normally  This fire suppressant has a
                                                            to Use Conditions.    unoccupied spaces under 500 ft\3\.   relatively low GWP of 0.23-0.26
                                                                                                                       and a short atmospheric lifetime
                                                                                                                       of approximately seven days.
                                                                                                                      This agent is subject to a TSCA
                                                                                                                       section 5(a)(2) SNUR.
                                                                                                                      For establishments manufacturing,
                                                                                                                       installing and maintaining
                                                                                                                       equipment using this agent, EPA
                                                                                                                       recommends the following:
                                                                                                                       This agent should be used
                                                                                                                       in accordance with the safety
                                                                                                                       guidelines in the latest edition
                                                                                                                       of NFPA 2001, Standard on Clean
                                                                                                                       Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems;
                                                                                                                       \1\
                                                                                                                       In the case that 2-BTP is
                                                                                                                       inhaled, person(s) should be
                                                                                                                       immediately removed and exposed
                                                                                                                       to fresh air; if breathing is
                                                                                                                       difficult, person(s) should seek
                                                                                                                       medical attention;
                                                                                                                       Eye wash and quick drench
                                                                                                                       facilities should be available.
                                                                                                                       In case of ocular exposure,
                                                                                                                       person(s) should immediately
                                                                                                                       flush the eyes, including under
                                                                                                                       the eyelids, with fresh water and
                                                                                                                       move to a non-contaminated area;
                                                                                                                       Exposed persons should
                                                                                                                       remove all contaminated clothing
                                                                                                                       and footwear to avoid irritation;
                                                                                                                       and medical attention should be
                                                                                                                       sought if irritation develops or
                                                                                                                       persists;
                                                                                                                       Although unlikely, in
                                                                                                                       case of ingestion of 2-BTP, the
                                                                                                                       person(s) should consult a
                                                                                                                       physician immediately;
                                                                                                                       Manufacturing space
                                                                                                                       should be equipped with
                                                                                                                       specialized engineering controls
                                                                                                                       and well ventilated with a local
                                                                                                                       exhaust system and low-lying
                                                                                                                       source ventilation to effectively
                                                                                                                       mitigate potential occupational
                                                                                                                       exposure; regular testing and
                                                                                                                       monitoring of the workplace
                                                                                                                       atmosphere should be conducted;
                                                                                                                       Employees responsible for
                                                                                                                       chemical processing should wear
                                                                                                                       the appropriate PPE, such as
                                                                                                                       protective gloves, tightly sealed
                                                                                                                       goggles, protective work
                                                                                                                       clothing, and suitable
                                                                                                                       respiratory protection in case of
                                                                                                                       accidental release or
                                                                                                                       insufficient ventilation;
                                                                                                                       All spills should be
                                                                                                                       cleaned up immediately in
                                                                                                                       accordance with good industrial
                                                                                                                       hygiene practices; and
                                                                                                                       Training for safe
                                                                                                                       handling procedures should be
                                                                                                                       provided to all employees that
                                                                                                                       would be likely to handle
                                                                                                                       containers of the agent or
                                                                                                                       extinguishing units filled with
                                                                                                                       the agent.
                                                                                                                       Safety features that are
                                                                                                                       typical of total flooding systems
                                                                                                                       such as predischarge alarms, time
                                                                                                                       delays, and system abort switches
                                                                                                                       should be provided, as directed
                                                                                                                       by applicable OSHA regulations
                                                                                                                       and NFPA standards.\1\ Use of
                                                                                                                       this agent should also conform to
                                                                                                                       relevant OSHA requirements,
                                                                                                                       including 29 CFR 1910.160 and
                                                                                                                       1910.162.
                                                                                                                      See notes 1 through 5 to this
                                                                                                                       table.

[[Page 45560]]

 
2. Streaming.....................  2-BTP.................  Acceptable, Subject   Acceptable only for use in non-      This fire suppressant has a
                                                            to Use Conditions.    residential applications, except     relatively low GWP of 0.23-0.26
                                                                                  for commercial home office and       and a short atmospheric lifetime
                                                                                  personal watercraft.                 of approximately seven days.
                                                                                                                      This agent is subject to a TSCA
                                                                                                                       section 5(a)(2) SNUR.
                                                                                                                      For establishments manufacturing,
                                                                                                                       installing and maintaining
                                                                                                                       equipment using this agent, EPA
                                                                                                                       recommends the following:
                                                                                                                       This agent should be used
                                                                                                                       in accordance with the safety
                                                                                                                       guidelines in the latest edition
                                                                                                                       of NFPA 10, Standard for Portable
                                                                                                                       Fire Extinguishers; \1\
                                                                                                                       In the case that 2-BTP is
                                                                                                                       inhaled, person(s) should be
                                                                                                                       immediately removed and exposed
                                                                                                                       to fresh air; if breathing is
                                                                                                                       difficult, person(s) should seek
                                                                                                                       medical attention;
                                                                                                                       Eye wash and quick drench
                                                                                                                       facilities should be available.
                                                                                                                       In case of ocular exposure,
                                                                                                                       person(s) should immediately
                                                                                                                       flush the eyes, including under
                                                                                                                       the eyelids, with fresh water and
                                                                                                                       move to a non-contaminated area;
                                                                                                                       Exposed persons should
                                                                                                                       remove all contaminated clothing
                                                                                                                       and footwear to avoid irritation;
                                                                                                                       and medical attention should be
                                                                                                                       sought if irritation develops or
                                                                                                                       persists;
                                                                                                                       Although unlikely, in
                                                                                                                       case of ingestion of 2-BTP, the
                                                                                                                       person(s) should consult a
                                                                                                                       physician immediately;
                                                                                                                       Manufacturing space
                                                                                                                       should be equipped with
                                                                                                                       specialized engineering controls
                                                                                                                       and well ventilated with a local
                                                                                                                       exhaust system and low-lying
                                                                                                                       source ventilation to effectively
                                                                                                                       mitigate potential occupational
                                                                                                                       exposure; regular testing and
                                                                                                                       monitoring of the workplace
                                                                                                                       atmosphere should be conducted;
                                                                                                                       Employees responsible for
                                                                                                                       chemical processing should wear
                                                                                                                       the appropriate PPE, such as
                                                                                                                       protective gloves, tightly sealed
                                                                                                                       goggles, protective work
                                                                                                                       clothing, and suitable
                                                                                                                       respiratory protection in case of
                                                                                                                       accidental release or
                                                                                                                       insufficient ventilation;
                                                                                                                       All spills should be
                                                                                                                       cleaned up immediately in
                                                                                                                       accordance with good industrial
                                                                                                                       hygiene practices; and
                                                                                                                       Training for safe
                                                                                                                       handling procedures should be
                                                                                                                       provided to all employees that
                                                                                                                       would be likely to handle
                                                                                                                       containers of the agent or
                                                                                                                       extinguishing units filled with
                                                                                                                       the agent.
                                                                                                                      See notes 1 through 5 to this
                                                                                                                       table.

[[Page 45561]]

 
3. Total Flooding................  EXXFIRE[supreg].......  Acceptable Subject    Acceptable only for use in normally  Use of this agent should be in
                                                            to Use Conditions.    unoccupied spaces.                   accordance with the safety
                                                                                                                       guidelines in the latest edition
                                                                                                                       of the NFPA 2001, Standard on
                                                                                                                       Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing
                                                                                                                       Systems.\1\
                                                                                                                      For establishments manufacturing,
                                                                                                                       installing and maintaining
                                                                                                                       equipment using this agent, EPA
                                                                                                                       recommends the following:
                                                                                                                       In the case that
                                                                                                                       EXXFIRE[supreg] is inhaled,
                                                                                                                       person(s) should be immediately
                                                                                                                       removed and exposed to fresh air.
                                                                                                                       Eye wash and quick drench
                                                                                                                       facilities should be available.
                                                                                                                       In case of ocular exposure,
                                                                                                                       person(s) should immediately
                                                                                                                       flush the eyes with water for a
                                                                                                                       minimum of 15 minutes.
                                                                                                                       In the case of dermal
                                                                                                                       exposure, the SDS recommends that
                                                                                                                       person(s) should remove large
                                                                                                                       grain particles, rinse with water
                                                                                                                       for a minimum of 15 minutes, and
                                                                                                                       remove all contaminated clothing.
                                                                                                                       Manufacturing space
                                                                                                                       should be equipped with
                                                                                                                       engineering controls,
                                                                                                                       specifically an adequate exhaust
                                                                                                                       ventilation system, to
                                                                                                                       effectively mitigate potential
                                                                                                                       occupational exposure.
                                                                                                                       Employees responsible for
                                                                                                                       chemical processing should wear
                                                                                                                       the appropriate personnel
                                                                                                                       protective equipment (PPE), such
                                                                                                                       as protective gloves, tightly
                                                                                                                       sealed goggles, protective work
                                                                                                                       clothing, and suitable
                                                                                                                       respiratory protection in case of
                                                                                                                       accidental release or
                                                                                                                       insufficient ventilation.
                                                                                                                       All spills should be
                                                                                                                       cleaned up immediately in
                                                                                                                       accordance with good industrial
                                                                                                                       hygiene practices.
                                                                                                                       Training for safe
                                                                                                                       handling procedures should be
                                                                                                                       provided to all employees that
                                                                                                                       would be likely to handle
                                                                                                                       containers of the agent or
                                                                                                                       extinguishing units filled with
                                                                                                                       the agent.
                                                                                                                       Safety features that are
                                                                                                                       typical of total flooding systems
                                                                                                                       such as predischarge alarms, time
                                                                                                                       delays, and system abort switches
                                                                                                                       should be provided, as directed
                                                                                                                       by applicable OSHA regulations
                                                                                                                       and NFPA standards.\1\
                                                                                                                      See notes 1 through 5 to this
                                                                                                                       table.
4. Total Flooding................  Powdered Aerosol H....  Acceptable Subject    Acceptable only for use in normally  Use of this agent should be in
                                                            to Use Conditions.    unoccupied spaces.                   accordance with the safety
                                                                                                                       guidelines in the latest edition
                                                                                                                       of NFPA 2010, Standard for Fixed
                                                                                                                       Aerosol Fire Extinguishing
                                                                                                                       Systems.\1\
                                                                                                                      For establishments manufacturing,
                                                                                                                       installing, and maintaining
                                                                                                                       equipment using this agent, EPA
                                                                                                                       recommends the following:
                                                                                                                       Workers should use
                                                                                                                       appropriate safety and protective
                                                                                                                       equipment (e.g., protective
                                                                                                                       gloves, tightly sealed goggles,
                                                                                                                       protective work clothing, and
                                                                                                                       particulate-removing respirators
                                                                                                                       using NIOSH type N95 or better
                                                                                                                       filters) consistent with OSHA
                                                                                                                       guidelines.
                                                                                                                       A local exhaust system
                                                                                                                       should be installed and operated
                                                                                                                       to provide adequate ventilation
                                                                                                                       to reduce airborne exposure to
                                                                                                                       Powdered Aerosol H constituents.
                                                                                                                       An eye wash fountain and
                                                                                                                       quick drench facility should be
                                                                                                                       close to the production area.
                                                                                                                       Training for safe
                                                                                                                       handling procedures should be
                                                                                                                       provided to all employees that
                                                                                                                       would be likely to handle the
                                                                                                                       containers of the agent or
                                                                                                                       extinguishing units filled with
                                                                                                                       the agent.
                                                                                                                       Workers responsible for
                                                                                                                       cleanup should allow particulates
                                                                                                                       to settle before reentering area
                                                                                                                       and wear appropriate personal
                                                                                                                       protective equipment.
                                                                                                                       All spills should be
                                                                                                                       cleaned up immediately in
                                                                                                                       accordance with good industrial
                                                                                                                       hygiene practices.
                                                                                                                      See notes 1 through 5 to this
                                                                                                                       table.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards are available from www.nfpa.org.
Note 1: The EPA recommends that users consult Section VIII of the OSHA Technical Manual for information on selecting the appropriate types of personal
  protective equipment for all listed fire suppression agents. The 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).
Note 2: Use of all listed fire suppression agents should conform to relevant OSHA requirements, including 29 CFR 1910.160 and 1910.162.
Note 3: Per OSHA requirements, protective gear (SCBA) should be available in the event personnel should reenter the area.
Note 4: Discharge testing should be strictly limited to that which is essential to meet safety or performance requirements.
Note 5: The agent should be recovered from the fire protection system in conjunction with testing or servicing and recycled for later use or destroyed.

[[Page 45562]]

[FR Doc. 2022-14665 Filed 7-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P