Canada's Ozone Layer Protection Awareness Program – Practice Flashcards

What three forms does atmospheric oxygen take?

Single oxygen atom (O), oxygen molecule (O2), and ozone molecule (O3).

Where is "good" ozone primarily located and at what altitude?

In the stratosphere, roughly 15–50 km above Earth.

Why is ground-level ozone considered "bad"?

It irritates breathing passages, contributes to smog and air pollution.

What percentage of incoming UV-C radiation is filtered by the ozone layer?

100 % of UV-C is filtered.

Which UV band (A, B or C) is most associated with sunburn and skin cancer?

UV-B rays.

How can one chlorine atom affect ozone?

It can destroy tens of thousands of ozone molecules before becoming deactivated.

What is the Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) reference refrigerant and its value?

CFC-12 (R-12) with an ODP of 1.0.

Compare the ODP of HCFC-22 to CFC-12.

HCFC-22 ODP ≈ 0.055, about 20 × less than CFC-12.

Which fire-suppressant gas has an ODP of about 3.0?

Halon 1211.

Define Global Warming Potential (GWP).

A measure of a substance’s heat-trapping effect over 100 years relative to CO₂ (CO₂ = 1).

What is the GWP of R-12?

≈ 10 900.

What international treaty began global control of ozone-depleting substances?

The Montreal Protocol (1987).

What 2016 amendment to the Montreal Protocol targets high-GWP HFCs?

The Kigali Amendment.

Which 2016 climate accord complements HFC phase-downs?

The Paris Agreement.

Name Canada’s three key federal documents governing halocarbons.

CEPA 1999, ODSHAR 2016, Federal Halocarbon Regulations 2022 (FHR 2022).

Under CEPA 1999, what are maximum penalties for a first indictable offence by an individual?

Fine up to $1 million / day, imprisonment up to 3 years, or both.

What is the main purpose of ODSHAR 2016?

To implement Montreal Protocol controls by phasing out ODS and high-GWP alternatives.

By what year must Canada phase out HCFC consumption completely (except exempt uses)?

2030.

To what level must Canada reduce HFC consumption by 2036?

15 % of baseline (phase-down schedule).

FHR 2022 applies to systems on which lands or owners?

Systems owned by the federal government, crown corporations, federal works/undertakings, or located on federal/Aboriginal lands.

Give two general prohibitions under FHR 2022.

1) No intentional release of halocarbons. 2) Installation/activation bans for systems using ODS listed in Schedule 1 items 1-9.

Under FHR 2022, how often must large systems (>10 kg charge) be leak-tested?

At least once per calendar year and within 15 months of previous test.

What is the allowable purge loss rate for chillers under FHR 2022?

< 0.1 kg halocarbon per kg of air purged.

What service activities are restricted to certified persons?

Installation, servicing, leak testing, charging, halocarbon recovery and permanent withdrawal from use.

How long must FHR-required documents be retained on-site?

At least five years.

Name four key logs or reports required by FHR 2022.

Inventory, activity log, semi-annual release reports (10–100 kg), immediate release report (≥100 kg).

Ontario Regulation 463/10 supplements federal rules. Which substances are "Class 1" ODS under this regulation?

CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, hydrobromofluorocarbons, their isomers/mixtures.

What is Ontario’s fine range for corporations per day for serious offences?

$500 000 – $6 million per day (first conviction).

Ontario 463/10: After Jan 1 2012, possession of CFC refrigerant is allowed only if…

It is designated as waste and being transferred to a disposal facility.

List the three main refrigerant classes historically used.

CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs.

Which next-generation refrigerant group has very low GWP but may be flammable?

Hydrofluoro-olefins (HFOs) and hydrocarbons (HC-290, HC-600a).

Give ODP & GWP values for R-410A.

ODP = 0, GWP ≈ 2100.

What are the “4 R’s” in refrigerant management?

Recover, Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim.

Define ‘reclaim’ in refrigerant terms.

Processing recovered refrigerant to meet new-product specifications, typically by a specialized reclaimer.

What colour scheme identifies refrigerant recovery cylinders in Canada?

Grey body with yellow top/band and a label indicating refrigerant type.

Maximum cylinder fill: what percentage at 21 °C?

80 % of net capacity.

What vacuum level indicates adequate dehydration before charging (per Code errata)?

300 microns (0.3 mm Hg).

State two preferred pipe-joining methods to minimise leaks.

Brazing/welding; for small pipes, flare or compression fittings.

Why must mineral oil not be mixed with HFC refrigerants?

Most HFCs are immiscible with mineral oil, causing poor lubrication and possible compressor failure.

What personal document must a technician show when purchasing halocarbon refrigerant?

Environmental Awareness (ODP) certification card.

How long is Ontario ODP certification valid and what if it expires?

Five years; if expired, retraining is required.

List the eight basic steps of a leak-testing procedure.

1) Look for oil stains, 2) Clear room of refrigerant, 3) Shield from drafts, 4) Use approved detector methods, 5) Notify owner, 6) Tag unit, 7) Log results, 8) Repair or isolate leak.

After detecting a leak, by when must it be repaired or isolated under FHR 2022?

As soon as possible, but within seven days.

Name two acceptable leak-test tools.

Electronic leak detector; soap-bubble (bubble) solution.

What is ‘active’ refrigerant recovery?

Using an external pump/compressor to transfer refrigerant as liquid/vapour into a recovery cylinder.

Why is it recommended to warm the oil sump during recovery?

To vaporize and recover refrigerant dissolved in the compressor oil.

Give three design components that reduce emissions in new systems.

Self-reseating relief valves, high-efficiency air purges, isolation valves on major components.

What is the purpose of a filter-dryer?

Removes particulates, moisture and acids from the refrigerant circuit.

Which regulation requires federal owners to create an inventory of large systems within one year?

Federal Halocarbon Regulations 2022, section 22.

What must be on a container label under Ontario 463/10, s.28?

ODS warning, refrigerant ID, refillable & recyclable statement, $25 refund info, disposal prohibition.

Montreal Protocol: When were CFCs originally scheduled to be phased out in Canada?

Production/import essentially ended in the mid-1990s (1996 for most CFCs).

By what date is HCFC-123 still permitted in Canada?

Until December 31 2029.

Define ‘small system’ under FHR 2022.

Single circuit with ≤10 kg halocarbon or multiple circuits each ≤10 kg.

Are annual leak tests mandatory for small systems under FHR 2022?

No (they apply only to systems >10 kg charge).

What training origin led to Canada’s certification requirement?

1992 National Action Plan – Environmental training recommendation.

Give two penalties CEPA allows beyond fines and jail.

Payment of clean-up costs; forfeiture of profits gained from offence.

Why are HFC-134a and R-410A being phased down despite zero ODP?

They have high GWPs, contributing significantly to climate change.

Name three ‘natural’ refrigerants highlighted as low-GWP alternatives.

Carbon dioxide (R-744), ammonia (NH₃), hydrocarbons like propane (R-290).

What is the legal baseline reference GHG for assigning GWP values?

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) with GWP = 1.

What federal regulation bans non-refillable small cans of regulated refrigerants?

ODSHAR 2016 (pressurized container requirement).

Under FHR 2022, who is the ‘responsible person’?

Person in charge of service and operation of the system (often owner/operator).

What two main subjects does Module 3 of the training cover?

Design/installation/servicing practices and environmental code of practice.

List four common causes of refrigerant leaks.

Vibration, corrosion, poor brazing/fittings, failed gaskets/seals.

What must be done before charging a system according to FHR 2022?

Leak test and repair any detected leaks.

Define ‘halocarbon’ in FHR 2022.

Any substance listed in Schedule 1, including its isomers and mixtures.

What is the charge prohibition for leak-testing under FHR 2022?

Cannot charge a system with halocarbon solely for leak detection purposes.

How soon must a ≥100 kg release be verbally reported to the Minister?

Within 24 hours of detection.

What document sets technical best practices for RAC systems in Canada?

Environmental Code of Practice for the Elimination of Fluorocarbon Emissions from RAC Systems (2015).

Name two safety controls recommended to prevent chiller freeze-up.

Low-pressure control switch; freeze-stat (temperature cut-out).