Under EPA Section 608 rules, owners of commercial refrigeration appliances holding 50 pounds or more of ozone-depleting refrigerant must repair leaks when the leak rate exceeds 20 percent in a 12-month period. Repairs are due within 30 days, unless a retrofit or retirement plan is developed, followed by verification tests. Additional rules may apply to HFC refrigerants.
Most small walk-ins hold far less than 50 pounds, so these rules apply mainly to larger systems. It is still useful to understand them, because they shape how careful technicians treat leaks.
What the EPA says
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Appliance type | Commercial refrigeration |
| Charge size | Full charge of 50 pounds or more of ozone-depleting refrigerant |
| Leak rate trigger | 20 percent over a 12-month period for commercial refrigeration |
| Repair time | Repair within 30 days from discovery, or develop a retrofit or retirement plan in that window |
| Verification | Initial and follow-up tests after repair |
Other thresholds are 30 percent for industrial process refrigeration and 10 percent for comfort cooling and other appliances. Those apply to different equipment.
Where this applies to a walk-in
- Smaller restaurant walk-ins often fall below the 50-pound threshold.
- Larger grocery, cold storage and multi-box systems may exceed it.
- Newer HFC refrigerants may be subject to additional rules under other EPA programs. Ask your technician which apply to your system.
Practical advice for any owner
- Keep service records showing refrigerant added and removed.
- Repair leaks instead of repeatedly topping up. See topping off a leaking system.
- Ask for verification that a repair worked.
- Know your system charge and refrigerant type.
- Report leaks promptly so the clock starts and stops on the record.
Verification tests
After a repair, the technician must confirm it worked. Tests may include a nitrogen pressure test, an electronic leak check or monitoring over time. A repair that is not verified is only a guess. Keep the records with your equipment file.
What if the system keeps leaking
If repairs do not solve the problem, the next step may be retrofit or retirement. That is a business decision as well as a compliance one. Consider age, refrigerant availability and the cost of continuing to repair. See repair or replace and repair and replacement costs.
Also see why a certified technician must handle refrigerant.
Refrigerant rules are set by the EPA and have been changing, so this page is general information. Confirm current requirements with your technician or the EPA before making decisions.
Keeping a leak log
Even if your system is small, a simple leak log helps. Write down each date refrigerant was added, how much, why, and what repair was done. Over a year the pattern tells you whether the system has a slow leak that is quietly getting worse. It also gives you facts to weigh when the next big repair quote arrives, and evidence for an inspector, an insurer or a buyer who asks about the equipment history.
Questions about this topic
Do these rules apply to my small walk-in?
Probably only if it holds 50 pounds or more of covered refrigerant. Ask your technician what your system holds.
Who is responsible, owner or technician?
The owner or operator is responsible for compliance, and technicians help carry out repairs and records.
Where can I check the rules?
On the EPA Section 608 pages, or ask a certified technician.