leak rate | = | pounds of refrigerant added over previous 365 day period | × | 100% |
pounds of refrigerant normally contained in the system at full charge |
"Low temperature refrigeration system" means a commercial or industrial process refrigeration system that maintains food, beverages, or other items at temperatures at or below 32°F (0°C).
"MDI" means metered dose inhaler or medical dose inhaler.
"Manufacturer" includes any person, firm, association, partnership, corporation, governmental entity, organization, or joint venture that produces any product that contains or uses HFCs or is an importer or domestic distributor of such a product. For purposes of WAC
173-443-065(3) and
173-443-075(3), a manufacturer is the installer of the equipment.
"Mission-critical military end-uses" means those uses of regulated substances, by an agency of the federal government responsible for national defense, that have a direct impact on mission capability, as determined by the U.S. Department of Defense including, but not limited to, uses necessary for development, testing, production, training, operation, and maintenance of armed forces deployable/expeditionary support equipment, munitions, and command and control systems.
"Mothballing" or "system mothballing" means the intentional shutting down of a refrigeration or air conditioning system for longer than 60 days by the owner or operator of the facility, where the refrigerant has been evacuated from the system or affected component, at least to atmospheric pressure.
"New air conditioning equipment" means any air conditioning equipment or system manufactured for an end-use listed in WAC
173-443-040, Table 3, that is first installed using new components, used components, or a combination of new and used components, and that is one of the following:
(a) New construction in a new or existing facility;
(b) A system in an existing facility with a single condenser and single evaporator that has a new exterior condenser, condensing unit, or remote condensing unit; or
(c) A system in an existing facility with more than one condenser or more than one evaporator that is modified such that the system undergoes cumulative replacement of 75 percent or more of its indoor evaporator units (by number) and 100 percent of its air source or water source condensing units.
"New products or equipment" means products or equipment manufactured for an end-use listed in WAC
173-443-040, Table 1, that is one or more of the following:
(a) Manufactured after the effective date of the prohibition;
(b) First installed with new or used components, or expanded by the addition of components to increase capacity, after the effective date of the prohibition; or
(c) Replaced or underwent cumulative replacement after the effective date of the prohibition such that the capital cost of replacement exceeds 50 percent of the capital cost of replacing the whole system, excluding display cases.
"New refrigeration equipment" means any refrigeration equipment or system manufactured for an end-use listed in WAC
173-443-040, Table 2, that is first installed using new components, used components, or a combination of new and used components, and that is one of the following:
(a) New construction in a new or existing facility;
(b) An addition or modification that increases the nominal compressor capacity of a system in an existing facility;
(c) New construction in an existing facility not previously used for retail food refrigeration, cold storage, ice rinks, or industrial process refrigeration; or
(d) A system in an existing facility used for retail food refrigeration, cold storage, ice rinks, or industrial process refrigeration that is modified such that the system undergoes cumulative replacement of 75 percent or more of its evaporators (by number) and 100 percent of its compressor racks, condensers, and connected evaporator loads.
"Nonessential consumer products" means the following products if they are propelled by, contain, or manufactured with a chlorofluorocarbon, hydrochlorofluorocarbon, or hydrofluorocarbon:
(a) Any plastic party streamer or noise horn including, but not limited to:
(i) String confetti;
(ii) Marine safety horns;
(iii) Sporting event horns;
(iv) Personal safety horns;
(v) Wall-mounted alarms used in factories or other work areas; and
(vi) Intruder alarms used in homes or cars.
(b) Any cleaning fluid for electronic and photographic equipment for which there is not a low-GWP propellant approved by EPA for its use. This includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Liquid packaging;
(ii) Solvent wipes;
(iii) Solvent sprays; and
(iv) Gas sprays.
(c) Any plastic foam product, except any plastic foam product blown with CFC-11, but which contains no other Class I substances and where this product is used to provide thermal protection to external tanks for space vehicles.
"Nonretail foam products" means products consisting entirely of foam created solely to be an input for another product or manufacturing purpose resulting in another type of product.
"Normal operating characteristics and conditions" mean a refrigeration or air conditioning system's operating temperatures, pressures, fluid flows, speeds, and other characteristics, including full charge of the refrigeration or air conditioning system that would be expected for a given process load and ambient condition during operation.
"Offer for sale" means to make a transaction available regardless of any potential outcome. "Offer for sale" includes advertising for sale in any media such as a publication or broadcast that carries advertising including visual displays and any print/electronic forms.
"Online disclosure" means disclosing the substance(s) contained or used or the compliance status of the product or equipment by ensuring that the information is available on an internet website that is accessible to the public free of charge.
"Operate" means to have operational control of the facility.
"Operator" means the person or entity having operational control of the facility.
"Other air conditioning" or "other air conditioning equipment" means any residential or nonresidential air conditioning equipment or air conditioning system not otherwise defined as a room air conditioner, residential dehumidifier, or variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system.
"Other refrigeration" or "other refrigeration equipment" means any stationary, nonresidential refrigeration equipment that is used for an application other than retail food refrigeration, cold storage, ice rinks, industrial process refrigeration that does not use a chiller, or air conditioning; or is used for two or more applications including retail food refrigeration, cold storage, ice rinks, industrial process refrigeration, or air conditioning.
"PSI" means pounds per square inch.
"Packaged terminal air conditioner" or "PTAC" means a wall sleeve and a separate unencased combination of heating and cooling assemblies specified by the builder and intended for mounting through a wall. "Packaged terminal air conditioner" includes a prime source of refrigeration, separable outdoor louvers, forced ventilation, and heating availability by builder's choice of energy.
"Packaged terminal heat pump" or "PTHP" means a packaged terminal air conditioner that utilizes reverse cycle refrigeration as its prime heat source and can have supplementary heating availability by builder's choice of energy.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, franchise holder, association, corporation, a state, a city, a county, or any subdivision or instrumentality of the state.
"Phenolic insulation board and bunstock" means phenolic insulation including, but not limited to, that used for roofing and wall insulation.
"Polyolefin" means foam sheets and tubes made of polyolefin, a macromolecule formed by the polymerization of olefin monomer units.
"Polystyrene extruded boardstock and billet (XPS)" means a foam formed from polymers of styrene and produced on extruding machines in the form of continuous foam slabs which can be cut and shaped into panels used for roofing, walls, flooring, and pipes.
"Polystyrene extruded sheet" means polystyrene foam including that used for packaging and buoyancy or floatation. It is also made into food-service items, including hinged polystyrene containers (for "take-out" from restaurants); food trays (meat and poultry) plates, bowls, and retail egg containers.
"Polyurethane" means a polymer formed principally by the reaction of an isocyanate and a polyol.
"Portable air conditioner" means a portable encased assembly, other than a "packaged terminal air conditioner," "packaged terminal heat pump," or "residential dehumidifier," that delivers cooled, conditioned air to an enclosed space, and is powered by a single-phase electric current. It includes a source of refrigeration and may include additional means for air circulation and heating.
"Product" means an article manufactured or refined for sale that contains or uses a substitute.
"Prohibited substance" means a regulated refrigerant or a substitute that is prohibited from being used by or contained in products or equipment manufactured for end-uses described in WAC
173-443-040, Table 1 through Table 4.
"Refrigerant" or "refrigerant gas" means any substance, including blends and mixtures, which is used for heat transfer purposes and provides a warming or cooling effect.
"Refrigerant blend" means a mixture or combination of two or more single-component refrigerants.
"Refrigerated food processing and dispensing equipment" means retail food refrigeration equipment that is designed to process food and beverages dispensed via a nozzle that are intended for immediate or near-immediate consumption including, but not limited to, chilled and frozen beverages, ice cream, and whipped cream. This end-use excludes water coolers, or units designed solely to cool and dispense water.
"Refrigeration equipment" or "refrigeration system" or "refrigeration appliance" means any stationary device that is designed to contain and use a refrigerant. It is a combination of interconnected refrigerant-containing parts constituting one closed refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant is circulated for the purpose of extracting heat. "Refrigeration equipment" or "refrigeration system" includes refrigeration equipment used in retail food, cold storage, industrial process refrigeration and cooling that does not use a chiller, ice rinks, and other refrigeration applications.
"Remote condensing unit" means refrigeration equipment or units that have a central condensing portion and may consist of one or more compressors, condensers, and receivers assembled into a single unit, which may be located external to the sales area. The condensing portion (and often other parts of the system) is located outside the space or area cooled by the evaporator. Remote condensing units are commonly installed in convenience stores, specialty shops (e.g., bakeries, butcher shops), supermarkets, restaurants, and other locations where food is stored, served, or sold.
"Residential dehumidifier" means a residential air conditioning system, other than a room air conditioner, that is a self-contained, electrically operated, portable, and mechanically encased assembly consisting of:
(a) A refrigerated surface (evaporator) that condenses moisture from the atmosphere;
(b) A refrigeration system, including an electric motor;
(c) An air circulating fan; and
(d) A means of collecting and disposing of the condensate.
"Retail foam products" means products consisting entirely of foam that are created for the purpose of selling or otherwise providing that product in a finished state that does not involve any additional manufacturing or refinement.
"Retail food refrigeration" means refrigeration that uses equipment designed to store and display chilled or frozen goods for commercial sale or use including, but not limited to, stand-alone units, refrigerated food processing and dispensing equipment, remote condensing units, and supermarket systems.
"Retrofit" means to convert an appliance from one refrigerant to another refrigerant. Retrofitting includes the conversion of the appliance to achieve system compatibility with the new refrigerant and may include, but is not limited to, changes in lubricants, gaskets, filters, driers, valves, o-rings, or appliance components. For purposes of WAC
173-443-040 through
173-443-075, "retrofit" refers to an appliance or equipment that has undergone a retrofit.
"Rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate laminated boardstock" means laminated board insulation made with polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam, including that used for roofing and walls.
"Rigid polyurethane appliance foam" means polyurethane foam in domestic appliances used for insulation.
"Rigid polyurethane commercial refrigeration and sandwich panels" means polyurethane foam used to provide insulation in walls and doors, including that used for commercial refrigeration equipment, and used in doors, including garage doors.
"Rigid polyurethane high-pressure two-component spray foam" means a liquid polyurethane foam system sold as two parts (i.e., A-side and B-side) in nonpressurized containers; and is field or factory applied in situ using high-pressure proportioning pumps at 800 - 1600 psi and an application gun to mix and dispense the chemical components.
"Rigid polyurethane low-pressure two-component spray foam" means a liquid polyurethane foam system sold as two parts (i.e., A-side and B-side) in containers that are pressurized to less than 250 psi during manufacture of the system for application without pumps; and are typically applied in situ relying upon a liquid blowing agent and/or gaseous foam blowing agent that also serves as a propellant.
"Rigid polyurethane marine flotation foam" means buoyancy or flotation polyurethane foam used in boat and ship manufacturing for both structural and flotation purposes.
"Rigid polyurethane one-component foam sealants" means a polyurethane foam generally packaged in aerosol cans that is applied in situ using a gaseous foam blowing agent that is also the propellant for the aerosol formulation.
"Rigid polyurethane slabstock and other" means a rigid closed-cell polyurethane foam formed into slabstock insulation for panels and fabricated shapes for pipes and vessels.
"Room air conditioner" includes window units, wall units, packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs), packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs), and portable air conditioners.
"Small business" means any business entity, including a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity, that is owned or operated independently from all other businesses, and that has 50 or fewer employees.
"Small container of refrigerant" means a container having more than two ounces and less than two pounds of a refrigerant that is designed or intended for consumer recharge of a motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) system or consumer appliance.
"Stand-alone low-temperature unit" means a stand-alone unit that maintains food or beverages at temperatures at or below 32°F (0°C).
"Stand-alone medium-temperature unit" means a stand-alone unit that maintains food or beverages at temperatures above 32°F (0°C).
"Stand-alone unit" means retail refrigerators, freezers, and reach-in coolers (either open or with doors) where all refrigeration components are integrated and, for the smallest types, the refrigeration circuit is entirely brazed or welded. These systems are fully charged with refrigerant at the factory and typically require only an electricity supply to begin operation.
"Stationary" means the system is:
(a) Installed in a building, structure, or facility;
(b) Attached to a foundation, or if not attached, will reside at the same location for more than 12 consecutive months; or
(c) Located intermittently at the same facility for at least two consecutive years and operates at that facility a total of at least 90 days each year.
"Substitute" means a chemical, product substitute, or alternative manufacturing process, whether existing or new, that is used to perform a function previously performed by a class I substance or class II substance and any substitute subsequently adopted to perform that function including, but not limited to, hydrofluorocarbons. "Substitute" does not include 2-BTP or any compound as applied to its use in aerospace fire extinguishing systems.
"Sufficient disclosure" means providing the name of the substance.
"Supermarket systems" means multiplex or centralized retail food refrigeration equipment systems designed to cool or refrigerate, which operate with racks of compressors installed in a machinery room and which includes both direct and indirect systems.
"Symbol" means a graphical or hybrid word-graphical symbol for the purposes of conveying the types of substitutes used in the product or equipment and signaling that further information on the use of substitutes is available through online disclosure.
"System identification number" means a unique identification number for each refrigeration or air conditioning system at a facility. The system identification number is comprised of the facility identification number followed by a three-digit number starting at 001 and sequentially assigned to each unique refrigeration or air conditioning system.
"Unit" means a collection of like products bundled together for purposes of commerce.
"Unit label" means a label adhered or attached, or capable of being adhered or attached, to a collection of like products bundled together for purposes of commerce.
"Use" means any utilization of a compound or substance including, but not limited to, utilization in a product in Washington, consumption by the end-user in the state of Washington, or in intermediate applications in the state of Washington, such as formulation or packaging for other subsequent applications.
"Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system" means an engineered direct expansion (DX) multisplit system incorporating the following: A split system air conditioner or heat pump incorporating a single refrigerant circuit that is a common piping network to two or more indoor evaporators each capable of independent control, or compressor units. "VRF systems" contain a single module outdoor unit or combined module outdoor units with at least one variable capacity compressor that has three or more stages, with air or water as the heat source. This includes "variable refrigerant volume (VRV) systems."
"Vending machine" means a self-contained unit that dispenses goods that must be kept cold or frozen.
"Verification test" means a leak test conducted after a repair is finished to verify that a leak has been repaired.
"Very low temperature refrigeration or cooling" means a refrigeration or cooling system that maintains temperatures below -58°F (-50°C) including, but not limited to, medical and laboratory freezers, specialized industrial process cooling applications, and extreme temperature environmental testing.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter
70A.60 RCW. WSR 23-24-041 (Order 21-02), § 173-443-030, filed 11/30/23, effective 12/31/23. Statutory Authority: Chapters
70A.45 and
70A.15 RCW. WSR 21-01-085 (Order 19-04), § 173-443-030, filed 12/10/20, effective 1/10/21.]