When released, refrigerants can be harmful to the environment. Refrigerant-containing equipment (e.g., chillers, air conditioners, fire suppression systems, drinking fountains, refrigerators, and freezers) at postal sites must be managed in accordance with Postal Service™ policy and regulatory requirements. This includes requirements for training, handling, recordkeeping, and disposal. Requirements apply to both Postal Service employees and contractors performing maintenance on USPS® equipment.
Follow these requirements for proper refrigerant management:
n Never vent or release any refrigerants into the atmosphere for any reason.
n Maintain required documentation, including:
n Records of system maintenance, service, and repair, particularly those documenting refrigerant addition or removal.
Note: Sites must obtain and maintain records from contractors who service refrigerant-containing equipment. The contractor records need to show the work that was done, including any refrigerant removals and additions, not just contractor hours on site.
n Individual service logs and leak rate calculations whenever refrigerant is added for systems containing more than 50 pounds of refrigerants.
n Training records.
n Regulatory air permits and related fees.
n Investigate refrigerant leaks and repair leaking equipment immediately.
n Complete required training and obtain Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Technician Certification:
n Employees that maintain, service, or repair refrigerant-containing equipment must be certified, including employees who service motor vehicle air conditioning systems.
n Employees that purchase refrigerants may require certification.
n Manage refrigerant storage cylinders properly:
n Store in a centralized, secure location that is restricted to authorized employees only.
n Purchase and use cylinders that are certified by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
n Clearly label refrigerant cylinders to identify their contents.
n Document each cylinder purchase and use of the refrigerant.
n Only use recovery cylinders that are within 5 years of their last certification.
n Dispose of refrigerants, refrigerant containing equipment, and cylinders properly:
n Refrigerant equipment. Evacuate refrigerants and tag equipment as empty. Dispose using a local waste management/scrap vendor and keep disposal records.
n Refrigerants/Refrigerant-containing cylinders. Recycle waste refrigerants using an EPA-approved reclaimer. Keep records of off-site shipments. Never send refrigerants for disposal and never mix refrigerant types in the same cylinder.
n Empty refrigerant cylinders. Label as “EMPTY” and recycle with other steel recyclables at local steel recycling center. Never reuse non-refillable cylinders.
For more information, consult your designated USPS Environmental Specialist at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/regional-environmental-compliance-all.htm.
You can also review the following guidance documents:
n Refrigerant Management Environmental Compliance Bulletin at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/environmental/_pdf/ecb-refrigerant-management.pdf.
n National Refrigerant Management Policies and Procedures Maintenance Management Order (MMO–056-20) at mtsc.usps.gov/pdf/MMO/2020/MMO05620.pdf.
— Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability,
Corporate Affairs, 5-30-24
