Refrigerant Management Program
Rules for Businesses with Refrigeration Systems

This page last reviewed March 9, 2011


The Refrigerant Management Program categorizes businesses by the refrigerant capacity of the largest system in the facility, as shown in the table below.


Facility category Refrigerant capacity of largest system
Large 2000 pounds and above
Medium 200 to under 2000 pounds
Small Over 50 to under 200 pounds

Since the program’s requirements vary by facility category, it is important to confirm the refrigerant capacity of the largest system.


The system capacity can be determined by checking the equipment nameplate, reviewing the service records, contacting your service provider or manufacturer, or using a charge calculator to calculate the charge from the size components in the system.

Special information for businesses in the South Coast Air District
Please use the ARB's Air District Lookup Database to determine if you are within the South Coast Air Quality Management District

Large Facilities

Beginning Jan. 1, 2011

Leak Detection and Monitoring (Section 95385)

Refrigeration Systems with a Full Charge Greater Than or Equal to 2,000 Pounds



  • Inspection schedule
    • Monthly for systems fully enclosed within a building or structure
    • Every three months for non-enclosed systems
    • None for systems with automatic leak detection that meets specifications (95385(a)(5) or 95385(a)(6))
  • Monitoring
    • Install an automatic leak detection system by Jan. 1, 2012 if the refrigerant circuit, compressor, evaporator, condenser or other component with a high potential for leakage is fully enclosed within a building or structure

Refrigeration Systems with a Full Charge Greater Than or Equal to 200 Pounds, but Less Than 2,000 Pounds.


Refrigeration Systems with a Full Charge Greater Than 50 Pounds, but Less Than 200 Pounds.


  • Inspection schedule
    • Annual


Leak Repair (Section 95386)



  • Fix all leaks within 14 days of detection
  • Refer to special repair provisions if leaks cannot be fixed within 14 days.
  • Check system for leaks after repair
  • Use only U.S. EPA-certified technicians


Recordkeeping (Section 95389)

  • Keep all service records on site for at least 5 years for each refrigeration unit, including those concerning:
    • Leak inspections
    • Installation, calibration and annual audits of leak detection systems.
    • Refrigerant purchases
    • Shipment of refrigerants for reclamation or destruction
    • Calculations, data and assumptions used to determine the refrigerant capacity.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2012



Medium Facilities

Beginning  Jan. 1, 2011

Leak Detection and Monitoring (Section 95385)

Refrigeration Systems with a Full Charge Greater Than or Equal to 200 Pounds, but Less Than 2,000 Pounds.

Refrigeration Systems with a Full Charge Greater Than 50 Pounds, but Less Than 200 Pounds.


  • Inspection schedule
    • Annual

Leak Repair (Section 95386)

  • Fix all leaks within 14 days of detection
  • Refer to special repair provisions if leaks cannot be fixed within 14 days
  • Check system for leaks after repair
  • Use only U.S. EPA-certified technicians

Recordkeeping (Section 95389)

  • Keep all service records on site for at least 5 years for each refrigeration unit, including those concerning:
    • Leak inspections
    • Installation, calibration and annual audits of leak detection systems
    • Refrigerant purchases
    • Shipment of refrigerants for reclamation or destruction
    • Calculations, data and assumptions used to determine the refrigerant capacity.

Beginning  Jan.1, 2014

Small Facilities

Beginning  Jan. 1, 2011

Leak Detection and Monitoring (Section 95385)

Refrigeration Systems with a Full Charge Greater Than 50 Pounds, but Less Than 200 Pounds.

  • Inspection schedule
    • Annual

Leak Repair (Section 95386)

  • Fix all leaks within 14 days of detection
  • Refer to special repair provisions if leaks cannot be fixed within 14 days
  • Check system for leaks after repair
  • Use only U.S. EPA-certified technicians

Recordkeeping (Section 95389)

  • Keep all service records  on site for at least 5 years for each refrigeration unit, including those concerning:
    • Leak inspections
    • Installation, calibration and annual audits of leak detection systems
    • Refrigerant purchases
    • Shipment of refrigerants for reclamation or destruction
    • Calculations, data and assumptions used to determine the refrigerant capacity.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2016


Join the Refrigerant Management Program email list for updates.
For questions on the rule or to provide feedback, please contact Refrigerant Management Program Staff at (916) 324-2517.


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