PDFWAC 173-443-050
Exemptions applicable to WAC 173-443-040, Tables 1 through 3.
(1) Table 1 in this section lists exemptions to the prohibitions listed in WAC 173-443-040, Table 1.
TABLE 1. Exemptions for New Products and Equipment
End-Use | Prohibited Substances | Exemptions |
Aerosol propellants | HFC-134a | Cleaning products for removal of grease, flux, and other soils from electrical equipment; Refrigerant flushes; Products for sensitivity testing of smoke detectors; Lubricants and freeze sprays for electrical equipment or electronics; Sprays for aircraft maintenance; Sprays containing corrosion preventive compounds used in the maintenance of aircraft, electrical equipment or electronics, or military equipment; Pesticides for use near electrical wires, in aircraft, in total release insecticide foggers, or in certified organic use pesticides for which EPA has specifically disallowed all other lower-GWP propellants; Mold release agents and mold cleaners; Lubricants and cleaners for spinnerettes for synthetic fabrics; Duster sprays specifically for removal of dust from photographic negatives, semiconductor chips, specimens under electron microscopes, and energized electrical equipment; Adhesives and sealants in large canisters; Document preservation sprays; FDA-approved MDIs for medical purposes; Wound care sprays; Topical coolant sprays for pain relief; Products for removing bandage adhesives from skin; Bear spray; and Pepper spray. |
Aerosol propellants | HFC-227ea and blends of HFC-227ea and HFC-134a | FDA-approved MDIs for medical purposes. |
Air conditioning: Centrifugal chillers Positive displacement chillers | HFC-134a | Military marine vessels where reasonable efforts have been made to ascertain that other alternatives are not technically feasible due to performance or safety requirements. |
Air conditioning: Centrifugal chillers Positive displacement chillers | HFC-134a and R-404A | Human-rated spacecraft and related support equipment where reasonable efforts have been made to ascertain that other alternatives are not technically feasible due to performance or safety requirements. |
Foams - Except rigid polyurethane spray foam | All substitutes | Military applications where reasonable efforts have been made to ascertain that other alternatives are not technically feasible due to performance or safety requirements until January 1, 2022; and Space- and aeronautics-related applications where reasonable efforts have been made to ascertain that other alternatives are not technically feasible due to performance or safety requirements until January 1, 2025. |
Rigid polyurethane two-component spray foam | All substitutes | Military or space- and aeronautics-related applications where reasonable efforts have been made to ascertain that other alternatives are not technically feasible due to performance or safety requirements until January 1, 2025. |
(2) Table 2 in this section lists exemptions for new or retrofit stationary refrigeration equipment prohibitions set forth in WAC 173-443-040, Table 2.
TABLE 2. Exemptions For New or Retrofit Stationary Refrigeration Equipment
End-Use | Prohibited Substances | Exemptions |
Commercial refrigeration: Retail food refrigeration, including chillers (New or retrofit) | Refrigerants with a GWP greater than 150 | Equipment with 50 pounds or less of refrigerant; Replacement of a refrigeration component in an existing facility as part of normal maintenance provided the result does not meet the criteria of "new refrigeration equipment" as defined in WAC 173-443-030; Facilities with new refrigeration equipment with an approved building permit issued before the effective date of this chapter; and Mission-critical military end-uses, as defined in WAC 173-443-030. |
Commercial refrigeration: Cold storage warehouses (New or retrofit) | Refrigerants with a GWP greater than 150 | Equipment with 50 pounds or less of refrigerant; Replacement of a refrigeration component in an existing facility as part of normal maintenance provided the result does not meet the criteria of "new refrigeration equipment" as defined in WAC 173-443-030; Facilities with new refrigeration equipment with an approved building permit issued before the effective date of this chapter; and Mission-critical military end-uses, as defined in WAC 173-443-030. |
Industrial process refrigeration, excluding chillers (New or retrofit) | Refrigerants with a GWP greater than 150 | Equipment with 50 pounds or less of refrigerant; Replacement of a refrigeration component in an existing facility as part of normal maintenance provided the result does not meet the criteria of "new refrigeration equipment" as defined in WAC 173-443-030; Very low temperature (VLT) refrigeration or cooling uses; Facilities with new refrigeration equipment with an approved building permit issued before the effective date of this chapter; and Mission-critical military end-uses, as defined in WAC 173-443-030. |
Chillers used for industrial process refrigeration (New or retrofit) | Refrigerants with a GWP greater than 750 | Equipment with 50 pounds or less of refrigerant; Replacement of a refrigeration component in an existing facility as part of normal maintenance provided the result does not meet the criteria of "new refrigeration equipment" as defined in WAC 173-443-030; Very low temperature (VLT) refrigeration or cooling uses; Facilities with new refrigeration equipment with a building permit issued before the effective date of this chapter; and Mission-critical military end-uses, as defined in WAC 173-443-030. |
(3) Table 3 in this section lists exemptions for new or retrofit stationary air conditioning equipment prohibitions set forth in WAC 173-443-040, Table 3.
TABLE 3. Exemptions for New or Retrofit Stationary Air Conditioning Equipment
End-Use | Prohibited Substances | Exemptions |
Room air conditioners and residential dehumidifiers (New or retrofit) | Refrigerants with a GWP greater than 750 | Facilities with new air conditioning equipment with a building permit issued before the effective date of this chapter; and Mission-critical military end-uses, as defined in WAC 173-443-030. |
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) or volume system (New or retrofit) | Refrigerants with a GWP greater than 750 | Facilities with new air conditioning equipment with a building permit issued before the effective date of this chapter; and Mission-critical military end-uses, as defined in WAC 173-443-030. |
Other types of air conditioning equipment used in residential and nonresidential applications (New or retrofit) | Refrigerants with a GWP greater than 750 | Facilities with new air conditioning equipment with a building permit issued before the effective date of this chapter; and Mission-critical military end-uses, as defined in WAC 173-443-030. |