Free Practice Questions for F-Gas Category I

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Key Facts: F-Gas Category I Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

NFQ Level 5

QQI Special Purpose Award

QQI

~100 hours

Programme Duration

QQI-validated providers

Any size

Category I Charge Scope

EPA Ireland

5 t CO2e

Leak-Check Threshold

EU 517/2014

S.I. 658/2016

Irish Transposition

EPA Ireland

The QQI Level 5 F-Gas Category I certificate is Ireland's full-scope qualification for handling fluorinated greenhouse gases on stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump equipment of any size. It meets EU Regulation 517/2014 (S.I. 658 of 2016) and Commission Implementing Regulation 2015/2067, authorising installation, servicing, repair, decommissioning, leak checking and recovery without charge-size limits. Programmes require approximately 100 learning hours and assess both a theory examination and a practical skills demonstration at an approved provider. Candidates typically need a refrigeration and air-conditioning trade qualification or apprenticeship. Company certification is administered separately by F-Gas Registration Ltd. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample F-Gas Category I Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the F-Gas Category I exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 106+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under EU Regulation 517/2014 (as transposed in Ireland by S.I. 658 of 2016), what is the scope of F-Gas Category I certification in Ireland?

A.All installation, maintenance, servicing, repair, decommissioning, leak checking and recovery activities on stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment of any charge size

B.Leak checking only on hermetically sealed systems under 3 kg without breaking the circuit

C.Recovery of refrigerant from small hermetically sealed systems only

D.Installation of split air-conditioning units under 6 kg charge only

Explanation: Category I is the full-scope certificate under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2067. It authorises personnel certified by F-Gas Registration Ltd (following QQI Level 5 assessment) to perform all regulated F-gas activities on stationary RAC equipment regardless of system size.

2Which Irish statutory instrument gives domestic legal effect to EU F-Gas obligations for stationary equipment in Ireland?

A.S.I. 658 of 2016 (European Union (Fluorinated Greenhouse Gas) Regulations 2016)

B.S.I. 542 of 2010 (Environmental Protection Agency Act)

C.S.I. 312 of 2019 (Climate Action and Low Carbon Development)

D.S.I. 101 of 2008 (Waste Management Regulations)

Explanation: S.I. 658 of 2016 transposes Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 into Irish law. It sets operator duties, certification requirements, leak-check intervals, record keeping and enforcement provisions enforced by the EPA.

3In Ireland, who is the competent authority responsible for enforcing F-Gas Regulation requirements on stationary equipment?

A.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

B.The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) only

C.F-Gas Registration Ltd

D.Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)

Explanation: The EPA is Ireland's competent authority under S.I. 658 of 2016 for monitoring compliance, investigating breaches and applying penalties. F-Gas Registration Ltd administers the company certification scheme; QQI accredits the training standard.

4What educational qualification underpins personal F-Gas certification in Ireland before registration with F-Gas Registration Ltd?

A.QQI Level 5 Special Purpose Certificate in F-gas Handling in Large RACHPT&T Systems Category I (or the equivalent Category II–IV award)

B.QQI Level 3 Certificate in Plumbing and Heating

C.A City & Guilds 2079 Level 2 certificate alone without Irish registration

D.An EPA environmental officer licence

Explanation: Technicians must complete the relevant QQI Level 5 Special Purpose Certificate (e.g. F-gas Handling in Large RACHPT&T Systems Category I) covering theory and practical assessment aligned with the Category I-IV scopes in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2067 Annex I. Successful candidates are then registered by F-Gas Registration Ltd on the national company/personnel register.

5From 1 January 2021, which statement about UK F-Gas personnel certificates is correct for work in Ireland?

A.UK-issued F-Gas personnel certificates are no longer recognised for work in Ireland; Irish QQI-based certification is required

B.UK certificates remain fully equivalent if the technician also holds a Safe Pass card

C.UK certificates are valid only for systems under 3 kg charge

D.UK certificates are recognised provided the company is registered in Northern Ireland

Explanation: Following Brexit, Ireland ceased mutual recognition of UK F-Gas personnel certification from 1 January 2021. Technicians working in Ireland must hold certification through F-Gas Registration Ltd based on the QQI Level 5 programme.

6What is the primary role of F-Gas Registration Ltd in the Irish F-Gas regime?

A.To certify F-Gas companies and register certified personnel who may legally work on equipment containing fluorinated gases

B.To set HFC import quotas for the Irish market

C.To conduct mandatory EPA leak inspections on all RAC plant

D.To approve new refrigerant blends for sale in the EU

Explanation: F-Gas Registration Ltd operates the company certification scheme required before undertaking regulated F-gas work in Ireland. It maintains the register of certified companies and personnel and verifies training against QQI standards.

7Under F-Gas Category II certification in Ireland, on which equipment may a technician perform maintenance, servicing, repair, decommissioning and recovery that entails breaking into the refrigerant circuit?

A.Equipment containing less than 3 kg of fluorinated refrigerant, or less than 6 kg if the system is hermetically sealed

B.Any stationary system regardless of charge size

C.Mobile air-conditioning in road vehicles only

D.Equipment over 500 tonnes CO2 equivalent only

Explanation: Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2067 Article 2, Category II authorises installation-adjacent maintenance, servicing, repair, decommissioning and recovery (circuit-breaking activities) only on small systems: under 3 kg charge, or under 6 kg where the equipment is hermetically sealed and labelled. Unlike these activities, Category II's leak-checking authorisation is limited to non-invasive methods that do not entail breaking into the circuit — the same restriction that applies under Category IV — regardless of equipment size.

8What activities are permitted under F-Gas Category III certification in Ireland?

A.Recovery of fluorinated refrigerant from small systems only

B.Full installation and commissioning of commercial chillers

C.Leak checking without breaking the refrigerant circuit only

D.Design of VRF systems and load calculations only

Explanation: Category III is limited to recovery operations on small equipment. It does not authorise charging, installation, or leak checking that involves breaking into the circuit on larger systems.

9Under Category IV certification, a technician in Ireland may legally perform which activity?

A.Leak checking without breaking the refrigerant circuit

B.Recovery and recycling of refrigerant from any system size

C.Brazing new pipework on a split system during first fix installation

D.Pressure strength testing with nitrogen on a new circuit

Explanation: Category IV authorises only non-invasive leak detection methods that do not break the refrigerant circuit (e.g. electronic detectors at accessible points, indirect monitoring). Any work opening the circuit requires a higher category.

10Which operator duty under Regulation 517/2014 must the owner of F-gas equipment ensure is met in Ireland?

A.Prevent deliberate release of F-gases, use certified personnel, maintain leak-check records and ensure proper recovery at end of life

B.Replace all HFC systems with CO2 within two years of installation

C.Publish annual refrigerant inventories on the company website

D.Employ an EPA inspector on site for every service visit

Explanation: Operators (owners/controllers of equipment) must prevent venting, use certified companies/personnel for regulated work, comply with leak-check schedules, label equipment and keep records of gas quantities and service activities.

About the F-Gas Category I Exam

The QQI Level 5 Special Purpose Certificate in F-gas Handling in Large RACHPT&T Systems Category I is Ireland's full-scope fluorinated-gas handling qualification. It meets the competence requirements of EU Regulation 517/2014 (transposed by S.I. 658 of 2016) and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2067. Category I authorises installation, maintenance, servicing, repair, decommissioning, leak checking and refrigerant recovery on stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump equipment of any charge size, plus refrigeration units of refrigerated trucks and trailers.

Exam sponsor: Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) with programmes delivered by approved training providers; personal certificates registered through F-Gas Registration Ltd. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Theory examination plus skills demonstration / practical assessment on a working vapour-compression refrigeration system with TEV and liquid receiver. Both must be passed for the QQI Level 5 Special Purpose Award. This practice bank is 100 selected-response items.

Time Limit

Approximately 100 learning hours (theory, practical and self-directed study); theory exam duration set by the provider

Passing Score

Pass both the theory examination and skills demonstration (pass criteria set by the QQI-validated programme provider)

Exam / Certification Fees

Bundled in the Category I programme fee at the training provider (contact approved centres for current fees)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

18%

F-Gas Regulation & Certification

EU 517/2014, S.I. 658 of 2016, Categories I–IV, QQI award, F-Gas Registration Ltd, operator duties, labelling and records

15%

Environmental Impact & Refrigerants

GWP/ODP, CO2-equivalent calculation, refrigerant types, HFC phase-down, natural and low-GWP alternatives

15%

Leak Checking & Detection

5/50/500 tonne CO2e thresholds, check frequencies, direct/indirect methods, fixed detection and repair verification

12%

Recovery, Charging & Records

Venting ban, recovery cylinders, recycling vs reclamation, cross-contamination and commissioning records

15%

Refrigeration Cycle & Thermodynamics

Vapour-compression cycle, superheat/subcooling, latent heat, p-h diagrams and COP

15%

System Components & Servicing

Compressors, condensers, evaporators, TEV, filter driers, sight glasses, receivers, controls and fault finding

10%

Installation, Piping & Pressure Testing

OFN-purged brazing, pressure strength/tightness testing, evacuation and leak-tight pipework

Preparing for the F-Gas Category I Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass both the theory examination and skills demonstration (pass criteria set by the QQI-validated programme provider)
Assessment: Theory examination plus skills demonstration / practical assessment on a working vapour-compression refrigeration system with TEV and liquid receiver. Both must be passed for the QQI Level 5 Special Purpose Award. This practice bank is 100 selected-response items.
Time limit: Approximately 100 learning hours (theory, practical and self-directed study); theory exam duration set by the provider
Exam / certification fees: Bundled in the Category I programme fee at the training provider (contact approved centres for current fees) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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F-Gas Category I: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorise the four certification categories and their charge-size limits: Category I (any size), II (<3 kg or <6 kg sealed), III (recovery only, small), IV (leak check without breaking circuit)

2Know the CO2-equivalent formula: charge (kg) × GWP ÷ 1000, and the leak-check thresholds at 5, 50 and 500 tonnes CO2e

3Learn the leak-check frequencies with and without fixed detection systems for each charge band

4Understand the venting ban: all F-gas must be recovered before opening a circuit or disposing of equipment

5Practise OFN purging during brazing, pressure strength testing and deep evacuation before charging

6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before your theory exam

Frequently Asked Questions

What activities does F-Gas Category I cover in Ireland?

Category I is the highest level of personal F-gas certification. Holders may carry out installation, maintenance, servicing, repair, decommissioning, leak checking and refrigerant recovery on stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump equipment of any charge size, and on refrigeration units of refrigerated trucks and trailers, as set out by the EPA and EU Regulation 517/2014.

How is F-Gas Category I different from Category II?

Category II permits the same activities but only on equipment containing less than 3 kg of F-gas (or less than 6 kg if hermetically sealed and labelled). Category II leak checking must not entail breaking into the refrigerant circuit. Category I has no charge-size restriction and covers intrusive leak checking on any system.

Who awards the F-Gas Category I certificate in Ireland?

Training programmes are validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and delivered by approved providers. On successful completion you receive the QQI Level 5 Special Purpose Certificate in F-gas Handling in Large RACHPT&T Systems Category I. Personal certificates are registered through F-Gas Registration Ltd for company certification purposes.

What are the prerequisites for the Category I course?

Access is typically restricted to qualified refrigeration and air-conditioning engineers or SOLAS RAC apprentices (Phase 2 onwards). Candidates without a trade certificate need an equivalent qualification and documented RAC experience, and may need a skills and knowledge assessment before enrolment.

When must equipment be leak-checked under EU 517/2014?

Mandatory periodic leak checks begin at 5 tonnes CO2 equivalent. Systems with 5–50 tonnes CO2e are checked at least every 12 months (24 months if a fixed leak-detection system is fitted). Larger charges require more frequent checks: 50–500 tonnes CO2e every 6 months, and 500 tonnes CO2e or more every 3 months.

Is this free F-Gas Category I practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover the same EU 2015/2067 Annex 1 knowledge and Irish regulatory requirements tested in QQI Category I theory exams, with a teaching explanation for every answer plus free daily AI tutor interactions. All content is free forever and updated for 2026.