119+ Free F-Gas Category II (IE) Practice Questions

Prepare for the QQI Level 5 Special Purpose Certificate in F-gas Handling in Small RACHPT&T Systems Category II exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: F-Gas Category II (IE) Exam

< 3 kg

Category II Charge Limit

EPA Ireland

< 6 kg

Hermetically Sealed Limit

EPA Ireland

100 hours

Programme Learning Hours

QQI

NFQ Level 5

Award Level (10 Credits)

QQI

5 g/year

Detector Sensitivity Required

EU 517/2014

100

Free Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

The QQI Level 5 Special Purpose Certificate in F-gas Handling in Small RACHPT&T Systems Category II is Ireland's F-gas personnel qualification for small stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning, heat-pump and refrigerated truck/trailer equipment. Category II allows recovery, installation, servicing, repair and decommissioning only on systems with less than 3 kg of F-gas charge, or less than 6 kg if hermetically sealed, and non-intrusive leak checking without breaking into the circuit. The award requires 100 learning hours and a skills demonstration meeting Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2067 Annex 1 Category II, validated by QQI. The EPA is Ireland's competent authority; company contractors need F-gas Registration Ltd certification. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample F-Gas Category II (IE) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your F-Gas Category II (IE) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 119+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a basic vapour-compression refrigeration cycle, which component absorbs heat from the space or product being cooled?

A.The condenser

B.The compressor

C.The evaporator

D.The expansion valve

Explanation: The evaporator is where low-pressure liquid refrigerant boils (evaporates), absorbing latent heat from the surrounding air or product and producing the cooling effect. The other three components either reject heat, raise pressure, or reduce pressure.

2Which of the four main refrigeration components raises the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant vapour?

A.The evaporator

B.The compressor

C.The condenser

D.The receiver

Explanation: The compressor draws in low-pressure superheated vapour from the evaporator and compresses it, raising both its pressure and temperature so that it can subsequently reject heat in the condenser. It is the only component that adds work to the system.

3What happens to the refrigerant as it passes through the expansion (throttling) device?

A.Its pressure and temperature both fall

B.Its pressure rises and temperature falls

C.Its pressure and temperature both rise

D.Its enthalpy increases sharply

Explanation: The expansion valve or capillary tube throttles high-pressure liquid to low pressure. Both pressure and temperature drop, and a small fraction of the liquid flash-evaporates. The process is essentially constant-enthalpy (isenthalpic), shown as a vertical line on the p-h diagram.

4On a pressure-enthalpy (p-h) diagram, the throttling process through the expansion valve is represented by which type of line?

A.A horizontal line of constant pressure

B.A vertical line of constant enthalpy

C.A curved line following the saturation dome

D.A diagonal line of constant entropy

Explanation: Throttling is an isenthalpic process: enthalpy is constant, so it appears as a vertical line on the p-h diagram (enthalpy on the horizontal axis, pressure on the vertical axis). Pressure drops while enthalpy stays the same.

5What is meant by 'superheat' in a refrigeration system?

A.The temperature of the refrigerant above its saturation temperature in the vapour state

B.The temperature of the liquid below its saturation temperature

C.The pressure rise across the compressor

D.The latent heat absorbed in the evaporator

Explanation: Superheat is the number of degrees the refrigerant vapour is heated above its saturation (boiling) temperature at the prevailing pressure. Adequate superheat at the compressor suction protects the compressor from liquid floodback (liquid slugging).

6What does 'sub-cooling' describe in the refrigeration cycle?

A.Cooling the vapour leaving the compressor

B.Cooling the liquid refrigerant below its saturation temperature

C.Heating the vapour above its saturation temperature

D.Reducing the suction pressure

Explanation: Sub-cooling is cooling the liquid refrigerant leaving the condenser to below its saturation temperature for the prevailing pressure. It ensures only liquid (not flash gas) enters the expansion device, improving capacity and efficiency.

7In the evaporator, refrigerant absorbs heat mainly by which mechanism?

A.Sensible heating of the vapour

B.Latent heat of vaporisation as the liquid boils

C.Heat of compression

D.Conduction through the receiver

Explanation: Inside the evaporator the low-pressure liquid refrigerant boils, absorbing latent heat of vaporisation from the air or product. Because a phase change absorbs a large amount of energy at constant temperature, this is what gives the system its cooling capacity.

8Which statement about the condenser in a vapour-compression system is correct?

A.It boils the refrigerant at low pressure

B.It rejects heat and condenses the high-pressure vapour to liquid

C.It reduces the refrigerant pressure

D.It compresses the refrigerant vapour

Explanation: The condenser receives hot, high-pressure superheated vapour from the compressor, de-superheats it, then condenses it to liquid by rejecting heat to the ambient air or water. The total heat rejected equals the cooling load plus the compressor work.

9On a p-h diagram, the area inside the curved 'saturation dome' represents refrigerant that is in which state?

A.Sub-cooled liquid only

B.Superheated vapour only

C.A mixture of liquid and vapour (two-phase)

D.Supercritical fluid

Explanation: The region under the saturation dome is the two-phase region, where liquid and vapour coexist. To the left of the dome the refrigerant is sub-cooled liquid; to the right it is superheated vapour. Evaporation and condensation both take place inside the dome at constant pressure.

10Why must liquid refrigerant be prevented from returning to the compressor suction?

A.Liquid is incompressible and can cause mechanical damage (liquid slugging)

B.Liquid lowers the system GWP

C.Liquid increases superheat

D.Liquid improves lubrication

Explanation: Liquid refrigerant is effectively incompressible, so if it reaches the compressor cylinders it can cause hydraulic shock or 'liquid slugging', damaging valves and bearings. Maintaining adequate suction superheat ensures only vapour enters the compressor.

About the F-Gas Category II (IE) Exam

The QQI Level 5 Special Purpose Certificate in F-gas Handling in Small RACHPT&T Systems Category II is Ireland's restricted-scope F-gas personnel qualification for stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning, heat-pump equipment and refrigerated truck/trailer units. Category II permits recovery, installation, maintenance, servicing, repair and decommissioning on systems containing less than 3 kg of F-gas (or less than 6 kg if hermetically sealed), plus non-intrusive leak checking on any size. Assessment combines provider-set theory with a mandatory practical skills demonstration.

Assessment

QQI Level 5 special-purpose award (10 credits, 100 learning hours): theory classes, practical workshops and a skills demonstration covering Annex 1 Category II outcomes. This practice bank is 100 selected-response items.

Time Limit

100 learning hours on the programme; individual assessment sittings vary by provider

Passing Score

Pass on theory and skills-demonstration assessments (provider-graded)

Exam Fee

Varies by QQI-approved training provider (typically bundled into the course fee) (Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) — delivered through approved training providers; EPA enforces compliance)

F-Gas Category II (IE) Exam Content Outline

16%

Refrigeration Cycle & Thermodynamics

Vapour-compression cycle, the four main components, latent and sensible heat, superheat and sub-cooling, pressure-enthalpy diagrams, COP and basic thermodynamics

20%

Refrigerants & EU F-Gas Regulation

CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, HFOs and blends, EU 517/2014, CO2-equivalent thresholds, Category II charge limits, service bans, HFC phase-down, certification and record keeping

14%

System Components

Compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion devices, receivers, filter driers, sight glasses, accumulators, service valves, gauges and charging tools

14%

Pre-Operation Checks & Leak Detection

Pressure strength and tightness testing, evacuation, direct and indirect leak-check methods, statutory frequencies, detector sensitivity and non-intrusive checking

12%

Recovery & Environmentally Friendly Handling

Recovering without venting, recovery cylinders and fill limits, avoiding cross-contamination, recycling vs reclamation, destruction and record keeping

10%

Environmental Impact (GWP/ODP)

Global Warming Potential, Ozone Depletion Potential, the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, TEWI, low-GWP and natural refrigerants and efficiency

Piping, Installation & Alternative Technologies

Leak-tight brazed pipework with OFN purge, component installation and commissioning, and alternative technologies to reduce F-gas use

Safety & Irish Legislation

Safe isolation, PPE and cold-burn hazards, oxygen-free nitrogen, asphyxiation risk, the 2005 Act, Chemical Agents Regulations, BS EN 378 and flammability

How to Pass the F-Gas Category II (IE) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass on theory and skills-demonstration assessments (provider-graded)
Assessment: QQI Level 5 special-purpose award (10 credits, 100 learning hours): theory classes, practical workshops and a skills demonstration covering Annex 1 Category II outcomes. This practice bank is 100 selected-response items.
Time limit: 100 learning hours on the programme; individual assessment sittings vary by provider
Exam fee: Varies by QQI-approved training provider (typically bundled into the course fee)

Keys to Passing

Work through all 119 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

F-Gas Category II (IE) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorise the Category II charge limits: under 3 kg for standard systems, under 6 kg if hermetically sealed and labelled

2Know the CO2-equivalent leak-check bands: 5 t = 12-monthly, 50 t = 6-monthly, 500 t = 3-monthly, with a fixed leak detector doubling each interval

3Remember CO2 equivalent = refrigerant mass (tonnes) × GWP, and that Category II can leak-check without opening the circuit on any size

4Distinguish recovery, recycling and reclamation, and remember that venting F-gases is illegal and detectors must sense 5 g/year

5Category II targets domestic heat pumps and small commercial refrigeration — know the 2025 ban on high-GWP single splits under 3 kg charge

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the charge-size limit for F-Gas Category II work in Ireland?

Category II certificate holders may carry out recovery, installation, maintenance, servicing, repair and decommissioning on RAC systems containing less than 3 kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases, or less than 6 kg if the system is hermetically sealed and labelled as such, per EPA Ireland guidance under EU Regulation (EU) No 517/2014.

What activities can an Ireland F-Gas Category II certificate holder perform?

Category II covers refrigerant recovery, installation, maintenance, servicing, repair and decommissioning within the charge limits above, plus leak checking provided the work does not entail breaking into the refrigeration circuit containing F-gases.

Who awards the F-Gas Category II qualification in Ireland?

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) validates the training standard. Programmes lead to the Level 5 Special Purpose Certificate in F-gas Handling in Small RACHPT&T Systems Category II (10 credits, 100 learning hours), delivered by approved training providers.

What topics does the F-Gas Category II exam cover?

Content follows Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2067 Annex 1 Category II: thermodynamics, environmental regulations, pre-operation checks, system components, compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion valves, piping, recovery and alternative technologies.

Do I need prior qualifications to take F-Gas Category II in Ireland?

Access is typically limited to learners actively working in commissioning and servicing of refrigeration, air-conditioning or heat-pump systems under 3 kg charge, who hold an advanced trades certificate or equivalent qualification in a related field.

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

Our 100 practice questions cover the same EU F-Gas and QQI Category II syllabus areas, with a teaching explanation for every answer plus free daily AI tutor interactions. All content is free forever and updated for 2026.