IE F-Gas Category III study plan
IE F-Gas Category III · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
F-Gas and ODS regulations & Environmental impact of refrigerants and ODS
Map the F-Gas regulation structure (prohibitions, phase-down, certification duties) into a one-page outline from memory
Define ODS and F-Gas by legal category and list three examples of each
Explain the difference between placing on the market and using a refrigerant
Identify which activities under Category III require a certified person
Your checkpoint
One-page regulation map plus a 10-term glossary written without notes
F-Gas and ODS regulations & Environmental impact of refrigerants and ODS
Trace the HFC phase-down schedule and state the baseline and reduction steps as percentages
List the main use prohibitions by application and date
Describe record-keeping and labelling obligations for equipment containing F-Gases
Distinguish between fluorinated and non-fluorinated alternatives for common systems
Your checkpoint
Timeline table of phase-down steps and prohibition dates, self-checked against your notes
Environmental impact of refrigerants and ODS
Rank refrigerant families by GWP and explain what GWP measures
Calculate CO2-equivalent charge from charge mass and GWP for three worked examples
Explain ODP and why ODP and GWP are separate metrics
Describe how refrigerant emissions contribute to climate change versus ozone depletion
Summarise the environmental case for recovery and reuse over venting
Your checkpoint
Ten CO2-equivalent calculation problems solved with full working shown
Containment, recovery and handling of refrigerants
Describe the recovery process step by step for a small hermetically sealed unit
Explain recovery cylinder safety rules: fill limits, labelling, and non-mixing
Differentiate recovery, recycling, and reclaiming
Identify contamination risks and how to avoid cross-contamination between systems
Explain safe handling procedures for refrigerant transfer and storage
Your checkpoint
Written procedure for recovering refrigerant from one appliance type, reviewed against your notes for gaps
Containment, recovery and handling of refrigerants & Safety, records and leak checking
List the components of a leak-check routine and the tools used to detect leaks
Explain the relationship between charge size, GWP, and leak-check frequency
Describe how to record a leak check and what information must be captured
Identify common leak points in split systems and small commercial units
Your checkpoint
Completed sample leak-check record for a hypothetical system with charge and GWP stated
Safety, records and leak checking
State the leak-check intervals for different CO2-equivalent charge thresholds
Explain what to do when a leak is found, including repair timelines and re-check requirements
Describe the record retention requirements for leak checks and recovery
Outline the personal protective equipment and ventilation requirements for handling refrigerants
Explain the hazards of oxygen displacement and frostbite in refrigerant work
Your checkpoint
Decision flowchart covering leak found, repaired, and re-checked, with record entries for each step
F-Gas and ODS regulations & Safety, records and leak checking
Match certification and competence obligations to specific tasks under Category III
Explain the consequences of non-compliance for the technician and the operator
Describe how to handle and store recovered refrigerant in line with regulations
Reconcile any conflicting notes from earlier weeks and resolve gaps
Your checkpoint
Compliance checklist covering certification, records, and recovery storage, cross-referenced to your glossary
F-Gas and ODS regulations & Environmental impact of refrigerants and ODS & Containment, recovery and handling of refrigerants & Safety, records and leak checking
Complete a timed full-length practice set across all four domains
Review every wrong answer and write a one-line correction for each
Re-derive the phase-down schedule and CO2-equivalent formula from memory
Rehearse the recovery and leak-check procedures aloud without notes
Your checkpoint
Scored practice set with an error log and a list of the three weakest areas
Milestones
Week 2: Can state the phase-down baseline and reduction steps and name three use prohibitions without notes
Week 4: Scores at least 8/10 on CO2-equivalent calculations and can describe recovery steps in order
Week 6: Correctly states leak-check intervals by CO2-equivalent threshold and lists required record fields
Week 8: Achieves at least 80% on the timed practice set and has an error log covering every missed item