§ 66264.1057. Standards: Valves in Gas/Vapor Service or in Light Liquid Service.

(a) Each valve in gas/vapor or light liquid service shall be monitored monthly to detect leaks by the methods specified in Section 66264.1063(b) and shall comply with subsections (c) and shall comply with (d) and (e) of this section, except as provided in subsections (f), (g), and (h) of this section, and Sections 66264.1061 and 66264.1062.

(b) If an instrument reading of 10,000 ppm or greater is measured, a leak is detected.

(c)(1) Any valve for which a leak is not detected for two successive months shall be monitored the first month of every succeeding quarter, beginning with the next quarter, until a leak is detected.

(2) If a leak is detected, the valve shall be monitored monthly until a leak is not detected for two successive months.

(d)(1) When a leak is detected, it shall be repaired as soon as practicable, but no later than 15 calendar days after the leak is detected, except as provided in Section 66264.1059.

(2) A first attempt at repair shall be made as soon as possible to minimize escape of hazardous constituents to the environment but no later than 24 hours after each leak is detected.

(e) First attempts at repair include, but are not limited to, the following best practices where practicable:

(1) tightening of bonnet bolts;

(2) replacement of bonnet bolts;

(3) tightening of packing gland nuts; and

(4) injection of lubricant into lubricated packing.

(f) Any valve that is designated, as described in Section 66264.1064(g)(2), for no detectable emissions, as indicated by an instrument reading of less than 500 ppm above background, is exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) of this section if the valve:

(1) has no external actuating mechanism in contact with the hazardous waste stream;

(2) is operated with emissions less than 500 ppm above background as determined by the method specified in Section 66264.1063(c); and

(3) is tested for compliance with paragraph (f)(2) of this section initially upon designation, annually, and at other times as required by the Department.

(g) Any valve that is designated, as described in Section 66264.1064(h)(1), as an unsafe-to-monitor valve is exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) of this section if:

(1) the owner or operator of the valve determines (written explanation in the operating record) that the valve is unsafe to monitor because monitoring personnel would be exposed to an immediate danger as a consequence of complying with paragraph (a) of this section; and

(2) the owner or operator of the valve adheres to a written plan that requires monitoring of the valve as frequently as practicable.

(h) Any valve that is designated, as described in Section 66264.1064(h)(2), as a difficult-to-monitor valve is exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) of this section if:

(1) the owner or operator of the valve determines that the valve cannot be monitored without elevating the monitoring personnel more than two meters above a support surface; and

(2) the hazardous waste management unit within which the valve is located was in operation before June 21, 1990, for units that transfer, treat, store, or dispose of RCRA hazardous wastes, unless the owner/operator of the unit is exempt from regulation under 40 CFR, Section 264.1.

(3) the owner or operator of the valve follows a written plan that requires monitoring of the valve at least once per calendar year.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 12-23-92; operative 1-22-93 (Register 93, No. 2).

2. Change without regulatory effect amending section heading filed 12-28-95 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 95, No. 52).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 25150 and 25159, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 25159 and 25159.5, Health and Safety Code; and 40 CFR, Section 264.1057.