N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 6 §§ 232-2.5

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 50, December 11, 2024

Section 232-2.5 - Leak inspection and self-monitoring

(a) Leak check requirements. A trained operator must inspect the perc dry cleaning system for perceptible liquid and vapor leaks and other fugitive emissions, and record the date of inspection, inspector's initials and the status of each component on a checklist supplied by the department. Completed checklists must be kept for at least five years from the date of inspection.

(1) The perc dry cleaning system must be thoroughly inspected, at least weekly, for vapor leaks using one of the following devices or methods for detecting vapor leaks:

(i) a halogenated-hydrocarbon detector (beeper); or

(ii) a portable gas analyzer; or

(iii) an alternative method approved by the department.

(2) All equipment referenced in paragraph (a)(1) of this subdivision must be maintained in good working order and properly calibrated.

(b) The following components of the perc dry cleaning system must be inspected weekly by a trained operator for perceptible liquid and vapor leaks and for proper operation, as required by section 232-2.6 of this Subpart (operation and maintenance requirements), during that portion of the machine cycle that the component is utilized:

(1) hose and pipe connections, fittings, couplings and valves;

(2) door gaskets and seatings;

(3) filter gaskets and seatings;

(4) pumps;

(5) solvent (including spent solvent) tanks and containers;

(6) water separators;

(7) stills; and

(8) cartridge filter housings.

(c) Carbon adsorber vents from external door fans must be tested weekly using colorimetric detector tubes or a portable gas analyzer and noted on the checklist.

(d) The refrigerant high and low vapor pressures, or the temperatures of the vapor stream on the inlet and outlet side of a refrigerated condenser, must be measured weekly, and recorded on the checklist.

(e) Preparedness and prevention equipment as required in section 232-2.6(d)(4) of this Subpart must be inspected weekly to ensure proper operation and maintenance. A notation must be made on the checklist at the time of inspection.

(f) For dry cleaning machines equipped with an external door fan, trained operators must use a portable velometer or equivalent measurement instrument to measure the inward air velocity through the effective door opening to verify compliance with section 232-2.4(a)(3) of this Subpart. The inward air velocity must be measured weekly and noted on the checklist.

(g) Any liquid leak, vapor leak, or malfunction that has been detected by a trained operator must be noted on the checklist and repaired immediately, if possible. If the leak cannot be repaired at the time of detection, the leaking component must be physically marked or tagged in a manner that is readily observable and repaired within 24 hours of detection, unless repair parts are unavailable.

(1) If repair parts are not available at the facility, the parts must be ordered within two working days of detecting such a leak. Such repair parts must be installed within five working days after receipt. Equipment with a leak that has not been repaired by the end of the 15th working day after detection must not be operated until the leak is repaired, unless the facility owner or operator is granted a leak-repair extension from the department.

(2) The department may grant a leak-repair extension to a facility owner or operator for a single period of 30 days or less, if the department makes these findings:

(i) the delay in repairing the leak could not have been avoided by action taken by the facility owner or operator;

(ii) all reasonable preventive measures were taken and prompt action was taken to initiate the repair;

(iii) the leak will not significantly increase perc exposure in or near the facility; and

(iv) the facility is in compliance with all other requirements of this section and has a history of compliance.

(3) Such an extension may be granted verbally, but must be followed up by a written confirmation within three days.

(4) Once a repair is completed, the completion date must be recorded on the checklist.

(5) Where a hazard is imminent or has already occurred, remedial action must be taken immediately.

(6) All uncontainable releases, fires or explosions must be reported immediately to the department and appropriate emergency response agencies.

(h) A measured fugitive perc emission concentration of 50 ppm or greater emanating from any unintended openings in the dry cleaning system shall be considered an excessive vapor leak, treated as a violation, and subject to department enforcement action if detected by an inspector and not physically marked or tagged by a trained operator prior to the inspection; except for short-term maintenance operations involving the opening of dry cleaning system components for inspection or repair.

(i) Owner drum testing. In addition to the required yearly drum testing by compliance inspectors (inspector drum testing), all operational fourth generation perc dry cleaning machines must be tested by the owner or owner's representative at the facilities and frequencies specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subdivision. These tests must be conducted at the immediate completion of the drying cycle and prior to the activation of any fugitive emissions control system. Any fugitive emissions control system, normally activated upon door opening, must be deactivated prior to this test. Testing must be conducted when machines are filled to at least 80 percent of capacity using proper sampling procedures and a colorimetric detector tube sampling pump, or photo ionization detector, in good working order. During this test, the sampling probe must be inserted into the rear of the drum and above the clothes at the immediate completion of the drying cycle. Any sampled concentration above the regulatory limit specified in section 232-2.4(a)(5) will not be treated as a violation if the machine is brought into compliance and then retested within 45 days of detection. This compliance and testing deadline may be extended beyond 45 days if requested and reasonably justified by the owner and approved by the department. Testing results and any corrective action taken must be recorded on the checklist supplied by the department.

(1) Co-located residential and co-located commercial non-major dry cleaning facilities. Owner drum testing must be conducted monthly on all operational fourth generation machines, not equipped with an external door fan, at co-located residential and commercial non-major facilities. Owner drum testing is not required for perc dry cleaning machines at stand-alone non-major facilities.

(2) Major dry cleaning facilities. Owner drum testing must be conducted weekly on all operational fourth generation machines, with or without an external door fan, that were installed after September 22, 1993 at all major facilities.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 6 §§ 232-2.5

Adopted New York State Register February 28, 2018/Volume XL, Issue 09, eff. 3/9/2018