Section 115.412 - Control RequirementsIn the Beaumont/Port Arthur, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston/Galveston areas as defined in § 115.10 of this title (relating to Definitions) and in Gregg, Nueces, Victoria, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Wilson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties, the following control requirements shall apply.
(1) Cold solvent cleaning. No person shall own or operate a system utilizing a volatile organic compound (VOC) for the cold solvent cleaning of objects without the following controls. (A) A cover shall be provided for each cleaner which shall be kept closed whenever parts are not being handled in the cleaner. The cover shall be designed for easy one-handed operation if any of the following exists: (i) the true vapor pressure of the solvent is greater than 0.3 psia (2 kPa) as measured at 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius);(ii) the solvent is agitated; or(iii) the solvent is heated.(B) An internal cleaned-parts drainage facility, for enclosed draining under a cover, shall be provided for all cold solvent cleaners.(C) A permanent label summarizing the operating requirements in subparagraph (F) of this paragraph shall be attached to the cleaner in a conspicuous location near the operator.(D) If a solvent spray is used, it must be a solid fluid stream (not a fine, atomized, or shower-type spray) and at an operating pressure of ten psig or less as necessary to prevent splashing above the acceptable freeboard.(E) The system shall be equipped with a freeboard that provides a ratio equal to or greater than 0.7, or a water cover (solvent must be insoluble in and heavier than water). To determine the freeboard ratio, the freeboard height measurement is taken from the top of the degreaser to the top of the air/solvent level. This number is then divided by the smallest width measurement. The width measurement is taken at the smallest interior dimension. This dimension could be located at any point, from the top or opening of the unit to the air/solvent level.(F) The operating procedures shall be as follows.(i) Waste solvent shall not be disposed of or transferred to another party such that the waste solvent can evaporate into the atmosphere. Waste solvents shall be stored only in covered containers.(ii) The degreaser cover shall be kept closed whenever parts are not being handled in the cleaner.(iii) Parts shall be drained for at least 15 seconds or until dripping ceases.(iv) Porous or absorbent materials, such as cloth, leather, wood, or rope, shall not be degreased.(2) Open-top vapor degreasing. No person shall own or operate a system utilizing a VOC for the open-top vapor degreasing of objects without the following controls: (A) a cover that can be opened and closed easily without disturbing the vapor zone;(B) the following devices which will automatically shut off the sump heat: (i) a condenser coolant flow sensor and thermostat which will detect if the condenser coolant is not circulating or if the condenser coolant temperature exceeds the solvent manufacturer's recommendations;(ii) a solvent level sensor which will detect if the solvent level drops below acceptable design limits; and(iii) a vapor level sensor which will detect if the vapor level rises above acceptable design limits;(C) a spray safety switch which will shut off the spray pump to prevent spraying above the vapor level;(D) one of the following controls: (i) a freeboard that provides a ratio equal to or greater than 0.75 and, if the degreaser opening is greater than 10 ft 2 (1m2), a powered cover. To determine the freeboard ratio, the freeboard height measurement is taken from the top of the degreaser to the top of the air/vapor level. This number is then divided by the smallest width measurement. The width measurement is taken at the smallest interior dimension. This dimension could be located at any point, from the top or opening of the unit to the air/vapor level;(ii) a properly sized refrigerated chiller capable of achieving 85% or greater control of VOC emissions;(iii) an enclosed design where the cover or door opens only when the dry part is actually entering or exiting the degreaser; or(iv) a carbon adsorption system with ventilation equal to or greater than 50 cfm/ft2 (15m 3 /min per m2) of air/vapor area (with the cover open) and exhausting less than 25 ppm of solvent by volume averaged over one complete adsorption cycle;(E) a permanent, conspicuous, label summarizing the operating procedures listed in subparagraph (F) of this paragraph;(F) the following operating procedures: (i) the cover shall be closed at all times except when processing work loads through the degreaser;(ii) parts shall be positioned so that complete drainage is obtained;(iii) parts shall be moved in and out of the degreaser at less than 11 ft/min (3.3 m/min);(iv) the work load shall be retained in the vapor zone at least 30 seconds or until condensation ceases;(v) any pools of solvent on the cleaned parts shall be removed by tipping the part before withdrawing it from the vapor zone;(vi) parts shall be allowed to dry within the degreaser freeboard area for at least 15 seconds or until visually dry;(vii) porous or absorbent materials, such as cloth, leather, wood, or rope, shall not be degreased;(viii) work loads shall not occupy more than half of the degreaser open top surface area;(ix) solvent shall not be sprayed above the vapor level;(x) solvent leaks shall be repaired immediately, or the degreaser shall be shut down until repairs are made;(xi) waste solvent shall not be disposed of or transferred to another party such that the waste solvent will evaporate into the atmosphere. Waste solvent shall be stored only in covered containers;(xii) exhaust ventilation for systems other than those which vent to a major control device shall not exceed 65 cfm per ft 2 (20 m3 /min per m 2) of degreaser open area, unless necessary to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements or unless a carbon adsorption system is installed as a major control device. Ventilation fans or other sources of air agitation shall not be used near the degreaser opening;(xiii) water shall not be visibly detectable in the solvent exiting the water separator.(3) Conveyorized degreasing. No person shall own or operate a system utilizing a VOC for the conveyorized cleaning of objects without the following controls: (A) one of the following major control devices: (i) a properly sized refrigerated chiller capable of achieving 85% or greater control of VOC emissions; or(ii) a carbon adsorption system with ventilation equal to or greater than 50 cfm/ft2 (15 m 3 /min/m2) of air/vapor area (when downtime covers are open) and exhausting less than 25 ppm of solvent by volume averaged over one complete adsorption cycle;(B) a drying tunnel or other means, such as rotating (tumbling) basket if space is available, to prevent solvent liquid or vapor carry-out;(C) a condenser flow switch and thermostat which will shut off sump heat if the condenser coolant is not circulating or if the condenser coolant discharge temperature exceeds the solvent manufacturer's recommendation;(D) a spray safety switch which will shut off the spray pump if the vapor level drops more than four inches (ten cm);(E) a vapor level control thermostat which will shut off the sump heat when the vapor level rises above the designed operating level;(F) entrances and exits which silhouette work loads so that the average clearance (between parts and edge of the degreaser opening) is either less than four inches (ten cm) or less than 10% of the width of the opening;(G) downtime covers which close off the entrance and exit during nonoperating hours;(H) a permanent, conspicuous label near the operator summarizing the operating requirements in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph;(I) the following operating procedures:(i) exhaust ventilation for systems other than those which vent to a major control device shall not exceed 65 cfm/ft 2 (20 m3 /min/m2) of degreaser opening, unless necessary to meet OSHA requirements or unless a carbon adsorption system is installed as a major control device. Ventilation fans shall not be used near the degreaser opening;(ii) parts shall be positioned so that complete drainage is obtained;(iii) vertical conveyor speed shall be maintained at less than 11 ft/min (3.3 m/min);(iv) waste solvent shall not be disposed of, or transferred to another party, such that the waste solvent can evaporate into the atmosphere. Waste solvent shall be stored only in covered containers;(v) leaks shall be repaired immediately or the degreaser shall be shut down until repairs are made;(vi) water shall not be visibly detectable in the solvent exiting the water separator;(vii) downtime covers shall be placed over entrances and exits of conveyorized degreasers immediately after the conveyor and exhaust are shut down and removed just before they are started up;(viii) porous or absorbent materials, such as cloth, leather, wood, or rope, shall not be degreased.30 Tex. Admin. Code § 115.412
The provisions of this §115.412 adopted to be effective February 19, 1990, 15 TexReg 549; amended to be effective August 1, 1992, 17 TexReg 4683; amended to be effective May 27, 1994, 19 TexReg 3703; amended to be effective March 7, 1996, 21 TexReg 1548; amended to be effective August 29, 2001, 26 TexReg 6303; amended to be effective December 9, 2004, 29 TexReg 11360