Code of Maine Rules
06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL
Chapter 130 - SOLVENT CLEANERS
Section 096-130-3 - Cold Cleaning Machines

Universal Citation: 06 ME Code Rules ยง 096-130-3

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

This section applies to all cold cleaning machines that process metal parts. (See 1B Exemptions.) The provisions of this Section shall not apply if the owner and operator of the cold cleaning machine demonstrates and the Department approves in writing that compliance with the Section will result in unsafe operating conditions.

A. Immersion cold cleaning machines shall have a freeboard ratio of 0.75 or greater unless the machines are equipped with covers that are kept closed except when parts are being placed into or being removed from the machine.

B. Immersion cold cleaning machines and remote reservoir cold cleaning machines shall:

(1) Have a permanent, conspicuous label summarizing the operating requirements in Subsection 3 below.

(2) Be equipped with a cover that shall be closed at all times except during cleaning of parts or the addition or removal of solvent. For remote reservoir cold cleaning machines which drain directly into the solvent storage reservoir, a perforated drain with a diameter of not more than six inches shall constitute an acceptable cover.

(3) Cold cleaning machines shall be operated in accordance with the following procedures:
(a) Waste solvent shall be collected and stored in closed containers. The closed containers may contain a device that allows pressure relief, but does not allow liquid solvent to drain from the container;

(b) Cleaned parts shall be drained at least 15 seconds or until dripping ceases, whichever is longer. Parts having cavities or blind holes shall be tipped or rotated while the part is draining. During the draining, tipping or rotating, the parts shall be positioned so that solvent drains directly back to the cold cleaning machine;

(c) Flushing of parts using a flexible hose or other flushing device shall be performed only within the freeboard area of the cold cleaning machine. The solvent spray shall be a solid fluid stream, not an atomized or shower spray at a pressure that does not exceed 10 pounds per square inch gauge (psig);

(d) The owner or operator shall ensure that, when the cover is open, the cold cleaning machine is not exposed to drafts greater than 40 meters per minute (132 feet per minute), as measured between 1 and 2 meters (3.3 and 6.6 feet) upwind and at the same elevation as the tank lip;

(e) Sponges, fabric, wood, leather, paper products and other absorbent materials shall not be cleaned in the cold cleaning machine;

(f) When a pump-agitated solvent bath is used, the agitator shall be operated to produce a rolling motion of the solvent with no observable splashing of the solvent against the tank walls or the parts being cleaned. Air agitated solvent baths may not be used;

(g) Spills during solvent transfer and use of the cold cleaning machine shall be cleaned up immediately, and the wipe rags or other sorbent material shall be immediately stored in covered containers for disposal or recycling;

(h) Work area fans shall be located and positioned so that they do not blow across the opening of the degreaser unit; and

(i) The owner or operator shall ensure that the solvent level does not exceed the fill line.

C. On and after May 1, 2005, a person who sells or offers for sale any solvent containing volatile organic compounds for use in a cold cleaning machine shall provide to the purchaser the following written information:

(1) The name and address of the solvent supplier;

(2) The type of solvent including the product or vendor identification number;

(3) The vapor pressure of the solvent measured in mm Hg at 20o C (68o F); and

(4) Percent VOC content by weight.

D. A person who operates a cold cleaning machine shall maintain for not less than two years and shall provide to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection or EPA, on request, the information specified in Subsection 3C. An invoice, bill of sale, certificate that corresponds to a number of sales, Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), or other appropriate documentation acceptable to the Department and EPA may be used to comply with this Section.

E. On, or after, May 1, 2005, each cold cleaning machine must use a solvent with a vapor pressure of 1.00 mm Hg, or less, at 20o C (68o F). This paragraph does not apply to cold cleaning machines:

(1) Used in special and extreme solvent metal cleaning;

(2) For which the owner or operator has received Department approval of a demonstration that compliance with the requirement of a solvent with a vapor pressure of 1.0 mm Hg, or less, at 20o C will result in unsafe operating conditions; or

(3) That are located in a permanent total enclosure having control equipment that is designed and operated with an overall VOC removal efficiency of 90 percent or greater.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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