La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § V-1729

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024

Section V-1729 - Standards: Valves in Gas/Vapor Service or in Light Liquid Service

A. Monitoring, General. Each valve in gas/vapor or light liquid service shall be monitored monthly to detect leaks by the methods specified in LAC 33:V.1741.B and shall comply with LAC 33:V.1729.B-E, except as provided in LAC 33:V.1729.F, G, and H, and LAC 33:V.1737 and 1739.

B. Leak Detection. If an instrument reading of 10,000 ppm or greater is measured, a leak is detected.

C. Monitoring Intervals

1. Any valve for which a leak is not detected for two successive months may 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. Repair, General

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 LAC 33:V.1733.

2. A first attempt at repair shall be made no later than five calendar days after each leak is detected.

E. Repair Methods. 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. No Detectable Emission Exemption. Any valve that is designated, as described in LAC 33:V.1743.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 LAC 33:V.1729.A 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 LAC 33:V.1741.C; and

3. is tested for compliance with LAC 33:V.1729.F.2 initially upon designation, annually, and at other times as requested by the administrative authority.

G. Unsafe-to-Monitor Exemption. Any valve that is designated, as described in LAC 33:V.1743.H.1, as an unsafe-to-monitor valve is exempt from the requirements of LAC 33:V.1729.A if:

1. the owner or operator of the valve determines that the valve is unsafe to monitor because monitoring personnel would be exposed to an immediate danger as a consequence of complying with LAC 33:V.1729.A; and

2. the owner or operator of the valve adheres to a written plan that requires monitoring of the valve as frequently as practicable during safe-to-monitor times.

H. Difficult-to-Monitor Exemption. Any valve that is designated, as described in LAC 33:V.1743.H.2, as a difficult-to-monitor valve is exempt from the requirements of LAC 33:V.1729.A 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;

2. the hazardous waste management unit within which the valve is located was in operation before June 21, 1990; and

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

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § V-1729

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Solid and Hazardous Waste, Hazardous Waste Division, LR 17:658 (July 1991).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2180 et seq.