Virginia Administrative Code

Database updated through January 6, 2011

Article 24 

Emission Standards for Solvent Metal Cleaning Operations Using Nonhalogenated Solvents (Rule 4-24) 

9VAC5-40-3260. Applicability and designation of affected facility. 

A. The affected facility to which the provisions of this article apply is each solvent metal cleaning 

operation using nonhalogenated solvents, including, but not limited to, cold or vapor degreasing at service 

stations; motor vehicle repair shops; automobile dealerships; machine shops; and any other metal 

refinishing, cleaning, repair, or fabrication facility. 

B. The provisions of this article apply only to sources of volatile organic compounds in volatile organic 

compound emissions control areas designated in 9VAC5-20-206. They do not apply to sources in the 

Northern Virginia volatile organic compound emissions control area designated in 9VAC5-20-206. These 

sources are subject to Article 47 (9VAC5-40-6820 et seq.). of this part. 

Statutory Authority 

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia; §§ 110, 111, 123, 129, 171, 172 and 182 of the Clean Air Act, 40 

CFR Parts 51 and 60. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2401, eff. July 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 11, eff. 

April 1, 1996; Volume 13, Issue 10, eff. April 1, 1997; Volume 20, Issue 12, eff. March 24, 2004. 

9VAC5-40-3270. Definitions. 

A. For the purpose of these regulations and subsequent amendments or any orders issued by the 

board, the words or terms shall have the meanings given them in subsection C of this section. 

B. As used in this article, all terms not defined here shall have the meanings given them in 9VAC5 

Chapter 10 (9VAC5-10-10 et seq.), unless otherwise required by context. 
C. Terms defined. 

"Cold cleaning" means the batch process of cleaning and removing foreign matter from metal surfaces 

by spraying, brushing, flushing or immersion while maintaining the solvent below its boiling point. Wipe 

cleaning is not included in this definition. 

"Conveyorized degreasing" means the continuous process of cleaning and removing foreign matter 

from metal surfaces by operating with either cold or vaporized solvents. 

"Freeboard height" 

a. For cold cleaners, the distance from the liquid solvent level in the degreaser tank to the lip of the 

tank. 

b. For open top vapor degreasers, the distance from the solvent-to-air interface in the tank to the 

lip of the tank. 

c. For conveyerized degreasers, the distance from the solvent-to-air interface to the bottom of the 

entrance or exit opening, whichever is lower. 

"Freeboard ratio" means the freeboard height divided by the width of the degreaser. 

"Lower explosive limit" means the lower limit of flammability of a gas or vapor at ordinary ambient 

temperatures expressed in percent of the gas or vapor in air by volume. 

"Nonhalogenated solvent" means any solvent other than methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, 

trichloroethylene, 1,1,1- trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, or chloroform. Nonhalogenated solvents 

may include trace quantities of halogenated solvents which are: 

a. Unintended residues in recycled solvents, or 

b. Unintended impurities resulting from chemical reaction in the manufacturing process. 

"Open top vapor degreasing" means the batch process of cleaning and removing foreign matter from 

metal surfaces by condensing hot solvent vapor on the colder metal parts. 

"Solvent" means organic materials which are liquid at standard conditions and which are used as 

dissolvers, viscosity reducers or cleaning agents. 
"Solvent metal cleaning" means the process of cleaning foreign matter from metal surfaces by cold 

cleaning or open top vapor degreasing or conveyorized degreasing. 

Statutory Authority 

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2402, eff. January 1, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 11, eff. 

April 1, 1996. 

9VAC5-40-3280. Standard for volatile organic compounds. 

A. Conveyorized degreasing. 

1. No owner or other person shall use or permit the use of any conveyorized degreaser unless 

such degreaser is equipped with a control method that will remove, destroy or prevent the 

discharge into the atmosphere of at least 70% by weight of volatile organic compound emissions. 

2. Achievement of the emission standard in subdivision A 1 of this section by use of the methods in 

9VAC5-40-3290 A and D will be acceptable to the board. 

B. Open top vapor degreasing. 

1. No owner or other person shall use or permit the use of any open top vapor degreaser unless 

such degreaser is equipped with a control method that will remove, destroy or prevent the 

discharge into the atmosphere of at least 75% by weight of volatile organic compound emissions. 

2. Achievement of the emission standard in subdivision B 1 of this section by use of the methods in 

9VAC5-40-3290 B and D will be acceptable to the board. 

C. Cold cleaning. 

1. No owner or other person shall use or permit the use of any cold cleaner unless such cleaner is 

equipped with a control method that will remove, destroy or prevent the discharge into the 

atmosphere of at least 85% by weight of volatile organic compound emissions. 

2. Achievement of the emission standard in subdivision C 1 of this section by use of the methods in 
9VAC5-40-3290 C and D will be acceptable to the board. 

Statutory Authority 

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2403, eff. July 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 11, eff. 

April 1, 1996. 

9VAC5-40-3290. Control technology guidelines. 

A. Conveyorized degreasing. 

1. Control requirements. 

a. The degreaser (if the air/vapor interface is larger than 20 ft2) should be equipped with one of 

the following vapor control methods: 

(1) Refrigerated chiller (a secondary set of condensing coils operating with a coolant of less 

than 40°F). 

(2) Carbon adsorption system, with ventilation of 50 cfm/ft2or greater of conveyor opening area 

(when down-time covers are open), and exhausting less than 25 ppm of solvent by volume 

averaged over a complete adsorption cycle. 

(3) Any method of equal or greater control efficiency to the methods in subdivisions A 1 a (1) 

and (2) of this section, provided such method is approved by the board. 

b. The degreaser should be equipped with either a drying tunnel, or other means such as 

rotating (tumbling) basket, sufficient to prevent cleaned parts from carrying out solvent liquid or 

vapor. 

c. The degreaser should be equipped with all of the following control devices: 

(1) A device to prevent heat input unless there is adequate coolant.

(2) The spray shall be equipped with a device that will prevent spraying unless the degreaser is 
operating normally. 

(3) A device to shut off the heat if the vapor level rises above a predetermined level. 

d. Entrances and exits should silhouette work loads so that the average clearance (between the 

largest parts and the edge of the degreaser opening) is either four inches or 10% of the width of 

the opening, whichever is less. 

e. Covers should be provided for closing off the entrance and exit during shutdown, heat-up 

and cool-down. 

2. Operating requirements. 

a. Exhausting ventilation should not exceed 65 cfm/ft2of degreaser open area, unless 

necessary to meet the requirements of any regulations promulgated by the U.S. Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration. Fans shall not be used near the degreaser opening. 

b. Carry-out vapor losses should be minimized by racking parts to allow full drainage and 

maintaining vertical conveyor speed at less than 11 ft/min. 

c. Waste solvent should not be disposed of or transferred to another party such that greater 

than 20% of the waste (by weight) can evaporate into the atmosphere. Waste solvent should 

only be stored in closed containers. 

d. Solvent leaks should be repaired immediately or the degreaser should be shutdown. 

e. Water should not be visibly detectable in the solvent exiting the water separator. 

f. Down-time cover should be placed over entrances and exits of conveyorized degreaser 

immediately after the conveyor and exhaust are shutdown and removed just before they are 

started up. 

B. Open top vapor degreasing. 

1. Control requirements. 

a. Covers should be provided that can be opened and closed easily without disturbing the vapor 

zone. 
b. The degreaser should be equipped with all of the following control devices: 

(1) A device to prevent heat input unless there is adequate coolant. 

(2) The spray should be equipped with a method that will prevent spraying unless the 

degreaser is operating normally. 

c. Degreaser should be equipped with one of the following vapor control methods: 

(1) Freeboard ratio equal to or greater than 0.75. If the open area is larger than 10 ft2, the cover 

should be powered. 

(2) Refrigerated chiller (a secondary set of condensing coils operating with a coolant of less 

than 40°F). 

(3) Enclosed design (cover or door opens only when the dry part is actually entering or exiting 

the degreaser). 

(4) Carbon adsorption system, with ventilation of 50 cfm/ft2or greater of air/vapor area (when 

cover is open), and exhausting less than 25 ppm solvent by volume averaged over one 

complete adsorption cycle. 

(5) Any method of equal or greater control efficiency to the methods in subdivisions B 1 c (1) 

through (4) of this section, provided such method is approved by the board. 

d. A permanent label, summarizing operating procedures in subdivisions B 2 a through f of this 

section, should be placed in a conspicuous location on or near the degreaser. 

2. Operating requirements. 

a. The cover should be kept closed at all times except when processing work loads through the 

degreaser. 

b. Carry-out vapor losses should be minimized by: 

(1) Racking parts to allow full drainage; 

(2) Moving parts in and out of the degreaser at less than 11 ft/min; 
(3) Degreasing the work load in the vapor zone at least 30 seconds or until condensation 

ceases, whichever is longer; 

(4) Tipping out any pools of solvent on the cleaned parts before removal; and 

(5) Allowing parts to dry within the degreaser for at least 15 seconds or until visually dry, 

whichever is longer. 

c. Porous or absorbent materials, such as cloth, leather, wood or rope should not be 

degreased. 

d. Work loads should not occupy more than half of the degreaser's open top area. 

e. The vapor level should not drop more than four inches when the work load enters the vapor 

zone. However, for certain specific solvent vapor degreasing operations where of necessity 

very large masses are required to be degreased at one time, such as large castings and 

fabricated assemblies, the manufacturers design should accommodate a drop of the vapor-air 

interface of more than four inches. This introduction of such large masses of necessity causes 

significant vapor-air interface drop and so the problem must be resolved by engineering of the 

degreaser in these cases rather than by limiting the amount of air-vapor interface drop. 

f. Spraying above the vapor level should not be done. 

g. Solvent leaks should be repaired immediately or the degreaser shutdown. 

h. Waste solvent, still, and sump bottoms shall be collected and stored in closed containers. 

The closed containers may contain a device that would allow pressure relief, but would not 

allow liquid solvent to drain from the container. 

i. Exhaust ventilation should not exceed 65 cfm/ft2of degreaser open area, unless necessary to 

meet OSHA requirements. Fans should not be used near the degreaser opening. 

j. Water should not be visually detectable in solvent exiting the water separator. 

C. Cold cleaning. 

1. Control requirements. 
a. Covers or enclosed remote reservoirs should be provided. Covers should be designed so 

that they can be easily operated with one hand. (Covers for larger degreasers may require 

mechanical assistance, by spring loading, counterweighting or powered systems). Enclosed 

remote reservoirs should be designed such that they provide reduction effectiveness equivalent 

to that of a cover. 

b. External or internal drainage facilities should be provided to collect and return the solvent to 

a closed container or a solvent cleaning machine. If a solvent volatility is greater than 0.6 psi 

measured at 100°F, then the drainage facilities should be internal so that parts are enclosed 

under the cover while draining. Drainage facilities may be external for applications where an 

internal type cannot fit into the cleaning system. 

c. A permanent label, summarizing the operating procedures in subdivisions C 2 a through c of 

this section, should be placed in a conspicuous location on or near the degreaser.

d. If used, the solvent spray should be a solid, fluid stream (not a fine, atomized or shower type 

spray) and at a pressure which does not cause excessive splashing. 

e. If a solvent volatility is greater than 0.6 psi measured at 100°F, or if solvent is heated above 

120°F, then the degreaser (if the open area is greater than 20 ft2) should be equipped with one 

of the following vapor control methods: 

(1) Freeboard ratio that is equal to or greater than 0.7. 

(2) Water cover (solvent should be insoluble in and heavier than water). 

(3) Refrigerated chiller (a secondary set of condensing coils operating with a coolant of less 

than 40°F). 

(4) Carbon adsorption system, with ventilation of 50 cfm/ft2or greater of air/vapor area (when 

down-time covers are open), and exhausting less than 25 ppm of solvent by volume averaged 

over a complete adsorption cycle. 

(5) Any method of equal or greater control efficiency to the methods in subdivisions C 1 e (1) 
through (4) of this section, provided such method is approved by the board. 

2. Operating requirements. 

a. Waste solvent should not be disposed of or transferred to another party, such that greater 

than 20% of the waste (by weight) can evaporate into the atmosphere. Store waste solvent only 

in closed containers. 

b. The degreaser cover should be closed whenever not handling parts in the cleaner. 

c. Cleaned parts should drain for at least 15 seconds or until dripping ceases. 

D. Disposal of waste solvent from solvent metal cleaning operations should be by one of the following 

methods: 

1. Reclamation (either by outside services or in-house). 

2. Incineration. 

Statutory Authority 

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2404, eff. July 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 11, eff. 

April 1, 1996. 

9VAC5-40-3300. Standard for visible emissions. 

The provisions of Article 1 (9VAC5-40-60 et seq.) of this chapter (Emission Standards for Visible 

Emissions and Fugitive Dust/Emissions, Rule 4-1) apply. 

Statutory Authority

§§ 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2405, eff. January 1, 1985. 

9VAC5-40-3310. Standard for fugitive dust/emissions. 
The provisions of Article 1 (9VAC5-40-60 et seq.) of this chapter (Emission Standards for Visible 

Emissions and Fugitive Dust/Emissions, Rule 4-1) apply. 

Statutory Authority 

§§ 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2406, eff. January 1, 1985. 

9VAC5-40-3320. Standard for odor. 

The provisions of Article 2 (9VAC5-40-130 et seq.) of this chapter (Emission Standards for Odor, Rule 

4-2) apply. 

Statutory Authority 

§§ 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2407, eff. January 1, 1985. 

9VAC5-40-3330. Standard for toxic pollutants. 

The provisions of Article 3 (9VAC5-40-160 et seq.) of this chapter (Emission Standards for Toxic 

Pollutants, Rule 4-3) apply. 

Statutory Authority 

§§ 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2408, eff. January 1, 1985. 

9VAC5-40-3340. Compliance. 

The provisions of 9VAC5-40-20 (Compliance) apply. 

Statutory Authority 

§§ 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 
Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2409, eff. January 1, 1985. 

9VAC5-40-3350. Test methods and procedures. 

The provisions of 9VAC5-40-30 (Emission Testing) apply. 

Statutory Authority 

§§ 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2410, eff. January 1, 1985. 

9VAC5-40-3360. Monitoring. 

The provisions of 9VAC5-40-40 (Monitoring) apply. 

Statutory Authority 

§§ 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2411, eff. January 1, 1985. 

9VAC5-40-3370. Notification, records and reporting. 

The provisions of 9VAC5-40-50 (Notification, Records and Reporting) apply. 

Statutory Authority 

§§ 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2412, eff. January 1, 1985. 

9VAC5-40-3380. Registration. 

The provisions of 9VAC5-20-160 (Registration) apply. 

Statutory Authority 
§§ 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2413, eff. January 1, 1985. 

9VAC5-40-3390. Facility and control equipment maintenance or malfunction. 

The provisions of 9VAC5-20-180 (Facility and Control Equipment Maintenance or Malfunction) apply. 

Statutory Authority 

§§ 10.1-1307 and 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2414, eff. January 1, 1985. 

9VAC5-40-3400. Permits. 

A permit may be required prior to beginning any of the activities specified below and the provisions of 

9VAC5 Chapter 50 (9VAC5-50-10 et seq.) and 9VAC5 Chapter 80 (9VAC5-80-10 et seq.) may apply. 

Owners contemplating such action should contact the appropriate regional office for guidance. 

1. Construction of a facility. 

2. Reconstruction (replacement of more than half) of a facility. 

3. Modification (any physical change to equipment) of a facility. 

4. Relocation of a facility. 

5. Reactivation (restart-up) of a facility. 

6. Operation of a facility. 

Statutory Authority 

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia. 

Historical Notes 

Derived from VR120-04-2415, eff. January 1, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 11, eff. 

April 1, 1996.