410.3-1

RULE 410.3 Organic Solvent Degreasing Operations - Adopted 6/26/79, Amended 11/27/79,

6/29/81, 5/6/91, 3/7/96, 5/7/98 

I. Applicability

Requirements of this Rule shall apply to organic solvent degreasing operations.

II. Definitions

A. Cold Cleaner: any batch loaded, non-boiling solvent degreaser.

B. Condenser Equipment: any equipment, such as refrigerated or non-refrigerated freeboard

chillers, condenser coils, or water jackets, used to condense solvent vapor in a vapor

degreaser.

C. Condenser Flow Switch: safety switch which shuts off sump heat if condenser water fails

to circulate or if condenser water temperature rises above designated operating

temperature.

D. ConveyorizedDegreaser: any continuously loaded, conveyorized solvent degreaser, either

boiling or non-boiling.

E. Degreaser: tank, tray, drum, or other container in which objects to be cleaned are exposed

to a liquid or vapor degreasing solvent.

F. Freeboard Height:

1. For a cold cleaning degreaser, distance from top of solvent or solvent drain to top of

degreaser, based on inside tank dimensions.

2. For a remote reservoir degreaser, distance from solvent drain to top of degreaser,

based on inside dimensions.

3. For a vapor degreaser, distance from solvent air-vapor interface to top of basic

degreaser tank, based on inside tank dimensions.

G. Freeboard Ratio: freeboard height divided by smaller of length or width of degreaser.

H. High Volatility Solvent: any solvent that is not a low volatility solvent.

I. Low Volatility Solvent: any solvent, including emulsions, containing no more than 2%

volatile organic compounds by weight as determined by U.S. EPA Test Method 24. 

J. Make-Up Solvent: solvent added to a degreaser to replace solvent lost through

evaporation, carryout, splashing, leakage, or disposal.
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K. Open-Top Vapor Degreaser: any batch loaded, boiling solvent degreaser.

L. Remote Reservoir: liquid solvent tank which is completely enclosed except for a solvent

return opening no larger than 100 cm2 (15 in2) which allows used solvent to drain into it

from a separate solvent sink or work area and which is not accessible for soaking parts.

M. Solvent: any liquid containing an organic compound or combination of organic

compounds used as diluent, thinner, dissolver, viscosity reducer, cleaning agent, or other

similar uses. These liquids are principally derived from petroleum and include petroleum

distillates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, ketones, and alcohols.

Solutions, emulsions, and dispersions of water and soap, or water and detergent, are not

considered organicsolvents. Soaps and detergents are considered water based surfactants.

N. Spray Safety Switch: safety switch which cuts off spray applicator pump if vapor level

drops below a specified level.

O. Vapor Level Control Thermostat: safety switch which turns off sump heater if

temperature rises above design operating level at center of air-vapor interface.

P. Volatile Organic Compound (VOC): any compound containing at least one atom of

carbon except for compounds exempted by Rule 102, Subsection L.

Q. Ultrasonic: enhancement of cleaning process by vibrating solvent with high frequency

sound waves, causing implosion of microscopic vapor cavities within liquid solvent.

R. Wipe Cleaning: method of cleaning which utilizes a cloth, cotton swab or other material,

wetted with a solvent, which is physically rubbed on surface to be degreased.

III. Exemptions

A. Provisions of this Rule do not apply to wipe cleaning.

B. Provisions of this Rule, except Subsection IV.A.3.b., shall not apply to degreasing

equipment using low volatility solvent.

C. Provisions of this Rule shall not apply to single pieces of degreasing equipment which use

unheated solvent, and which have liquid surface area of less than 929 cm2

 (1.0 ft2

). Such

equipment is not exempt if aggregate liquid surface area of all degreasers of this type at

the stationary source is greater than 0.93 m2 (10 ft2). (See Rule 210.1, Section II for

definition of Stationary Source.)

D. Provisions of this Rule shall not apply to degreasing equipment using halogenated

solvents. Such equipment shall comply with Rule 423 (Subpart T of Part 63).

IV. Requirements
410.3-3

A. Cold Cleaner Requirements: Any person who operates a cold cleaner shall conform to

following requirements:

1. General Operating Requirements:

a. Degreaser equipment and any emission control equipment shall be operated and

maintained in proper working order;

b. Solvent leaks shall be corrected immediately, or degreaser shut down and

drained;

c. No device designed to cover solvent shall be opened or removed unless

processing work in degreaser or performing maintenance on degreaser;

d. If solvent flow is utilized, only continuous fluid stream (not fine, atomized, or

shower type spray) shall be used at pressure which does not cause liquid solvent

to splash outside of solvent container;

e. No porous or absorbent materials such as cloth, leather, wood, or rope shall be

degreased;

f. No solvent shall be stored or disposed, including waste solvent and solvent

residues, in such manner to cause or allow its evaporation into atmosphere;

g. Waste solvent and waste solvent residues shall be managed in compliance with

California and Federal requirements applicable to solid wastes,hazardouswastes,

or recyclable materials;

h. Solvent agitation, where necessary, shall be achieved only by pump circulation,

by means of mixer, or with ultrasonics. Air agitation shall not be used;

i. Cleaned parts shall be drained for at least 15 seconds after cleaning or until

dripping ceases; and

j. Solvent spraying shall be done at least 4 inches below top of vapor layer.

2. Design Requirements (Except Remote Reservoir Cold Cleaners):

a. Freeboard height shall provide freeboard ratio greater than or equal to 0.75;

b. Container (degreaser) shall be provided for solvent and objects being degreased;

c. Apparatus or cover shall be provided which prevents solvent from evaporating

when not degreasing objects in degreaser. Such cover shall be designed to be

opened and closed easily with one hand;
410.3-4

d. Device shall be provided for draining cleaned parts such that drained solvent is

returned to a reservoir;

e. If high volatility solvent is used, drainage device shall be internal, so that

degreased objects are enclosed under a cover while draining. Such drainage

device may be external for applications where internal type cannot fit into

cleaning system;

f. Permanent, conspicuous label or sign shall be affixed which lists all requirements

of Subsection IV.A.1.; and

g. Permanent, conspicuous mark shall be placed locating maximum allowable

solvent level which conforms to applicable freeboard requirement of Subsection

IV.A.2.a.

3. Control Requirements (Except Remote Reservoir Cold Cleaners)

a. If high volatility solvent is used, then one of following control devices shall be

used:

1) Water cover if solvent is insoluble in and heavier than water; or

2) Any other system of emission control demonstrated to have overall capture

and control efficiency equivalent to at least 85%.

b. If low volatility solvent is used, freeboard height shall be at least six inches.

4. Design Requirements (Remote Reservoir Cold Cleaners)

a. If high volatility solvent is used, cover shall be provided for drain when no

objects are being degreased; 

b. Freeboard height of at least six inches shall be maintained;

c. Sink-like work area shall be provided which is sloped sufficiently towards drain

to preclude pooling of solvent;

d. Workplace fans shall not be used in manner which disturbs air-vapor interface;

e. Permanent, conspicuous label or sign shall be affixed summarizing applicable

operating requirements of Subsection IV.A.1.; and

f. Permanent conspicuous mark shall be placed locating maximum allowable

solvent level which conforms to applicable freeboard requirement of Subsection

IV.A.4.b.
410.3-5

B. Open-Top Vapor Degreasers: Any person who operates an open-top vapor degreaser shall

conform to following requirements:

1. General Operating Requirements:

a. Degreaser equipment and any emission control equipment shall be operated and

maintained in proper working order;

b. Solvent leaks shall be corrected immediately, or degreaser shut down and

drained; 

c. No device designed to cover solvent shall be removed or opened unless

degreasing objects work in degreaser or performing maintenance on degreaser;

d. If solvent flow is utilized, only continuous fluid stream (not fine, atomized, or

shower type spray) shall be used at pressure which does not cause liquid solvent

to splash outside of solvent container;

e. No porous or absorbent materials such as cloth, leather, wood, or rope shall be

degreased;

f. No solvent, including waste solvent and solvent residues, shall be stored or

disposed in such manner as will cause or allow its evaporation into atmosphere;

g. Waste solvent and waste solvent residues shall be managed in compliance with

California and Federal requirements applicable to solid wastes,hazardouswastes,

or recyclable materials;

h. Solvent agitation, where necessary, shall be achieved only by pump circulation,

by means of mixer, or with ultrasonics. Air agitation shall not be used;

i. Objects to be degreased shall not occupy more than half of degreaser's open top

area;

j. Solvent spraying shall be done at least 4 inches below top of vapor layer;

k. Water shall not be visually detectable in solvent returning from water separator

to solvent cleaner;

l. For open-top vapor degreasers equipped with a lip exhaust, exhaust shall be

turned off when degreaser is covered;

m. Solvent carry-out shall be minimized by implementing following measures:

1. Rack degreased objects to allow complete drainage,
410.3-6

2. Move objects in and out of degreaser at less than 3.3 m/min (2.2 inches/sec),

3. Degrease objects in vapor zone until condensation ceases,

4. Allow degreased objects to dry within degreaser until visually dry, and

5. Tip out any pools of solvent on degreased objects before removal;

n. If unit is equipped with refrigerated freeboard chiller and/or primary condenser,

following procedures shall be followed:

1. When starting up degreaser, cooling system shall be turned on before, or

simultaneously with, sump heater, and

2. When shutting down degreaser, sump heater shall be turned off before, or

simultaneously with cooling system; and

o. Exhaust ventilation shall not exceed 20 m3

/min per m2

 (65 cfm/ft2

) of degreaser

open area, unless necessary to meet OSHA requirements. Ventilation fans shall

be positioned to not disturb vapor zone.

2. Design Requirements: 

a. Freeboard height shall provide a freeboard ratio greater than or equal to 0.75;

b. Container (degreaser) shall be provided for solvent and objects being degreased;

c. An apparatus or cover shall be provided, which prevents solvent from

evaporating when not degreasing objects in degreaser. Cover shall be designed

to be opened and closed easily without disturbing vapor zone;

d. Device shall be provided for draining degreased objects such that drained solvent

is returned to a reservoir; and

e. Permanent, conspicuous label or signs shall be affixed which lists all operating

requirements of Subsection IV.B.1.

3. Control Requirements: One of following or combination of following control

devices shall be utilized:

a. Condenser equipment with chilled air blanket temperature measured in degrees

F at coldest point on vertical axis in center of solvent cleaner shall be operated

at either temperature no greater than 30% of initial boiling point of the solvent

used, or 41 F;
410.3-7

b. Enclosed design (cover or door opens only when dry object to be degreased is

actually entering or exiting degreaser);

c. Carbon adsorption system which ventilates air-vapor interface at minimum rate

of 15 m3

/min per m2

 (50 cfm/ft

2

), but not greater than 20 m3

/min per m2

 (65

cfm/ft2

), unless required by OSHA standards, and exhausts less than 25 ppm of

solvent by volume over complete adsorption cycle, and with overall capture and

control efficiency of 85%; or

d. Any other system of emission control demonstrated to have overall capture and

control efficiency of at least 85%.

4. Safety Switch Requirements:

a. Degreaser shall be equipped with condenser flow switch with solvent temperature

indicator, except where non-water refrigerant is used; 

b. Degreaser shall be equipped with spray safety switch; and

c. Degreaser shall be equipped with manual reset vapor level control thermostat

with solvent temperature indicator.

C. Conveyorized Solvent Degreaser: Any person who operates a conveyorized solvent

degreaser shall conform to following requirements:

1. General Operating Requirements:

a. Degreaser equipment and emission control equipment shall be operated and

maintained in proper working order;

b. Solvent leaks shall be corrected immediately, or degreaser shut down and

drained;

c. If solvent flow is utilized, degreaser shall use only continuous fluid stream (not

fine, atomized, or shower type spray) at pressure which does not cause liquid

solvent to splash outside of solvent container;

d. No porous or absorbent materials such as cloth, leather, wood, or rope shall be

degreased;

e. No solvent, including waste solvent and solvent residues, shall be stored or

disposed in such manner as will cause or allow its evaporation into atmosphere;

f. Waste solvent and waste solvent residues shall be managed in compliance with

California and Federal requirements applicable to solidwastes,hazardouswastes,
410.3-8

or recyclable materials;

g. Solvent agitation, where necessary, shall be achieved only by pump circulation,

by means of a mixer, or with ultrasonics. Air agitation shall not be used;

h. Solvent carryout shall be minimized by implementing following measures:

1. Racking degreased objects to allow complete drainage; and

2. Maintaining vertical conveyor speed at less than 3.3 meters/min. (2.2

inches/sec);

i. Exhaust ventilation shall not exceed 20 m3/min per m2 (65 cfm/ft2) of degreaser

opening, unless necessary to meet OSHA requirements. Ventilation fans shall

be positioned to not disturb vapor zone; and

j. Down-time cover shall be placed over entrances and exits of conveyorized

degreasers immediately after conveyor and exhaust are shutdown and removed

just before start up.

2. Design Requirements: 

a. Container shall be provided for solvent and objects being degreased;

b. Freeboard height shall provide freeboard ratio greater than or equal to 0.75;

c. An apparatus or cover shall be provided which prevents solvent from evaporating

when not degreasing objects. Covers shall be provided for closing off entrance

and exit during non-operation;

d. Device for draining degreased objects shall be provided such that drained solvent

is returned to a reservoir;

e. For degreasers with greater than 2 m2

 air/vapor interface, hood or enclosure shall

be provided with device or ductwork to collect degreaser emissions, exhausting

to carbon adsorber or equivalent control device;

f. Drying tunnel or other device, such as rotating basket, sufficient to prevent

cleaned parts from carrying out solvent liquid or vapor shall be provided; and

g. Entrances and exits shall be minimized by silhouetting objects to be degreased

so that average clearance between objects and edge of degreaser opening is either

less than 10 cm (4in.) or less than 10 percent of width of opening, whichever is

less.

h. Permanent, conspicuous label or sign shall be affixed which lists all operating
410.3-9

requirements of Subsection IV.C.1.

3. Control Requirements: One of following or combination of following control devices

shall be utilized:

a. Condenser equipment with chilled air blanket temperature measured in degrees

F at coldest point on vertical axis in center of solvent cleaner shall be operated

at temperature no greater than 30% of initial boiling point of solvent used, or

41 F;

b. Carbon adsorption system which ventilates air-vapor interface at minimum rate

of 15 m3/min per m2 (50 cfm/ft2), but not greater than 20 m3/min per m2 (65

cfm/ft2), unless required by OSHA standards, and exhausts less than 25 ppm of

solvent by volume over complete adsorption cycle, and with overall capture and

control efficiency of 85% by weight; or

c. Any other system of emission control demonstrated to have overall capture and

control efficiency of at least 85%.

4. Safety Switch Requirements:

a. Degreasershallbe equipped with condenser flow switch with solvent temperature

indicator, except where non-water refrigerant is used;

b. Degreaser shall be equipped with spray safety switch; and

c. Degreaser shall be equipped with manual reset vapor level control thermostat

with solvent temperature indicator.

V. Administrative Requirements

A. Record Keeping:

1. Any person subject to requirements of this Rule shall have solvent manufacturer

specification sheets available for review and shall maintain records which show on

quarterly basis, following information for each degreaser:

a. Type of degreaser,

b. Type of solvent,

c. Solvent(s) initial boiling point,

d. Volume of solvent used, and

e. Volume of make-up solvent added to degreaser.

2. Each time waste solvent or waste solvent residues are removed from facility, records
410.3-10

shall be kept confirming compliance with acceptable disposal methods listed in

Subsections IV.A.1.g., IV.B.1.g., or IV.C.1.f.

3. Records shall be maintained for minimum of two years and made available for

inspection by Control Officer upon request.

B. Test Methods:

Following test methods shall apply to this Rule:

1. Initial boiling point of solvent shall be determined by ASTM 1078-78;

2. Where “add-on” control equipment is utilized, collection efficiency shall be

determined using U.S. EPA document entitled "Model Regulatory Language for

Capture Efficiency Testing" dated 8/3/90;

3. Analysis of halogenated exempt compounds shall be made using CARB Test Method

432;

4. VOC emissions shall be measured by using U.S. EPA Test Method 25, 25a, or 25b,

as applicable, and analysis of halogenated exempt compounds shall be made with

CARB Test Method 422; and

5. Exhaust ventilation rates shall be measured using U.S. EPA Test Method 2, 2a, 2b,

or 2c.