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

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 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.