[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 8]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR61.242-7]

[Page 161]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 61_NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS
--Table of Contents
 
   Subpart V_National Emission Standard for Equipment Leaks (Fugitive 
                            Emission Sources)
 
Sec. 61.242-7  Standards: Valves.

    (a) Each valve shall be monitored monthly to detect leaks by the 
method specified in Sec. 61.245(b) and shall comply with paragraphs 
(b)-(e), except as provided in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this 
section, Sec. 61.243-1 or Sec. 61.243-2, and Sec. 61.242-1(c).
    (b) If an instrument reading of 10,000 ppm or greater is measured, a 
leak is detected.
    (c)(1) Any valve for which a leak is not detected for 2 successive 
months may be monitored the first month of every 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 2 successive months.
    (d)(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 Sec. 61.242-10.
    (2) A first attempt at repair shall be made no later than 5 calendar 
days after each leak is detected.
    (e) 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) Any valve that is designated, as described in Sec. 
61.246(e)(2), for no detectable emissions, as indicated by an instrument 
reading of less than 500 ppm above background, is exempt from the 
requirements of paragraph (a) if the valve:
    (1) Has no external actuating mechanism in contact with the process 
fluid;
    (2) Is operated with emissions less than 500 ppm above background, 
as measured by the method specified in Sec. 61.245(c); and
    (3) Is tested for compliance with paragraph (f)(2) initially upon 
designation, annually, and at other times requested by the 
Administrator.
    (g) Any valve that is designated, as described in Sec. 
61.246(f)(1), as an unsafe-to-monitor valve is exempt from the 
requirements of paragraph (a) if:
    (1) The owner or operator of the valve demonstrates that the valve 
is unsafe to monitor because monitoring personnel would be exposed to an 
immediate danger as a consequence of complying with paragraph (a); and
    (2) The owner or operator of the valve has a written plan that 
requires monitoring of the valve as frequent as practicable during safe-
to-monitor times.
    (h) Any valve that is designated, as described in Sec. 
61.246(f)(2), as a difficult-to-monitor valve is exempt from the 
requirements of paragraph (a) if:
    (1) The owner or operator of the valve demonstrates that the valve 
cannot be monitored without elevating the monitoring personnel more than 
2 meters above a support surface;
    (2) The process unit within which the valve is located is an 
existing process unit; 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.