Search Frequent Questions

Filter By:

Active filters:

Remove all filters

Displaying 46 - 60 of 75 results

  • Are valves in piping considered administrative controls?

    No, administrative controls are written procedures that limit the quantity stored or flowing through the pipes. Valves are considered active mitigation systems.

    • Last published:

  • Regulated facilities reasonably expected to discharge oil

    How do I determine if my facility could reasonably discharge oil into or upon navigable waters or adjoining shorelines? This determination is based solely upon a consideration of the geographical and locational aspects of the facility. The location of the facility must be considered in relation to streams, ponds and…

    • Last published:

  • Atmospheric conditions used for off-site consequence analyses

    What atmospheric conditions must a source assume when performing the offsite consequence analyses required under 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B? For the worst-case release analysis, 1.5 meters per second wind speed and F atmospheric stability class must be assumed, unless the stationary source owner or operator can demonstrate that…

    • Last published:

  • Program levels and the difference in worst-case release analysis requirements

    The preamble to the Risk Management Program Rule ( 61 FR 31668; June 20, 1996 ) states that "one worst-case release scenario will be defined to represent all toxics, and one worst-case release scenario will be defined to represent all flammables held above the threshold at the source" ( 61…

    • Last published:

  • Methods to identify affected populations

    As part of the risk management program, a facility owner or operator must prepare an off-site consequence analysis (OCA) and estimate in the risk management plan (RMP) the residential population within the geographical area that could be affected by the hypothetical worst-case or alternative releases that the facility has analyzed…

    • Last published:

  • Definition of recreational area for determining offsite impacts in RMP

    What is considered a recreational area? Recreational areas would include land that is designed, constructed, designated, or used for recreational activities. Examples are national, state, county, or city parks, other outdoor recreational areas such as golf courses or swimming pools and bodies of waters (oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams) when…

    • Last published:

  • Worst case release scenario for toxic and flammable substances in same Program 1 process

    Under the risk management program regulations in 40 CFR Part 68, if a Program 1 process contains a threshold amount of both a regulated toxic substance and a regulated flammable substance, should a worst case release scenario be analyzed for each of the substances in the process? Yes, a worst…

    • Last published:

  • Definition of off-site for identifying public receptors

    My processes are fenced, but my offices and parking lot for customers are not restricted. What is considered offsite? What is considered a public receptor? The unrestricted areas would be considered offsite. However, they would not be public receptors because you are responsible for the safety of those who work…

    • Last published:

  • What measures qualify as "passive mitigation"?

    Passive mitigation is defined in § 68.3 as "equipment, devices, or technologies that function without human, mechanical, or other energy input." Passive mitigation systems include building enclosures, dikes, and containment walls. Measures such as fire sprinkler systems, water curtains, valves, scrubbers, or flares would not be considered passive mitigation because…

    • Last published:

  • Leasing out empty oil storage containers.

    A facility leases out empty stationary tanks to other facilities that use the tanks to store oil (e.g., gasoline). The stationary tanks are empty while at the initial facility and eventually leased to other customers to be reused for oil storage. Is the facility that leases out the empty tanks…

    • Last published:

  • When is a mobile refueler subject to SPCC requirements?

    According to a 1971 Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA regulates non-transportation-related facilities and DOT regulates transportation-related facilities: • Mobile refuelers that operate solely within the confines of a non-transportation-related facility subject to the SPCC rule must comply with the general…

    • Last published:

  • Ammonia (concentration 20% or greater) and Ammonia (anhydrous) Alternative Release Scenarios

    Pursuant to the Risk Management Program regulations, the owner or operator shall identify and analyze at least one alternative release scenario for each regulated toxic substance held in a Program 2 or Program 3 process above its threshold (40 CFR §68.28). If a facility has both ammonia and ammonia (anhydrous)…

    • Last published:

  • Are rivers used for recreation considered "public receptors"?

    A process covered under 40 CFR Part 68 is eligible for Program 1 requirements if it meets all of the criteria listed in 40 CFR §68.10(b). One of those criteria is that the distance to a toxic or flammable endpoint for a worst-case release assessment is less than the distance…

    • Last published:

  • Worst-case release scenarios with gases liquified by refrigeration

    When evaluating the worst-case release scenario for spills of liquid toxic substances, the owner or operator should assume that the maximum quantity within the vessel or pipe was released instantaneously to form a liquid pool (40 CFR §68.25(d)(1)). For regulated toxic substances that are normally gases at ambient temperature, the…

    • Last published:

  • Do environmental receptors include areas that are not Federal Class I areas?

    Do environmental receptors include areas that are not Federal Class I areas under the CAA? Yes. The list of environmental receptors in Part 68 includes areas in addition to those that qualify as Federal Class I areas under CAA section 162. Under Part 68, national parks, monuments, wilderness areas, and…

    • Last published: