Standards - Valves in gas or vapor service or in light liquid service

1. Each valve in gas or vapor or light liquid service must be monitored monthly to detect leaks by the methods specified in subsection 2 of section 33.1-24-02-193 and must comply with subsections 2 through 5, except as provided in subsections 6, 7, and 8, and sections 33.1-24-02-191 and 33.1-24-02-192. 2. If an instrument reading of ten thousand parts per million or greater is measured, a leak is detected. 3. Timeframe. a. Any valve for which a leak is not detected for two successive months may be monitored the first month of every succeeding quarter, beginning with the next quarter, until a leak is detected. b. If a leak is detected, the valve must be monitored monthly until a leak is not detected for two successive months. 4. Release. a. When a leak is detected, it must be repaired as soon as practicable, but no later than fifteen calendar days after the leak is detected, except as provided in section 33.1-24-02-189. b. A first attempt at repair must be made no later than five calendar days after each leak is detected. 5. First attempts at repair include the following best practices where practicable: a. Tightening of bonnet bolts. b. Replacement of bonnet bolts. c. Tightening of packing gland nuts. d. Injection of lubricant into lubricated packing. 6. Any valve that is designated, as described in subdivision b of subsection 7 of section 33.1-24-02-194, for no detectable emissions, as indicated by an instrument reading of less than five hundred parts per million above background, is exempt from the requirements of subsection 1 if the valve: a. Has no external actuating mechanism in contact with the hazardous secondary material stream. b. Is operated with emissions less than five hundred parts per million above background as determined by the method specified in subsection 3 of section 33.1-24-02-193. c. Is tested for compliance with subdivision b initially upon designation, annually, and at other times as requested by the department. 7. Any valve that is designated, as described in subdivision a of subsection 8 of section 33.1-24-02-194, as an unsafe-to-monitor valve is exempt from the requirements of subsection 1 if: a. The remanufacturer or other person that stores or treats the hazardous secondary material determines that the valve is unsafe-to-monitor because monitoring personnel would be exposed to an immediate danger as a consequence of complying with subsection 1. b. The remanufacturer or other person that stores or treats the hazardous secondary material adheres to a written plan that requires monitoring of the valve as frequently as practicable during safe-to-monitor times. 8. Any valve that is designated, as described in subdivision b of subsection 8 of section 33.1-24-02-194, as a difficult-to-monitor valve is exempt from the requirements of subsection 1 if: a. The remanufacturer or other person that stores or treats the hazardous secondary material determines that the valve cannot be monitored without elevating the monitoring personnel more than two meters above a support surface. b. The hazardous secondary material management unit within which the valve is located was in operation before January 15, 2015. c. The owner or operator of the valve follows a written plan that requires monitoring of the valve at least once per calendar year.