TSCA Opinion Letters
(polychiorinated biphenals]

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41i’
SLP r:

E. E. ifallein Ch Lef
Procedures Planning Branch
Voice of America -
Washington, D.C. 20547
Dear Chief Halleirn
This is in response to your August 16, 1985 letter
requesting clarification of how the July 17 1985 rule on
polychlorinat.d biphenyla (PCBs) in electrical transformers viii
affect your facilities. Specifically, you requested confirmation
that the Ibice of America Radio Relay Stations are lndustrial
buildings’ rather than co.u ercial buildings.’
The nvirorweental Protection Agency has determined, based on
the information ,rovtded in your letter, that the ice of
America Radio Relay Stations are induetrial buildings.’ The
July 17, 1985 rule defines •industrial buildinos,’ at 40 CPR
761.3, to bez
‘a buildin directly used in manufacturing or technically
productive enterorises. Industrial butidinas are not
generally cr tyoically accessible to other than i rkers .
Tndustrial buildinós include buildings used directly in the
production of power , the manufacture of product ,, the r’iniria
of raw Platfiriala, and the storage of textiles, petroleum
products, .ood and paper products, chemicals, plastics, and
metals.’ ( nphasi added.)
You stated that the VOice of America Radio Pelay Stations
are typically inaccessible to other than employees, end are
involved in the production of power at radio frequencies.
Therefore, those relay ¶tationa are ‘industrial buildings.’ The
K5 Transformers in the-buildings are subject only to the
requirements placed on PCB Transformers in industrial facilities.
If you ha e any further questions, please direct them to
Denise eehner of my staff at (2fl2) 382—3965.
Sincerely,
.1
Suzanne Rudsinski Chief
Chemical Regulation ranch
TYPIST FILE COPY

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Richard S. Wa.seratrc,
Environmental Counsel
American Paper Institute
Environmental and Realth Program
National Forest Products Association
1619 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
Dear Mr. sserstrom:
This is in response to your August 15, 1985 letter
requesting written clarification of how EPA intends to apply the
restrictions on the storage of cauibustible eiateriale which were
issued in the July 17, 1985 Federal Register (50 FR 29170). This
letter expresses the Agency’s agre ient with the interpretations
of the requirements presented In your Auqur t 15 letter.
One of the use r.strictions on PCB Transformers in or near
c .ercia1 buildings (section 761.30(a)(1)(viii)) prohibit. the
ator e of cc bustible ateria1s within a PCB—Transforaer
enclosure, within S meters of a transformer enclosure, or. if
unpartition.d, within 5 meters of a PCB Transformer. A. stated
in the prameble to the July 17, 1985 Rule, the objective of this
requirement is, to the extent possible and practical, to avoid
PCR Transformer involvement in fires initiated by the combustion
of stored materials anti to eliminat, potential sources of fuel
for a fire initiated by.an electrical malfunction or fault in the
transformer.
In the exemple presented in your letter, the question is
whether EPA requires the measurement of 5 meters vertically
(through concrete and steel ceilinos and floors) into the floors
above and/or below the floor on which the PCR Transformer is
located. EPA does not require the removal of stored combustibles
within 5 meters on the floor overhead, nor on the floor below.
As you postulated in your letter, a similar interpretation
can be made wher, there is a vail constructed of non—combustible
material (e.g., concrete) located within 5 meters of the PCB
Transformer enclosure. EPA would not require S meters to be
measured through the non—combustible well.
TYPIST FILE COPY

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I hope this letter adiresses your concerns. Please direct
any furthcr qucistions on this natter to flenise ahner or
Jane kiT! of ry staff. They can both be reachel at
(202) 382—3 3S.
sincerely,
uz,inne Pu !z1nski, Chief
Chavrlc l Per ulatIon 3ranch
cc: A. Binder
- TYPIST FILE COPY

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r fljgqj Keehner of ry statf will be waIting to hear fror you
in order to further evaluate your Eirr ’s nosition. rs. ceehner
is also ready to provide you witt assistance should you choose to
retro ill your in—storage units and need F.P pprovRl to siriulate
the loaded conditions of in—service use for purnoses of
reclAssification. Pis, Ki ehner can be reached at (207) 3R2— 965.
Sincerely,
Sizanne udzinsk , Chj f
C’hr nical ‘ c’’ulation ranch

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TYPIST FILE COPY

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EPA weiQhts the followinc factors heavily In iakinq a
rleterrijnation whether a transforr er located in or n. ar a dual
rurpose hulldinr is iniustrial or “co ’riercial’:
(1) transforrier conticjuration (radial versus network anti
hicjh versus low secondary voltage); (2) location (areas which are
visible by employees durinq the routine conduct of their work
versus areas isolated froi en n1oyees); (3) level of electrical
protection (the use ot snecial protective measures such as
current—ltritjng fuses, ress’ire sensitive devices, and
ditferential relays versus the 1i! ited or non existent use of
sneclal ‘rotectlve measures); (4) ease ot deenergi atlon (on—site
disconnect equi r’.. nt versus the lack ot on—site control of the
equinment); anc (5) the level of knowledqe on the oart of peonle
wht may be potentially exposed about the risks flosed.
In situations where a h’iil inq Is designed and rIncina)lv
used tar the nanufacturc’ or storaie of pro fucts but contains a
tew ottices and/or a s all research and .ievelo’, ent or quality
control laboratory, the transtorrier located In or near such a
building is considered to he an iniustrial transtorner.
Accor 1inq to C conments, nearly all transformers used in
the cher’ical industry ar i conflt ured in a radiul fashion, rather
than in snot networks, anti electrical . xnert within the industry
have renorted to C that all svstens of which they are aware are
raolal. CMA co ments Jo indicate that translorners emoloyed in
sone few c! v c J niants are sunhie1 by utilities as nart of a
spot network. Ci survey data tror’ 19R1 on the number of PC
Transforr’ers in use in the ch r’ical Industry indicate that thøre
are 4 733 PC Transtorr’ers in use. ssur inq that 98% of these
transforr ers re radial units, only 95 of these transfor’ ers
would he expectel to be contiuured in a network fashion anti,
accordin i to C 1 cor” ents, these PCP Transformers are u nlied DV
utilities. r)f the rerioinin (radial) transformers, C ’1.’ and A PI
co ’ r’ nts indicatc that these ttansfornerc are tynically er’ulnped
with special protective devices and on—site disconnect eouipment
to insure ra id dtenercjizatlor. in the event of a PC Transformer
fire.
U there are very few network transformers used by the
chenical Industry and those which are used are utility—owner),
I see little tirpact on the chemical industry ot the Agency’s
position that high secondary voltage network PC’I Transforwers
located in or near cor’u’ercial buildings on industrial sites he
renove’J by October 1990.
Sinilarlv, it the radial transformers used by the chemical
industry are typically equipped with special protective devices
and on—site disconnect guinr1ent, I see little impact on the
chemical Industry of the Agency’s nosition that radial PCB
Traøsforriers located in or near commercial huildln s on
industrial sites be eguipoed with enhanced electrical
protection. The enhanced electrical protection reguirenents in
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In excludlnQ industrial buildtni;.q fron the reuuirenents for
ohaseout and enhanced electrical protection, EPA recognized that
its decision was basec on an evaluation of typicsl industrial
buildings, and that soi e industrial buildin’js prooably did not
meet all of the criteria listed earlier (and that transfor”ers
located in these facilities, therefore, presented higher fire—
related risks than those oresent in the ty lca1 industrial
twilcling). Similarly, VP)¼ recognized that its decision to
retiuirc the removal of hiab secondary voltage network
transformers and the enhanced electrical protection of other
transforrers in or near comi ercial buildinos was based on its
evaluation of typicalu commercial bulitiings, and that some
cor’nercial buildinu transformers could notentially meet th
criteria listed above tor industrial transformers (and,
therefore, would present lower fire—related risks than the
typical conmorctal building transformer).
In situations wher an industrial site includes senarat
Duildiflr s dedicated to different functions, i.e., where each
ouildinq on the site is dost ned anil use 1 rinarily for sincile
nurt ose, the transforriers located in or near buildings such as
oftice facilities and research and deve]nr -’ent laboratories
(within the boundaries of an industrial site) ‘iust be considerec
cor erc1al !ulldinq . The record to th rulei’iakincj does
support the tact that EPA considered and continues to consider
transfort ers located in or near inJustrially—owneci office
buildings distinct tron induatrially—ownei manufacturing/storage
buildings. In the Januarl 15, I.))5 ‘ ublic hearing, EP. inquired
of r. alnh Crotelueschen of )eere and Company what nercentaae
of the 152 PCP Transtorners owned by Deere and Coripany were
located in Deere industrial facilities versus in Deerv office
buildings. Incidentally, ur. Grotelutschen resnonded that rioct
of the PC Transforrers would be in nanufacturino facilities and
that about 10 would he in nrimarily office tacilities.
Further 1 the rreanhle to t e PCfl Transformer Fires Final
Rule adr1res es this issue specifically by iniicating that .
Cornraercial buildiflqs are defined as non industrial (non
substation) buildings which are generally or ty ica11y accessible
to both enbers of the general oublic and ennioveec. These
hujilinas lncludci . . . offices (e.g., n nera) business offices
( includina those located on industrial sites ) . . . (e nhasls
add . d). (So Fr. 2 19 ).
In situations where a building is clearly riesiqnecl and used
for dual purposes, i.e., where several floors and/or a
significant arlourit of uildinj square footaqe is dedicated to
purposes other than product rnanufacture or storage, the
transtorrer located in or near the buildino nust be evaluated
relative to the factors listed above to deterrdne whether it more
closely r.eets the definition of a transforner located in or near
a comnercial builolnr7 versus in or near an industrial building.
tYPIST FILE COPY

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In evaluatirn; the’ nature and marjnituie of fire—related risks
posed by the use of PC Transtori ers in builelincjs used directly
in the manufacture, orocessing or storac e of nroducts (hereafter,
industrial buildings) versus coru erclal buildings, EPA identified
several irnnortant distinctions which apneared to set transforr ers
used in Industrial buildinas (hereafter, industrial
transtorv!ers), as a class or iroup, anart fron conr’erciat
buildina transtormers. First, according to API, industrial
transfcrners ...benefjt fronri a variety of electrical and fire
safety protective measures... and are desiqned and protected in
a fundamentally different fashion from power distribution systoi”s
which serve downtown comnercial office buildings. Virtually all
industrial PCB Transforr ers have sinpie, direct paths fro’ power
source to lead, are energized on only the prinary side of the
circuit and, accordingly, are unlikely to exnerlence electrical
arcina.... Indeed, several corments on the proposed rule
su4nest that on the order of of industrial PC; Transforn’ers
are or a radial confinuration.
Second, accordirii to J PI conn nts, the najoritv of
in’iustrial transfor ers are . . . readi]y visible to pa er
facility workers during th routine conduct or their work’.
Thus, according to .M’I corrents. u• • • transfcrner or switchqear
faults would be r aiilv observable as ould con 1itions whjch
could create a tire in the vicinity of these transformers. C 1A
connents provide further sunport to this: . . . Transformers
owned and waintainoci by the che ical industry are typically in or
near the i’ rnediate vicinity of che ical r.anufacturinq orucess
oncrations . . .
Thin, accor in to PI curnents, . . . auxiliary
disconnect switch s are installed in forest industry transforner
circuits, which reduces the risk associated with electrical
nalfunctiori or fire once they occur. CIA cora’tents confirr
this: . . . special protective controls such as over—current
anu differential relays and pressure sensitive devices are
commonly used In the chpy tcal lniustrv. CM\ further advises
that “Transforriers expt rlencina abnorrnal conditions are quickly
deenergizel, t ini’ iz1nc ‘ianage and reducing the freauency and
severity of such incidents.
Fourth, according to PI cc,ni enta, . . . the nopulation at
risk in the event of a PCR Transformer fire—related Incident is
far less than the thousands of people who ray he exposed to a
tire in public high—rise office buildings such as those in
Pjnqhamton and an Francisco. Those persons likely to b present
at a pulp and paper facility during such an incident are facility
personnel who are aware of the nrecautiorc necessary in the
workplace environment. Finally, according to API comr ents, .
Puin arid paper facilities have trained fire brigades which are
tac tllar with the operation of these facilities and can respond
to a tire within minutes.
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tho rule involve the installation of current liriting fuses (or
equividnet technology) on coinercial transtorners which lack such
)rotection an 1 the installation of low current fault rrotection
on hiqh secondary voltage radial PCB Transforrers.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Rudzinski, Chief
Chemical Re ju1atlon ranch
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OCT 28 1985
P’r. Henry Cram
R.( . . MC’COM
Attn: ANS P!C—ISE
Rock Island, Illinois ‘I299—f00 )
ar Mr. Cram:
hj is in resronse to your recent telet hone inau ry
renardi i the pns ible rplIcahi1Ity of certain of the
‘ ‘nvjro,vqental Protection ciency’e (FP ’s) r& ulations r mardina
polychiorinated hiphenyls (PCRs) in Fee ilitins at ? CC( ’ . In
particuler, you asked whether the ‘food and feed’ requirements of
40 CFR P’irf 7 1 would e ’nly to c’ertain po1e—’ ounted PCP
Tr nafnrmers located on the qrounds of AMccX)M. iqnificantlv,
you have aivis& us f hat several of these PCP Trans fori”ers are
located above nortions of th’ flenartment of )efense property
which have heen leased for cattle qra, inq purnos s, and that
he Js of cattle do craze in these areas.
A you know, the “f xx and fe.cr reot,latjons ii ’nnoe c’rta [ n
use 3nd inspection conditions upon PCfl Transformers which are
toUfld to ‘poce an exnosure risk to food or fond.” eo 4U CPP
Section Thl.3 (ii) , Scction 7fil.30 (l)(i), and Section
76l.3 (l)(vi). (1n 1er these req strei ents, the o er of a pC’R
Tranaforr .sr posing stch an exposure risk nust undertake one or
more nrntoctive ea ur”s to eliminate the potential for foo’
contamination. Ar or th’ risk—elI ”ination ootlons contei,plated
hy the rule are the remc,val or relocation of thc CR equinment,
thn relocation of the .ot” out i1e of the zone of risk, the
reduction of the PCP conc ntratinn ir’ the ec uinc pnP, or the
v,rovisioo of adeauate secondary contairunent for the er uIt ent.
For a full i1i cusqion of the risk analysis and orotectlon
options, see the discussion at 48 FR 7172, February 18, l9 3.
! !‘PI reqar!s the potenrial or PCU contm ination of the fool
supply as ‘%atter of rravest concern. m d end, the ‘food and
f’ e 1’ nrovtsiona of ‘ P7 ’s Flectrical Equl’w’ont Pule are the
outorovth of nu’ erous fool contanination inci ente which occurred
in the l 7fl’s. One of these iriclvlents resulted in the
contamination of cattle and nilk after a “CP—laden herbicidal
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—2—
spray had been applied to a ciraziwi area. ‘ecsuee the iotentlal
f,r food supriy cont& Ination has been proven, SPA has
consistently taken the noeltion that the definition of enuipt ent
an exposure risk to food or feed’ nust he construed
hrow ly. The only exception contained in the deFinition Is for
food and feed used or stored in private homes. See 411 CFT ‘761.3
(ii). The breadth of the Intended arore of the ‘food sni fee”
i’rovia lons was rnade $- ‘ clear in the preamble diacus ion
explainina the definttipn of ‘i,osjr an exposure risk to food or
feed.’ In that di uss n, IPA nointed out the sole exception for
‘private hcy wps, ’ and further øtsted that
‘This definition does ccwer food and feed that are held in
all other actlities inc1udLr orocery stores, restsur’rnts,
warehouses, farv!a, bins, sheds. silos, arid other structures,
and In f odlots, onen fi”lds , and anI a1qrs7i areas . 47
PR 37351, AugusI 25, 1982 (ez t,hasis supplied).
The history of the ‘fond and feed’ rulenakim hinhllnhtc th.
signitic3nce of the inclusion of open fields and ciraxirici areas
within thd list of ‘fecilities’ subject to the rule. Prior to ttu
pra ulaat’kn of the t* uqust 25, l ? riectrical quir ent RuJe,
PC —contein4nn electrical equIrur ent was cuh ected to the tome of
certain court—ordered controls known as the Interir Measures
Proqrac . The Interim Measures Prcwjra, contained several
excentions not retained in the final electrical e ui ient rule.
Amor ; these exceotions were op n fields where food and feed
products are grown or stored,’ and ‘anbal Qra?irY7 areas.’ ee
46 !‘R 27F14, May 20, 19 1 .
( iven the exoress ixception for these locations contained in
the predecessc r ro the E lectrical ?nuir ent Pule, it Is not
insi rilficant that the Auflust 25, l 2 f1n l nile exnressly
overruled the Interim Measures by tncludITv or*n fields and
cirazI’ a aresc within the definition of ‘food and føed’
facilities. t 1tbout dottht, the Inclusion of fields and arazino
areas was in response to contarnination incidents in which orazini
areas had been enrayed with a PCR fluid. The present ‘food and
feed” regLuirements are concerned with the potential contailnation
of the food upnly on account of the Itecharne of P1 Ps onto
qrow1 qrass or crops which jrazinq cattle i ’iv ht consi ’e.
Therefore, the gra ir areas on your facility are suhfect t
the food and teed’ provisions of the !lectrtcal P.qui rw nt Rule.
an lorq as the ‘ tential pathway’ test et forth in the
definition is satisfied. We urqe you to examine closely the
definition set forth at 40 CPP C7 I.3 ( ti) as well as the policy
statament (enclosed) nublishe ’l In the February 18, 1983 Federal
Register (48 FR 7172). With the nuldance contained In these
documents, you should a ertain which of your equt ent poses an
exposure risk to food or fond, as well as the appropriate
protective v easures to elirinate any such risk.
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—3-
We hope that this letter resolves your cuøstthns cnnc rnin
these ragulations and their a p1icah11ity to your facJlity.
$hould you have any a’iditional yuppit1on , 1oase contact r e or
Richard LaShier at (2fl2) 382—3933.
Sincerely,
/ signed
quz,,nn, Pix insIci, Chief
Chet ical Pe juiatinn Rranch
Enclos ure
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NOV ii9
r. Jim White
los Ala os Matinnal Laboratory
P.O. Pox 1663
Los Manos, t ew Mexico 87S45
L ar Mr. White:
Thts letter is in resnonse to ur recent telephone inoutry
ragardl the possible apnlicahttlty of certain f nviron ental
Protection & ency (EPA) Polychinrinared Piphenyl (PCR)
requlations to the facilities of the Los Memos National
Laboratory. In Darticular, you asked whether the several
oloyee unchrocs s annexed to the various buildtnqs ccp prisin
the laboratory plant would be conaidersd fool end feed tm
facilities for the ournoses of 40 CEP c7 1.3 (11), 40 rr
c7 l.30(I)(i), a, r! 40 CFR c761.30 (1)(vI). These provisions
imrioae certain use and inspection conditions ullOn PCU
Transfotnvers which are found to ‘pose an exposure risk to food or
feed.’ Tinder theem rnauirements, the owner of a PCP Transfon’ier
nosino such an exposure risk must undertake one or ‘ore
protective asures to elip’inate the potential or oeA
contan lnation. &itora the risk elt” ination options contemplated
hy tho rule are the r’moual or relocation of the e umnment, the
reduction of the PCB concentration in the equizi ent. or the
prov1 ton of adeQuate secondary containi’wnt for the e uivw,ent.
(See 40 PR 7172, February 113. 3983).
EPA regards the notential for PC contamination of the food
supp3y as a natter of the tjravrst conc’3rn. Indeed, the ‘food and
fend’ provisions of EPA’s Cleetrical £auinrent Pule are the
outarowth of numerous fool cont ination incidents which occurred
in the 197(1’s. several of which resulted In catastrophic
losses. So. the Agency haz consistently taken the nositiori that
the definition of eauipment ‘pnsincj an exposure risk to food or
feed’ i ’ ust be construed broadly. For that reason, the only
exception contained in the definition is for food and feed used
or 3torei inarivate hones . See 4CI ( FR c7 1.3(ll). The rule was
never. howeverTThtended to extend to facilities such as yours in
which the presence of food is meroly incidental to the operations
of the laboratory. P.ather. the rule was intended reach those
‘food and feed facilities’ which are actually in the business of
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panufactuririçj, processinq, nreoar1r q. handlirn, or stori’n Nfood
or feed pro%luctss in a nanner which wou1 i contrihut to the
creation or distribution of food or feed iroducts in the food
supply. The Mency io.s not rec ard the orovision of a dininq
area for one’s nriloyees as food chain—related industry. In
this r’ qard. the brildini anti consut ptIon of food In an er’r,loye.
lunchroa reg tblec wuch r ore the sort o Nnrtvate ho eN
activitins exciuleti fra i the M fotxl and feel TM eiefinttirrn than the
types of activities about which the rul. is concerned.
SiQnificantly. in the nre ibje to the fliectrical Equip ’w’nt ule,
EPP ustifIed the TM private hone exclusion on the basis that an
incident In a private residence voild potentially exnose a very
s’ al 1 ount of food. Therefore, it is our conclu ton that your
facility’s 1unchrna’ s are not cnvr red 1w the fOOLl anti ceed
reaul. r. ents.
We hope that thiq rer ly r olvøs all “ f your questions about
these requlations. Should you have additional nuesttons, ,)ease
contact M C or Rich irc1 T.aShier on (2 2) 3 2—3933.
Sinc relv.
Su7ann’ ! udzin 1. Chief
Cherical Pequtation ranch
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NcN 26 1985
Mr. Craig Dougan
Maintenance Department
Stardust Hotel
300 Las Vegas Blvd.
Los Vegas, Nevada 89019
Dear Mr. Dougon:
This is to follow up on your telephone conversations with
Denise Keehner and Jane Kim of my staff concerning the
Envirorwnental Protection Agency (CPA) regulations on
polychlorinoted biphenyls (Pa3s) which were published in the
July Ii, 1985 Federal Reç ister (50 FR 29170). You specifically
requested clarification of the requirement for removal of cl i
stored contwstibles within 5 meters of a P Transformer or P
Transformer enclosure. This letter provides our interpretation
of the applicability of the requirement based on the Information
you provided.
The July 17, 1905 PQ Transformer Fires Rule which addressed
the fire-related risks associated with the continued use of P
Transformers (i.e., electrical transformers containing 500 ppm or
greater P s) placed additional restrictions on the use of this
equipment. The ‘5 meter rule’ codified at 140 4 T 76 1.30(I)(vili)
prohibits the storage of corrtustlble materials, including, but
not limited to paints, solvents, plastics, paper and sawn wood
within a PQ3 Transformer enclosure, within 5 meters of a P 13
Transformer enclosure, or within S meters of on unenclosed PQ3
Trans former.
Your specific concern is whether the ‘5 uwler rule’ requires
the removal of a wooden storage shed located within 3 meters of
on outdoor P Tranformer enclosure. During your conversations
with Denise and Jane, you provided the following information:
I. Although the shed Is wIthin 3 meters of the P
Transformer enclosure, It is located 5 meters away from
the PQ3 Transformer itself.
2. No buildings ore located within 30 meters of the
transformer or ahed.
3. Metal fittings are stored inside the shed.
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Mr. ‘ yne P. JoP nsøn
A sjstant to Prøsjclent &
Chief Envirornental Enr ineer
(ansas City Power & L1r ht t r’any
133fl Ualtimore Avenue
PM. Bo 679
kansas City, Missouri 64141
‘\ ar ?‘r. 1ohnson
x
The PC rec u1at1oris at jf) (FP 761.30(a)(1)(jij) nrohihit the
repiacertent of a failør! I P Transformer locat il in or near a
cc ’c ercia1 hullc!inn with a PC Transfomer heLl in storan for
reuse. kansas CJPy Pouer and Lir ht ( ,nanv (V T’r ,) has notifieci
the :nviror ntal “rotection Anency (E”A) that this restriction
n’av nrce K( PL into a situation whern tt w ul ,i ha to ony
e1 ctr1c service to utility custo’ iers in the vent of a failure
of a transfor’er in its istr1hution cyst (when no non—PCR
transfocners or P(’B—cont ’ nateci transforr ers are vailah1 or
re’lstceraent).
I CPL ha inFon,,ed PA that nr certain transfonu rc
are currently in use, CPL has cmlv P T 9’ransforr ers Rvta ’lr
for use as reilac ents in ior ency situations. Furt mr, t h
earliest that K(PL wrjulri he hlp to ro ive n w non
transtornorc frr,n transforrter rlarmfactelrer3 is IG—1P weeks frci
the late that an or 1er ir pla e1, and retrnfi)l/rec1ass1 icat ion
of in—storw,e PC ’ Transfor crs to PC Contar inatoc! or n n Cf
status roiuires a ininu’i of 3 months. Thus, a failure in tho
transfomers for which onl ’ PC’ renlace ients curr’ntlv exis
eoujcl result in CPL heini! olaced In the po it on nf eiP.her
vio1atiw th ro ibltion on fnntallation of PCn Tr sfon’, r r
tein unahle to nrovlle elecfric service to certain custo rs
until a non PC 3 or 1 C’ Cont inatet unit was vai1able.
Thi? is to ar ise WCPL that the FPA is in the prnct s of
corrniri r1.r i a technical a ,en’ ent to 40 C P 7cl.30(a)(1)(lt ) t’
allow t’ie installation of 1 ransforv rs in mer ancy
situations until at least Anril I, l S6 a ’ 1 the u o units
jnstall ’d on an e eroencv P j j tint 11 at loast October 1, 1996.
TYPIST FILE COPY

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I’ issued, the av,endtient. woul’i allow your fir” ai’ pl ’, nortitnity
to y urohase awl recoive the necessary non P”l rep1ace ient units
or to retrofill an’! reclassify your tn—sP.oraoe w tPs to either
PCR eont inated or non P fl status. I unlerr,t.rvl that your firn
ha already hoc un efforts to r. trof ill or r9nlace your in—storaic
PC ?’ Tranufor ers, and these efforts r’ust continue.
Should you ho facc’rl with an cr’erqoncv outale sftuatlon
In the interi’i, bet en flctoher 1, 1 B5 a d the effeetive
late f thc ahove technical eni ent, you shouH im’ ediatetv
notify the renional office of the PA (for Pecvlon 7IT crrntac
T uheri Ficcullers at ( l6) 374— 531) and Ueadciuarters’
Ocfi of C )iance “oriitortn’ (contact flavid
(202) 3 2—784 ).
As currently written, 4C CFR 761. 0(a)(fl(iii) rrohfti! s t ’
r. r laee nnt of a fail d PC?’ Prtn orner locat.id in or near a
c, rq rcja1 t’uildlnq with ii PC transfon’ er h, j 3 in storarie for
r usr . t t’ 4s tire ‘e si1l cnnsi’ler exe” tfon re ’uesPs fr w thc.
P ’ rule on i C sr —L v—case hasis. The ‘act that FP is
consilerino an a’ n”ent P 4V CPIi 7F 1.3 ? ’(a)(1)(1ti) to allow th
i,scallation of PC! Transfor’ ”ers in rqoncy situaPinn h”vor .!
Octoher 1, P)P5 will he ta con into consi*ratlon in the event
that an r erri ncy installation is necessary botwoen (‘etohor 1.
1935 ani thc offectf . ’e iat n the technical ‘ !n! nt. ou “st
continue your offorts to ol.tain lacenent nnIP (or retro ifl
thn exi tinri units) as coon as ,sosslhle or the in—atoraoe PCE .
Tran forpi r , ac thi would t’o critical to a 1ete inatinn of
‘V o ’1 pffortr Po ec nly ‘4th tho ist nn r cutre” on .
“loas retair’ ro -or ’s to ‘locur’c,nt your efforts to obtain
rer lacei ient units or to rctrofill th so units, awl maI € t!-er
r 1Hy available for rn* review in the evon of an ‘ rr enev
faiture situation.
ShouLl you r iuire clarification of x sitlon or wich
to etcrr ine the ‘ atuz of the rw ’n1ca1 a ’ent, nlea e
cont ct either suzanne T UdZInsk1 at (7 ?) 3 2—3 3c or
)en1se nE r at (2O 2—V (i .
cj ner?rc l y,
t ’n ‘. ‘slav, Nrec tor
r fftce of Tn lc ihstance

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Pr. Kennet 1 . 3axter
c nera1 ‘1ana’ pr
Electric Power floard ‘ f Chattanooca
Sixth an arkot Str ts
(‘hatt?.nonra, T flfle 5, 37402
‘ar 1r. ‘ axter:
Th P( t rciulatic’ns at 40 Cr!? 7 l. fl(a)(l)(lji) prc*ihit
t e rtp 1 cernent of a fa j1 cJ ransfnr 1r locate n or n r
co,r nrcial rujlcljno with i PC) Transfori r hol’i in stor ie for
reusc. Th Eloctric Power floar4 of ( hattanoo’ia (rPI3C) ha
nr,Ufle 1 the i’nvlrorriental Prot’ ction Ac7cncv ( ‘P ) thit this
restriction r av force EPP( into a siP;jattnn it oul ’ ve
to rien’, electric wrvice to utility c isto or n th swent 0 F a
failure f a transfnr ,,r In its istrih ’.,tion syster’ (wh n no non—
transfo iorc or T3CC _c anin t& tran oi r ar avail hlo
for rerlacei,ent).
P! C has info ’ec Ph t for certain Pr.ansforr rs Ich
rc currently in ice, P C ha only PCP Tran F r ers a le
for u o as reT 1ac wnts in rconcv situations. Purt r. th
earl1 st that P’ flC wnu J be ahJc to r c lve new ron I
transfor ers from tr n fomer armficturer i l6—l wci’ka ‘ton
th r!ate tPtat an orc or i r lac ’, an i retrnfIl1/rocJsissific ’,tion
of in—etorane PCTt Tran fc,rnors to PCI Contaninate’i or non
status roruires a r i ’ur of 3 ‘ onth . ‘rhu , a faflure in those
transfc ’ ers for lch only DC reT 1ace’ ents currently e xj t
co’ilc result In P C he1nr niaccid In the nosittop of either
violatirvj tho orohibitior on installation of PC Transfor” rs or
h{nr c1 unahl to rnv1!c. eleetric servlcc to eertatn cw to’ rs
until a non PCIt or P ’ ConP ,init i ‘in It was available.
¶hjs i to ac!vic,? T)T C that the PA is in the roresa of
consi.leriwi a technical en ent to 40 C!P ‘6l.3 (a)(1)(iii) to
al1o i the Inst Jl tion of Tran forric’rs in e ern ncy
situations until .at least April 1, l9R an th use of in1t
1n ta1lnd on an ener :ency basth until at leact °ctober 1, 1Q 6 .
If iscuci, the end, ont woul.i allo o your fir” a’ ple onportunity
to purchace anI rerolve t ie noc’ s arv non PN ren ace ”ient units
TYPIST FILE COPY

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or to retrof ill and reclassify your in—storacpe units to either
PCR Contaminated or non PCI3 status. I understand that your firm
has aireedy bec un efforts to retrotill or replace your In—storage
pc8 Transformers and these efforts should continue.
Should you be faced with an emer’jency outage situation in
the interir , bet en ( ctober 1, 1985 and the effective late of
the above technical anendment, you should immediately notify the
regional office of the EPA (for Pec,ion IV , contact Kirk Lucius
at (404) 257—3222) and EPA Weedquartern Office of C p1iance
Monitorinq (contact flavid !anne,’iann at (202) 3R2 -7849).
As currently written, 40 CPP 761.30(a)(l)(iii) prohibits the
replacement of a failed PC!3 trane orrier lorated in or near a
ca in’ercial buildirw with a PC! transformer held in stor e for
reuse. At this time L will consider ex iptfon requests tram the
PCS rule on a caso—by—case basis. The fact that rP is in the
process of amending 40 CFP 761.30(a )(I)(ili) to aflow the
installation of PCR Transformers in er iency situations beyond
October 1, 19R5 will he takan into consideration in the event
that an mnergency installation is necessary between October 1,
1985 and the effective date of the te hntcal anendi’ient. You must
continue your efforts to obtain replacenent ‘anita (or retrof ill
the existincj units) as anon as possible for the in—storaqe PCP
Transformers, as this would be critical to a determination of
good faith efforts to ccrply with the existing requirements.
Please retain records to document your efforts to obtain
replacement units or to retrof ill these unite, and i aks them
available for CPA review in the event of an energency failure
situation.
Should you require clarification of EPA’s position or wish
to determine the status nf the technical amendment. please
contact either 8uzanne Rudzinski at (202) 382—3935 or
Denise Keehner at (202) 302—3965.
Sincerely,
b-
r•
Ibn P. Clay, flireetor
Off ice of Toxic Sut tances
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—2—
Clwlstinn 2
“ay tran or rc with econd rv voltanc’ r F 4A0/ 77 or
roe c I’1r’i v r tro’ 4 ll to lr r l r 4 fl n rtc
r” r r.jJljr)fl?
An r ‘.wr r
Yr” . (S r’ insuer for ‘ ut ’stion 1)
fl I ’stfr)n 3
r , tran or’ or 1t i volta’, of 4 ’1/277 or nr t r rer iirr ’
on”anc.,rl protc”t inn ft r cI icsifiw I ’,,’ retroffll?
Pt n c wc r
J ocnr.Iinti tc. ‘ ) F1 ‘920.) ( T uJv ] ?, l .t5), as n 4
°eto r 1, 1 ”, 1i r cii J pr p ?r n eor- rs -: P -’ j’* -
sr.cor ry “nltw es (4 5 4t’ volts and at’nvo, lnc),ic inc 3fl/771
volt v tc r s) In t,sc in or n r “erci. il uiJ’ 4 inr’ r tert
emJi- r)e1 1 th r.rnPc’ct inn to ,voi i tr n fot’r.er failures causc :1
‘y sust ine’i low current fai ltc. (“nte Only PC
Tranormerc (those r.o”?aintno cflr or ir aPpr ‘pp NTtF ) rs
r ” rcneec 1 in this nortion ef th.’ ru1c ), th recnr . if
trancforn’or is reclasqf 4 lp’i (sc a Oiir tior 1) to non— C or
P fl—cnntinat’ tren ’nrr1c r t t O’ f not. fall 4thtn the
nurvic, of th1r nort ton of the rule.
C w,t ion 4
r ’r the . 1 u1” 17,, I ’ 5 rub r’r !y only Pr’ ‘i th
S(’O narts r.Pr “fll . n or nr.aP’r “ s nr3 arø frpinqf rrne
wit’ 1tv s 5flfl nart ; r I) lion c n’int frcr ’ tt ” rjl mo?
An £ w r
Question S
is retrnfil11r’ n acceptahie r”c ns to l’n,er risks tc’
ccrit’r ’rcla) huH ‘Ii tics an ’ an -ti icahl.e under t! e I nr , and jf
ri’trnf lb lec’ o pt Frey i the nil
An s wo r
Tr troFi1ltrvi is tn acco tat.lv’ ans to lower risk. (See
answer or ()uton 1.) Only PC’ ransfor c ’rs are r qu’aP d
in referent to “rts¼ to ccrrtercial ui1 1lnqs. Therefore,
trans or ’ rs rotrnctlled and recJ r.sIfjo to PC! —cnnta iInated
or non—T’Cfl status ar’ not suhjeet to th rrohiPition on

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—3—
jnqlltInr in r’r rnrrt ’ iij 1 ’ flr iyl
rc u r nrnt f e]r rtrjca1 ic’jtn”c ’ t c ’ rtiin .‘P
ran ’ for- r t”nc.
ti tic n ‘.,
!‘ , rct rriL i’i Ion tr3nsfor r r r iutr ’ j’ ’ec j.-r ‘ v ry ‘!‘r
f 1 q t,11r c r t)lra , r,’qunP fl)l jfl ’
• t—cr riinrt tn rç .. ‘• ‘ .•) ( T,. ’y 17, l 1s) . “I ir ’swct t-n
, . 1 ç f)f’r, Tr nc (rirr r ( s .rine C( rrlr r Ph nt iinc ‘ “ rr
‘ r’ tt r !‘( ‘ c) in i c’ r I fnr r iic 1
c rCorrin d lri t ‘ mc ” n. ’rirv t’-r ‘innphq. rI. rr tr)r , i F
t”-’ i-’c r,’ r i’ c .c ’*- r ,cJ c. iffqv t’irriir’h rc tr ’ f111in,
a nc,n t’c” nr n ti tr. tr ’’c rrwr. j4 ‘ r c ’
r c’t i r j nc ” ct •“i’r,’ ‘ r’ ’
t I rv r e”jo ‘ic fjr nq lf•%fl f%
t f ctIr’i, ‘ c-it.,c vclr, vr’u “ivc’ Ltirln l I’:Ftin ’i’
cnnc rn1nni 4 ’ n1r r
I nc r”J v,
original signed b
EciWlfl F. TmsW0Ft
rn j .
‘ fltv r c ’nr
nce rt r ijr ‘ihst ir’c’ •’

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‘!r. .1os ’ph P. CI i,
Assistant Djroctnr
Plant nvironnont
r nera1 ‘lotnrs Cornoratirin
‘,enera1 ?lotor Tt chrtlca1 Ccnt”r
3 l4 )( U()flflfj Road
t rren, MichJr n 4 IO9)—9fl
t’oar ‘!r. Chn
This is o c nfjrn our conver atior n, J z ’nh ji, l 5
conr. rninq ‘ P,Vs int rrrr tat inn of 0 r ! ’r 7 l.3O(a)(i)(viii) on
the stora,e of c ustth1.’ rateri 1 n r a P i rr , fo er, and
to verify th internr tariori oi th t ;1tuations rIl r usnpd n
your letter of ‘ ov ber 13, l99 .
A PC!; Transfnrriw,r surro inuioc1 hy a eh. ln link f,?nre i
considered unenclouetl for the nurpose of this reruir ent, and
thert fore conhuntible i ateri il Mist not iie storo’i within S
r et rs of the transto er. The roa on for thl. !“o1n’ that a
chain—link en e would not nroutde a harrier to rovont an
electricaL fault or a trannfornr r flr’i rci r ntential ly reachinc)
nr arhy corthustihie r’atnrials.
cit ilar1y. a tran,for’ier JocaPeti on a f1 or that has no
onentn heneath the transfor” nr vouli nroutr’e an adenuate ‘)arrler
to r,revont electrical faults frcr’ reachina cc’thustthles helm’, so
thr2 S— ic?tor ree’uirer’ent c1 r s not n1y. ‘P does not require
the r nova1 of stored cmhustthles within 5 neters on the floor
overhead, nor on the floor holow a P f1 Transforner. I the floor
ia r ac1e of ‘ etal arates, an electrical fault could ntill lqntte
naarhy co it,ustihJos, or an ac tIve tran’ fnr’ er tire could still
s ,rea i to nearhy ciihustth]es. so the — ‘eter distance in thig
situation does annlv.
if you have any further oui stlors, y 1 ast call Audrey F tnder
of y stztft at (202) 382—3 2.
Sincer ’ly,
%zanne Rurlr.Inskl, Chief
Ch r,ical Roqulation !%ranch
TVpI T ui r flVy

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r. 111 lia’ ’ A. Wich ’rg, It
22 )O First f’ational T u1ldinr,
)Qtroit, !ichir an 48226
I Ar “r. ; c’ ’rs
In re r’on to ‘our stinnr re wyarr jnc, rnc’uirf’ nf
thc’ rorortinc’ of firn—r itr r irc ’1cnt , t ’v n”i’ onr ’nt 1
roie ctfr Pnoncv ( ‘PM r( crv1ntv, Ph ’t t!v’ f r
inctdc nt ov ’rs hro c C’t:71Jt o’ cir rt tvo”. Tn “cfintnri
firo—r’dat inci !ents I.ro vUv 1’ A lnt.nr 1 to avc oven
sino:lv ninor wftr.,r rc’nort . ,rhi jn c u r v’vcr f1r ’ 4ri
U,, inor inciJnnt . PCr)Ps havt h ’n fnun v’ tin’ In r’
r n ’ot’ rcv t e tr n iForr r ot-mtfein. FPr 1o r ro ni ’,
however, that s”a]1 leaki ‘inc pill b wcur and that Phø e
leaks and n1Iis ar ” not a oeIi tn’ ‘4th 1cctrjca 1 fau1t or
fai1urc . Thc’refore, leaks n’1 pt1ls of clych1nrinated
hinh ny1 (PC ) fr ’ qa ket , conn ctorq, Pc., (wNch ot
aocii’ttod with o1 ctrical rauJt anc which do r.nt involve th
hemtin of th. PC!%s to thn nolnt i f voHtization re not fire-
relatedi incidents anr qr not require ’ to be reported s s such.
Sn ill rels” (h,sc t iir or n lor of t r c) r’,r rrc ’re
relii’f devices ar aJ o not cor. idero to t fre—re)ated
inc dt nt .
gnclosec! nieaco fin” the’ inforr’ation you r( euested per our
tele,honc convtr t$on of ! o,,c ’her l . I R5. renardIr ry wt’at
sinr lr r 1ial systo’rt, oxrendp ! r&ie syster. arw o fort? are.
I hopo the e’nc!os r’ will t nnwer your ti’,net, jf
feel trec to c 1l no on (2 )2) 3I 2—17R’l.
*
T7r hJn I’. Tan ‘t’ r
Rtttornl’v—Jdvi nor
Enc1e ure

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. 4N 3
Mr. Timothy D. Roberts
nvironaental & Plant Ena er
L TEC Welding & Cutting Systems
P. 0. Box P—6 Ofl
Florence, South Carolina 29501
t ar Mr. Roberts:
This is in response to your letter of December S, 1985
requesting a nolicy interpretation on the ‘5—r ter stored
combustibles requirement’ specified in the July 17, 1985 PCR
Transforimr Fires Rule, and the use of wooden pellets as nart of
the storane mechanism for machine narta.
The tnvironnmntal Protection agency (EPA) intended the
‘5—meter requirement’ to apply to stored ccj’tbustihles such as
paper, solvente, paints, rubber, and sawn wood, which could
iqnite in the event of a PC!3 Transformer—related electrical fault
or PCR Transformer fire. EPA did not intend that .cyuipment and
materials in use in transformer locations such as pellets holding
machinery be included within the scope of ‘stored combustibles.’
Th. wooden pellets described in your letter of December 5, 1985
as holding (non combustible) machinery are being used to ease
transport of the machinery, and are therefore considered
equipment in use and are not subject to the ‘5—meter
requirement.’
If you have any further cuestione, please contact
Audrey Binder of ny staff at (202 382—39 2.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Rucizineki, Chief
Che’ ica1 Regulation Rranch
TYPIST FILE COPY

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L-TEC
cL WTT .G S#STEMS
p. 0. Box F-6000
Florence, S.C. 29501
December 5, 1985
Ms. Suzanne Rudzinski, Chief
Chemical Regulations Branch (T.S. 798)
U.S. EPA
401 M. Street, S. W.
Washington, D. C. 20460
Re: Storage of combustibles
near PCB Transformers
Dear Ms. Rudzinski:
We are seeking a policy decision from your office stating
that the use of wooden pallets as part of a storage mechanism
within 5 meters of a PCB transformer would not violate 40 CFR
761.30 (a)(1)(viii). We have discussed this matter with
personnel in the TSCA Assistance Office, personnel in EPA
Region IV, and Audrey Binder of your office. We were advised
to put a formal request in writing to your office seeking a
policy decision on the use of these pallets in a storage mech-
anism because it was not the intent of the regulations to
restrict the use of machinery in these areas. The Intent of
the regulations was to minimize the fire hazard potential
near PCB transformers.
The areas in question are part of a high bay storage mechanism.
Wooden pallets holding machine parts, etc. are placed on metal
racks four to six racks high (approximately 25-30 feet). Special
fork lifts that are on a track retrieve the parts by pulling a
particular pallet. Once the pallet has been retrieved, regular
fork lift trucks take the pallet with the desired part(s) to
the necessary work station.
PCB transformers are located in two areas near this high
bay storage area. No paper products, solvents, etc. are stored
within 5 meters of these transformers. There also exists a fire
extinguishing system in the high bay storage area.

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-2-
we respectfully seek your assistance in this matter. If you
should have any questions, please feel free to call me at
(803) 669-4411, ext. 330.
Sincerely,
%!
Timothy D —4oberts
Environmental & Plant Engineer
L-TEC Welding & Cutting Systems
TDR/cm
CC: J. M. Nance
A. Binder, EPA
J. Kelley, DHEC
D. W. Couts
S. W. Earp
R. Stryker, EPA Region IV

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JAN 61906
P!r. R. ?reci Stevenson
‘acI1ity Cnc ineerin
nore & I nnpanv
John fle r’ T r ir1
“oltn. , Illinois 15— ( 1
Niar ‘er.
tn res’DonsP to your 1 tPer 0 Vf”*i r 1’, i rc, coneorr’jnri
4fl C1’R T ,’rt 15] .Ifl (a)(1)(iv n’ 4 (‘), sn”ci tc.,flv rc’LiPinn irj
whether f uilt int ’rrur’tion, qr not necos rilv cy 1.ate
trannforrw r i n rr1zation r tsfi q thc Intent. rp’vu r v nP
of the j1o, ni wh thc r PA is cons1’ ’rfnn a lAr teation ‘
this r int. 1r t, “A $ rnn. 1rierinn a t rhr.ical a øn.lno1t of
£fl c.PD Part 751.30 (a)(1)(iv) hv 518 tIttitjn for
fai urps to avoic a ’ uity In t o nr7’Iaoe F tho
nx;tilation. CPA is that e1 ctric 1 . “F i1uros, when iiq i
to describe Ph actual F u t on 9t 4 nn, cannot h nre vente .
Intent o the rc iu1ation to nrovi e onh nced eio tr1caI
orotertion is not to avoid f 1]urt N (a con !itthn P at nn
preventerl), hut to avoii th ltkellho’)d of 0 runture° of a
Tr nsfor er. Se on lv, tn r snnn to ‘# Pher C 1
interription, and not neci’ssarUv c ini to tr nsfo or
r eennrni ation, se’!t.lsfies the intent and r nuiro ienP nc r —
Part 7Eil.30 ( )(1 )(iv), th recpilattnn renjIre current—lirlPtn’,
fu s or other ecmivalont te hnolnay ‘ o d°tect- su tainn Pi’h
current faults and is Inteided to achieve fault
clearan e/int rruption witl n “eral tenths ot a aeton tv’ nr
tr nsfor or failure (ruptur.’) nr c’irs.
The Intent of th r aulatinn l to nrnvldø ths tranc’nrrer
with adønuiatn faujt detectinry c1evic m to revPnt transtor, r
ruptures which can cause tra’ufor’r r fir’ s and firn-rf’lated
incidents. Pires n1 tire relaP 1 1nci 4 ent trwol”inri
transformers have been found to hp rc nons1hle for th r”a o
fls and other r ateria1s or tn i: tP an Therefor’ . in
circuMstances In wMeh only nn or two fu’es are reeuirqd to
interrunt a faii)t, le virri the tran ’ ’ov’ier nartlallv en 1?e 1 t”v
th’ reralnino wih!oim fuse(s) (as In a qin 1e hase—to— rnun
0

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fault in a wv’ -wye trans on r s condarv circuit which woull hp
tn rruc)tQd Py n ro rt te v r.irw’l. fu in the
tr naforner prir arv circuit or otherwise where three circuits
eciRt with curr ,nt—1 ritinn ?us.c tt chM to ach circuit r ivjn
the sane nrotectlnn ns one eurrpnt—ltvnitIry uee on a sinale
circuit), the intnnt of t ’e re ,u1 t1on nu )r h g 9’ (i if P.hO
fault Interruption e v’ ensure a’Ie ’u te nrotectinn aqaifl9t
pc sih1e tran formrir rt ’rom a suJt, th rr hv
,nlflffltziflr! the likelthoo.! o ‘i fire or fire—r l ted incident.
tf you have any riifior 1 m tlnnr nr e u rierP. , r 1e se
fec,1 fre€ to write oain or c ll (20?) 3P7—3Qf •
ner, rhIef
7u)atory ect1on

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JAN 17 1986
? r. onry . !ronfr’
‘.1rne’ ro ,n c’v
p. 0. c c ‘37fl
purrif i, Iehf ar 4 ’) l
“ ar P1r. re,njna:
Thj fc In r crv)n , tr, 1r t!r ‘tPv’r ‘r r 17,
re u Pi’w r 1artcir tlr,n r ‘i r tP t r “ 1-P, ? cr n1 lry
vMtav- freitu1c tr.’ rr for’ . r It 1 ’ in ’n r” r, na 1 4
yr’It c ,nr irle .
‘ tr3’’ c’r’ r Iv .‘ Jtdtlr n r f 44 /?) vriltc t,’ ’jl1
rnn itic rv ’ a “ $r. cv on ” iry ‘c’1t u’r ’ 4 r 4ri PirPu’i’ yo t
wP tc Ircu1t or” r’it” e r v rv r’ ‘- nj,t ) thn
t t ‘x’r” tt atI6f r r9 on ra P nn r e1rr” P. ?. £ fl/ fl iri1t
s’ ’rten r n ratc s %,ithlrl %n 1C “ rer’nt v rIp nc i’ the
t n’I rl ‘1/277 volt tc “na rc’r r I ’fl1!1r1 ‘ c ’I trb
th PCt3 r w’uI rer ?’ c’rnr .’rnfn.i “ tr c’r ? iw n 4 r vta c. ” t f
4 l ‘ 1 j q yp Ttiogr. r’ i, rtue r ”nv’ of ir c ’r
q’.rondarv vo1taq netw’rk Tr n or ” rs in cw n r c ”v’rcIa1
ilctnvs !w fl to’- .r 1, 14’4C, t.hc ln ,t*1L tIor” t-.’ 1 e t ,} r 3 !‘ 3()
1E 1wt trica’ r.rc $ ectt r l 1r’tc r , nc rv volrarc
rFv1f 1 PCP rawforr r! Ir ’ or n r ccr - s ’rc a p
nrr! it.J tion ‘n jr c r insti’,l ! t4nn of any’ r’ ” Tr rt$fr’rrQr jn
, ar ec ”’ reI’ J t u1lr11nr, ? t v r (‘iFtr’ t1on r.
Tri n fcrrwr5 with ‘ac rn’nev w r r r ’t nr’ t-ut1 1 nr
ot’npr Pv 1 r ’eqr t;r ’r ], Q ; P q p y ) 0 c ‘ Pflr,bV 1
frry PCt Transfor’•er lor’ t1c rm by ‘ cc ’ 1 ”r 1, I H ; ‘ e r ” ortIr’
afl rrr ’ Tr ‘or r rtr rc t,i1 JI’I4 ce’nP’fn” ” t of
r nt(ptial r*. a o c, w e’ ; th “ prk(n 1 Pf .! 1(’r r f
pry’ r csrt r 1o ttons -v fnc r 1’1 .
1 1e ! rvIroTvAnt 1 PT t CP. nfl A’!’nC!y T 1aC ,S ‘ r.’r trr n’
tr 1ft on i ’j ’ er e. con ry yt t3rv tz- n’t or’ ’rq t ’cn ’ 4( .
. ctrie t f’ ti ts In tt e q4 cc)nc) rtc.s n ‘ v,’tein i r r,c r& ‘ -I
tc ‘ ‘ n f ,jneci r PP er tbqn rl.i,r 4 nP . I3a1’i,l4 4
fi’ ’u1tr 1 ’ to tr r fcr er rvr,tur’ ’ nd ffrc—r ’r ’ I I. ’r t’ .
If ve ’i h”*. p.ry urU ’r rte t 4 r’r’ , “ ‘• ‘nr ’t’u’ t ‘v c1( or
P ’u Irf .v ‘ irr .r v f , v çP ,jff (‘. 2) 3 ?39’fl.
tr re’r y
“c’iI n ‘/4f’). Ør, jr
!ri”.;c’ry 5 4 r’i
TYPIST FILE COPY

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Pir. R. Clark S’ 1th
Ryan Siyifth ; Carbine, Ltl.
Law Offices
Mead Tkiil.!fnc
98 Kerthants Row
P. 0. ‘ ox 3P
Rutland, V rr’ont 05701—0310
floar Mr. ! ith
This is in rosnorme to your letter of flecenber 13, 1985,
r ’uesti advice on the use of an 1ternat1ve polvchlorineted
hiphenvi (PC 3) label. The F.nviror enta1 Protection Aqency (rPM
reaufros the use of on’s tyne oF ark in Identifyinre
Transformers and PCr 3 Transformer 1o ations to Insure that
ei orreency r sv nse ner.cnnn are nrovf er with a re ahJn
warninq that a PC Transforner is involved in a situation to
which thoy have heøn asked $:o rernon,1. The ‘ormat of this mar 1
is lllijatratoii in 40 CFR 761.45 and the reaulation snecifles that
letters and stripinrp T ust t e on a white or yellow hackOrnunfi, ani
that the mark ust be sufficiently durable to equal or exceed the
life of thp I’CR Trsnseormer. This r’ rk r av P e posted on t e ix le
and you i ay want, to advise your client to aid an arrow indicat nq
that the PC Transfc,r’ier is ahove.
Tht, nostinre of a stqn unUke that snecifted in 40 CPR 761.45
dons nnt c n1y with the exterior labeling renuire ient unless
this sign was n use orior to August 16, 1983 (the effective date
of the ru’te), the annronriate e ’roencv rn’nonse nerqnnnel re
aware of the aitnrnativa mark and Its ncanin , and the FPA
Redonal Ad tn4sP.rator was in or’ipd of the use of the alternative
mark prior to Decomber 1, 1985.
T hope this an wers your uostfor’s. Tf vriu have any
further questions, please contact Denise Kechner of my staff at
(202) 3 7—3 3.
Sincerely.
DC1I It. CL
rbn P. nay, t 1reetor
Office of Toxic FuP tances
TYPIST FILE COPY

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JAN21 1986
Mr. J. P Cormaclc
‘Iatar & } aZarticiu5 Waste ‘ra” s
Crown!ol lerhach
TechnIc S rv1ce i ( rntin
Fnvtrotiwental rvice
904 £;.11. flrakc troet
C as, Waahincitor 936O7—]4
J I
T ar Wt. ‘ or”ae”
This is in rc snonsc o your 1ett r da1 ecerih r
r n r1inn your rs pn’ nn o r tr tions c nt!!Fie 2 ‘ our
rate 1 wafl, whether a losk can h ue l within a
enctosure, anl whether th nviron r ta1 tttor Arwncy ( flA)
is planninri to icqu’ a rn: dancp on 1nter r tatic n of the rulo .
P1r P, ronardi’in wheth ’r lannfne, to gcuc. a
on Interprotatinn of the ruieq. EPA is planninn to issue a
Onestlon ancJ Ans r (O ) hno tn th near tur that shnul h
helpful In answerino many o’ ho more ern r’tv askerl nuestlonc
rr rar lnc the pa r nulat1on of ‘,o1ychnrina e! bi .enyls (P(’p )
I have ar3ied your narne to the list to receive a e ty w en tt is
r uh1isPbed.
ecc1ncIly, in retiarcl tc’ your Cu’ PiOn reoaritnr rostrietions
nutcldvl of a 2 hour rated will. T w !l as u’ your cluestlon
relates to whether the 5 m’ ter rule anplies when a P’fl1
nsforr’.r is enc]r ed In a 2—3 hour fire—rated vault. PA has
rEx3uired that ecx’thuatibli’s not he stored within a Iransforr er
enclosure or wiehin S t.’ra f th enclosure. The rea on why
inclu 1c ci a nrohft’ition on the storage o’ ci hvstthles wiPhin
5 ‘ eters of a transforn r nc1nsure wa to T’revcnt sons frorn
sii ply “iovinq stored c, bus ih1 s fr Inside an enclosure to th
other side of en enclnaur . believed that the rnovIn r’f
stored caihustllles in t)’Is arrner iiid little to reduce the risk
of the stored c nP’ ist1h as tartinr a fire or f e”4ni a fire
involvlnn a PCR Transforner. owever, i’ pllcit In this as an
•ssu,ption that the enc 1 nsur’ 1t nlf would n’ t present a harrier
to fire. For PCn Transforeers 1res, PA heflevas that a 2—3
TYPIST FILE COPY

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hour fire—rated vau]t. prnsent5 an atiecnjate ‘arrier to fire.
Tedc ee!, it i ay prn nt a c!reater harrinr to fir th r storin ,
c huatth1e an addItiona’. c r’eters away ‘ r a non fEre—rated
enclosure. cince this wou1 rrovf c equfva1 n or orea r
protection than i nro Ir e4 by th r ova of stored c hustThln
reou4re ent, it en enolosur 1 a 2— 1 hour cirp rated n urc ,
th. 5 meter ru’e do not ar ply.
Third, in reaerd to ‘our question re iard1n whether a de k
can he used it in a tranafor er enelosure. As stated In the
ru1 , 30 FP 29200, cc hustTh etarie s r ust n t he stored
within a PC Transfor’irr enc1o ure. Tr”for , if the d sk I a
not a e toredD hut, rather Is In use, then it is not within
the nurvi ot thIs rule and Is not rr ..tiired to he re o .
if you have additional qi estthns eonecrnirw thie matter,
fer l fr n Pc contact. i e at (2O2)3 2—1 5
Sincerely,,
nise ‘hn’ r, ( Hp
P. iu1 tnry ctt
TYPIST Fit.’

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Mr. Cerai i LII Larson CPP(
PTI’S irient
Paradise Manaçjertent Cornor. tinn
Kukut P1a a, utte C—2( 7
SO South ! eretania Street
Honolulu, ‘ wa&f Q6P 13
Dear r. Larson;
In re nonse to vvur 1. tter of fler -ther 1 , t9R5 r nr
PC’fl Tran5%formt r ownerThin, “ U 1 r t nd your eonc rn an’i ho a
this lctter t l hem clarify t’v situAtion r ardirw who i
ro r nsihle for carrvi,r out thn direePlves of t e r ’yulation an 4
who is u)tinatelv liable in a situation ere the land and th
condoniniuv’i are owned y a nrlvate cc r ny and the lnciIvili)al
units are nurcha erI on a leasohold hasia with a nrivate c ’i,panv
is teesors. lthou h your !oeter fafls fo w ntinn Meh P(
re tu!ation you Iiavø cnnc rns about, we aasu” e wur concnrns
r’ lato to the rocent rules one lrninq fires in P(rI Trans orr’erg.
nsponsibillty tor cu r lience with the DCfl Transfon,pr fire
renulatton (SO ?P. 29l7 )) ultiriately rests with ttw owner o the
PCR—containinq enuirw’onP. althou ih in cer?a1n situations, nay
also hold an owner or onErator o a builiin tisinri a PCr
Transfor er resrw nsihlo. (Ty Ic ally, ‘ tther the owner(s) of the
huilrii or the utility owns the transforr r that serves a
buildina). In a corv1a’! tniur situation, the transfor aer isay
actually he ownr ci by afl individual unit owners (and not the
local utility or eo’ e othur third nartv). In this situation, the
unit mers would ho utl’ a$-e1v ros ionsthlo or on nlisnc .
owevor, unit owners r av desinnate t ie buildina ‘ooiattnn or
hoe eownqrs a snciaPinn to take r snnns1hil1tv on holialc ,, t
owners ‘for lnr.urtrici ‘r’pliance. ic the local utility ouy s the
transfor’,er, then the utflity is iilPi sts1y resrjnnsthle for
c r l tance.
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—2—
U the bui ina or iv ’1ivIdsia1 u?%its are qotd, I wou) !
recmiv nd that the new owner(s) be r acie aware nf the fact that
DC3—contatnlna transformers s rve the rnnertv, anr , if tP’e
corK1 inium (and not the utility) owns the eqsitp ent, of the
r s n ihtlf’y on the part of thQ new own r(s) for oneration in
cmplianc with the CR r ulations.
houl v i ha’ a !tion i nue ttons concernfn thn ahov ,
please cantact i’s. Suzanne Ruizlnski on (2( 2) 3R2—3935.
c n.erevy,
! n ‘. (‘lay. fl!, ctc’r
(% ffc vi of nxic u t ’nc’ s
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JAN 28 1986
Mr. 7. 1. Phillips
( enoraI Clectric Crr any
Cornorate nvirorrenta1 rnc rans
‘airfte11, ronnecpjc jt O 41l
Drar Mr. Phi1lips
This is in resr’ nse to your 1ett r of fleci iibar 18, 19 S,
rrquegtinc clarification on thr r tnred Cr %t*p3tthlqs rociuirav pnt
ot the .luly 17, l S Pr” Transformer iraa Rule (Sn pr 2q2Ro).
Tha ‘o11owtr ccw,nent r 1at to Phe flvr items a1drAsso In yc ur
l ttor.
Ttei’ s 1 arwI 2
A PCfl Transforv r surrciunilel by 2— 1 hour fire restspant
walls In an area with cnntIni, u floora and 1lInr g e an he
located within a —ineter horizontal dIstanc frcr stored
cc bust1bles nrovidinn Phr cocthu’ tibles sr stored outside the
2—3 hour fire resistant walls. ir11ar1y. a cc,nbustlhPe storiKIe
area surrounded hy —3 hour firm resistant walls and located in
an area with continuous floors arid cei1inc s cart he locatec’ within
a c—, ter harf”ontal distance fr v a P( 5 1’ransfon”er provided thø
ccr,huetlhles are stored within the ‘—3 hour fire resistant
The n,irpose r f th —rrPor reon1rr’ ent Is to nrovlde an
adecuate 1ii tance tetween a PCT Transformer end stored
co”tbustible ater1als, thus re4uctn the notential for these
r. ateria1s to t rttte in the nuent of an electrical fault or
transformer tire, or nrev nt a fire evternal to th tranafor’ r
fro tnvolvinc the trnnsfor ier. PT A recoinizes that ec’uivalent
levels of nrotpctlon can ho provfeløcl Piy otPer neans includino
a ne Transfnn er fr xt stored ca buat1bJ.s by a
harrier or enclosure that would contain a tre unt 4 l It could he
extinc utsbed or until the transformer c*jl he deeneroi?od. Sir—
inch thick rnlnforre’l concrete l, a typical 3—hour fire røststant
construction, as specified in A Th standard F119—75e ‘1re Tests
of fluiMirr, Construction and Materials, PJ PA ?S1— 1972; and
P et) d of Fire Tests of uf1dtric Construction and Materials,
AnSI 2,j — 72 PA believes that a 2—3 hour fire resistant w 1l
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or enclosure constructed of non— iihu tih1e , ateria s such s
concrete aeparatlnq a PCR ?ransfor er fr. str,reij co bust1hles
provides an a’loc!uste barrier, and PA wcull not recuire 5—meters
to be measured throuah tho non—copihu tf e wall,
Ttems 3 and 4
FPA does not re uir the rewcwal of stored ce,,bu tlhles
within a —rieter vertical distance ‘ ,rovi1eti thst there IR a
continuoua permanent catlinci overhewi and/or floor below. 1 PCn
Transformer located on a mezzanine howpver, that is not a
continuous surface floor is euhiect to the S-mpter reoulrment’,
unless the PC Transforn’er is senerated as discussed a!’c ve by p
2—3 hour fire resistant wall or enclosure. A PCR Transformer
surrounded hy hour fire resistant v 1ls and ov a pd on a
mezzanine wnull q-ovtde a reasonable ‘leoree e’f rrotectlon fro’
cc,mb*iatlhlee stored t lov the P(’P ‘rransfor, r If an e eetr1 a1
arc or fire affectinrt the PCR Transforner should occur.
1 ’ilarly, If t p stored cni hustihloc should loniP. or an ’
reason, a PCP Transtorrter surrounded by —3 hour fir3 resistant
walls would ho r asonab)v nr ’cted r ’ e’rtrollahle or less
eovere fires.
Item 5
A Indicated in your letter, woo4en tIshc rs an’s pallets used
to suoport heavy acbtne parts an nets! contaln rs are r ot
considered stored crnbu,tibles and are not subject to the
—‘n ’ ter roaulrer ent. FPA did not Intend that eq’JtDment and
materials In use in transformer locations such as pellets holdfr%o
machinery he included within the scone of stored comhust1b!sq .
Woolen pallet. and timbers holdinc, non—corubustible machinery
narts and metal containers are conqider d as uipment In use to
ease transport of the nnchinorv, and are therefore not auhjoct to
the —meter rec,uirenentw.
If you have any further cuestions, please contact
Audrey Pinder of my staff at t?fl2) 2—1 O2.
incsrelv,
cuzanne ! UdzinBkI. Chief
rhemical Pe jlatfon “ranch
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JflN28Ig
M MORAN flUPi
ctrnJr.CT: iulv 1985 PC! Transformer Fire Pec ulat1ons
uvinnc T uc!zins ’J, Chfr f
(Thenical P.’julat ion ‘r’inch (TS-79A)
MP c or, flirector
Environ’ antal ervtces flivision
Pc’ii n TI
This j q In r snonce to your ,pporindw of t cwpnhrir Fl, tq c
concernfnn the .TuJ r Iqq PC’I Tr nsfor r Pjr s ° nu tions nd
ouestlons r i’ d hy tk Cnn o jri t. 1 r’ison C r nanv of York,
Trc. ((‘on will *-1dr qq “ac’ rtipç 1nn rw’lrl elv.
(‘uostion 1
ssu” inq Phat th. ie n” l r i’i, ntt;! hujldtnrrq (on and two
antly ho s and sru 1 uflin1ø ‘lwofltnns) are not
cm’ orctal° hijtlrlinos wIthin the ro’ iilatIon , would th e
hijt1d nnn h ’ ntit1ed $ o a r istratlon l,attnr if thoy r’
located within 5 ’ ‘, tors of a D( ’P Tr !former whirh Is also
wtP.bin O ‘w’ters f a quajiftod c1!”erctal hu1li no?
Mswer
Accc,rdirx to the renulati n, wc rcia1 hutldtnos are
driPu’r as tynicafly acc ssIhlo to oth P’ rs c f the
or’neral public and e i loyøes, and Include residential
nrnperties (C. ’,., apartments, hnt ’1 , dnrviitori ). Ira
raro,’u1n tinr, the nile, FPA was concernvd with residential
oronnrties wh’,re orr ps o n onle live and not really sinole
P j1y homes and the 1ikc . Sinn)e family hofles and the like
located “ithin 30 rw ters c a PCT ‘rransfnr, er (which is aYso
located wIthin 30 rmetnrs of a c rm.rcial hntl ina) are not
v ntitled to a rer istratinn letter.
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Qucat ton 2
1r3 it eufficient for Con Ecu son to send PC! Transforrier
recitatratton ottøra to the ,iananin 5r,, nts o the hnt]dinn
Instead of the owners (where there are “uJtIp e owners)?
An s r
Yes r istration of PCT1 Transforners with nrnnerty nanar ere
is accentable whv n there are i’ ttltIpl” o’ i ers fn.n.,
condc ’intures) arvl accorplishes the nMective of the
renIstrstir n rec, iIrement.
Ouestion 3
In the future, Con edison detet’ tne o”e o Itc r’inerai
oil trarrnfor’ rs contains than O( PC s, nn
thereafter must Con F c$tson rexitater the minv ra1 oil
Pr nsfor er with t’tit din o ’nnrs and the bra 1 fire
1enartnent?
An e r
Aor’iinr, to F ’ 2 2flfl ac of flere”her 1, 1 RS, all PCfl
¶ran ’nrrw re 1 uet h ’ r tf’red with 6 ir reenonse
nersonnc l. All PC Transormers bocatM in or near a
crr w rc1al h ITi 1nn , uqt he r ! tr’re1 with the huildina
owners. Therefore, if after Dece”her 1, 1 5 a tr n fon’ r
Is dIscovered tn contain ‘ re than SOfl nn (p y
Transfori’ier), rc 1stration w uaP be initiat i ’ di. to1y to
be c r 1eted within 30 ‘laua of discovery.
Question 4
May Con rdieon use another lah 1 other than thaP
hy PA to ar¼ PC Transfnrr r locationq?
Anawe r
The ,urpnse of the exterior nf P Transformer
locations is t nrnvide a ‘ffirnin to enern’ nc’i resnonan
personnel that a PC Transformer av he lnvo ved in a fire
that they have heen aske’l to extinrm leh. PA does not want
to unfairly oen ]ize firms/owners who took the initiative an
have e re iv lahe e’I o,cter!or locattonq. ni fer,nt e,Perior
labels are acceptaMe i : (1) the oroqrnm was Initiated
he ore Airnust l , 19 (the effocPlve date of Phe °Ct Fires
Riale); (2) coordInation has oecurrwi between the transforw er
owner nd the *ner enev response personnel and a’ proprlste
inerqency response oroanisaf ions recoonize th. alternative
ark and (3) the re itonal Adstin lstratrr In the appropriate
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-3- .
rec ion Is inf’,r’ne’r the u of a1tern”it w’ la ø1s nrfe’r to
flecen t,er 1, 1’IRS, and Ic provided with a copy of the’ lahel
heIn j used, ani is pr v(ded with docwientatlon thaP th
proQrarl he an b oro Auqust 15, 19R5 an’s that the nnpro rI t’
e rcency r r n e nraanf t1onn reco(7niw the r eaninn of rh
r’ark.
I hone tit’ ahove rn e Pions have hiten answered to your
satisfaction, however, should you have ;d ttton l ue ttr%nq
concerntnq the above r inaqe write anain or ca]i e on
(202) 387—3935.
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FEB 5 1986
Mr. Sa z’ Phillips
Fire Provi’ntton O f1c’r
City of Posc hurç
Fire flenertrnent
77 S.F. rose Street
Do hur.1, Oreoon 7470
fear Mr. Phjlljrbs
This is in responne to ‘our lett.r of 3anuarv P, 19 .
reeuesti o infor tton on r)l’ ’chlOrjnatq41 hinhc ny ( rfl ). ‘rI ,
rivirorvi nta). Protection Inency’s (r3 ) latest PCB rule of
July 17, 1’ 6, on the rr’rulatinn of J ctr1ra! Tr ncfnrn rs,
includes P.he requir nt Phat PCP Transfo ers h’ r I tnr 1 with
anpronriate e nørnency rron ’ nersnnne’l nt1 with hufl 4 1n,, own rc
hy Decer hcr 1. 1 S (50 F’ 2q2O’ ). The inforrstinn to hi
prnvide1 Inc ludes
I. the location of the PCR TrancIor .r(s), the adrlress(eg)
c f the hutl.c’inn(s) and th phy 1ca location o th DCF
Ty ngf r r(s) on the huflr inq site(s) for ouP. onr
P nsforvierc. th.’ location of tbe c itdoor suh Pattnn.
2. th r ,rlneipal constituent of ths dietectric fluid in th
transfor”er(s) ( .n.. PCT s, c ineral nil, or silicone nil)
3. Th nane anr3 Pe ephone nu, hc r of the nerann to rontact in
the nv nt of a fire invnlutnr7 the ec1uin nt.
The rationale hehir this rvsiuir ent is to nrovide 0
ernerr ency resnons nc rsnnnol with irfornation that will hotier
a n h 1 e t !wr to r’ s o nd tO F tres I nvn vi n’i D c ’ Ike, 4 ne 1w! i ‘V7
1annir appronriato reasiires or the protection of ‘ireftnht rs, —
1eene qjzation of the . quipr ent whom ronsthle, and selectinc, a
suitable medlun to eict ncuish a P fire.
0 )
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—2-
M requested, enclosed is a en y of the July 17, i p ?irøa
Rule and a Pact Sheet on this rule. The FPA enforcement office
for your area I c:
Y nvtro, nental Protection Ac ency
7ke inn X
1200 6th Pvenu
Seattle, ‘ ashInrithn R1O1
Gil. Iasaelhurnqr is the Chie’ of Pe ion X’s Toxic cuhatances
cection, and can he reached at (2flfi) —l094. Also eneincel i
srme information on PCPs in the 1or n1aca, which includes
infor,iatton on rk r exwure and i,rntnctive clnthlnn, and sore
1nfori atIon on ePfaterlals ‘eer$ to Protect Aqsinse t er ’al
N ,osures to fla”.
There arc several m’ v rcial ‘ Cc aø ’ ner nroor ’s avail a ’1n
iich are r’lvon neriodlcallv around the co’,ntrv. Althnucih P1
does “iot endorse or rec rnend these ‘ roara, s. you nay want to
contact the fo]lowtni qrounc:
I. U7 ( Man?rer nt of PCR, ‘in F1ec$ .rfcal yst w c”
qiven hy
Elcctro Tnst, Incorporated
Cnntact TI Pnv erw,n or John P o rt
3d7fl Postoria Way
P.O. fox 159
San F’a’ on, California 9R583
lnnhonc’ 4l’! ) Q20—3 66
2. tm Litility eiucat1nn ‘ourar olven hy:
Anii rje n Public Powc r Ar.coc iation
(ontact ernarri T . Phillips
P .O. T’r 4267
Toneka, ‘ ansas ‘6’04
Telenhonn (fl3) !72—874fl
You av also want to cortact th’ ! dison F lectric YnstituiPe,
the Utility f olt’ ‘Iacte Activities Grc n , or your local leetri
utility crnpan’, for cc race or inforr atfon that 1!ay h ava1la e
throucih the’s. PA is curr ntly devo)oninrv a videotan
which will h a ,ai1ab1o for freA on a loan basic. For
infor’ ation on the videotap , c ’afl the Toxic cuhctanc s control
Act Assistanre Cffice i ot1in , toIl—free at ( 0( ) 4 2 4— 0 S.
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—3
I Prny this tnfnr’ atLon P lps to an r your ‘uestton e. tf
you need furthv r e i tance, n1eas contict Awirey fltndor o ,y
ctaff, at (202) 1R?—3 Q7.
Sincerely.
T nfse ‘&rner. ( Mc’f
Pc u1atnrv c’ tP e
Enclosures
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FE6 •
Mr. T1i othv 4. Ovens
Sentor F vj o’n pntal !nntn er
Corporate Cnviror ental Fnqineerlriri
The Goodyear 1’lre & Rubber Cnrinany
P’kron, Ohio 44316—0001
fli ar r. fl ns
In res n e to your Jotter of Dec* P or 12, 1985 reqariirwi
your internr. tation of the ciefininitions of ccru’,arcial and
industrial buildln , the storac e of cmP’ustthle materIals rule
anti t:he arkinq ruin, .se your ‘onc ’rn n’i hope tPila
letttr will h”lp clarify wh ther your int’ rpreta?ton concurs vtth
th’ Poency’t .
! PIUITIflNS OF CC91MFPCI t. ANI) T Jt flS’ T1IAT. P J LDTMCS ——40 CF’ 7( 1.3
Pfrst, the definition of ‘fntiu tr1a1 ui1dtr ,,N found in
Sd CPR 2919’), indicates it is a hutidina Ii rectly used In
e ianu acturinr , or technica! y pro’iuctive enterprises, not
rienerally or tyrically accessible to other than workers anti
Includea butltlin’ s used directly for the storane of t xtiles,
petroleur’ oroducts, wond and paper products, cheimtca s, niastics.
and tals. Therefore, manufacturJnr factl1’ ies. a votj h w
described here, that are (1) not accessthte to the nenerni
nublir with qecurity fenees and 1—hnur security nuar’is li ft1nr?
access only to authorized r,er onne1 and ( ) usod directly for the
‘ ‘anufacture and storsac of nrod ictr are con’tieiered 0 lustrial
huf1dtnr s. However, the technical and research anti ieve!on ent
ccw’iplexes that you describe her. as (1) hir h s curftv areas
raautrinrt nrawr idontifteatlon with lir’iter’ access, nuarti on
duty 74 hours a day, security fences or other nhvsica harriers
deterin’ entry by unauthorized personnel and (2) directly used
for technicaY.ly nrr,’iuctive enterprises (i.e., deve1op’ nt and
testirn of new “sterials, production ru’s, ote.) cannot P e
corteiriered Industrial hullritnr,s, unless FT A Is hown Phat
trans on’iors used in res ’ arch and 1ev .1o , ent faciLities are
typically onerated in the ssr e ‘ anner as those used in industrial
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huillinos (e.ri., anufactiir1ncj facIlitjp,l. F PA ‘lifferentlated
transformers used in industrial huildinqe frci tho e used In
other typee of huil4tnç s hecauqe of the re ’ luc d potential for PCP
øxposure to humans ar the envirorv ent due to fires and fire—
reJated incMentc. Further, the record showe that tranqfon,erg
used In industrial buildinna (es .. t anufacturino facilities) are
tyr 1caJlv in or near the im’ eliate vielnity of process
operations, allnwinr, for i”in ,dtete visual and nhyalcal
acce ih1lity to facility vc’rkera dunn the routine conduct of
their work. Thus, transforri r or switchcear faults, which are
attrihutecl to fire and fire—related incidents, weuld he readily
oP .rvahle as would conditions which would create a fire In the
vicinity of thv se transforeers. In addition. accvrdin’, to the
record, industrial hulldlvns are typically enulpoed with on—site
disconnect eciuipment and workers trained in the
operation/maintenence of the equinr ent are present to lflenorqtze
the eauipi ient in the event of on electrical rialfunction.
Pirially, industrial f cil1tIe3 onerally have on—site tire
hrthales trained to respond to industrial accidents. The recorr 4
laos not indicate that research an’ deve1op ent c nlexes shire
those safle characterintte . ?ranvfor er in ‘ .anufactur nc
facilities. bøcaus the” are hiethly visible. disconnect e u1 nenP
is available end trained ersonnel are or’ eit , can he nuickly
d,ener tzel If the transforvner experiencor. ahnor al conditions,
thereby niniei,.Inq da arTo ar!i rnduci the frenuency nd severity
of such Incidents. Thereforo, transformers located in uildiryas
used for rcsearch an(i dev lor ient cannr t ‘e considered
tnlustrial transforrners” (transforeern used in Industrial
h j df t sI unless they ca’s he ho i an a orr ip to he P.yoicallv
operated in the sa”e or emil tar ‘nan’rnr as transforr ers located
in industrial huilc’tnq . ( nte: Tn qituations where a builr’Inq
is destcinod and nrtncinallv used for the ‘ an ifact ere or slorarin
of products, hut contains a f w r,fficeq and/or a s al) reseqreh
and doveloru ent or enality control lehoratorv within the
industrial huildincy, the huilcilnc is stil! coneidorod an
1ntl istrlal buIld1nr ’)
TOR?f F F C’MRU TI LC AT TM ——4 ) C P 761.ln(a)(l)(vI(1)
You have Indicated use of the T oart v nt of Trans rtaIion’e
definition for cci hustiblo riateri3lsw to ‘ieter,tne which
materials will he c]assl’ted as co”i ’ustttile. This t
incorrect. Althounh PP did not eneclficall’, define uc hustth1n
matertals . exannies re set ¶orth in the reoulation to olp in
undorstaMinp what EPA ceant by uc buqtthte eaterial” ( pn 50
C PP 2 2flfl). These c nbustible ‘ aterials include, hut are not
limited to, paints, solvonts, niasties, naper and sawn wood.
CP.I ’s intent in nrc nulc at1nq this rule *is to prevent the storar e
of atorisls near a PN Transfot”er that would start or feed a
fire.
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—3—
As .qtated In thc’ above para’ rapP rPP’a 1nt nt was to
prevent the storaqe of ‘iateriale near a PC’ Transfor,i’er that
would start or feed a fir .. Therefore, alinwino e n 0 4c niniMis
quantities of crucial items, such as snill cleamir’ e’ateriii], and
other auch items that say he coneidared comPustihlc, to he s’orc d
within a PCn Transfomer enclosure or near a PCT3 Transformer
wou’d not h in followfnq with the enirit of the renulatfon. The
19$l Rtnqha ,ton fire reportedly involved the ca’ bust1o of rubber
v—belts stored in the transformer ar”a.
The requlation, at 50 PP 29200, specIfically reoutres that
co ihuatih)e matnrial not be stored within a PCP Trans gorier
enclosure or within 5 rs tore of a transforner enclosure or if
unencloend (unpartitloned), within 5 t rs of a PCR
Transformer. Jood walls, latforns and other inteorel t’uilc’inq
structures, even $ conellerod comP .tsttt’1e, do not constittite
stored’ materials. Any ite”e In isn cannot e considered a
stored itei’ within the urvleu of the rule. EPA’S intent n
ra u)qatinn this rcqutre nnt was to re’!uce the risk o firn tlv
msnlatjnq that co husrthle naterials utnr d near trans or’iers h ’
moved to other locations. Wnn wal3s, latfOm , and other
tnteorai buildi structures, If they are no 8torn 1tes , do
not fall within the nurview of the qtored c hust1hle iy •
tJnderstan iir c, that nufneturtn’7 facilities May Stan.
caibustihie raw materials nrior to ‘mmc i Phem In the nrnc,ess ansi
the nroceas’ may include leavt,.r! the ‘ Periais In the staqi’rn
area only 3—4 days after arrival, the r materials are
nonetheless storo’ c ustiPles If raw “ Peria1e are heinrt
constantly replaced with newLy arrived T I3tGria1e. I P
reccwrnends, in situations such em thIfl, erp there is constanP
exnosure of ‘stored ca’ib;istthles near a PCr3 Transfnr er, that
thn tranqfort r q ohysiralty sAnarated frcr tho stacilno area 1w
2—3 hour fire rated walls.
The S icter distance reo’iir ent does not aprl.v where
comtNJqtthle r atertals arq in a storann ro adi cent to a PC
Transformer vault if the cc n wall betwpen the stor e roan anti
vault is constructed in a manner wMch wo’i i eff.ctively reluce
the risk of the stored crnhustlble startir c’r feetiinc a fire.
The purpose of the? 5 ter renutrement is to ,rovido an
a cnuate distance between a p(fl Transfo nr and stored
co’,buatible materials, thun r’ ductna the potential for these
materials to tqnlte In the cwnnt of an el2eP.rical fault or
transfor r fire, or nrevent a fin, external to the transfar er
frci involvinq the transfomer. F PA recocntzes that ecuivalent
levels of protection can he provided by other means includlnq
separatthq a PC’S Transformer Fr stored ccrtnistihles by a
harrier or enclosure that would contain a fire until it could ha
extimutahod or until the tranefor”ier eoul’l b deener iized. Six—
inch thick reinforced concrete is a typical 3—how fire resistant
construction, as specified in AS’TP Standard f ll9—75; Fire Tests
of Rutldinq Construction and Materials. WP?i 25l—l 72: and
et1u da oc Pire Tests of Ruil’llnn Construction and Materials,
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—4-
A 1SI A2 .l—l 7?. For PC4 rsnnfor, r firei , PA P,elfeveq that
2—3 hour fire—rated walL or enclosure constructed of non—
coi’thusttble i’ ater1a!s, such as coneret”, senaratfnq a PCI’
Transfor’,er fr stored c hustihles wouli oresent en adecuatø
barrier to fire. Tf the wall can acco n)ish this mrnoae, the
S ester rule does not apply.
The S meter listance reeuire ent, althowih not snecfflsc’ in
the requlation. anplies not only to horizontal 4tstance , but to
vertical distances as well, unless the vertical distance is
senarate’ by a continuous, r*r,lanent ceilina or floor. PI did
not intend that a S røter listance he ,‘seasured thrniinh s nerate
•nd listf,wt roo s located above or below thc tran c y r .
AR TNC R! ot)tflF21rt4TS——d t cr1’ 7 l.4O
“lher ’ lirjhtinrv tran cnr’wer , cnn$alnino Cfl’g, are loc aPed
on rtatfor s whore soc i hv ea’rn of a lad’ier or tairwny,
‘ PA woulri reou re in ar’ fttnn to the Iah 1 on the transfor r, a
PC ’ label Iacnd on t e wall helv the transfon er. As 0 c
! c,erihpr 1, ? PA, t’v r oulation. ha.c ront,jrp i that any seans
of acces I to a PCP Transtor er to he arkeci. Th mark is to be
nlaoed so that it can he aei3y read by flre’ n f1nhI inci a firm
I olv1nq the e uinoont. PA nulOeste usinri an arr next to
Iah l on the w,ifl d1rectt,v irer’en un to the transfor’ er.
Therefore, if the Transfcrmer were tvr,lv .d in a fire,
fire n ftcihtino the fire wntild hr’ easily dtt’ect ’i to the lah’ l,,
thus satisfyino the 1ntent of the recuire ønt cr exterior
lahelini.
If you have any additional nuøstjons r ’lease fe’,l reo to
call pithnr Pobin T.ancaster at (2 ) 1 2— 7” or mvv cilf at
(202) 3R2—3965.
Sincerely,
I’ nieo ? eehner, Chief
‘ orjt,latory eet1on
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Ms. Joinie I . Mcintyre
Projects Engineer
14TEC Corporation
11260 Roger Bocon Drive
Reston, VirginIa 22090-5281
Dear Ms. Mcintyre:
This is In response to your letter of April 30, 1986
addressed to Ms. Jarolene B. Green, Freedom of Information
Officer at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As
your letter Indicates, your Interest appears to be with the
requirement In the latest polychlorinoted b lphenyl (P X ) rule
of July Il, 1985, specIfically on the Issue of registration by
Decerrber I, 1985 of all P B Transformers with fire response
personnel and building owners.
In response to your query, whether Information given to fire
response personnel and building owners by owners of P 3
Transformers Is available to the public, EPA regulations do not
require that Information provided to these people also be
provided to the public. Further, EPA does not receive copies of
the registration forms, therefore we cannot provide this
Information to you. The individual fire departments hove sole
discretion concerning the dissemination of this information
(although they may be covered by local or state Freedom of
Information regulations). However, EPA does encourage local fire
departments to be cooperative with the public regarding their
Inquiries on P s, and I suggest that you pursue the release of
this information through them.
As I hove indicated, the rule also requires PQ3 Transformer
owners to register their transformers with building owners. I
would also suggest contacting your local Apartment, Office and
Building owners Association to see what their policy Is on
disseminating registration Information they receive from PQ3
Transformer owners. Again, EPA does not specifically require by

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regulation that these Assoclot Ions release Information provided
to them by P Transformer owners 1
If you have any additional questions, please feel free
to coil Robin Lancaster at (202) 382-3788 or rnys.lf it (202)
382.3965.
Sincerely,
Denise Keehner, Chief
Regulatory Section

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z
C
FEB 51986
Mr. Sa PhliIirs
Fire Prov ntton O ftc r
City of Posehurç
Fire flen rtr enP
774 s.F. rose StrAct
Doeehur.,, Orenon
fear Mr. Phil ltt s!
Thi 5 Is in responru to ‘our etti’r of fanuarv , 19 ?.
re uesttr infornation on ch%orlnatccl P r hc nyl,q (T ) Tti
nvirorn ntai Protection nencv’s (PPl ) ‘atest PCU rul& of
3 jIy 17, 1 S, on the r ruiatJon c f Tran forr” rs.
includes the re’iuir nt Phat PCP Transfo ers he r iIstnr, i with
anpronri te e øro ncy re non e n rqr,nne l r 1 wHh hull’tnn owrmr
by Uece, bcr 1. 1 5 (SO F? 2q20fl). The infornatinn to he
rnvt4oi includes
L th tocation of the p(’I Tran’ for ør(s) , the aIres (es)
c F the butldfn’,(a) and th hy icel location o the P P
ransforv er(s) on the builrlinq it (s) n 1 for outrloor
PrT Transforv’v rc. th. !oei’ t1nn of Phc rntdnor t ub ’ Pat nn.
2. th princtr’al constituent of thø dielectric fl’i 1 In the
tranafor ier( q) ( p . r ’ . 1 PrR , ‘ ineral nil,, or silicone nil) .
3. Thc nane and Pele hone nu, b, r of the onr on to eontact In
thr ‘wi’nt of a ‘Ire invr,tu [ nrt the c ujnl nt .
The rationale hehin ’ this r r uir ont i to nr vj 1
ernern”ncy r snona ’ n r nnno1 with tr.forwition that wifl hePter
enibte thei to respond to fires invnlvin’ DC! s, inc luc!ine
Dlanni,v apnronriate neasure for the nrotectinn of flreflc*ter.q , —
‘ eenerqizati n of the nquipr ent where roasthie. and selectin ’ a
uItahle r” diuri to extinrutsh a fire.
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M requested, enclosed is a cn y of the July 17, l9 5 ‘Ire.
Rule and a Fact Sheet on this rule. The CPA enforcament office
for your area I c:
rnv1roi, enta1 Protection Ac ncy
,l,,lion X
1200 6th Avenue
Seattle, ‘!ashinitnn 4q101
(11 I!asaeIbuy q is the Chie’ F ‘e ion X’a Toxic uhatances
cection, and can be reached at (20f,) 1QQ—1094. Also enetoae I a
scme in?or ation on PCPs in the which includes
infor tat ion on worlcc’r ixr n ure and orotectiw clnthinn, and sooø
fnfor atLon on Used to Protect Aqainat formal
r x ,osiires to t a’,
There ar several ec ’ ’r rcial T CP. nfner nroqr s available
which ar 1ven o rio’11catlv around the co’:ntrv. fltP’ou h
does not endorse or rec rnend th s ‘ roc rar s, you nay want to
contact the fo]lowin’ qrcnrns:
1. Pisk n& e ’i nt of PCR t’ Flectrical yst c
qiven hy
Electro Tv st, Incorporated
Contactr Tire n 1 er n or John P!o
3470 Postoria Way
P.O. fox 159
San ra ’on. California 9 S 3
Tnln hone (415) 2 )—3 66
2. LJti1ity Cviucation oursr ‘iiven by:
Pa rican Pubtl Power Aacociation
Contacts ernard . hi1 Ups
P.C . T’r 4267
Toneka, ‘ansas ‘ O4
Telephonø (g13) 272—874fl
You av also want to contact th ! dlson Plectrlc TnstltuPe,
the Utility solid ‘Jaste . ot1vIt1es ( rc &n, or your local . loctrie
utility crnpany for courses or infov atIon that ay he avaIlab e
throuqh then. FPA In curr ntly d.volon1nc a videotape on PCT E
which will be available for fre.’ on a loan basis. For
infor’ ation on the t’ideotapø, call the ?oxlc cuhqtanc”n Control
Act Assistanre Office ot1tne, toll—free at f 0 ) 424—qO6S.
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—3—
I hnr , this 1nfnr’ at(on P lrs to an r your r’uestton . Tf
you e d fwthr r a iRt nce, n ’asc contact Aei 1rey Rtndor of ny
ctaff, at (7 2) ,_3Qc 7
T1enj e eolrner, ( bjc’f
Pc ulathrv P.!’’
ncio ures
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FEB -
Mr. T1i iothv 17. Owens
Senior Fnviron ental nnlnotpr
Corporate Envirornental fnqlneerlno
The Goodyear Tire ; P bip Cn”an
kron, Ohio 44316—0001
Th ar Lit. flwen
In res x nse to your Jotter of D?c4 t’or 12, t985 reciar1in
your inter r ’ tatton of th ciefintnittons of cmrnercisl and
Industrial huiltinr , the stor&je of c hustth!e materIals rule
nd the markinq ruin, e un’ ”retand ‘our concorn end hn this
letter will. help clarify wh ’ ther your interpretation concurs with
the ooncy’ .
rI PI!TIA * OF CC9TMFP IM.. Mm ILJDT!S’rPIAr. PUILDTN( — —4fl CF 7 J.3
Pirat, the definition of ‘fneiuetrial P u11dinn,b found jy
Si) CPR 9 Qg, indicates it is a huticlina ii rectly used in
ri nucactur1ry , or technlca’ 1 y proiuctive .nter ,ris’ s. not
generally or tyrically accessible to other than workers and
Incluv 4 oe builrIirv s usi’d dIr. ctly for the storarte of t xti1cs,
petrolcuri nroducts, wood arid y aper ‘ roducts , chemicals, r,lastics,
and rnetals. Therefore, manufacturinti facilDins. as you hiv
described hero, that are! (1) not acc ssthle to th oener i1
nublic with ec’curity fences and 74—hour .curitv nuar’la llr’ltlnc!
acv ess only to authorized nersonnel ari! (2) usnd directly for the
manufactur . and storiu e of nrodiictr- are cc’rrnidere4l •i’i ri J
hulldtnos. However, the technical and research and leve!on”’ent
cc p3exe t 1 at you ertPbe her. an (1) hfr h sqeurity uee
rc’aulrinn pr er Idontification with access, (iuardjs n
duty 24 hours a tlav, security •ences or other nhvsicai harriers
detertrv entry by unauthorized personnel and (2) dIrectly used
for technically oroluCtive enterprIses (i.e.. dovelopi nt and
teettivi of n ‘ ateria1s, i,rocii’ctic,n rocesses, etc.) cannot P e
consIdered Industrial huildinos, unless PT A is shown ‘hat
transformers used in resøarch an 4evp1on, ipnt facil.itie’ are
typically or,erater in the sane “manner sc those ua.’i in industrial
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—2—
Pujlljnog (e.o., t’ anufacturlnq caellitle,). FPA ‘llfferentlated
transformers used in inriustrial hutldtnçe frcie those used in
other type of huildtnçis hecau’e of the reriucsd r oI nnt1al for PCP
exposure to hui ans and the envirorr,ent due to fires and fire—
related incllentq. Purther, the record shows that traniforrera
useri in industrial buildinos (e.i ., r’ anufacturino facilities) are
tyrilcally in or near tP e im”ediate vicinity of ywcicees
oporattoos, allowinq for iwinw,dtate visuaL and nhyeical
eccessihility to facility workers durinr the routine eonrtnct of
their work. Thus, transforrier or ewitchc ear faults, which are
attrlhuted to fire and firr’—re ated incir5ents, would he readily
ohcs.rvable a would condittons which would create a fire in the
vicinity of th.’se transforMers. In addition, accordin., to the
record, industrial huildinos are typically eouIppe ’! ‘1th on—site
disconnect sciuipment and workor trained in the
operation/maint nence of the e uinment are present to ieenorqize
tho eciuipeent In the ovent of on electrical nalfunction.
Finally, industrial fncilities qeneralty have on—site fire
brtc ad.’s trained to resnond to industrial acct’ ents. The record
1ot s not indicate that research and levejorn,eot c tnloxeq share
these sa” e eharacterirtici. ran foreier e in “anufacturinc
facilities, hc c us the” are ht hly vi ihte, disconnect enuinnent.
is available en d trained ersonne1 are on site, can he nuickly
d,enerqt7ed if the transfo er oxperiencos atno al conditions,
thereby viinini,.Inq dmmaqc’ an’J reductn,1 the frenuency end severity
of such incidents. Therefore, transformers located in Puildincs
Od for research and vc4op ient c 5nnot be considered
Uirviustrial transfor Qrs (transco nrn used in industrial
htjj1tI1nr ) unless they can he ho an a nrr jp to he tynically
operated in the s ’e’e or sin(ltar ‘.tanner as trans?orT ers located
in industrial huildtn’ ’. (?nPe: Tn situations where a huilr9nc
is desinned and nrinclnal l v used for the v an .ifacture or storwio
of roduetc, but contains a few offices and/or a s’ a1J resereh
end ‘ieve1on ont or nia]ity control lahoratory within the
industrial hutldinc,, the hulltlinn is still conqtdorod an
9nd .tstrial bnilci1nr ’)
TOR. GF. OF COPU3TJSTP LC wrrrmL ——4 ) CFT 7G1,lO(,)(l)(vlli)
You have indicated us.’ of the t cbnartr1nnt of Trans’Y rtation’s
definition for ccvnhustiblo n terials t ‘ieter,l”e which
,ater laln will he classi ted as co t’usttble. This is
incorrect. *lthounh did not snecIfica]l define ca hustthln
atortels . exannles re se.P. forth In the ranulaeion to holn in
undorstandinri what F PA noant by ca .buattble Naterial (see 50
(‘PP 2 2flfl). These co, .tbustihte ‘ aterials include, hut are not
limited to, naints, solvents, r,lastics, naper and sawn wood.
EPA ’s intent in nrx . tJl at1ncT this rule s to prevent the storar e
of eaterials near a P(” Transfot er that would start or feed a
f ire.
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—3--
As stated In thc’ above pareoraph, rPi’ ’a fntønt was to
prevent the storar e of ateriale near a P4 3 Transfor w,r that
would start or fne 4 a fire. Thørefor,, allowina even dc ninj’qjç
ouantjtjes of crucial I ter s , such as snill cleamip “ateria), and
other such itemis that say he ennaid—reci co& uatfP4e, to he a orp’i
within a PCfl Transtorpier ncJosure or near a DCB ‘ranaformar
wou’d not ho in following with tho enirit of the r nuletion. The
1q81 I3imha ,ton fire reportedly involved the co’ bu tIon of rubber
v—belts stored in the transformer ar.’a.
The rs ulation, at SO PP 29200, specifically reautres that
c hustthlo viatnrial not be stored within a PCR Trane’orrnr
enclosure or within S enclosure or if
unenclosoel (unpartitionel), wIthin S tore of a PCP.
Transforner. lood walls, platforms an other integral t’uilciing
structures, even If consirI rod c istihie. do not constit’,te
storedu materials. Any ite” “in us ’s ” cannot 1e considered a
stored itsi’ within the urvf ni of the rule. F PA’S intent in
pra ulgat1nn this r uir nont was to reduce the risk of fire t’y
iwvtatina that coithustihle Materials ctnrol near transor ” ers he
moved to other locations. !5oo walls, r’lattoi’is, an ’ other
toteoral bulldiwi structures, If they are not “stored” tte, ’is, do
not fall within the nw-view of the stored combustible rule.
‘Jnierstan’iinn that i ” nufac ’turirv7 faci!Itt s av stane
caibustihie raw ‘naterials nrtor to ‘inln thee ’ in the nrncess and
the “eroccas’ ‘nay Inclurkb leavt,ir, the Materiai In the stagino
area only 3—4 days after arrival,, the r . v aterta1s are
nonetheless “store co’ bustihJes If raw “ Perials are hplnn
constantl.v roplace with newly arrived raw materials. ! P!t
recommends, in s1tiv tIons such as thin, where there is constanP
exoosure of “stored c L’; stihlea” near a PC’r Trartsfr,ri er, that
the tra’ic or r ‘ g nhyntially se’,arate<’ frcy . the ct ’lriinrl area hv
2—3 hour fire rated walls.
The, c cter distance rea’tir cnt does not aprly where
Coflhsaqtihle materials ar in a storaoe ro a’i1 cent to a PCD
Transformer vault if the c on wall beb’een the storac’e room and
vault is constructed in a nanner w ictt wo’ih e f cttvely reduce
the risk of the stored cmhiistihl.e startinc ‘r feedino a fire.
The p irpose of thr “5 neter reoutre”ic nt’ is to rovido an
adenuate ‘itetance hc twesn a P( fl ‘rransfo or and stored
ccw’,huetPile materials, thun r c1uc1na the potc ntial for these
materials to (‘mite in tP ’e cwnnt of an elsrtrical fault or
transformer firm, or prevent a firo ecternal to the transforr er
frm Involving the transfor er. FPA rocoç ni cs that ocuivalent
levels of protection can he pro ’i’ ed by other means including
sel)aratina a PC’S Transforner prom stored combustibles by a
harrier or enclosure that would contain a fire until it could he
extift 7utshed or until tho transformer reull h” cieer,erqjzect. Six—
Inch thick reinforced concrete is a typical 3—hour fire resistant
construction, as specified in ASFM Standard I ll9—75; Fire Tests
of Ruilding Construction and Materials, i ’P1 251—1972; and
Met tf of Fire Tests of rniildinr, ennstruetton and Materials,
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—4—
ANSI A2.l—l )7?. For P Tr’ nnfor ’,,r fires, PA believes that
2-3 hour fire—rated wall or enclosure constructed of nor —
eowthustihle materials, such as conc ci’ , senaratina a PCI’
Transfor,er fr stored c hustthles would oresent an edecuatø
barrier to fire. If the wall can acco n)1sh this purnoee, the
S meter rule does not apply.
The 5 i’ieter ilistance recuirement, althourjh not sner ifIec in
the requlation, ar lies not only to horizontal dlstance3, hut to
vertical distances as well, unless the vertical distance Is
senarated by a continuous, nermanent cetlino or floor. PA djc 4
not intend that a S r ter distance b e ,“easured thrni,nh senarate
•nd 4i t(nc t rooi s located above or below tht transfo r.
1AR INC R IT Frrt1Ts — —4fl CFP 6l.40
“ 1 er’ iiqhtinr’ trans nrn rs , rontalnino “( ‘q 1 are locaPpd
on ntatfozms i,here ac cess is by means of a ladder or ctairwnv,
PA would reouire, in a ’lft1on to he lahcl on th tr ns or r. a
“‘ label placed on tbe wall helow the tranaforp’er. A o
certher 1, l ’ , ! PA, tv r. ulat1nn , has reouirec’ that any ans
of accoi to a PCP Transformer to he rarkod. Thø “ark Is to be
nlac 1 so that it can he aei)y read by ffre’qpn f1nhtinc a fire
Involvirç the e uinr nt. PA aui ests usinn an a rr na t P .o Cfl
label on the w. ll directina ire”en un tn the tranqf r’ er .
Therefore, if the P(T ¶ranFforMor were invrlvt,d in a fIri ,
fire n fi ihtin the ftr wnestd h essily dirr ct...i to the lah l,
thus sattsfyin th intent of the r&iuIr nt nr extnrlr,r
lahelino.
If you have any additional ouestir ns rileas ’ fer,l reo to
call either Pohin Lancaster at (202) 3P2—37”S or , ynn1f at
(202) 3fl2—3 65.
sincerely,
flant e Ee&ner, rhief
‘ equ1atnry cection
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MAR I 3
L 1V
St8JECT July 1985 P03 Transformer Fires Rule
Suzanne Rudziriski, Chief
Chemccl Regulation Branch (15-798)
TO: L3arboro Metzger, Director
Environmental Services Division
CPA Region II
-
This is in response to your r rnorandurn of February 2!, 19BL,
concerning additional questions raised by Con Edison regording
the July 1985 P03 regulations, specifically the question
regarding the labeling of the exterior of P( Locations with
other than the label required by regulation.
As you have indicated, the regulation does not specifically
provide for alternate labeling on the exterior of PQ3 Transformer
locations, such as vault doors, fences, hallways, or means of
access to PCB Transformers. However, the intent of the —l
regulation, as stated in SD FR 29189, in requiring labeling, was
to insure thy? emergency response personnel arriving at the
scene of a fire know that the fire Involves a transformer that 0
contains P03s. Therefore, a label, although not one specified
by regulation, that was readily identifiable to emergency
response personnel would acccrrplish this goal.
The intent of the regulation was, as stated before, to
provide a readily identifiable label to emergency response
personnel responding to a fire to alert them to the presence of
P03s. Labeling, in addition to the Fire Department notification !
progran, provides Increased assurance that those emergency
response personnel first on the scene will be aware of the
presence of P03s. Headquarters felt that labeling the exterior
of transformer locations with P03 dentlficctlon labels would be
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— a.
effective in reducincj exposures if firefighters (the principal
authority figures at fires) were quickly alerted to the presence
of PCf s. EPA’s intent in requiring labeling of the exterior of
transformer locotior.s was never to make building occupants aware
of the presence of PcBs.
PA requirec the use of one type of label to provide
consistency and to facilitate corriplionce monitoring efforts. The
P03 identificoflon label was required because EPA ossi%ned that
most P03 Transformer owners already had these labels in their
possession (as you know, prior to this labeling requirw nt,
labels were already required on P03 Transformers). Therefore,
owners of P03 Transformers would not hove to make special
purchases of a new type of label in order to be in cou lionce
with this new labeling requirement. Ileodquarters Is Indeed
interested in a consistent nationwide labeling system, however
Headquarters does not wont to penalize those who undertook a
voluntary labeling effort before it was necessitated by
regulation. Those who have voluntarily token the initiative, and
have already labeled exterior locations should not have to bear
the additional expense to coordinate new programs, especially U
these programs ore already operational and coordination with the
necessary emergency response personnel has been corr leted.
Headquarters sees little benefit In achieving the stated goal of
labeling by requiring the re-marking of these locations. In
considering other labels, Headquarters basically focused on
prospective labeling, and strongly believes that labeling done
otter the regulations were In effect should be consistent
nationwide, however, there is no reason to penalize those who
have indeed occon lished risk reduction in the interim.
This issue is one of ten relatively minor issues which are
the subject of a settlement agreement In Mississippi Power v. EPA
(the only challenge to the P03 Fires Rule). Our position in the
settlement negotiation has been to agree on alternate labeling
provided all of the following conditions ore met:
I. The program was initiated before August 15, 1985 (the
effective dote of the P03 Fires Rule).
2. Coordination has occured between the transformer owner
and the i ryency response personnel and appropriate
emergency response personnel recognize the alternative
mark.
3. The Regional Administrator in the appropriate region Is
informed of the use of alternative labels prior to
Deccrrter I, I 85 and is provided with doci nentat ion that
the program began before August 15, 1985 and that the
appropriate emergency response organizations recognize
the neon1ng of the mark.
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O’A believes tie beneFits of reaching settl nent on these
issues expeditiously and cIcarin j the record of any legal
challenges to the PQ3 Transformer Fires Rule will provide for
more widespread acceptance and r ipid con lionce with thc
requirements.
hope this has helped to clarify the issue on alternate
marking of Pc exterior locations. if you hove any further
questions or coiimenta on this issue, please feel free to call me
at (202) 382-3935 or Robin Lancaster at (202) 382-3188.
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Mr. C.L. Tyr..
Chief, Enviror ental Affairs
Oklahoma Gas arid Clectric
321 North Rarvey
P.O. Box 321
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101
! ar Mr. Tyree:
I am responding to your letter dated June 24, 1985, whIch
requests approval to simulate in—service use for purposes of
reclassifying electrical transformers containing polychiorinated
biphenyl. (PCBs). Tb. PCB regulations define three cat.aoriee of
transformers according to the concentration of PCBa in the
transformers. Transformers containing over 500 ppm PCRs are
classified as PCB-Transformers, transformers containing between
50 ppm and 500 ppm PC8s are classified as PCR—Contaminated
Electrical Equipment, and transformers containing less than 50
ppm PCBs are classified a. non—PCB Transformers.
Under an .endment to the PCB regulations (40 CFR
76h30(a)(2)(v)), publighed in the Pederal Pegist.r on Auciust 25,
1982 (47 PR 37358), the PCB concentration in transformers may be
reduced for purposes of reclassifying the transformer. PCB—
Transformers and PCB—Contemtnated Electrical Equipment may he
reclassified by draining, refilling and/or otherwise servicing
the transformers. In order to be rec1as ifi.d after this
servicing, th. transformer’s dielectric fluid must contain lees
than 501) ppm PCBs (for conversion to PCR—Cont inated Electrical
Equipment) or lee. than 50 ppm (for conversion to a non—PCB
Transformer) att.r a minimum of three months in—service use
subsequent to the last servIcIncT conducted for the Dur ose of
reducing the PCB concentration in the transformer.
In—service use of a transformer means the electrical use of a
transformer under loaded conditions that rats. th. temperature of
the dielectric fluid to at least 50 Centigrade (C). The
Director of the Office of Toxic Substances has been delegated the
authority to grant, without rulemaking, approval of alternative
method. which simulate the loaded conditions of in—service use
(40 CPP 7 1.30(a)(2)(v), 47 FR 37358).
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2
The purpose of reouirfng in -service use of a transformer for
three months prior to reclassification is to allow the PCS5
contained within the internal parts of the transformer to c e
into equilibrium with the newly added dielectric fluid. Since
the amount of heat and circulation generated within an operating
transformer affects this equalisation process, the PCR rule
requires that tb. transformer he at least .liahtly load•d
(i.e., achieve an operating temporature of at least 50C) during
the three-month period.
In your June 24 letter, you propose to simulate the loaded
conditions of tn—service use after transformers have been
serviced to reduce the internal PCB concentration. You propose
to follow the procedures described below.
1. flrain existing fluid from the transformers and flush with
mineral of 1.
2. Dispose of this fluid in accordance with 40 CPR 761.60.
3. Retrof ill the transformers with fluid containing less
than 50 ppm PC s.
4. Apply low voltage to the primary bushings to heat the
fluid and maintain a minimum temperature of 50C at a
frsqu.ncy of at least once per week during a 90 day
period.
3. Test the oil for B concentration at the end of the
three month neriod and classify as to PCR concentration.
Although 40 CPR 761.30(a)12)(v) does not specifically address
the length of tim. or number of times during the 90—day period
that the transformer oil is to achieve a t perature of at least
50C, the intent of the requirement for in—service use is to
ensure that as the load of an in—service transformer cycles up
and down, the transformer achieves at least a .liahtly loaded
condition during times of increased loading. Your rropo.al to
simulate in—service use indicates that y i intend to ensure that
a t tperature of 50C is reached at least once per week during
the 90—day period.
I conditionally approve of this method for simulating the
loaded conditions of in—service uae for purposes of rec1a.sIfyinc
electrical transformers. This approval is conditional upon the
receipt by my office of identifying information on the
transformers to be recleesif ted. The manufacturer of the
transformer, the serial number, and the voltage rating must be
supplied to my office before initiating the simulation of in-
service use. This information will be transmitted to the SPA
Regional Office for compliance monitoring purposes.
Transformers must be treated as if they contained the
original concentration of PCRs until they are reclassified and

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3
the owner must fulfill all applicable use, servicina, and
disposal r.quir ents under 40 CPR Part 761. Please contact
Denise Ke.hn.r of the PCB ?. at (202) 382—3965, if y i have any
further questions regarding r.quir.ments for reclassification.
Sincerely,
)DON B. ci
f n R. Clay, Director
Office of Toxic Substances
cc: 1). Mount
FPA Region V I
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TYPIST FILE COPY

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—2—
(2) The number of other than PCR Transtor ’ ers currently in
use in non ca i’ercial locations and whether these transformers
could be removed frcr their current location, renlac .d with In-
stora’ e PC units, and used elsewhere in enarnency situations.
If these transformers cannot he used in this manner, please
address the reasons why.
(3) The number of emergency replacement units currently in
storage, the number that are PCB Transforrers, and the arie of the
PCB Transformers in storane.
(4) The rate of failure of your firr’s tran fnrmers based
on historical data, and the rate of failure of the Cn
Transformers, if different.
( ) flocumentatlon by severaL transforrer i anufacturers of
the lennth ot tire needed ‘or new re’,lmcenent trancforr nrs to he
delivered to your fin’. t)ocurentation that you have nlaceil an
order for new re ,lacement transfnr ers and/or nian to retrof ill
and reclassify the PC Tr ins ormers currently in storaqe for
reuse.
(6) r’ocurentarion by retrof ill operators of the lenoth of
tire needed to retro i)I your in—storane PrP Tran forr erc.
(7) .iescrintion f ssihle nreventivn raintenance
nrocedures wtifeh could he fnhlob ed to reduce the nrohahilitv oe
transfocrer failure in any int rir’. neriod between the efFective
date of the orohihition and the tire that new renlacenent
transformers would bc available or th’ PCf Transformers could be
reclassi f ie ’.
(A) The lenoth of tine that tynteal eronncy replacer.ent
units havr rer’ai,ed on line, hased on historical data,
Penise Ceehner of ny staff will he waitina to hear frc ’ you
in order to further evaluate your firm’s nositlon. t s. eehner
is also ready to provide you with aqsistance shouli you choose to
retrot ill your tn—storaqe units and rec uIre anproval to qjmulat
the loaded conditions of In—service U9C for nurposes of
reclassification. 9s. Veehn°r can he ri ached at (2f)2) 3R2— 4(c.
Sincerely.
1!artin P. !‘sl er, flirector
xnosure F valuation flivision
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