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561 FW 1 Ozone Depleting Substances |
FWM#: 415 (Supersedes Director's
Order 138, 8/7/01)
Date: December 26, 2002
Series: Pollution Control
Part 561: Compliance Requirements
Originating Office: Division
of Engineering
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1.2 What are the authorities for this chapter?
A. Executive Order 13148, Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management.
B. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (40 CFR 82).
1.3 Who is responsible for the program?
A. Chief, Division of Engineering is responsible for providing guidance and technical assistance to the Regional Engineers in phasing out ODS within the Service.
B. Regional Directors have overall responsibility for ensuring that ODS are phased out within the Service in accordance with all applicable authorities.
C. Regional Engineers are responsible for providing guidance to project leaders in phasing out ODS.
D. Project Leaders are responsible for phasing out the use and procurement of ODS.
1.4 What are ozone depleting substances? The Environmental Protection Agency has published lists specifying two categories of ODS, Class I and Class II substances, in accordance with Section 602 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Exhibit 1 lists some common ODS.
1.5 What are the Service's requirements regarding ozone depleting substances? Executive Order 13148 requires each agency to phase out the procurement and use of Class I ODS for all nonexcepted uses by December 31, 2010. The Executive Order also precludes disposal of ODS removed or reclaimed without prior coordination with the Department of Defense (DoD).
1.6 Are there alternatives for ozone depleting substances? EPA has proposed alternatives to ODS. Anyone replacing ODS must select alternative processes or chemicals from the approved list. The EPA has a clearinghouse that provides up-to-date information on alternatives (800-296-1996). You can obtain general information on ODS from the EPA website.
A. Refrigerants. Equipment that requires refrigerants includes chillers, window air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, water coolers, motor vehicles, vending machines, and ice machines. Even though current regulations permit the continued use of ChloroFluoroHydrocarbons (CFC's) if they are not released into the environment, EO 13148 requires phasing out Class I ODS by December 31, 2010. All Service facilities must inventory their refrigerant equipment and tabulate details on the age of the equipment along with the type and amount of Class I ODS used.
(1) Verify that all equipment less than 10 years old does not contain Class I ODS.
(2) Schedule all equipment with Class I ODS that is older than 15 years and still in use, for replacement or refurbishment to use an approved refrigerant by FY 2003.
(3) Schedule equipment that is between 10 and 15 years old with Class I ODS and still in use, for replacement or refurbishment on a graduated basis before FY 2008.
(4) You cannot dispose of any amount of Class I ODS that you remove or reclaim and no longer need without prior coordination with the Department of Defense (DoD). You can contact the ODS reserve group at 804-279-5203, or by email at odsreserve@dscr.dla.mil. The DoD will bear costs associated with such transfers. Any facility with an inventory of unused Class I ODS must contact the Regional Environmental Coordinator for further information.
B. Fire Suppression. Any Service facility using Halon-based fire suppression systems will cease using such systems as soon as an acceptable replacement can be obtained. Any acquisition of Halon-based systems is prohibited, including property transfers. All Service facilities must inventory their fire suppression equipment to ensure that no Halon systems are in use. If found, you must replace such systems, as soon as practicable, with other fire suppression methods that use carbon dioxide, inert gases, or water.