---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 C.F.R. § 61.242-3"
title: "40"
number: "61.242-3"
heading: "Standards: Compressors."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/40/61.242-3"
---

# §61.242-3. Standards: Compressors.

- (a) Each compressor shall be equipped with a seal system that includes a barrier fluid system and that prevents leakage of process fluid to atmosphere, except as provided in [§ 61.242-1(c)](/cfr/40/61.242-1.md?p=c) and paragraphs [(h)](#h) and [(i)](#i) of this section.
- (b) Each compressor seal system as required in [paragraph (a)](#a) shall be:
  - (1) Operated with the barrier fluid at a pressure that is greater than the compressor stuffing box pressure; or
  - (2) Equipped with a barrier fluid system degassing reservoir that is routed to a process or fuel gas system or connected by a closed-vent system to a control device that complies with the requirements of [§ 61.242-11](/cfr/40/61.242-11.md); or
  - (3) Equipped with a system that purges the barrier fluid into a process stream with zero VHAP emissions to atmosphere.
- (c) The barrier fluid shall not be in VHAP service and, if the compressor is covered by standards under [40 CFR part 60](/cfr/40/part60.md), shall not be in VOC service.
- (d) Each barrier fluid system as described in [paragraphs (a)-(c)](#a..c) of this section shall be equipped with a sensor that will detect failure of the seal system, barrier fluid system, or both.
- (e)
  - (1) Each sensor as required in [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section shall be checked daily or shall be equipped with an audible alarm unless the compressor is located within the boundary of an unmanned plant site.
  - (2) The owner or operator shall determine, based on design considerations and operating experience, a criterion that indicates failure of the seal system, the barrier fluid system, or both.
- (f) If the sensor indicates failure of the seal system, the barrier fluid system, or both based on the criterion determined under [paragraph (e)(2)](#e-2) of this section, a leak is detected.
- (g)
  - (1) When a leak is detected, it shall be repaired as soon as practicable, but not later than 15 calendar days after it is detected, except as provided in [§ 61.242-10](/cfr/40/61.242-10.md).
  - (2) A first attempt at repair shall be made no later than 5 calendar days after eack leak is detected.
- (h) A compressor is exempt from the requirements of paragraphs [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) of this section if it is equipped with a closed-vent system to capture and transport leakage from the compressor drive shaft back to a process or fuel gas system or to a control device that complies with the requirements of [§ 61.242-11](/cfr/40/61.242-11.md), except as provided in [paragraph (i)](#i) of this section.
- (i) Any Compressor that is designated, as described in [§ 61.246(e)(2)](/cfr/40/61.246.md?p=e-2), for no detectable emission as indicated by an instrument reading of less than 500 ppm above background is exempt from the requirements of [paragraphs (a)-(h)](#a..h) if the compressor:
  - (1) Is demonstrated to be operating with no detectable emissions, as indicated by an instrument reading of less than 500 ppm above background, as measured by the method specified in [§ 61.245(c)](/cfr/40/61.245.md?p=c); and
  - (2) Is tested for compliance with [paragraph (i)(1)](#i-1) initially upon designation, annually, and at other times requested by the Administrator.

## Notes

### Amendments

[49 FR 23513, June 6, 1984; 49 FR 38946, Oct. 2, 1984, as amended at 65 FR 78281, Dec. 14, 2000]

### Source

Source: 49 FR 23513, June 6, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

### Source

Source: 38 FR 8826, Apr. 6, 1973, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[49 FR 23513, June 6, 1984; 49 FR 38946, Oct. 2, 1984, as amended at 65 FR 78281, Dec. 14, 2000]