---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 C.F.R. § 63.1008"
title: "40"
number: "63.1008"
heading: "Connectors in gas and vapor service and in light liquid service standards."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/40/63.1008"
---

# §63.1008. Connectors in gas and vapor service and in light liquid service standards.

- (a) **Compliance schedule.** The owner or operator shall comply with this section no later than the compliance dates specified in the referencing subpart.
- (b) **Leak detection.** Unless otherwise specified in [§ 63.1002(b)](/cfr/40/63.1002.md?p=b), or [§ 63.1016](/cfr/40/63.1016.md) of this subpart, or the referencing subpart, the owner or operator shall monitor all connectors within 5 days by the method specified in [§ 63.1004(b)](/cfr/40/63.1004.md?p=b) if evidence of a potential leak is found by visual, audible, olfactory, or any other detection method. No monitoring is required if the evidence of a potential leak is eliminated within 5 days. If an instrument reading of 10,000 parts per million or greater is measured, a leak is detected.
- (c) **Leak repair.** If a leak is detected pursuant to [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, then the leak shall be repaired using the procedures in [§ 63.1005](/cfr/40/63.1005.md), as applicable.
- (d) **Special provisions for connectors—**
  - (1) **Unsafe-to-monitor connectors.** Any connector that is designated, as described in [§ 63.1003(c)(1)](/cfr/40/63.1003.md?p=c-1), as an unsafe-to-monitor connector is exempt from the requirements of [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section and the owner or operator shall monitor according to the written plan specified in [§ 63.1003(c)(5)](/cfr/40/63.1003.md?p=c-5).
  - (2) **Inaccessible, ceramic, or ceramic-lined connectors.**
    - (i) Any connector that is inaccessible or that is ceramic or ceramic-lined (e.g., porcelain, glass, or glass-lined), is exempt from the monitoring requirements of [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, the leak repair requirements of [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section, and the recordkeeping and reporting requirements of §§ [63.1017](/cfr/40/63.1017.md) and [63.1018](/cfr/40/63.1018.md). An inaccessible connector is a connector that meets any of the provisions specified in [paragraphs (d)(2)(i)(A) through (d)(2)(i)(F)](#d-2-i-A..d-2-i-F) of this section, as applicable.
      - (A) Buried;
      - (B) Insulated in a manner that prevents access to the connector by a monitor probe;
      - (C) Obstructed by equipment or piping that prevents access to the connector by a monitor probe; or
      - (D) Unable to be reached from a wheeled scissor-lift or hydraulic-type scaffold that would allow access to connectors up to 7.6 meters (25 feet) above the ground.
      - (E) Inaccessible because it would require elevating the monitoring personnel more than 2 meters (7 feet) above a permanent support surface or would require the erection of scaffold;
      - (F) **Not able to be accessed at any time in a safe manner to perform monitoring.** Unsafe access includes, but is not limited to, the use of a wheeled scissor-lift on unstable or uneven terrain, the use of a motorized man-lift basket in areas where an ignition potential exists, or access would require near proximity to hazards such as electrical lines, or would risk damage to equipment.
    - (ii) If any inaccessible ceramic or ceramic-lined connector is noted to have a leak by visual, audible, olfactory, or other means, the leak to the atmosphere shall be eliminated as soon as practical.

## Notes

### Source

Source: 64 FR 34886, June 29, 1999, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

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

### Source

Source: 57 FR 61992, Dec. 29, 1992, unless otherwise noted.