Steamfitter Environmental Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A facility's cooling tower uses a water treatment chemical classified as a hazardous substance. Under EPCRA Section 313, what reporting obligation may apply?
- No reporting is required for water treatment chemicals
- Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting if threshold quantities are exceeded (Correct answer)
- Only OSHA HazCom labeling is required
- Reporting to the local fire department only
Correct answer: Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting if threshold quantities are exceeded
EPCRA Section 313 requires Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting to the EPA when threshold quantities of listed toxic chemicals are used or released during a reporting year.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a Tier II report submitted under EPCRA Section 312?
- To report air emissions to the EPA
- To inventory hazardous chemicals stored on-site above threshold quantities (Correct answer)
- To document worker chemical exposure incidents
- To obtain a permit for chemical storage
Correct answer: To inventory hazardous chemicals stored on-site above threshold quantities
Tier II reports provide state and local emergency planners with an annual inventory of hazardous chemicals stored at a facility above OSHA threshold quantities.
Question 3: When soldering copper pipe joints, which environmental precaution must be taken if lead-free solder is NOT available and lead-bearing solder is used in a potable water system?
- Install a water softener downstream
- Notify the EPA within 24 hours
- The system is prohibited from use in potable water per EPA/Safe Drinking Water Act (Correct answer)
- Flush the line for 30 seconds before use
Correct answer: The system is prohibited from use in potable water per EPA/Safe Drinking Water Act
The Safe Drinking Water Act prohibits the use of solder or flux containing more than 0.2% lead in any pipe or fitting connected to a public water system or used for drinking water.
Question 4: A steamfitter must drain a chilled water system containing glycol-based antifreeze. What environmental regulation governs its proper disposal?
- Clean Air Act Section 112
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (Correct answer)
- Safe Drinking Water Act
- Occupational Safety and Health Act
Correct answer: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Spent or contaminated glycol solutions may be classified as hazardous waste under RCRA depending on contamination levels, requiring proper characterization and disposal.
Question 5: Under NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants), which activity performed by steamfitters triggers work practice standards for asbestos?
- Painting over intact pipe insulation
- Cutting, drilling, or removing pipe insulation that contains asbestos (Correct answer)
- Installing new fiberglass insulation adjacent to old pipe
- Pressure-testing a steam main
Correct answer: Cutting, drilling, or removing pipe insulation that contains asbestos
NESHAP asbestos work practice standards are triggered by any renovation or demolition activity that disturbs regulated asbestos-containing materials, including cutting or removing pipe insulation.
Question 6: Which federal agency enforces the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule for facilities with aboveground oil storage?
- OSHA
- EPA (Correct answer)
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Energy
Correct answer: EPA
The EPA enforces the SPCC rule under the Clean Water Act to prevent oil spills from reaching navigable waters or adjoining shorelines.
Question 7: When must a steamfitter contractor submit a notification to the EPA before beginning asbestos abatement on a regulated facility?
- At least 10 working days before beginning work (Correct answer)
- 24 hours before beginning work
- At least 30 calendar days before beginning work
- No advance notification is required
Correct answer: At least 10 working days before beginning work
NESHAP regulations require written notification to the appropriate state or EPA regional office at least 10 working days before beginning any regulated asbestos abatement project.
Steamfitter Environmental Compliance 3
A facility's cooling tower uses a water treatment chemical classified as a hazardous substance.
Under EPCRA Section 313, what reporting obligation may apply?