
				Pat Quinn, Governor

Agency Links

Info Centers

To report
environmental
emergencies
only, call the
Illinois Emergency
Management Agency
800-782-7860
217-782-7860
(24 hrs/day)

Watch Your Perc!

Good Housekeeping Practices
for Perc Dry Cleaners

Conduct a weekly leak detection and repair program to inspect all dry cleaning equipment for leaks that are obvious from sight, smell, or touch. NOTE: This program is required every other week if you are not required to install control.

Repair leaks within 24 hours after they are found, or order repair parts within 2 working days after detecting a leak that needs repair parts. Install the repair parts within 5 working days after they are received

Keep a log of the weekly (or biweekly) results of the leak detection and repair program.

Leak Follow good housekeeping practices, which include:

Keeping all perc and waste containing perc in covered containers with no leaks
Draining cartridge filters in closed containers
Keeping machine doors shut when clothing is not being transferred

Operate and maintain all dry cleaning equipment according to manufacturer's instructions

Required Records

A log of the results of the leak detection and repair program

A log of the amount of perc purchased for the past 12 months, calculated each month

The operation and maintenance manuals for all dry cleaning systems and control equipment at the site

Monitoring Requirements for Dry-to-Dry Systems

Control Requirement	Weekly Monitoring Requirement
Refrigerated condenser	The temperature of the exhaust on the outlet side of the condenser must be 45 degrees Fahrenheit (F) or less. If the temperature is greater than 45 degrees, make necessary repairs or adjustments within 24 hours.
Carbon adsorber	Measure and record the concentration of perc in the carbon adsorber exhaust by using a colorimetric detector tube (instructions are included in the purchase package). The concentration of perc in the carbon adsorber exhaust must be 100 parts per million (ppm) or less. If the concentration is greater than 100 ppm, make necessary repairs or adjustments.
Supplemental carbon adsorber	(Required for new systems at businesses that purchase over 2,100 gallons of perc per year):
Vented type: exhaust passes through adsorber upon opening the door	Measure and record the concentration of perc in the carbon adsorber exhaust by using a colorimetric detector tube (instructions are included in the purchase package). The concentration of perc in the carbon adsorber exhaust must be 100 ppm or less. If the concentration is greater than 100 ppm, make necessary repairs or adjustments.
No-vent type: exhaust passes through adsorber before door is open	Using a colorimetric detector tube (instructions are included in the purchase package), measure and record the concentration of perc in the dry cleaning drum at the end of the dry cleaning cycle. The concentration of perc in the dry cleaning machine drum must be 300 ppm or less. If the concentration is greater than 300 ppm, make necessary repairs or adjustments.