Fixed Hazardous Waste Treatment Unit (FTU) Permit by Rule (PBR) Facility Closure
EMS assists owners or operators of fixed hazardous waste treatment units (FTUs) in complying with California Code of Regulations Permit by Rule (PBR) closure regulations. PBR regulations are part of a tiered permitting system for hazardous waste handling in California. An FTU is any equipment that performs hazardous waste treatment that is permanently stationed at a single facility regardless of the period or frequency of treatment. Metals plating facilities the treat or recover plating 
waste prior to industrial waste discharge are required to comply with PRB regulations. Closure plans for PBR facilities must meet the requirements and standards pursuant to guidelines established by the State of California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) pursuant to Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Sections 67450.1 et seq. Under California law, Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA) are generally responsible for reviewing notification forms for businesses located within their jurisdictions.
A PBR facility is required to prepare and maintain a written closure plan according to the California Code of Regulations. When any treatment unit or process that was authorized under PBR is closed, all hazardous waste, waste residues, containment system components, soils, and other structures or equipment contaminated with hazardous waste from the unit must be removed or decontaminated. The authorized CUPA must be notified in writing that the unit was properly closed. In addition, the facility owner or operator and an independent Professional Engineer registered in California must certify that the PBR treatment unit has been closed according to a closure plan and the regulations. A PBR facility will normally be assessed a yearly PBR operating fee until the local CUPA has been notified that the treatment unit has been closed and until the CUPA has approved the closure.
Reports prepared by EMS as part of the FTU PBR closure process are comprehensive and include information on the following critical closure items:
- General Facility Information and Data
- Hazardous Waste Treatment and Facility Operating Permits
- Inventory of Hazardous Material or Waste Treated, Sold, Recycled, or Disposed
- Inventory of Plating Tank Contents Treated or Disposed
- Inventory of Tank Line Sold or Disposed
- Inventory of Major Non-Tank Equipment/Components and Disposal Method
- Inventory of Fixed Treatment Unit Components Returned to Vendor, Sold, or Disposed
- Facility Inspection Reports
- Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Manifests and Straight Bills of Lading for Liquid and Solid Materials and Wastes
- On-Site Hazardous Waste Treatment Operating Logs
- Closure Procedures
- Closure Records
Link: DTSC PBR Closure Requirements