What is a PCB mark and what does it
look like?
The PCB mark (see Figure 1) is a label with black
striping around the border that contains certain information
specified in the regulations that apply to PCB
Items (i.e., any manufactured item containing or contaminated with PCBs). There are two marking
formats, “Mark ML” and “Mark MS”; the only difference
between the two is the size of the mark. PCB
Mark ML is a 6" x 6" square; PCB Mark MS is a 1" x
2" rectangle. The text of the mark includes the warning
“Caution Contains PCBs,” instructions in case of
accident or spill, and the telephone number of the National Response Center. The PCB mark must
have either a yellow or white background.
Where is the PCB mark required to be
attached?
The mark must be placed in a prominent position on
the exterior of a PCB Item so that it can be easily
read. The mark must also be sufficiently durable to
equal or exceed the life of the PCB Item. If Mark ML
is too large for the item, it may be proportionally reduced
in size to a minimum of 2" x 2". If a mark
smaller than 2" x 2" is required, Mark MS may be
used. If Mark MS is too large, it may be reduced in
size proportionally to a minimum size of 1 cm x
2 cm. Both marks are commercially available from
vendors of industrial placarding and health and
safety supplies.
What types of PCB Articles and PCB
Equipment require marking?
Items requiring marking include:
1. PCB Transformers (i.e., transformers with >500
ppm of PCBs),
2. PCB Large High voltage capacitors,
3. PCB Large Low voltage capacitors,
4. PCB Equipment (containing any of the three articles
listed above),
voltage regulators with 3 lbs of 500 ppm of
PCBs,
electric motors with coolants 50 ppm of PCBs,
hydraulic systems with hydraulic fluids 50 ppm
of PCBs, and
5. heat transfer systemswith fluid 50 ppm of PCBs.
What types of PCB Containers require
marking?
Containers with 50 ppm of PCBs, liquid or
non-liquid, must be marked (e.g., containers with
PCB remediation waste or PCB bulk product waste,
either of which has 50 ppm of PCBs).
What types of PCB Article Containers
require marking?
A PCB Article Container must be marked if it contains
a PCB Article, PCB Equipment, or PCB Container
that must be marked.
What are the marking requirements for
areas where PCB Articles are in use or
operating?
There are two types of locations where PCB Articles
in use or operating must be marked. One is the access
(e.g., machine room door, vault, highway,
fence) to where a PCB Transformer or a voltage regulator
with 3 lbs of 500 ppm of PCBs is located.
The other is a protected location for an individual
PCB Large (Low or High Voltage) Capacitor. A protected
location may be a pole, structure, or fence. In
such cases the individual capacitor does not require
marking but (1) the protected location must be
marked, (2) a record identifying the PCB Large Capacitors
must be kept at the protected location, and
(3) the individual capacitor(s) must be marked when
removed from the protected location.
If there is more than one door or access
leading to the location inside a building
of a PCB Transformer or voltage regulator
with 3 lbs. of 500 ppm of PCBs,
which door or access should be
marked?
All doors or accesses leading from the outermost
door to the door immediately accessing the PCB
Transformer or voltage regulator location should be
marked. Although the regulations do not require that
all these doors be marked, it is a best management
practice to do so. The reason is that marking all
doors from the outermost door leading to the innermost
door immediately accessing the PCB Transformer
or voltage regulator assists fire fighters in
identifying the location of the PCB Transformer or
voltage regulator.
What PCB storage locations are required
to be marked?
Only areas storing PCBs and PCB Items for disposal
are required to be marked. |
