8.1. SR 09-17-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A M L_--tugndry August 28, 2012 Mr. Matthew Anderson Macicall, Crounse &Moore 1400 AT&T Tower 901 Marquette Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55402 Mr. Anderson, It was a pleasure speaking with you last week. IVlany in the drycleaning industry are switching from using perch I oroethylene (pert) to a Class III solvent, especially since now both NFPA and IFC approve the use in certain equipment without having to sprinkler the building. All of the currently available drycleaning solvents other than perc are Class 3 solvents and must be used in machines that are tested and listed for use with Class 3 solvents because they are ignitable. The drycleaning industry has long been involved in the development of the NFPA fire codes and the NFPA committee has worked diligently to make sure the requirements of the NFPA 32 fire code maintain safety as well as recognize the advancements in drycleaning machine technology. The most recent revision of the NFPA 32 code, which has been adopted by the International Fire Code 2012, allows for Class 3 drycleaning machines to be installed in buildings without sprinkler systems if the machine technology meets certain parameters. The reason the industry is moving to a solvent choice other than perc is not that perc is not an excellent drycleaning solvent but there are significant regulatory and media concerns with the use of the solvent and those concerns do not exist to the same extent with the various alternative solvents. There are studies that suggest that exposure to perc in drycleaning can be linked to elevated cancer risks. Of course there are other studies that refute that existence but because of the possibility EPA has extensive regulations in effect for the use of perc in drycleaning. And some states and municipalities most notably California have tightened those regulations. California has banned the use of perc in drycleaning effective in 2020 and currently no new perc drycleaning machines can be installed and there is a phase-out plan in place. In addition to the health concerns,perc is a listed Superfund chemical and any ground or water contamination is subject to extensive and strict cleanup guidelines. Your client is moving to install an Ipura machine and use Eco Solve which is a trade name of a hydrocarbon solvent. Hydrocarbon solvents are effective drycleaning solvents and do not have ........ ....... .................. . ....................................