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AQMD Rule 461 Advisory No. 23-05

 IMPORTANT NOTICE

New Requirements for Installers and Testers of Gasoline Dispensing Equipment

South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (AQMD’s) Rule 461 – Gasoline Transfer and Dispensing, specifies State and local air quality requirements for the installation, testing, maintenance and inspection of gasoline dispensing facility (GDF) vapor recovery storage and dispensing systems. Through enforcement of Rule 461 requirements, AQMD can ensure that gasoline vapor recovery systems are installed and operated in accordance with applicable California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Orders; and ultimately reduce smog-forming emissions that would otherwise be released into the air we breathe.

While performance and re-verification testing can validate the proper installation and operation of a vapor recovery system, AQMD is mandated to ensure that these activities are conducted in accordance with State installation and testing standards.  As a result, Rule 461 is periodically amended with provisions to improve the quality assurance of these activities and/or to incorporate new State requirements.

Recent amendments to Rule 461 by AQMD’s Governing Board established new requirements for individuals installing or conducting performance/re-verification testing of vapor recovery equipment.  Effective June 3, 2005, the following new requirements are in effect and being enforced by AQMD:

1. All Performance and Re-verification Tests shall:

   1. only be conducted Monday through Friday, during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and

   2. includes all applicable Enhanced Vapor Recovery (EVR) required tests.

2. After June 30, 2006, installers/contractors will be precluded from installing or altering any vapor recovery system unless they have successfully completed the manufacturer’s training program for that specific vapor recovery system.  Currently, various local air pollution control districts throughout California are working with the International Code Council to develop a state-wide certification program which will eventually become a requirement for all vapor recovery personnel including all testing contractors, installers and maintenance service providers.   The certification program is expected to be available in 2006, with implementation of the requirement anticipated shortly after.  All Installers and Testers of Gasoline Dispensing Equipment will be notified by the AQMD in advance of program implementation.

Further, AQMD’s Rule 301 – Permitting and Associated Fees, was also recently amended to include a “No Show” Fee for Rule 461 related gasoline dispensing equipment scheduled testing.  Effective June 3, 2005, a “No Show” Fee of $265.00 will be assessed:

1. If a tester company does not show for a Re-verification test, or Performance test within one (1) hour  of its original scheduled time, and an AQMD inspector arrives to observe the test.

2. If a contracting company is not ready for a Pre-Backfill inspection of its equipment at the original scheduled time, and/or did not notify the AQMD inspector of postponement/cancellation at least three (3) hours prior to the scheduled time.

Complete versions of amended Rule 301 and Rule 461 can be obtained from the District’s website at www.aqmd.gov/rules.

Avoid being assessed a ”No Show” Fee or incurring potentially costly delays in scheduling and testing by ensuring that you and your staff, as well as your customers, are aware of these important recent rule changes.

Advisory No. 23-05 (pdf - 23 Kb) is also available in PDF format.

If you have questions or require additional information regarding these latest rule amendments, please call AQMD at 1.866.770.9140.

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