South Coast
Air Quality Management District
21865 E. Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4182
(909) 396-2000 http://www.aqmd.gov
ADVISORY
TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR RULE 461
VAPOR RECOVERY FROM GASOLINE DISPENSING OPERATIONS
ENHANCED VAPOR RECOVERY (EVR) PHASE I TESTING
On July 1, 2001, State regulations brought about changes in Phase I vapor recovery
equipment requirements.
In particular, the Philtite EVR Phase I System, CARB Executive Order VR-101-A now
specifies two new testing requirements:
Pressure Leak Test of Drop Tube/Drain Assembly; and,
Static Torque Test for the Rotatable Phase I Adaptors.
These test procedures are now required on all EVR Phase I systems for both start-up
performance testing and periodic reverification purposes. (Refer to Rule 461 (e)(2) and
(f)(6).)
TESTING FREQUENCY
1. Throughput Changes
Stations with throughputs above 100,000 gallons in any of the preceding 12 months must
perform and pass reverification tests every six months. What happens if a station that has
been below 100,000 gallons per month exceeds 100,000 gallons in a month?
Answer: The station owner/operator must perform the next verification tests within 12
months of the last test and then every 6 months thereafter.
If the throughput again goes below 100,000 gallons per month, in any 12 month period
preceding a test, the operator can revert to a 12 month testing cycle.
**See the reverse side of this Advisory for examples.
AQMD Rule 461 Testing Advisory June 26, 2002
2. Change of Ownership
If a station changes owner or operator, testing should continue on the frequency and
schedule of the previous owner/operator. This assumes the new owner/operator has
records of previous testing and throughput records.
If no records of testing exist, then the new owner/operator must test within 30 days of
taking over the station or starting into retail gasoline sales. In this case, the
owner/operator must perform the next reverification test within 12 months of passing the
start-up test, assuming the throughput remains less than 100,000 gallons per month for all
months.
If, in this “no records” situation, the throughput exceeds 100,000 gallons per month, a
second test would be required within 6 months of achieving a 100,000 gallons
throughput. Testing would now be required every 6 months thereafter.
Questions regarding this Advisory should be sent to noriola@aqmd.gov or by phone at
(909) 396-2378
Examples of Changes in Testing Frequency
Example 1:
Station monthly throughput is below 100,000 gallons.
Station passes tests in January.
In February, the station throughput exceeds 100,000 gallons.
Station must next test in January of the next year and every 6 months thereafter.
This assumes they continue to pump greater than 100,000 gallons in at least one
month of the 12 month period preceding each test.
Example 2:
Station is performing tests every 6 months.
Throughput drops below 100,000 gallons per month and stays there for a
12-month period.
Station can now go to annual testing frequency. However, until 12 months elapse
with throughput under 100,000 gallons per month, station must still test within six
months interval.
BWS:clb:Revised 6-26-02
A2-2002:R461 Testing Advisory.doc
AQMD Rule 461 Testing Advisory June 26, 2002