Source Testing

General

Source/emissions testing may be required before granting a Permit to Operate, or to demonstrate compliance with permit conditions and local, state or federal rules and regulations. The District does not conduct emissions testing, and use of a third-party is required.

Source Test Policy

This document is the District’s standard for reviewing source test plans/reports and is often incorporated by reference into permit conditions. Be sure to review your plan/protocol and report documentation to be sure it complies with the policy.   Please note that once a Source Test Plan is submitted to and approved by the District, it can only be modified with prior approval by the Air Pollution Control Officer before the commencement of testing.

Access the District Source Test Policy here.
 

Source Test Contractors

The District does not recommend any specific company to conduct source testing. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) maintains a list of audited and State-approved Independent Contractors: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/independent-contractor-program/list-approved-independent-contractors

Test Methods

• CARB Test Methods: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/independent-contractor-program/independent-contractor-program-test-methods
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Test Methods: https://www.epa.gov/emc/emc-promulgated-test-methods

Modifications to test methods require approval by the appropriate authority, such as the EPA Administrator or the CARB Executive Officer.

Submitting a Source Test Plan/Report

The District accepts and encourages electronic submittals of source test documentation. Please direct any documents or source test-related correspondence to [email protected]. Notifications, plans and reports sent to directly to individual staff will not be accepted.

Resources for Source Testing

• EPA Checklist for Methods 1-5, 6C, 7E, 10, and 29
• EPA Guidance on Rounding
• EPA National Stack Test Guidance
• CARB Memo on Stopping a Test While Failing