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***New for Fall 2010*** - Announcing two new locations, we will be in Yuma and Kingman starting this fall, see schedule for dates.

 

What We Do:

 

Arizona Smoke School, LLC provides EPA Method 9 Visible Emission Observation certification training to individuals and companies whose duties and/or policies require Method 9 certification.

 

Where and How Often:

 

In general, we hold seven (7) public sessions every six months in Arizona. Four of those sessions are in Phoenix, one in Tucson, one in Yuma, and one in Kingman.  Please see the schedule for the exact dates, times, and locations of the public sessions. We are also available to conduct private sessions for your company if they would like to have the training conducted on your site.

 

 

What is EPA Method 9?

 

EPA Method 9 is the federal reference method for quantifying visible emissions. The complete description of Method 9 can be found in Volume 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 60, Appendix A. You can also visit the EPA Website here.

Method 9 training is often referred to as “Smoke School” or “Opacity Certification”.

When you come to our Smoke School, you will learn to evaluate the opacity of visible emissions from 0-to-100% and how to correctly complete a Method 9 Visible Emissions Observation Form (VEO Form) for record. To become certified, you must evaluate to the nearest 5%, 25 plumes of White smoke and 25 plumes of Black smoke. No single error is to exceed 15% and you must pass the 25 White plumes and 25 Black plumes consecutively. Those wishing to remain certified in EPA Method 9 must pass the Field Certification test every six months.  The classroom session should be attended about once every two years.

Who Should Attend?

 

There are many different occupations that may require this training. Here is just a short list of who may want to attend this training.

· Any person working at a facility that is regulated with an air quality permit and is required to conduct periodic Method 9 Observations as a condition of the air quality permit.

· A regulatory inspector who may do air quality inspections

· Any person who wants to complete any part of Maricopa County’s Dust Training

· Any person from an Environmental Consulting firm which may have clients who have Method 9 Observations to be completed, either as part of recordkeeping requirements or as part of a source emission test (stack test).

· Any facility personnel who may control a part of an operation where air pollution may occur and can take corrective action before an opacity violation occurs.

What is the agenda like on the day of the training?

 

Starting in Spring 2010, we will begin conducting both one-day sessions and two-day sessions. Please see the schedule for the list of the dates. Each type of session will be conducted as follows:

One-Day Session: Classroom begins at 8:00 AM for those attending that portion. Those in the classroom will start the field testing immediately after the classroom is completed, usually around 10:00 AM. Field testing will also begin at 8:00 AM for those that do not need the classroom portion.

Two-Day Session: Day 1: Classroom will begin at 8:00 AM for those attending that portion. Those in the classroom will start the field testing immediately after the classroom is completed, again, usually around 10:00 AM. Field testing will also begin at 8:00 AM on the first day for those that do not need the classroom portion. Day 2: No Classroom training, Field testing only. Begins at 8:00 AM.

 

What should I bring to the training?

 

We supply the clipboards and pens for the field testing as well as an abundance of bottled water. You may want to bring a lawn chair, hat and sun block for the field testing if the weather is going to be hot. For those in the classroom, we take a 15-minute break at the midpoint of the class and give you some sort of snack at that time. Generally, we do not break for lunch as we are almost always completed by 2:00 PM.

 

How long will I be there at the training?

 

How long you are at the training will depend on how well you “read” smoke. Those that are just recertifying usually pass in the first set or two of white and black plumes and are usually done by noon. Those attending for the first time may take an additional set of test runs and may be at the testing site until around 2:00 PM.