Section 93120.9 - Test Methods(a) Compliance Test Methods for HWPW, PB, and MDF. Compliance with the emission standards for HWPW, PB, and MDF in section 93120.2(a) and, if applicable, section 93120.3(c) or (d) shall be demonstrated by conducting product emissions tests, verified by third party certification as specified in section 93120.4 and conducted using one of the following:(1) The primary method, defined as ASTM E 1333-96(2002) (large chamber test method).(2) A secondary method, defined as specified in ASTM D 6007-02, with the additional conditions specified below: (A) The secondary method shall be operated using the testing conditions and loading rates specified in ASTM D 6007-02, and the conditioning time used to establish equivalence in section 93120.9(a)(2)(B). In addition, when testing panels the secondary method shall be operated by testing nine specimens representing evenly distributed portions of an entire panel. The nine specimens shall be tested in groups of three specimens, resulting in three test results, which shall be averaged to represent one data point for the panel.(B) Equivalence between the secondary method and the primary method must be established, at least once each year, by the third party certifier for each testing laboratory used by the third party certifier. Minimum requirements for an equivalence demonstration shall include at least ten comparison sample sets, which compare the results of the primary and secondary methods. The following parameters must be met in the comparison: 1. For the primary method, each comparison sample shall consist of the result of simultaneously testing an appropriate number of panels (factoring in the loading rate) from the same batch of panels tested by the secondary method.2. For the secondary method, each comparison sample shall consist of testing nine specimens representing evenly distributed portions of an entire panel. The nine specimens shall be tested in groups of three specimens (factoring in the loading rate), resulting in three test results, which shall be averaged to represent one data point for the panel, and matched to their respective primary method comparison sample result.3. The ten comparison sample sets shall consist of testing a minimum of five sample sets in each of at least two of the following ranges of formaldehyde concentrations, as measured by the primary method: | a. Lower range: | less than 0.07 ppm |
| b. Intermediate range: | 0.07 to less than 0.15 ppm |
| c. Upper range: | 0.15 to 0.25 ppm |
4. The average and standard deviation of the difference of all comparison sets shall be calculated as follows. For each of the two ranges used for testing, the following computations shall be performed: a. Denote the number of sets in the given range by n.b. Compute the difference between the primary and secondary method value. Denote the difference for the ith set by Di, where i ranges from 1 to n.c. Compute the average, x[BAR], and standard deviation, S, of the differences according to the following formulas: Click here to view image
5. The secondary method shall be considered equivalent to the primary method if the following condition is met for both tested ranges: Click here to view image
where C is equal to:
0.026 for the lower range;
0.038 for the intermediate range; and
0.052 for the upper range.
6. Equivalence must be established between the primary and secondary method to represent the range in emissions based on the emission standards specified in section 93120.2(a) for composite wood products that a third party certifier is approved to verify under section 93120.4 and, if applicable, the range in emissions for no-added formaldehyde based resins or ULEF resins.(3) An alternate secondary test procedure may also be used as specified in sections 93120.9(a)(3)(A) through 93120.9(a)(3)(C). (A) Chamber test methods other than ASTM E 1333-96(2002) (large chamber test method) may be used if they are demonstrated, following the minimum requirements specified in section 93120.9(a)(2)(B), to provide equivalent results to those obtained using ASTM E 1333-96(2002). All alternative secondary test methods must be approved in writing by the Executive Officer prior to use as specified below.(B) An application to use an alternative secondary test method must be submitted to the ARB in writing, and must include, at a minimum, the following information and data: 1. A complete description of the test method used to quantify product emissions, including all procedures used, precision and reproducibility, and the criteria used to demonstrate the validity of the test method.2. Results collected using the alternate secondary test method and corresponding equivalent emissions.(C) Within 45 days of receipt of an application, the Executive Officer shall notify the applicant in writing that the application is complete, or if additional information or testing is required to complete the application. If the Executive Officer finds that an application complies with the requirements of this section, then he or she may issue an Executive Order certifying that the alternate secondary test procedure provides equivalent results to ASTM E 1333-96 (2002), and authorize its use for compliance testing.(b) Enforcement Test Method for HWPW, PB, and MDF Samples. Emission testing of samples of HWPW, PB, and MDF shall be conducted by ARB or local air district personnel using a secondary method, a large chamber [ASTM E 1333-96(2002)], or an alternate secondary test procedure as specified in section 93120.9(a). Sample handling procedures shall be followed as specified in the applicable ASTM method or alternate secondary test procedures.(c) Enforcement Test Method for Finished Goods Containing HWPW, PB, and MDF. Emission testing of samples of HWPW, PB, and MDF contained in finished goods shall be conducted by ARB or local air district personnel using a secondary method, or an alternate secondary test procedure as specified in section 93120.9(a). Sample handling procedures shall be followed that are consistent with those specified in ASTM D 6007-02 or alternate secondary test procedures.(d) Quality Control Test Method. A test method correlated to either the primary or secondary methods for performing routine quality control tests as required by section 93120.3. A correlation must be established between the quality control test method and the primary, secondary, or alternate secondary test method. The correlation must be based on a minimum sample size of five data pairs.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 17, § 93120.9
1. New section filed 4-18-2008; operative 4-18-2008 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2008, No. 16). Note: Authority cited: Sections 39600, 39601, 39650, 39658, 39659, 39666, 41511 and 41712, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 39650, 39658, 39659, 39665, 39666, 41511 and 41712, Health and Safety Code.
1. New section filed 4-18-2008; operative 4-18-2008 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2008, No. 16).