S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-62.1.IV

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

Section 61-62.1.IV - SOURCE TESTS

(A) Applicability

(1) This section shall apply to the owner, operator, or representative of any source which conducts:

(a) A source test required under an applicable standard or permit condition; or pursuant to a judicial or administrative order, consent agreement, or any other such binding requirement entered into after the effective date of this standard; or

(b) Any other source test from which data will be submitted to the Department for any purpose including but not limited to: determination of applicability of regulatory requirements, development of emission factors, establishment of parameters for compliance assurance monitoring, continuous emission monitor performance specification testing, and Relative Accuracy Test Audits (RATA).

(2) The Department may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt from the requirements of this section source tests which are performed for development of emission factors or for determination of applicability of regulations.

(B) Submission and Approval of a Site-Specific Test Plan

(1) Prior to conducting a source test subject to this section, the owner, operator, or representative shall ensure that:

(a) A written site-specific test plan, including all of the information required in Section IV(C) below, has been developed and submitted to the Department. If the Department has previously approved a site-specific test plan, the owner, operator, or representative may submit a letter which references the approved plan and which includes a thorough description of amendments to the plan; and

(b) Written Department approval of the site-specific test plan or amended test plan, methods, and procedures has been received.

(2) All test methods included in the site-specific test plan must be either EPA Reference Methods described in 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix M; or 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A; or 40 CFR Part 61, Appendix B; or 40 CFR Part 63, Appendix A. If an applicable air regulation or permit provides for a choice of test methods, the selected method must be approved by the Department. If an applicable air regulation or permit does not specify use of an EPA standard reference method, the alternative test method to be used must be approved by the Department.

(3)

(a) The owner, operator, or representative of a source proposing to use alternative source test methods shall ensure that the alternative source test method is either validated according to EPA Reference Method 301 ( 40 CFR Part 63, Appendix A, December 29, 1992) and any subsequent amendments or editions, or approved by the Department.

(b) The owner, operator, or representative shall ensure that requests for approval of alternative source test methods are submitted to the Department along with the site-specific test plan, and that the submission contains all of the information required by Section IV(C) below.

(4) The Department shall determine whether any source test method proposed in the site-specific test plan is appropriate for use.

(5)

(a) The owner, operator, or representative shall submit site-specific test plans or a letter which amends a previously approved test plan at least forty-five (45) days prior to the proposed test date or as otherwise specified by a relevant federal or state requirement. Sources conducting tests for substances listed in Regulation 61-62.5, Standard No. 8, shall submit site-specific test plans or a letter which amends a previously approved test plan at least sixty (60) days prior to the proposed test date.

(b) If the only amendments to a previously approved test plan are to facility information included in Section IV(C)(1)(a) and (C)(1)(b) below, the requirement in Section IV(B)(5)(a) above will not apply. The owner, operator, or representative however, shall submit the amendments at least two (2) weeks prior to the proposed test date.

(6) Within thirty (30) days of site-specific test plan receipt, the Department will notify the owner, operator, or representative of site-specific test plan approval or denial or will request additional information.

(7) The owner, operator, or representative shall submit any additional information requested by the Department necessary to facilitate the review of the site-specific test plan.

(8) Approval of a site-specific test plan for which an owner, operator, or representative fails to submit any additional requested information will be denied.

(9) Neither the submission of a site-specific test plan, nor the Department's approval or disapproval of a plan, nor the Department's failure to approve or disapprove a plan in a timely manner shall relieve an owner, operator, or representative of legal responsibility to comply with any applicable provisions of this section or with any other applicable federal, state, or local requirement or prevent the Department from enforcing this section.

(C) Requirements for a Site-Specific Test Plan A site-specific test plan shall include, at a minimum, the following Section IV(C)(1) through (C)(8):

(1) General Information:

(a) Facility name, address, telephone number, and name of facility contact;

(b) Facility permit number and source identification number;

(c) Name, address, and telephone number of the company contracted to perform the source test; and

(d) Name, address, and telephone number of the laboratory contracted to perform the analytical analysis of the source test samples.

(2) Test Objectives:

(a) Description and overall purpose of the tests (for example, to demonstrate compliance, to establish emission factors, etc.); and

(b) Citation of any applicable state or federal regulation or permit condition requiring the tests.

(3) Process Descriptions:

(a) Description of the process including a description of each phase of batch or cyclic processes and the time required to complete each phase;

(b) Process design rates, normal operating rates, and operating rates specified by applicable regulation;

(c) Proposed operating rate and conditions for the source test;

(d) Methods including proposed calculations, equations, and other related information that will be used to demonstrate and verify the operating rate during the source test;

(e) Description of any air pollution control equipment;

(f) Description of any stack gas or opacity monitoring systems;

(g) Description of all air pollution control monitors (for example, pressure gauges, flow indicators, cleaning cycle timers, electrostatic precipitator voltage meters, etc.) when applicable; and

(h) A list of process and air pollution control operating parameters that will be recorded during the tests, the responsible party who will record these readings, and the frequency at which readings will be recorded.

(4) Safety Considerations:

(a) Identification of any risks associated with sampling location and accessibility, toxic releases, electrical hazards, or any other unsafe conditions; and a plan of action to correct or abate these hazards; and

(b) List of all necessary or required safety equipment including respirators, safety glasses, hard hats, safety shoes, hearing protection, and other protective equipment.

(5) Sampling and Analytical Procedures:

(a) Description of sampling methods to be used;

(b) Description of analytical methods to be used;

(c) Number of tests to be conducted;

(d) Number of runs comprising a test;

(e) Duration of each test run;

(f) Description of minimum sampling volumes for each test run;

(g) Location where samples will be recovered;

(h) Explanation of how blank and recovery check results and analytical non-detects will be used in final emission calculations;

(i) Maximum amount of time a sample will be held after collection prior to analysis; and

(j) Method of storing and transporting samples.

(6) Sampling Locations and Documentation:

(a) Schematics of sampling sites (include stack dimensions and distances upstream and downstream from disturbances);

(b) A description of all emission points, including fugitive emissions, associated with the process to be tested, and when applicable, the method that will be used to measure or include these emissions during the source test; and

(c) Procedure for verifying absence of cyclonic or non-parallel stack gas flow.

(7) Internal Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Measures - for each proposed test method when applicable:

(a) Citation of the QA/QC procedures specified in the EPA Reference Methods and the EPA Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Volume III;

(b) Chain-of-custody procedures and copies of chain-of-custody forms;

(c) Procedure for conditioning particulate matter filters (before and after source testing);

(d) Procedure for conducting leak checks on vacuum lines, pitot tubes, flexible bags, orsats, etc.;

(e) Equipment calibration frequencies, ranges, and acceptable limits;

(f) Minimum detection limits of analytical instrumentation;

(g) Names, addresses, and responsible persons of all sub-contracting laboratories and a description of analytical methods to be used, chain-of-custody procedures, and QA/QC measures;

(h) QA/QC measures associated with the collection and analysis of process or raw material samples and the frequency at which these samples will be collected;

(i) Methods for interference and matrix effects checks, and number of replicate analyses;

(j) Methods and concentrations for internal standards (standards additions prior to extraction);

(k) Methods and concentrations for surrogate standards (standards additions to collection media prior to sampling);

(l) Methods for recovery checks, field blanks, lab blanks, reagent blanks, proof rinse blanks, and analytical blanks;

(m) Proposed range of recoveries for data acceptability and method of data interpretation if sample recovery is not within the proposed range; and

(n) Procedure for obtaining, analyzing, and reporting source test method performance audit samples and results.

(8) Final Test Report Content:

(a) Final report outline;

(b) Example calculations when using alternative test methods or for calculation of process operating rates; and

(c) Proposed report submission date if more than thirty (30) days after the source test will be needed to complete the report.

(D) Notification and Conduct of Source Tests

(1) Prior to conducting a source test subject to this section, the owner, operator, or representative shall ensure that a complete written notification is submitted to the Department at least two (2) weeks prior to the test date or as otherwise specified by a relevant federal or state requirement. Submission of a site-specific test plan or amendments to a previously approved test plan does not constitute notification. Requirements for a complete notification include the following:

(a) Facility name, permit number, mailing address, physical address, and contact name and phone number;

(b) Source(s) being tested, source identification number(s), and pollutant(s) being tested;

(c) Proposed test date and start time for each source being tested; and

(d) Approved test plan being used to conduct the test identified by Department approval date.

(2) In the event the owner, operator, or representative is unable to conduct the source test on the date specified in the notification, the owner, operator, or representative shall notify the Department as soon as practical by telephone and follow up in writing within thirty (30) days. Telephone notification shall include a description of the circumstance(s) causing the cancellation of the test, and a projected retest date. The written follow-up report shall include a description of the condition(s) which prevented the source test from being conducted, and when applicable, what corrective action was performed, or what equipment repairs were required.

(3) Rescheduling of canceled source tests must meet the two-week notice requirement. However, shorter notification periods may be allowed subject to Department approval.

(4) All tests shall be conducted by or under the direction of a person qualified by training and/or experience in the field of air pollution testing or, where required by federal regulation, meeting the minimum competency requirements for air emissions testing as specified in ASTM D7036-04, Standard Practice for Competence of Air Emission Testing Bodies.

(5) Unless approved otherwise by the Department, the owner, operator, or representative shall ensure that source tests are conducted while the source is operating at the maximum expected production rate or other production rate or operating parameter which would result in the highest emissions for the pollutants being tested or as otherwise specified in a relevant federal or state requirement. Examples of the operating parameters that may affect emission rates are: type and composition of raw materials and fuels, isolation of control equipment modules, product types and dimensions, thermal oxidizer combustion temperature, atypical control equipment settings, etc. Some sources may have to spike fuels or raw materials to avoid being permitted at a more restrictive feed or process rate. Any source test performed at a production rate less than the rated capacity may result in permit limits on emission rates, including limits on production if necessary.

(6) When conducting a source test subject to this section, the owner, operator, or representative of a source shall provide the following:

(a) Department access to the facility to observe source tests;

(b) Sampling ports adequate for test methods;

(c) Safe sampling site(s);

(d) Safe access to sampling site(s);

(e) Utilities for sampling and testing equipment; and

(f) Equipment and supplies necessary for safe testing of a source.

(E) Source Test Method Performance Audit Program

(1) The Department may request that samples collected during any source tests be split with the Department for analysis by an independent or Department laboratory. Any request for split samples will be made in advance of the source test.

(2) Performance testing shall include a test method performance audit (PA) during the performance test if a PA sample is commercially available.

(a) PAs consist of blind audit samples supplied by an accredited audit sample provider (AASP) and analyzed during the performance test in order to provide a measure of test data bias.

(b) An "accredited audit sample provider (AASP)" is an organization that has been accredited to prepare audit samples by an independent, third party accrediting body.

(3) The source owner, operator, or representative of the tested facility shall obtain an audit sample, if commercially available, from an AASP for each test method used for regulatory compliance purposes.

(a) No audit samples are required for the following test methods: Methods 3A and 3C of Appendix A-2 of 40 CFR Part 60; Methods 6C, 7E, 9, and 10 of Appendix A-4 of 40 CFR Part 60; Method 18 of Appendix A-6 of 40 CFR Part 60; Methods 20, 22, and 25A of Appendix A-7 of 40 CFR Part 60; and Methods 303, 318, 320, and 321 of Appendix A of 40 CFR Part 63.

(b) If multiple sources at a single facility are tested during a compliance test event, only one audit sample is required for each method used during a compliance test.

(c) Upon request, the Department may waive the requirement to include an audit sample if the Department determines that an audit sample is not necessary. A waiver of the performance audit requirements to conduct a PA for a particular source does not constitute a waiver of performance audit requirements for future source tests.

(d) "Commercially available" means that two or more independent AASPs have blind audit samples available for purchase. If the source owner, operator, or representative cannot find an audit sample for a specific method, the owner, operator, or representative shall consult the EPA Web site at the following URL http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc, to confirm whether there is an AASP that can supply an audit sample for that method.

(e) If the EPA Web site does not list an available audit sample at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the compliance test, the source owner, operator, or representative shall not be required to include an audit sample as part of the quality assurance program for the compliance test.

(f) When ordering an audit sample, the source, operator, or representative shall give the AASP an estimate for the concentration of each pollutant that is emitted by the source or the estimated concentration of each pollutant based on the permitted level and the name, address, and phone number of the Department.

(g) The source owner, operator, or representative shall report the results for the audit sample along with a summary of the emission test results for the audited pollutant to the Department and shall report the results of the audit sample to the AASP. The source owner, operator, or representative shall make both reports at the same time and in the same manner or shall report to the Department first and then report to the AASP.

(h) If the method being audited is a method that allows the samples to be analyzed in the field and the tester plans to analyze the samples in the field, the tester may analyze the audit samples prior to collecting the emission samples provided a representative of the Department is present at the testing site. The source owner, operator, or representative may request in the test protocol a waiver to the requirement that a representative of the Department must be present at the testing site during the field analysis of an audit sample.

(i) The final test report shall document any attempt to obtain an audit sample and, if an audit sample was ordered and utilized, the pass/fail results as applicable.

(4) The Department shall have discretion to require any subsequent remedial actions of the owner, operator, or representative based on the split samples and/or performance audit results.

(F) Final Source Test Report

(1) The owner, operator, or representative of a source subject to this section shall submit a written report of the final source test results to the Department by the close of business on the thirtieth (30th) day following the completion of the test, unless an alternative date has been requested in and approved with the site-specific test plan prior to testing or is otherwise specified in a relevant federal or state requirement.

(2) The final test report for each site-specific test plan shall contain, at a minimum, the following supporting information when applicable:

(a) Summary of the results;

(b) Emission calculations and emission rates in units of the applicable standard, permit limit, etc.;

(c) Allowable emission rates in units of the applicable standard, permit limit, etc.;

(d) Source compliance status;

(e) Process operating rates;

(f) Methods including actual calculations, equations, and other related information that were used to demonstrate and verify the operating rate during the source test;

(g) Chain of custody records;

(h) Certification of all reference standards used;

(i) Signature of a responsible facility representative who can verify process operating rates and parameters;

(j) Legible copies of all raw laboratory data (for example, filter tare and final weights, titrations, chromatograms, spectrograms, analyzer measurements, etc.);

(k) Legible copies of all raw field data (for example, strip charts, field data forms, field calibration forms, etc.);

(l) Legible copies of applicable stack gas or opacity monitoring system readings identified in the approved site-specific test plan;

(m) Legible copies of all applicable process and air pollution control operating parameter readings identified in the approved site-specific test plan;

(n) Results of all calibrations and QA/QC measures and checks identified in the approved site-specific test plan;

(o) Results of performance audits pursuant to Section IV(E) above or documentation that no audit sample was commercially available sixty (60) days prior to the beginning of the compliance test;

(p) Description of any deviations from the proposed process operations as approved in the site-specific test plan during testing;

(q) Description of any deviations from approved sampling methods/procedures;

(r) Description of any deviations from approved analytical procedures;

(s) Description of any problems encountered during sampling and analysis, and explanation of how each was resolved; and

(t) Legible copies of any applicable or required certifications (for example, Visible Emission Observer, Qualified Source Testing Individual (QSTI), etc.).

(G) Noncompliant Results

Within fifteen (15) days of submission of a test report indicating noncompliance, the owner, operator, or representative shall submit to the Department a written plan which includes at a minimum:

(1) Interim actions being taken to minimize emissions pending demonstration of compliance;

(2) Corrective actions that have been taken or that are proposed to return the source to compliance;

(3) Method that will be used to demonstrate the source has returned to compliance (for example, retest and proposed date); and

(4) Any changes necessary to update the site-specific test plan prior to a retest.

(H) Analytical Observation

Upon request by the Department, the owner, operator, representative, or the source test consultant shall ensure that Department representatives are provided access to the analytical laboratory for observation of instrument calibrations and analysis of field and audit samples.

(I) Site Inspection

Upon request by the Department and prior to approval of the site-specific test plan, the owner, operator, or representative shall ensure Department representatives are provided access to the site for inspection of the source(s) to be tested.

(J) Modifications

Modifications to the approved site-specific test plan must have prior Department approval. Approval shall be considered on a case-by-case basis. Failure to obtain prior Department approval may cause final test results to be unacceptable.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-62.1.IV

Amended by State Register Volume 36, Issue No. 1, eff January 27, 2012 (errata); State Register Volume 36, Issue No. 9, eff September 28, 2012 (errata); State Register Volume 37, Issue No. 4, eff April 26, 2013; State Register Volume 38, Issue No. 6, eff 6/27/2014; State Register Volume 44, Issue No. 04, eff. 4/24/2020.