(Adopted February 1, 1980)

Rule 1140. Abrasive Blasting

(a) Definitions

For the purpose of this rule the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Abrasive is any material used in an abrasive blasting operation including

but not limited to sand, slag, steel shot, garnet or walnut shells.

(2) Abrasive 131 asting is the cleaning or preparing of a surface by forcibly

propelling a stream of abrasive material against the surface.

(3) Abrasive Blasting Equipment is any equipment used in abrasive blasting

operations.

(4) Confined Blasting is any abrasive blasting conducted in an enclosure

which significantly restricts air contaminants from being emitted to the

ambient’. atmosphere, including but not limited to shrouding, tanks,

drydocks, buildings, structures.

(5) Hydroblasting is any abrasive blasting using high pressure liquid as the

propelling force.

(6) Multiple Nozzle describes more than one nozzle being used to abrasive

blast the same surface in such close proximity that their separate plumes

are indistinguishable.

(7) Permanent Abrasive Blasting Operation or Equipment is any abrasive

blasting operation conducted, or abrasive blasting equipment located, in a

building which is used, in whole or in part, for abrasive blasting

operations.

(8) Sandblasting is abrasive blasting.

(9) Source is tl~ impact surface from any single abrasive blasting nozzle.

(10) Unconfined Blasting is any abrasive blasting which does not conform with

definitions (4) or (7) of this section.

(11) Vacuum Blasting is any abrasive ‘blasting in which the spent abrasive and

surface material is immediately collected by a vacuum device.

(12) Wet Abrasive .Blasting is any abrasive blasting using compressed air as

the propelling force, which in the judgement of the air pollution control

officer uses an amount of water adequate to minimize the plume.

(b) Operating Requirements

(1) No person shall, if he complies with an applicable performance standard

in-Section (b)(4), discharge into the atmosphere from any abrasive

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Rule 1140 (Cont.) (Adopted February 1, 1980)

blasting any air contaminant for a period or periods aggregating more than

three minutes in any one hour which is:

(A) As dark or darker in shade as that designated as No. 2 on the

Ringelmann Chart, as published by the United States Bureau of

Mines, or

(B) Of such opacity as to obscure an observer’s view to a degree equal

to or greater than does smoke described in Section (b)(1)(A).

2) No person shall, if he is not complying with an applicable performance

standard in Section (b)(4), discharge into the atmosphere from any

abrasive blasting any air contaminant for a period or periods aggregating

more than three minutes in any one hour which is:

(A) As dark or darker in shade as that designated as No. 1 on the

Ringelmann Chart, as published by the United States Bureau of

Mines, or

(B) Of such opacity as to obscure an obsener’s view to a degree equal

to or greater than does smoke described in Section (b)(2)(A).

(3) Compliance with all rules and regulations in this subchapter does not

exempt any person from complying with the requirements of Rule 402,

Nuisance.

(4) Any abrasive blasting operation except as provided for in Section (c)(2)

shall comply with at least one of the following performance standards:

(A) Confined blasting shall be used;

(B) Wet abrasive blasting shall be used;

(C) Hydroblasting shall be used; or

(D) Dry unconfined blasting shall use abrasives as defined in

Section (c).

(5) Surface -preparation for raised traffic delineating markers and pavement

marking removal using abrasive blasting shall comply with at least one of

the following performance standards:

(A) Wet abrasive blasting, hydroblasting, or vacuum blasting shall be

used;

(B) Dry unconfined abrasive blasting for removal or surface

preparation for immediate application of pavement markings of

less than 1,000 square feet or for surface preparation for raised

traffic delineating markers shall use abrasives as defined in

Section (c)(1).

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Rule 1140 (Cont.) (Adopted February 1, 1980)

(c) Requirements for Abrasives

(1) Except as provided in Section (c)(3) all abrasives used for dry unconfined

blasting shall comply with the following performance standards:

(A) Before blasting the abrasive shall not contain more than 1% by

weight material passing a No. 70 U.S. Standard sieve.

(B) After blasting, the abrasive shall not contain more than 1.8 percent

by weight material five microns or smaller.

(2) No person shall conduct dry unconfined blasting unless the abrasive(s)

used in such operation have been certified by the Air Resources Board, on

at least an annual basis, to comply with the performance standards set

forth in Section (c)(1).

(3) Certified abrasives i~used for dry unconfined blasting are exempt from

Section (c)(1)(B), but must conform to Section (c)(1)(A).

(4) All manufacturers and suppliers of abrasives certified for dry unconfined

abrasive blasting shall legibly and permanently label the invoice, bill of

lading and abrasive packaging or container with the following

information:

(A) The manufacturer’s name or identifiable trade name.

(B) The grade or brand name of the abrasive.

(C) The statement “ARB certified for dry unconfined blasting”.

(d) Test Method

All abrasives used for dry unconfined blasting shall comply with the performance

requirements of Section (c)( 1 )(A) and (c)( 1 )(B) when tested in accordance with

“Method of Test for Abrasive Media Evaluation, Test Method No. Calif. 371-A”,

or other test method approved by the Executive Officer.

(e) Visible Emission Evaluation

Visible emission evaluation of abrasive blasting operations shall be conducted in

accordance with Title 17 of the California Administrative Code, Subchapter 6.

(f) Effective Dates

The owner or operator of any abrasive blasting operation subject to this rule shall

comply with the provisions of this rule on the date of adoption.

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