United States Environmental Protection Agency

Region IX

75 Hawthorne Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-3901

February 18, 2010

Transmittal of EPA Rule Review Comments

To: Reyes Romero, Imperial County Air Pollution Control District

reyesromero@imperialcounty.net

Mike Guzzetta, California Air Resources Board

mguzzett@arb.ca.gov

From: Andrew Steckel, Rulemaking Office Chief

steckel.andrew@epa.gov

Re: ICAPCD Rule 101 Defintions; Rule 424 

Architectural Coatings; Rule 425 Aerospace Coating Operations; Rule 427 Automotive Refinishing 

Operations, drafts sent to EPA on February 11, 2010

We are providing comments based on our preliminary review of the draft rules identified above that were 

provided to us on February 11. While we have tried to perform a thorough review of Rules 101, 424 and 

427, our review was limited by the District's request for comments by today. In general, we request a 30-

day review period. Please direct any questions about our comments to me at (415) 947-4115 or to Nicole 

Law at (415) 947-4126.

Recommendations

Rule 101 Definitions

1. Clarify the definition for "existing unit," which lists "month/date/year" instead of a specific date. 

Discussions with ICAPCD staff suggest that the entire definition may be removed, as this 

information is described in the rule and the definition is no longer necessary.

ICAPCD RESPONSE

The Imperial County Air Pollution Control District has removed the definition from Rule 101- Definitions 

as it is contained in the body of Rule 400.2 – Boilers, Process Heaters and Steam Generators under 

section D. Exemptions subsection D.1.e which reads Coal fired units, installed or erected prior to 

December 31, 2009.

2. Include the following terms and definitions from California Air Resources Board's 2007 Suggested 

Control Measure for Architectural Coatings (CARB's 2007 SCM):

1. basement specialty coating PAGE 101-6

2. concrete/masonry sealer PAGE 101-10

3. driveway sealer PAGE 101-12

4. manufacturer's maximum thinning recommendation PAGE 101-23

5. medium density fiberboard PAGE 101-23

6. particleboard PAGE 101-28

7. pearlescent PAGE 101-28

8. plywood PAGE 101-29

9. reactive penetrating sealer PAGE 101-35

10. rust preventative coating PAGE 101-37
11. secondary industrial materials PAGE 101-38

12. semitransparent coating PAGE 101-38

13. stone consolidant PAGE 101-41

14. tub & tile refinish coating PAGE 101-44

15. veneer PAGE 101-46

16. virgin materials PAGE 101-46

17. waterproofing membrane PAGE 101-48

18. wood coatings PAGE 101-49

19. wood substrate PAGE 101-49

20. zinc-rich primer PAGE 101-49

ICAPCD RESPONSE – ALL DEFINITIONS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED INTO RULE 101 – DEFINITIONS

3. Provide separate definitions for terms from CARB's Automotive Coatings SCM and Architectural 

Coatings SCM as listed:

1. "coating" - provide two definitions, an "architectural coating" and "automotive coating"

PAGE 101-9

2. "multi-color coating" - provide two definitions, an "architectural multi-color coating" and 

"automotive multi-color coating" PAGE 101-25, 101-26

3. "primer" - provide three definitions, an "architectural primer, sealer, and undercoater," 

"automotive primer," and "automotive primer" PAGE 101-312, 101-32

ICAPCD RESPONSE – ALL DEFINITIONS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED INTO RULE 101 – DEFINITIONS

4. Revise the definitions for the following terms consistent with CARB's Architectural Coatings SCM:

1. bituminous roof primer PAGE 101-7

2. concrete curing compound (typographical error: "costing" should be "coating") PAGE 101-

10

3. faux finishing coating PAGE 101-14, 101-15

4. fire-retardant coating PAGE 101-16

5. post consumer coating PAGE 101-29

6. specialty primer, sealer, and undercoater PAGE 101-40

7. swimming pool coating PAGE 101-42

8. wood preservative (typographical error: "attach" should be "attack") PAGE 101-49

ICAPCD RESPONSE – ALL DEFINITIONS HAVE BEEN REVISED

5. Revise the following references in the rule:

1. Under "clear brushing lacquer", delete the reference to subsection C.5, as that section 

does not exists. PAGE 424-5

2. Under "exempt compound," replace "D.6.j" with "E.5.h" PAGE 101-14

3. Under "fire resistive coating," replace "E119-98" and "D.6.b" with "E119-07" and "E.5.b"

PAGE 101-415

4. Under "fire retardant coatings," replace "E84-99" and "D.6.a" with "E84-07" and "E.6.a"

PAGE 101-416

5. Under "flat coating," replace "D.6.c" with "E.5.c" PAGE 101-16

6. Under "industrial maintenance coating," replace "C.4" with "D.5" PAGE 101-20

7. Under "metallic pigmented coating," replace "D.6.d" with "E.5.d" PAGE 101-24

8. Under "nonflat coating," replace "D 525-89" and "D.6.c" with "D 523-89" and "E.5.c" PAGE 

101-26

9. Under "nonflat high gloss coating," replace "D.6.c" with "E.5.c" PAGE 101-26

10. Under "pretreatment coating/wash primer," replace "D.6.e" with "E.5.e" PAGE 101-31

11. Under "specialty primer, sealer, and undercoater," replace "C.7" with "D.8" PAGE 101-40

ICAPCD RESPONSE – ALL REFERENCES REVISED ACCORDINGLY
CARB's 2007 SCM for Architectural Coatings no longer regulates a category for "quick dry 

enamel" or "quick dry primer, sealer, and undercoat." We note that Rule 424 does. Rule 101 has 

incorrect references to Rule 424. Please consider revising the rule so the references are 

consistent in both rules. ICAPCD RESPONSE – ALL DEFINITIONS REMOVED ACCORDINGLY

7. Under "specialty primer, sealer, and undercoater," we recommend removing the language

discussing chaulky surfaces, as it has been removed in CARB's 2007 SCM for Architectural 

Coatings. The reference to the test method for surface chaulkiness is also out of date, as the test 

method has been taken out of Rule 424. Please see section 4.54 of CARB's 2007 SCM for 

Architectural Coatings. PAGE 101-40 REMOVED ACCORDINGLY AND AMENDED

8. Under "VOC content," there is a reference to subsection D.1 of Rule 424. This is an incorrect 

reference as subsection D.1 of Rule 424 does not discuss VOC content. Please revise as 

appropriate and see comment 16 below. PAGE 101-47 REMOVED ACCORINGLY AND AMENDED

Rule 424 Architectural Coatings

1. Consider adding a severability section to the rule, similar to section 2 of CARB's 2007 SCM. PAGE 

424-1 ADDED SECTION

2. Require that coatings sold in containers less than one liter still be subject to reporting 

requirements, similar to section 3.2 of CARB's 2007 SCM. PAGE 424-1

3. Delete the VOC content limit "530" in Table 424-1 corresponding to the former category of 

antenna coatings. PAGE 424-15

4. Lower the VOC limit for the category of Floor Coatings from 250 g/L to 100 g/L, similar to Table 1 

of CARB's 2007 SCM. PAGE 424-15

5. Add into Table 424-1, the category of "wood coatings" and its corresponding VOC limit, similar to 

Table 1 of CARB's 2007 SCM. Please be sure to include the term and definition in Rule 101 as 

well. PAGE 424-15

ICAPCD RESPONSE -ALL REVISIONS MADE ACCORDINGLY

6. Revise the following references in the rule

1. In section C.1, replace "B.2, B.3, B.8" with "C.2 and C.3" PAGE 424-2

2. In section C.2, replace "B.1 through B.2.k" with "C.2.a through C. 2. k" PAGE 424-1, 424-2

3. In section C.3, replace "B.3" and "C.1" with "C.3" and "D.1" PAGE 424-2

4. In section D.3, replace "D.3" with "E.2" PAGE 424-8

5. In section E.1, there are no procedures like those outlined in the former section D.2. 

Please see comment 16 below. PAGE 424-13

6. In section E.2, there are no sections with calculations like those outlined in the former 

section D.2.a. Please see comment 16 below. PAGE 424-13

7. In section E.2, replace "D.6.11," "D.4, "D.5," "D.6.12," "D.6.10," and "D.4" with "E.5.i," 

"E.5," "E.4," "E.5.j," "E.5.f through E.5.h," and "E.3" PAGE 424-9

8. In section E.3, replace "D.3" with "E.2" PAGE 424-8

9. In section E.4, replace "D.6.m" with "E.5.k" PAGE 424-11

10. In section E.5.b, replace "E 119-97" with "E 119-07" PAGE 424-9

11. In section E.5.f, replace "D.3" with "E.2" PAGE 424-10

12. In section E.5.h, replace "D.3" with "E.2" PAGE 424-10

13. In section E.5.i, replace "D.3" with "E.2" PAGE 424-11

14. In section E.5.j, replace "D.5" with "E.4" PAGE 424-11

15. In section F.2, replace "E.1.a through E.1.n" with "F.1.a through F.1.n" PAGE 424-7

7. In section C.2, add the coating categories "aluminum roof coatings," "zinc-rich primers," and 

"wood coatings" to the section on Most Restrictive VOC Limits, similar to section 5.2 of CARB's 

2007 SCM. PAGE 424-2

8. Remove section C.6 Rust Preventative Coatings. CARB's 2007 SCM does not include this 

section, as it is redundant. The former industrial maintenance coating VOC limit was 250 g/L and 

the current rust preventative coatings VOC limit is also 250 g/L. PAGE 424-3
9. In section C.7, include the category of "nonflat-high gloss" with flat, and nonflat VOC limits. 

Please see CARB's 2007 SCM section 5.6. PAGE 424-5

10. Remove section C.8 Lacquers. CARB's 2007 SCM does not include this section, as the category 

of lacquers generally falls under wood coatings. PAGE 424-5

11. In section D.3, the text should be corrected as follows to be consistent with CARB's 2007 SCM 

section 6.1.3, "If the coating is a multicomponent product, the container must display the VOC 

content as mixed or catalyzed. If the coating contains silanes, siloxanes, or other ingredients that 

generate ethanol or other VOCs during the curing process, the VOC content must include the 

VOCs emitted during curing." PAGE 424-8

12. In section D.5, the label "D.5" should precede the title "Industrial Maintenance Coatings." Also, 

sections C.4.1 and C.4.1 may be removed, as their presence is redundant. PAGE 424-5

13. In section D.7, the label "D.7" should precede the title "Rust Preventative Coatings." PAGE 424-5

14. In section D.8, the subsections should be re-labeled from "C.7.1 through C.7.3" to "D.8.a through 

D.8.c" PAGE 424-5

15. Consider adding to section D. Container Labeling Requirements, an additional labeling 

requirement for Reactive Penetrating Sealers. Please see CARB's 2007 SCM Section 6.1.8 PAGE 

424-3

16. Section E of the rule does not give guidance on how to calculate VOC content. There are no 

sections in Rule 101 definitions providing guidance on how to calculate VOC content. Please 

correct this deficiency by adding a section in the rule or definitions rule on how to determine 

"VOC actual," "VOC content," and "VOC regulatory." PAGE 424-4

17. Correct the typographical error in section E.5.g. "Parachlorobenzotribluoride," which appears 

twice, should be corrected to "Parachlorobenzotriflouride." PAGE 424-10

ICAPCD RESPONSE -ALL REVISIONS MADE ACCORDINGLY

Rule 425 Aerospace Coating Operations

Given the short review schedule, we did not comprehensively review Rule 425. We are, however, 

providing the following comment for your consideration.

Consider aligning the categories in Table 425-1 with categories listed in EPA's 1997 Guideline Series: 

Control of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Coating Operations at Aerospace Manufacturing 

and Rework Operations. Not all categories listed in the CTG are included in the rule.

ICAPCD RESPONSE –THE AIR DISTRICT CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE SOURCES IMPACTED BY THIS RULE. 

HOWEVER, THE ICAPCD IS AWARE OF A NEED TO AMEND THIS RULE TO INCLUDE CATEGORIES CURRENTLY NOT 

IN THE RULE. THEREFORE, REVIEW CONITNUES FOR FUTURE AMENDMENT.

Rule 427 Automotive Refinishing Operations

1. In section C.1, the label in the table for "pounds per gallon" has an asterisk. Please either 

remove the asterisk, or include a footnote corresponding to the asterisk as in section 4.1 of 

CARB's Automotive Coatings SCM. FOOTNOTE ADDED PAGE 427-5

2. In section C.8, please add in the language from section 4.8.4 of CARB's Automotive Coatings 

SCM as follows, "No person shall clean spray equipment unless a closed system is used."

AMENDED SEE PAGE 427-9

3. In section E.1, please remove the references to t-Butyl Acetate, as it is not an exempt compound 

in this rule. REMOVED AS PER EPA RECOMMENDATION 

4. Revise the following references in the rule

1. In section A.2.a, replace "xxx" with "A.2.b" PAGE 427-1

2. In section C.1, replace "xxx" with "C.3" PAGE 427-4

3. In section C.2, replace "xxx" with "C.1" PAGE 427-6

4. In section C.3, replace "xxx" and "xxx" with "E.5" and "E.6" PAGE 427-6

5. In section C.5, replace "xxx" with "D.6" PAGE 427-7
6. In section C.7.e, replace "C.1," "C.2," "C.3," and "xxx" with "C.7.a," "C.7.b," "C.7.c," and 

"E.9" PAGE 427-9
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-1

RULE 101 DEFINITIONS

(Adopted 7/28/81; Revised 9/14/99; 1/16/2001; 12/11/2001; 08/13/02; 

01/11/2005; 10/10/2006; __/__/__)

Except where the context otherwise indicates, the following definitions shall govern the 

implementation of these Rules and r Regulations. Also, pursuant to Rule 115, 

definitions contained in applicable sections of the California Health and Safety Code 

and Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations, as well as the Federal Clean Air Act

and implementing regulations, may be used even when not set forth herein.

ACCELERATED VEHICLE RETIREMENT PROGRAM: a program creating actual 

emission reductions by the accelerated retirement of on road motor vehicles for 

purposes of establishing mobile source emission reduction credits (MSERC) pursuant to 

Rule 214.1. 

ACTUAL EMISSIONS: measured or calculated emissions which most accurately 

represent the emissions from an emissions unit. Determination of actual emissions 

must be based on average actual production rates, fuel consumption and/or throughput 

rates from the last three years. Emission factors shall be established by source testing 

or obtained from AP-42 or other approved source.

ACTUAL EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS (AER): reductions of actual emissions from an 

emissions unit, calculated pursuant to Section E.5 of Rule 207, which are real, 

quantifiable, surplus, permanent and enforceable.

ACTUAL INTERRUPTIONS OF POWER: the interruption of electrical service by an 

unforeseeable event, or when the power reserves of the serving utility fall below 5 

percent.

ADDITIVE: any substance added in small quantities to another substance or mixture in 

order to increase volume and/or change the physical properties of the mixture.

ADHESION PROMOTER: a coating, which is labeled and formulated to be applied to

uncoated plastic surfaces to facilitate bonding of subsequent coatings, and on which, a 

subsequent coating is applied.

ADHESIVE: any chemical substance that is applied for the purpose of bonding two 

surfaces together other than by mechanical means.

ADHESIVE BONDING PRIMER: a coating applied in a very thin film to aerospace 

adhesive bond detail components for corrosion inhibition and adhesion of the 

subsequently applied adhesive.

ADHESIVE BONDING PRIMER, STRUCTURAL: an adhesive bonding primer used in 

conjunction with structural adhesives to form load carrying aircraft components.
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-2

ADHESIVE BONDING PRIMER FOR ELASTOMERS AND ELASTOMERIC 

ADHERENTS: an adhesive bonding primer applied to elastomers or nonmetallic 

substrates for adhesion of the subsequently applied adhesive.

ADMINISTRATOR: the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection 

Agency.

AEROSPACE COMPONENT: any fabricated part, assembly of parts or completed unit 

of any aircraft, helicopter, missile or space vehicle.

AEROSAL COATING PRODUCT: a pressurized coating product containing pigments or 

resins that dispenses product ingredients by means of a propellant, and is packaged in 

a disposable can for hand held application, or for use in specialized equipment for 

ground traffic/marking applications.

AFFECTED POLLUTANTS: pollutants for which ambient air quality standards have 

been established by the Environmental Protection Agency or the California Air 

Resources Board and the precursors to such pollutants, and those pollutants regulated 

by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act or by the California Air 

Resources Board under the Health and Safety Code, including reactive organic 

compounds (ROC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter with 

an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 10 micrometers (PM10), carbon 

monoxide (CO), lead, asbestos, beryllium, mercury, vinyl chloride, fluorides, sulfuric 

acid mist, hydrogen sulfide, and total reduced sulfur compounds. Also those pollutants 

which the Environmental Protection Agency, after notice and opportunity for public 

comment, or the California Air Resources Board or the Air Pollution Control Board after 

public hearing, determine may have a significant adverse effect on the environment, the 

public health, or the public welfare.

AGRICULTURAL BURNING: open outdoor fires used in agricultural operations in the 

growing of crops or raising of fowls or animals, or open outdoor fires used in forest 

management, range improvement, or the improvement of land for wildlife and game 

habitat, or disease or pest prevention.

AGRICULTURAL BURNING: also means open outdoor fires used in the operation or 

maintenance of a system for the delivery of water for the purposes specified above.

AGRICULTURAL BURNING: also means open outdoor fires used in wildland vegetation 

management burning. Wildland vegetation management burning is the use of 

prescribed burning conducted by a public agency, or through a cooperative agreement 

or contract involving a public agency, to burn land predominantly covered with 

chaparral, trees, grass, or standing brush. Prescribed burning is the planned 

application of fire to vegetation to achieve any specific objective on lands selected in 

advance of that application. The planned application of fire may also include natural or 

accidental ignition.
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-3

AGRICULTURAL SOURCE: means a source of air pollution or a group of sources used 

in the production of crops, or the raising of fowl or animals located on contiguous 

property under common ownership or control that meets any of the following criteria;

1. is a confined animal facility, including, but not limited to, any structure, building, 

installation, barn, corral, coop, feed storage area, milking parlor, or system for the 

collection, storage, treatment, and distribution of liquid and solid manure, if 

domesticated animals, including, but not limited to, cattle, calves, horses, sheep, 

goats, swine, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, or ducks are corralled, penned, or 

otherwise caused to remain in restricted areas for commercial agricultural 

purposes and feeding is by means other than grazing.

2. is an internal combustion engine used in the production of crops or the raising of 

fowl or animals, including, but not limited to, an engine subject to Article 1.5 

(commencing with Section 41750) of Chapter 3 of Part 4 of Senate Bill 700 except 

an engine that is used to propel implements of husbandry as that term is defined in 

Section 36000 of the Vehicle Code, as that section existed on January 1, 2003. 

Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 39601, the state board may not revise 

this definition for the purposes of this section.

3. is a Title V source, as that term is defined in Section 39053.5 of Senate Bill 700, or 

is a source that is otherwise subject to regulation by a district pursuant to this 

division or the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec 7401 et seq,)

4. any district rule or regulation affecting stationary sources on agricultural operations 

adopted on or before January 1, 2004, is applicable to an agricultural source.

AIR CONTAMINANT: any discharge, release, or other propagation into the atmosphere 

and includes, but is not limited to, smoke, charred paper, dust, soot, grime, carbon, 

fumes, gases, odors, particulate matter, acids, or any other combination thereof. For the 

purposes of Rule 403, the definition applies only to materials which are solid or liquid at 

Standard Conditions (60 degrees Fahrenheit, 760 mm Hg).

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER (APCO): the person appointed by the Air 

Pollution Control Board and assigned to manage and direct the business and operations 

of the district, or designee.

ALTERNATIVE FUEL: any fuel used for certifying a low emission vehicle, other than 

gasoline or diesel fuel.

ALUMINUM ROOF COATING: a coating labeled and formulated exclusively for 

application to roofs and containing at least 84 grams of elemental aluminum pigment 

per liter of coating (at least 0.7 pounds per gallon). Pigment content shall be 

determined in accordance with South Coast Air Quality Management District 

(SCAQMD) Method 318-95, incorporated by reference in Rule 424, Architectural 

Coatings subsection G.5.d.
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-4

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS: for the purposes of these regulations ambient 

air quality standards shall be interpreted to include State and Federal ambient air quality 

standards. For the purposes of submittal of this regulation to the Environmental 

Protection Agency for inclusion in the California State Implementation Plan all 

references in this regulation to ambient air quality standards shall be interpreted as 

national ambient air quality standards.

ANNUAL CAPACITY FACTOR (ACF): means the ratio of the amount of fuel burned by 

a unit in a calendar year to the amount of fuel it could have burned if it had operated at 

the heat input rating for 8,760 hours during the calendar year.

ANTENNA COATING: a coating labeled and formulated exclusively for application to 

equipment and associated structural appurtenances that are used to receive or transmit 

electromagnetic signals.

ANTIFOULING COATING: a coating labeled and formulated for application to 

submerged stationary structures and their appurtenances to prevent or reduce the 

attachment of marine or freshwater biological organisms. To qualify as an antifouling 

coating, the coating must be registered with both the USEPA under the Federal 

Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. Subsection 135 et seq.) and with 

the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

ANTI-GLARE/SAFETY COATING: a coating which does not reflect light.

APPLICATION EQUIPMENT: for the purposes of Rule 425, means equipment used for 

applying coating to a substrate. Application equipment includes coating distribution 

lines, coating hoses, equipment used in hand application methods, and equipment used 

in mechanically operated application methods, including but not limited to spray guns, 

spinning disks, and pressure pots.

APPROVED IGNITION DEVICES: includes those instruments or materials that will 

ignite agricultural waste without the production of black smoke by the ignition device. 

This would include such items as liquid petroleum gas, butane, propane, and flares, but 

does not include the use of tires, tar paper, oil, and other similar materials.

APPURTENANCES: any accessory to a stationary structure coated at the site of 

installation, whether installed or detached, including but not limited to: bathroom and 

kitchen fixtures; cabinets; concrete forms; doors; elevators; fences; hand railings; 

heating equipment, air conditioning equipment, and other fixed mechanical equipment 

or stationary tools; lampposts; partitions; pipes and piping systems; rain gutters and 

downspouts; stairways, fixed ladders, catwalks, and fire escapes; and window screens.

ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS: a coating to be applied to stationary structures or their 

appurtenances at the site of installation, to portable buildings at the site of installation, to 

pavements, or to curbs. Coatings applied in shop applications or to non-stationary 
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-5

structures such as airplanes, ships, boats, railcars, and automobiles, and adhesives are 

not considered architectural coatings for the purposes of this rule.

ASPHALT: the dark-brown to black cementitious material (solid, semi-solid, or liquid in 

consistency) of which the main constituents are bitumens which occur naturally or as a 

residue of petroleum refining.

ASSEMBLY LINE: an arrangement of industrial equipment and workers in which the 

product passes from one specialized operation to another until complete, by either 

automatic or manual means.

ASSOCIATED PARTS AND COMPONENTS: structures, devices, pieces, modules, 

sections, assemblies, subassemblies, or elements of motor vehicles or mobile 

equipment that are designed to be a part of motor vehicles or mobile equipment but 

which are not attached to motor vehicles or mobile equipment at the time of coating the 

structure, device, piece, module, section, assembly, subassembly, or element. 

“Associated Parts and Components” does not include circuit boards.

ATMOSPHERE: the air that envelopes or surrounds the earth. When air pollutants are 

emitted into or within a building, such emission into or within the building shall be

considered an emission into the Atmosphere unless the building is designed specifically 

as a piece of air pollution control equipment.

AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT: a written permit issued by the Imperial County Air 

Pollution Control District for the construction, installation, assembly, modification, or 

replacement of any facility, article, machine, equipment, or other contrivance.

AUTOMOTIVE COATING: any coating or coating component used or recommended for 

use in motor vehicle or mobile equipment refinishing, service, maintenance, repair, 

restoration, or modification, except metal plating activities. Any reference to automotive 

refinishing or automotive coating made by a person on the container or in product 

literature constitutes a recommendation for use in motor vehicle or mobile equipment 

refinishing.

AUTOMOTIVE COATING COMPONENT: any portion of a coating, including, but not 

limited to, a reducer or thinner, toner, hardener, and additive, which is recommended by 

any person to distributors or end-users for use in an automotive coating, or which is 

supplied for or used in an automotive coating. The raw materials used to produce the 

components are not considered automotive coating components.

AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHING FACILITY: any shop, business, location, or parcel of land 

where motor vehicles or mobile equipment or their associated parts and components 

are coated, including autobody collision repair shops. “Automotive Refinishing Facility” 

does not include the original equipment manufacturing plant where the motor vehicle or 

mobile equipment is completely assembled.
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-6

BANKING: the District's system of quantifying, certifying, recording, and storing 

emission reduction credits for future use or transfer. This system shall be called the 

Emission Reduction Credit Bank or Mobile Source Emission Reduction Credit.

BANKING REGISTER: the document that records all emission reduction credits 

deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and transactions.

BASEMENT SPECIALTY COATING: a clear or opaque coating that is labeled and 

formulated for application to concrete and masonry surfaces to provide a hydrostatic 

seal for basements and other below-grade surfaces. Basement Specialty Coatings 

must meet the following criteria:

1. Coating must be capable of withstanding at least 10 psi of hydrostatic pressure, 

as determined in accordance with ASTM D7088-04, which is incorporated by 

reference in Rule 424, Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.l.

2. Coating must be resistant to mold and mildew growth and must achieve a 

microbial growth rating of 8 or more, as determined in accordance with ASTM 

D3273-00 and ASTM D3274-95, incorporated by reference in Rule 424, 

Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.s.

BEEF FEEDLOT: a lot, fenced area, or facility used for the feeding or holding of more 

than ten (10) cattle, except for Grazing Land as defined herein.

BEST AVAILABLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY (BACT):

For any emissions unit the more stringent of:

1. The most effective emission control device, emission limit, or technique which has 

been achieved in practice for such class or category of source unless the applicant 

demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Air Pollution Control Officer that such 

limitations are not achievable.

2. Any other alternative emission control device, emission control technique, basic 

equipment, fuel, or process determined to be technologically feasible and 

cost-effective by the Air Pollution Control Officer. Cost-effectiveness analyses 

shall be performed in accordance with methodology and criteria specified in the 

Best Available Control Technology Guideline for the South Coast Air Quality 

Management District, or an alternative methodology and criteria acceptable to the 

Air Pollution Control Officer.

3. Under no circumstances shall BACT be determined to be less stringent than the 

emission control required by any applicable provision of laws or regulations of the 

District, State and Federal government, or the most stringent emissions limitation 

which is contained in the implementation plan of any State, unless the applicant 

demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Air Pollution Control Officer that such 
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-7

limitations are not technologically achievable. In no event shall the application of 

BACT result in the emissions of any pollutant which exceeds the emissions 

allowed by any applicable New Source Performance Standard (40 CFR, part 60) or 

National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (40 CFR, part 61).

BEST AVAILABLE RETROFIT CONTROL TECHNOLOGY (BARCT): the most 

stringent and cost-effective of the following control options:

1. The most effective elements of the related suggested control measure.

2. The most effective limits in effect in any regulation in California, in the U.S., or in 

any other country for that source category with such limits resulting from the 

application of retrofit control technologies judged by the Air Pollution Control 

Officer to be demonstrated and reliable.

3. The most effective limit for a source category determined to a reasonable degree 

of certainty, to be achievable in the near future.

4. Any combination of control technologies that will achieve emission reductions 

equivalent to that resulting from the most stringent option listed above.

BIOMASS: material derived from the harvesting of crops or removal of vegetation, 

including timber, except for material from processed dimensional timber.

BITUMENS: black or brown materials including, but not limited to, asphalt, tar, pitch, 

and asphaltite that are soluble in carbon disulfide, consist mainly of hydrocarbons, and 

are obtained from natural deposits or as residues from the distillation of crude petroleum 

or coal.

BITUMINOUS ROOF COATINGS: a coating which incorporates bitumens that is labeled 

and formulated exclusively for roofing.

BITUMINOUS ROOF PRIMER: a primer which incorporates bitumens that is labeled 

and formulated exclusively for roofing.and intended for the purpose of preparing a 

weathered or aged surface or improving the adhesion of subsequent surfacing 

components.

BOARD: the Air Pollution Control Board of the Imperial County Air Pollution Control 

District.

BOILER OR STREAM GENERATOR: means any combustion equipment fired with 

gaseous and/or liquid fuel and used to produce steam or to heat water. “Boiler” or 

“Steam Generator” shall not include waste heat recovery Boilers that are used to 

recover heat from the exhaust of Stationary Gas Turbines or Internal Combustion 

Engines, or any unfired waste heat recovery Boiler that is used to recover sensible heat 

from the exhaust of any combustion equipment.
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BOND BREAKERS: a coating labeled and formulated for application between layers of 

concrete to prevent a freshly poured top layer of concrete from bonding to the layer over 

which it is poured.

BOTTOM LOADED: a Gasoline Delivery Vessel shall be considered to be Bottom 

Loaded when the fuel transfer and vapor return lines have separate, independent, and 

dedicated attachments on the delivery vessel, when the inlet is flush with the bottom of 

the storage device, and when the delivery vessel hatches remain closed during fuel 

transfer.

BREAKDOWN: an unforeseeable failure or malfunction of 1) any air pollution control 

equipment, or related operating equipment, which causes a violation of any emission 

limitation or restriction prescribed by these rules and regulations, or by State law, or 2) 

any monitoring equipment, where such failure or malfunction is not the result of neglect 

or disregard of any air pollution control law or rules or regulations, is not intentional or 

the result of negligence, is not the result of improper maintenance, does not constitute a 

nuisance, and is not a recurrent breakdown of the same equipment.

BRITISH THERMAL UNIT (Btu): means the amount of heat required to raise the 

temperature of one pound of water from 59F to 60F at one atmosphere.

BURN DAY: any day on which agricultural burning is not prohibited by the Air 

Resources Board and/or the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District.

CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD (CARB): the California Air Resources Board, 

or any Person authorized to act on its behalf.

CAMOUFLAGE COATING: a coating applied on motor vehicles, or mobile equipment 

to conceal such vehicles or equipment from detection and/or to provide resistance to 

chemical agents.

CARB CERTIFIED VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM: is any Phase I or Phase II Vapor 

Recovery System which has been certified by the California Air Resources Board 

pursuant to Section 41954 of the California Health and Safety Code.

CARGO CARRIERS: cargo carriers are trains dedicated to a specific stationary source. 

For purposes of this rule, the term "trains dedicated to a specific Stationary Source" 

shall not include any train for which the prime mover is owned and operated by a 

common carrier, and by which cargo is delivered to or from the stationary source under 

a contract of common carriage. The emissions from all trains dedicated to a specific 

stationary source, while operating in the District, including directly emitted and fugitive 

emissions, shall be considered as emissions from the stationary source.

CATALYST: a substance whose presence initiates/enhances the reaction between 

chemical compounds.
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CERTIFICATE: a District issued document specifying information regarding an 

ERC/MSERC including but not limited to the legal owner(s), certificate identification 

number, date of issuance, pollutant(s) reduced, type of pollutant, quantity of actual 

emission reduction, time period for which the ERC/MSERC is valid and any other 

records as may be required as a condition of ERC/MSERC issuance.

CLEAN AIR ACT (CAA): the federal Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (42 U.S.C. 

section 7401 et seq.) and implementing regulations. (see also federal Clean Air Act)

CLEANING OPERATIONS: the removal of loosely held uncured adhesives, inks, 

coatings, or contaminants, including, but not limited to, dirt, soil, or grease, from motor 

vehicles, mobile equipment, associated parts and components, substrates, parts, 

products, tools, machinery, equipment, or general work areas.

CLEAR BRUSHING LACQUERS: clear wood finishes, excluding clear lacquer sanding 

sealers, formulated with nitrocellulose or synthetic resins to dry by solvent evaporation 

without chemical reaction and to provide a solid, protective film, which are intended 

exclusively for application by brush, and which are labeled as specified in rule 424, 

Architectural Coatings, subsection C.5.

CLEAR COATING: any coating that contains no pigments and is labeled and formulated 

for application over a color coating or clear coating.

CLEAR WOOD COATINGS: clear and semi-transparent coatings, including lacquers 

and varnishes, applied to wood substrates, to provide a transparent or translucent solid 

film.

COATING: a material applied onto or impregnated into a substrate for protective, 

decorative, or functional purposes. Such materials include, but are not limited to paints, 

varnishes, sealers, and stains. For purposes of Rule 427, Automotive Refinishing 

Operations coating shall mean a material which is applied to a surface and forms a film 

in order to beautify, preserve, repair, or protect such a surface.

CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR): the United States document codifying 

federal regulations.

COLD CLEANER: any batch loaded, non-boiling Organic Solvent Degreaser.

COLORANT: a concentrated pigment dispersion in water, solvent, and/or binder that is 

added to an architectural coating after packaging in sale units to produce the desired 

color.

COLOR COATING: any pigmented coating, excluding adhesion promoters, primers, 

and multi-color coatings, that requires a subsequent clear coating and which is applied 

over a primer, adhesion promoter, or color coating. Color coatings include 
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metallic/iridescent color coatings.

COLOR MATCH: the ability of a repair coating to blend into an existing coating so that

color difference is not visibly detectable.

COMBUSTIBLE REFUSE: any solid or liquid combustible waste material containing 

carbon in a free or combined state. 

COMBUSTION CONTAMINANT: solid or liquid particles discharged into the 

atmosphere from the burning of any kind of material containing carbon in a free or 

combined state.

COMPLETE APPLICATION: completeness of an application for an authority to 

construct a new or modified emissions unit shall be evaluated on the basis of a list of 

required information which has been adopted by the District pursuant to Article 3, 

Sections 65940 through 65945.7 of Chapter 4.5 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California 

Code of Regulations as they exist on the date on which the application is received

CONCRETE CURING COMPOUND: a coasting labeled and formulated for application 

to freshly poured concrete to perform one or more of the following functions:

1. Rretard the evaporation of water.; or

2. Harden or dustproof the surface of freshly poured concrete.

CONCRETE/MASONRY SEALER: a clear or opaque coating that is labeled and 

formulated primarily for application to concrete and masonry surfaces to perform one or 

more of the following functions:

1. Prevent penetration of water; or

2. Provide resistance against abrasion, alkalis, acids, mildew, staining, or ultraviolet 

light; or

3. Harden or dustproof the surface of aged or cured concrete

CONDENSER EQUIPMENT: any equipment, such as refrigerated or non-refrigerated 

freeboard chillers, condenser coils, or water jackets, used to condense organic solvent 

vapor in a vapor degreaser.

CONDENSER FLOW SWITCH: safety switch which shuts off pump heat if condenser 

water fails to circulate or if condenser water temperature rises above designated 

operating temperature.

CONFINED ANIMAL FACILITY (CAF): a source or group of sources of air pollution at 

an agricultural source for the raising of fowl or animals, including but not limited to, any 
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101-11

structure, building, installation, farm, corral, coop, feed storage area, milking parlor, or 

system for the collection, storage, or distribution of solid and liquid manure; if 

domesticated animals, including but not limited to, cattle, calves, horses, sheep, goats, 

swine, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, or ducks corralled, penned, or otherwise caused to 

remain in restricted areas for commercial agricultural purposes and feeding is by means 

other than grazing.

CONSTRUCTION: any physical change or change in the method of operation (including 

fabrication, erection, installation, demolition, or modification of an emissions unit) which 

would result in a change in actual emissions.

CONTAMINATED SOIL: for purposes of Rule 412, soil which indicates 50ppm by 

volume, or greater of ROC (measured as hexane) at a distance of three inches above 

the surface with a ROC analyzer.

CONTIGUOUS PROPERTY: two or more parcels of land with a common boundary or 

separated solely by a public or private roadway or other public right-of-way.

CONTROL DEVICE: any device for reducing emissions to the atmosphere.

CONTROL EFFICIENCY: the percentage of emissions removed by an existing 

emissions control device or estimated to be removed by a proposed emissions control 

device. The estimated control efficiency of the proposed air pollution control technology 

which will be incorporated, by means of enforceable permit condition(s), in the authority 

to construct and permit to operate. Emissions reductions attributed to lowering 

throughput rates or operating reductions attributed to lowering throughput rates or 

operating hours shall not be considered in determining control efficiency.

CONTROL EQUIPMENT: air pollution control equipment that eliminates, reduces or 

controls the issuance of air emissions.

CONVEYORIZED DEGREASER: any continuously loaded, conveyorized Organic 

Solvent Degreaser, either boiling or non-boiling.

COOLING TOWERS: open water re-circulating devices that use fans or natural draft to 

draw or force air through the device to cool water by evaporation and direct contact. 

This includes, but is not limited to, evaporative condensers, quench or cooling towers 

used for heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) and/or industrial cooling processes. 

CREMATORIES AND PATHOLOGICAL INCINERATORS: for the purposes of Rule 

302, Schedule 10, crematories and pathological incinerators are any furnace or similar 

enclosed fire chamber burning human or animal tissue or cremating human or animal 

remains.

CUTBACK ASPHALT: paving grade asphalts liquefied with petroleum distillate and as 

further defined by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications as 
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follows:

Rapid Cure Type: ASTM D2028-76

Medium Cure Type: ASTM D2027-76

DAILY EMISSIONS LIMITATION: one or a combination of permit conditions, specific to 

an emissions unit, which restricts its maximum daily emissions, in pounds per day, at or 

below the emissions associated with the maximum design capacity. A daily emissions 

limitation must be:

1. contained in the latest authority to construct and contained in or enforceable by the 

latest permit to operate for the emissions unit, and

2. Enforceable on a daily basis, and

3. established pursuant to a permitting action occurring after September 7, 1993, and 

used in the calculation of the stationary source daily potential to emit

DAIRY: a CAF with operations centered around the production of milk, butter, or cheese 

for commercial purposes.

DECONTAMINATION: for purposes of Rule 412, removal of ROC from contaminated 

soil by aeration, or ICAPCD-approved treatment process.

DEGREASER: tank, tray, drum, or other container in which objects to be cleaned are 

exposed to a liquid or vapor degreasing organic solvent

DISTRICT: the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District.

DRIVEWAY SEALER: a coating labeled and formulated for application to worn asphalt 

driveway surfaces to perform one or more of the following functions:

1. Fill cracks; or

2. Seal the surface to provide protection; or

3. Restore or preserve the appearance.

DRY FOG COATING: a coating labeled and formulated only for spray application such 

that overspray droplets dry before subsequent contact with incidental surfaces in the 

vicinity of the surface coating activity.

DUST: minute solid particles released into the air by natural forces or by mechanical 

processes such as crushing, grinding, milling, drilling, and demolishing.

ELECTROSTATIC APPLICATION: a sufficient charging of atomized paint droplets to 
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cause deposition, principally by electrostatic attraction.

ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE COATING: electrically conductive coating which 

prevents the build-up of static charge on the surface of an aerospace component. 

Applications include, but are not limited to, composites, space vehicles, missiles, and 

helicopter blades.

ELECTROSTATIC SPRAY APPLICATION: any method of spray application of coatings

where an electrostatic attraction is created between the part to be coated and the paint 

particles.

EMERGENCY STANDBY TANK: a standby tank used in an emergency to store organic 

liquids during the draining of the primary tank or for use when the operator is granted 

breakdown relief.

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM: any combination of capture systems and control 

devices used to reduce VOC emissions from automotive coating operations.

EMISSION REDUCTION CREDITS (ERCs): reductions of actual emissions from an 

emissions unit that are registered with the District in accordance with the requirements 

of Rule 214.

EMISSIONS INCREASE: for the purposes of Rule 207, means any increase in the 

stationary source potential to emit, calculated pursuant to Rule 207 E.6.

EMISSIONS UNIT: an identifiable operation or piece of process equipment, such as an 

article, machine, or other contrivance, which emits, has the potential to emit, or results 

in the emissions of any affected pollutant directly or as fugitive emissions.

EMULSIFIED ASPHALT: any asphalt liquefied with water containing an emulsifier, 

either anionic or cationic.

ENCLOSED GUN CLEANER: a device that is used for the cleaning of spray guns that 

is not open to the ambient air when in use and has a mechanism to force the cleanup 

material through the gun while the cleaner is in operation.

ENFORCEABLE: "Enforceable" emission reductions are assured by verifiable and 

legally binding conditions on a authority to construct, and/or permit to operate that limits 

emission rates over testable time averaging periods.

EQUIPMENT: includes any article, machine, or contrivance that emits, has the potential 

to emit, or reduces emissions.

ERC CERTIFICATE: a document identifying the quantity and type of ERCs issued by 

the District to the individual(s) or sources identified on the certificate.
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ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICES: the following Sources shall be considered Essential 

Public Services:

1. Sewage treatment operations which are publicly owned and operated consistent 

with the approved General Plan; or

2. prison, jail, correctional facility; or

3. police or fire fighting facility; or

4. school or hospital; or

5. landfill gas control or processing system which is publicly owned and operated; or

6. water delivery operations which are publicly owned and operated consistent with 

the approved General Plan; or

7. cleanup operations to remove contaminants from soil or water, mandated by 

regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Health Services, 

Environmental Protection Agency or any other State or Federal law. 

EXCAVATION: for purposes of Rule 412, removal of contaminated soil for the purpose 

of decontamination. Excavated soil may have become contaminated by leaking 

underground or above ground tank, loading rack, spillage, pipeline leak, accidental spill, 

or any other source.

EXEMPT COMPOUND: a compound identified as exempt under the definition of v

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC). Exempt compounds content of a coating shall be 

determined by U.S.EPA Method 24 or South Coast Air Quality Management District 

(SCAQMD) Method 303-91 (Revised February 1993), incorporated by reference in r

Rule 424, Architectural Coatings, subsection G.5.h D.6.j.

EXTREME PERFORMANCE COATING: coating that encounters acute or chronic 

exposure to salt water, corrosives, caustics, acids, oxidizing agents, wind- or oceandriven debris, or electromagnetic pulses.

FAUX FINISHING COATING: a coating labeled and formulated to meet one or more of 

the following criteria:

1. A glaze or textured coating used to create artistic effects, including, but not 

limited to: dirt, suede, old age, smoke damage, and simulated marble and wood 

grain; or

2. A decorative coating used to create a metallic, iridescent, or pearlescent 

appearance that contains at least 48 grams of pearlescent mica pigment or other 

iridescent pigment per liter of coating as applied (at least 0.4 pounds per gallon); 
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-15

or

3. A decorative coating used to create a metallic appearance that contains less than 

48 grams of elemental metallic pigment per liter of coating as applied (less than 

0.4 pounds per gallon), when tested in accordance with South Coast Air Quality 

Management District (SCAQMD) method 318-95, incorporated by reference in 

Rule 424, Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.d; or

4. A decorative coating used to create a metallic appearance that contains greater 

than 48 grams of elemental metallic pigment per liter of coating as applied 

(greater than 0.4 pounds per gallon) and which requires a clear topcoat to 

prevent the degradation of the finish under normal use conditions. The metallic 

pigment content shall be determined in accordance with South Coast Air Quality 

Management District SCAQMD method 318-95, incorporated by reference in 

Rule 424, Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.d; or

5. A clear topcoat to seal and protect a Faux Finishing coating that meets the 

requirements of subsections 1 thru 4 of this definition. These clear topcoats must 

be sold and used solely as part of a Faux Finishing coating system, and must be 

labeled in accordance with Rule 424, Architectural Coatings subsection E.4.

as a stain or glaze to create artistic effects including, but not limited to, dirt, old age, 

smoke damage, and simulated marble and wood grain.

FEDERAL CLEAN AIR ACT: the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) as amended in 1990 (42 

U.S.C. section 7401 et seq.) and its implementing regulations. 

FINISH: the coating of incomplete vehicles, their parts and components, or mobile 

equipment for which the original coating was not applied from an original equipment 

manufacturer (OEM) plant coating assembly line.

FIRE RESISTIVE COATING: an opaque coating labeled and formulated to protect the

structural integrity by increasing the fire endurance of interior or exterior steel and other 

structural materials. The Fire Resistive category includes sprayed fire resistive 

materials and intumescent fire resistive coatings that are used to bring structural 

materials into compliance with federal, state, and local building code requirements. Fire 

Resistive coatings shall be tested in accordance with ASTM Designation E 119-07, 

incorporated by reference in Rule 424, Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.b. Fire 

Resistive coatings and testing agencies must be approved by building code officials.

, that has been fire tested and rated by a testing agency approved by building code 

officials for us in bringing assemblies of structural materials into compliance with 

federal, state, and local building code requirements. The fire resistive coating and the 

testing agency must be approved by building code officials. The fire resistant coating 

shall be tested in accordance with ASTM designation E119-98, incorporated by 

reference in rule 424, Architectural Coatings, section D.6.b.
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FIRE RETARDANT COATINGS: a coating labeled and formulated to retard ignition and 

flame spread, that has been fire tested and rated by a testing agency approved by 

building code officials for use in bringing building and construction materials into 

compliance with federal, state and local building code requirements. The fire-retardant 

coating and the testing agency must be approved by building code officials. The fireretardant coating shall be tested in accordance with ASTM Designation E 84-07 99, 

incorporated by reference in r Rule 424, Architectural Coatings, subsection G.5.a D.6.a.

Effective January 1, 2011, the Fire Retardant coating category is eliminated and 

coatings with fire retardant properties will be subject to the VOC limit of their primary 

category (e.g., Flat, Nonflat, etc.).

FIXED COVER: any cover made out of metal(s), polymer(s) or other material, and 

installed in a permanent position over the liquid.

FLAT COATING: a coating that is not defined under any other definition in this rule 424, 

Architectural Coatings and that registers gloss less than 15 on an 85-degree meter or 

less than 5 on a 60-degree meter according to ASTM Designation D 523-89 (1999), 

incorporated by reference in r Rule 424, Architectural Coatings, subsection G.5.c D.6.c.

FLEET VEHICLE: one of a group of ten (10) or more motor vehicles under common 

ownership or control and dispatched from a location within Imperial County.

FLIGHT TEST COATINGS: a temporary coating applied to test aircraft to protect from 

corrosion and to provide required markings during flight test evaluation.

FLOATING COVER: any cover made out of metal(s), polymer(s) or other material, 

which is in contact with a liquid surface at all times.

FLOOR COATING: an opaque coating that is labeled and formulated for application to 

flooring, including, but not limited to, decks, porches steps, garage floors, and other 

horizontal surfaces which may be subject to foot traffic.

FLOW COATING: a coating labeled and formulated exclusively for use by electric 

power companies or their subcontractors to maintain the protective coating systems 

present on utility transformer units.

FLUORIDES: elemental fluorine and all fluoride compounds.

FORM RELEASE COMPOUNDS: a coating labeled and formulated for application to a 

concrete form to prevent the freshly poured concrete from bonding to the form. The 

form may consist of wood, metal, or some material other than concrete.

FREEBOARD HEIGHT:
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-17

1. For a cold cleaning degreaser, distance from top of organic solvent, or organic 

solvent drain to top of degreaser, based on inside tank dimensions.

2. For a remote reservoir degreaser, distance from organic solvent drain to top of the 

degreaser, based on inside dimensions.

3. For a vapor degreaser, distance from organic solvent air-vapor interface to top of 

basic degreaser tank, based on inside tank dimensions.

FREEBOARD RATIO: freeboard height divided by smaller of length or width of 

degreaser.

FROST PROTECTION: the protection of agricultural crops against damage from frost or 

cold weather.

FUEL BURNING EQUIPMENT: the minimum number of boiler, furnaces, jet engines or 

other fuel burning equipment, the simultaneous operations of which are required for the 

production of useful heat or power. Equipment which burns fuel and serves primarily as 

air pollution control equipment by using a combustion process to destroy air 

contaminants shall not be considered "Fuel Burning Equipment."

FUEL CHANGE: means the transitory operating period when a switch occurs between 

liquid or gaseous fuels, or any combination thereof.

FUEL TANK COATING: a coating applied to the interior of a fuel tank of an aircraft or 

space vehicle to protect it from corrosion.

FUGITIVE EMISSIONS: those emissions which cannot reasonably pass through a 

stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally equivalent opening.

FUMES: small particles resulting from chemical reaction or from the condensation of 

vapors produced in combustion, distillation or sublimation, or other above ambient 

temperature process.

FURNACE: means any enclosed structure in which heat is produced by the combustion 

of any fuel. 

GASEOUS FUEL: means natural gas, digester gas, landfill gas, methane, ethane, 

propane, butane, or any gas stored as a liquid at high pressure such as liquefied 

petroleum gas.

GASOLINE: any petroleum distillate having a Reid Vapor pressure of 4.0 pounds or 

greater.

GASOLINE BULK PLANT: an intermediate gasoline loading facility where delivery to 

the facility's storage containers and delivery from the facility is by truck.
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GASOLINE DELIVERY VESSEL: a truck, trailer, or railroad car with a storage device 

containing Gasoline, or Gasoline Vapors, used to transport fuel or other petroleum 

products.

GASOLINE TERMINAL: a gasoline loading facility where delivery to the facility's storage 

containers is by means other than truck.

GASOLINE THROUGHPUT: for the purposes of Rule 415, means the volume of 

gasoline dispensed at a gasoline dispensing facility.

GASOLINE VAPORS: the reactive organic compounds in the displaced vapors, 

including any entrained liquid gasoline.

GONIOAPPARENT: a change in appearance with a change in the angle of illumination 

or the angle of view, as defined according to ASTM E-284-06b, incorporated by 

reference in Rule 242, Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.m.

GRAPHIC ARTS COATING OR SIGN PAINT: a coating labeled and formulated for 

hand-application by artists using brush, airbrush, or roller techniques to indoor and 

outdoor signs (excluding structural components) and murals including lettering enamels, 

poster colors, copy blockers, and bulletin enamels

GRAPHIC ARTS OPERATION: the application of logos, letters, numbers, or graphic to 

a painted surface by brush, roller, or airbrush.

GRAPHIC DESIGN APPLICATION: the application of logos, letters, numbers, and 

graphics to a painted surface, with or without the use of a template.

GRAZING LAND: open range or fenced fields where animals feed on crops or grasses 

which grow naturally or are planted.

GROUP I VEHICLES: public transit buses and mobile Equipment.

GROUP II VEHICLES: passenger cars, large/heavy duty truck cabs and chassis, light 

and medium duty trucks and vans, and motorcycles.

HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS: all halogenated hydrocarbons listed as exempted 

under the definition of reactive organic compounds.

HAND APPLICATION METHODS: the application of Coatings by nonmechanical handheld equipment including but not limited to paint brushes, hand rollers, caulking guns, 

trowels, spatulas, syringe daubers, rags, and sponges.

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE (H&SC): "Health and Safety Code" refers to the 

California Health and Safety Code.
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

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HEARING BOARD: the Hearing Board of the Air Pollution Control District of Imperial 

County.

HEAT INPUT: means the heat derived from the combustion of a fuel in a unit, calculated 

using the higher heating value, excluding the heat input from preheated combustion air, 

re-circulated flue gases, or exhaust gases from other sources, including but not limited 

to, Stationary Gas Turbines, Internal Combustion Engines and Kilns.

HEAT INPUT RATING: means the maximum steady state heat input capacity of a unit, 

in BTU per hour, as specified by the manufacturer, or as limited by an Air Pollution 

Control Authority to Construct or a Permit to Operate.

HEAVY DUTY ENGINE: an engine which is used to propel a heavy duty vehicle.

HEAVY DUTY VEHICLE: Aany motor vehicle having a manufacturer=s gross vehicle 

weight rating greater than 6,000 pounds, except passenger cars@ (Title 13, California 

Code of Regulations, Section 1900 [13 CCR. '1900].)

HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM-CONTAINING WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS: water 

treatment additives which contain hexavalent chromium (Chrome VI), alone or in 

combination with other water treatment chemicals.

HIGH TEMPERATURE COATING: a high performance coating labeled and formulated 

for application to substrates exposed continuously or intermittently to temperatures 

above 240°C (400° F).

HIGH TEMPERATURE RESISTANT, THERMAL FLASH RESISTANT, RAIN EROSION 

RESISTANT COATING: for the purposes of Rule 425, means a fluoroelastomeric 

coating that is designed specifically to protect aerospace vehicles from thermonuclear 

flash, erosion from airborne particles such as rain, ice, sand, etc., and temperatures 

above 450 degrees fahrenheit resulting from aerodynamic heating.

HIGH VOLATILITY SOLVENT: any organic solvent that is not a low volatility solvent.

HIGH-VOLUME, LOW-PRESSURE (HVLP): spray equipment permanently labeled as 

such and which is designed and operated between 0.1 and 10 pounds per square inch, 

gauge, (psig) air atomizing pressure measured dynamically at the center of the air cap 

and at the air horns. 

spray equipment that uses a high volume of air delivered at pressures between 0.1 and 

10 psig measured dynamically at the center of the air cap and the air horns.

HIGHER HEATING VALUE: means the total heat liberated, including the heat of 

condensation of water, per mass of fuel burned (BTU per pound) when fuel and dry air 

at standard conditions undergo complete combustion and all resultant products are 
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brought to standard conditions.

HISTORIC ACTUAL EMISSIONS: actual emissions from an existing emissions unit 

averaged over three consecutive years immediately preceding the date of application. 

The Air Pollution Control Officer may approve another three consecutive year period 

within the last five consecutive years, if he determines that the other period is more 

representative of normal source operation. Where an emissions unit has been in 

operation for less than three years a shorter averaging period of at least one year may 

be used providing it represents the full operational history of the stationary source. The 

historic actual emissions from emissions units which have been in operation for less 

than one year shall be equal to zero. Historic actual emissions are to be calculated in 

pounds per quarter for each calendar quarter. Historic actual emissions in quarters 2 or 

3 may be lowered by transferring these emissions to quarters 1 or 4, provided that the 

resulting emissions in quarters 1 or 4 are no higher than the higher of quarters 2 or 3.

HISTORIC EMISSIONS: the potential to emit of an existing emissions unit prior to 

modification. For a new emissions unit historic emissions are equal to zero.

HYDROCARBON VAPORS: the reactive organic compounds in the vapors, including 

any entrained organic liquid.

IDENTICAL EMISSIONS UNIT: an emissions unit that replaces an existing emissions 

unit and satisfies all of the following criteria:

1. Performs the same operation(s) as the emissions unit being replaced, and

2. is manufactured by the same company, and is an equivalent model with the same 

size and rating, and

3. expected actual emissions are less than or equal to those from the emissions unit 

being replaced.

IMPERVIOUS BARRIER: for purposes of Rule 412, physical covering for contaminated 

soil which controls ROC emissions to the extent a ROC analyzer detects less than 

50ppm by volume ROC (measured as hexane) at a distance of three inches above the 

surface.

INCINERATOR: any furnace or similar enclosed fire chamber, with or without a draft 

control, used for burning refuse or other waste material and where the products of 

combustion are channeled through a flue.

INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE COATING: a high performance architectural coating, 

including primers, sealers, undercoaters, intermediate coats, and topcoats, formulated 

for application to substrates, including floors, exposed to one or more of the following 

extreme environmental conditions listed below and labeled as specified in rule 424, 

Architectural Coatings, subsection E.5 C.4.
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-21

1. immersion in water, wastewater or chemical solutions (aqueous and non-aqueous 

solutions), or chronic exposure of interior surfaces to moisture condensation; or

2. acute or chronic exposure to corrosive, caustic or acidic agents, or to chemicals, 

chemical fumes, chemical mixtures or solutions; or

3. repeated frequent exposure to temperatures in excess of 250F (121C); or

4. repeated (frequent) heavy abrasion, including mechanical wear and repeated 

(frequent) scrubbing with industrial solvents, cleansers or scouring agents; or

5. exterior exposure of metal structures and structural components.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE: Any spark or compression ignited reciprocating 

internal combustion engine that is attached to a foundation at a location, or is portable 

and operated at a location for more than 90 days in any consecutive twelve month 

period, excluding engines used for self propulsion of a vehicle.

KILN: means an oven, furnace, or heated enclosure used for processing a substance by 

burning, firing, or drying.

LACQUER: a clear or opaque wood coating, including clear lacquer sanding sealers, 

formulated with cellulosic or synthetic resins to dry by evaporation without chemical 

reaction and to provide a solid, protective film.

LARGE CONFINED ANIMAL FACILITY (LCAF): any confined animal facility that 

maintains on any one day: 1,000 or more milk-producing dairy cows; or 3.500 or more 

beef cattle, calves, heifers, or other cattle; or 100,000 or more turkeys; or 650,000 or 

more chickens other than laying hens; or 650,000 or more laying hens; or 3,000 or more 

swine; or 15,000 or more sheep, lambs, or goats; or 2,500 or more horses; or 650,000 

or more ducks; or 30,000 or more rabbits or other animals.

LARGE/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS: any truck having a manufacturer's gross vehicle 

weight rating of over 10,000 pounds.

LEAK OF REACTIVE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS: an emission of a liquid containing 

reactive organic compounds at a rate of more than 3 drops per minute, as a continuous 

stream, or as a visible mist; or an emission of a gas containing reactive organic 

compounds which causes an appropriate analyzer sampling 1 centimeter from a source 

to register at least 10,000ppm as methane as determined by EPA Reference Method 

21.

LEAK-FREE: for the purposes of Rule 415, means a liquid leak of no more than three 

drops per minute excluding losses which occur upon disconnecting transfer fittings. 

Provided such disconnect losses do not exceed 10 milliliters (0.34 fluid ounces) per 
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disconnect, averaged over three disconnects.

LEAN-BURN ENGINE: Any spark or compression ignited internal combustion engine 

that is operated with an exhaust gas stream oxygen concentration of four percent (4%) 

by volume, or greater. The exhaust gas oxygen content shall be determined from the 

uncontrolled exhaust gas stream.

LIGHT DUTY TRUCK: Aany motor vehicle, rated at 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight 

or less, which is designed primarily for purposes of transportation of property or is a 

derivative os such a vehicle, or is available with special features enabling off-street or 

off-highway operation and use@ (13 CCR '1900.)

LIQUID FUEL: means any fuel which is a liquid at standard conditions including but not 

limited to distillate oils, kerosene and jet fuel. Liquefied gaseous fuels are not liquid 

fuels.

LOADING FACILITY: any aggregation or combination of gasoline loading equipment 

which is both (1) possessed by one person, and (2) located so that all the gasoline 

loading outlets for such aggregation or combination of loading equipment can be 

encompassed within any circle of 300 feet in diameter.

LOW EMISSION VEHICLE: any vehicle certified by the California Air Resources Board 

(ARB) to the transitional, low, ultra low, or zero emission vehicle standards established 

in 13 CCR '1960.1

LOW SOLIDS COATING: a coating containing 0.12 kilogram or less of solids per liter (1 

pound or less of solids per gallon) of coating material. as recommended for application 

by the manufacturer. The VOC content for Low Solids Coatings shall be calculated in 

accordance with the definition of VOC ACTUAL.

LOW VOLATILITY SOLVENT: any organic solvent, including emulsions, containing no 

more than 2% reactive organic compounds (ROC) by weight as determined by U.S. 

EPA test method 24.

LOWEST ACHIEVABLE EMISSION RATE (LAER): for any stationary source or 

modification the more stringent of:

1. the most stringent emissions limitation which is contained in the implementation 

plan of any state for such class or category of stationary source, unless the owner 

or operator of the proposed stationary source demonstrates that such limitations 

are not achievable; or

2. the most effective emissions control technique which has been achieved in 

practice, for such class or category of source as determined by the Air Pollution 

Control Officer; or
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3. the emission limitation specified for such class or category of source under 

applicable federal new source performance standards pursuant to section III of the 

Clean Air Act; or

4. any other emissions control technique found after public hearing, by the Air 

Pollution Control Officer or the Air Resources Board to be technologically feasible 

and cost effective for such class or category of sources or for a specific Source.

MAGNESITE CEMENT COATING: a coating labeled and formulated for application to 

magnesite cement decking to protect the magnesite cement substrate from erosion by 

water.

MAJOR PROJECT: for the purpose of Rule 206 and 301 means a project which will 

emit pollutants under any of the following conditions: 250 or more lbs/day controlled for 

any single pollutant; 100 or more tons/yr uncontrolled for any single pollutant; 250 or 

more tons/yr uncontrolled for all emissions combined.

MAKE-UP SOLVENT: organic solvent added to a degreaser to replace organic solvent 

lost through evaporation, carry-out, splashing, leakage, or disposal.

MANUFACTURER’S MAXIMUM THINNING RECOMMENDATION: The maximum 

recommendation for thinning that is indicated on the label or lid of the coating container.

MANURE: the accumulated animal excrement in or around a livestock feed yard that 

does not undergo decomposition as would occur on open grazing land or natural 

habitat. This definition includes feces or urine which may be mixed with bedding 

materials, with spilled feed or with soil. 

MASKANT: a coating applied directly to a metal part or other surface to protect surface 

areas during chemical milling, anodizing, aging, bonding, plating, etching, or other 

chemical surface operations.

MASTIC TEXTURE COATING: a coating labeled and formulated to cover holes and 

minor cracks and to conceal surface irregularities, and is applied in a single coat of at 

least 10 mils (0.010 inch) dry film thickness.

MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARD (MDF): a composite wood product, panel, molding, 

or other building material composed of cellulosic fibers (usually wood) made by dry 

forming and pressing of a resinated fiber mat.

MEDIUM DUTY VEHICLE: Aany pre-1995 model year heavy-duty vehicle having a 

manufacturer=s gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less, any 1992 and 

subsequent model year heavy-duty low-emission vehicle or ultra-low-emission vehicle 

having a manufacturer=s gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds or less, or any 

1995 and subsequent-model year heavy-duty vehicle having a manufacturer=s gross 

vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds or less@ (13 CCR '1900.)
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METALLIC: Similar to the appearance of a gonioapparent material, as defined herein, 

containing metal flakes.

METALLIC/IRIDESCENT COLOR COATING: any coating that contains more than 

0.042 pounds per gallon (5 grams per liter) of metal or iridescent particles as applied, 

where such particles are visible in the dried film.

METALLIC PIGMENTED COATING: a coating that is labeled and formulated to provide 

a metallic appearance. Metallic Pigmented coatings must contain at least 48 grams of 

elemental metallic pigment (excluding zinc) per liter of coating as applied (at least 0.4 

pounds per gallon), when tested in accordance with SCAQMD Method 318-95, 

incorporated by reference in r Rule 424, Architectural Coatings, subsection G.5.d D.6.d. 

The Metallic Pigmented Coating category does not include coatings applied to roofs or 

Zinc-Rich Primers.

containing at least 48 grams of elemental metallic pigment per liter of coating as applied 

(0.4 pounds per gallon), 

METALLIC TOPCOAT: for the purposes of Rule 427 means any coating which contains 

more than 5 g/L (,042 lb/gal) of metal particles, as applied, where such particles are 

visible in the dried film.

MINOR PROJECT: for the purpose of Rules 206 and 301, a project for which 

uncontrolled emissions will not exceed 35 lbs/day of any pollutant, and for which there 

will be no emission of pollutants which are toxic, hazardous, or for which the District has 

been designated nonattainment.

MOBILE EQUIPMENT: for the purposes of Rule 427 is any device that may be drawn 

and/or driven on rails or a roadway including, but not limited to, trains, railcars, truck 

trailers, mobile cranes, bulldozers, street cleaners, and implements of husbandry or 

agriculture.

equipment which may be drawn or is capable of being driven on a roadway, including, 

but not limited to, truck bodies, truck trailers, utility bodies, camper shells, mobile 

cranes, bulldozers, street cleaners, golf carts, and implements of husbandry.

MOBILE SOURCE EMISSION REDUCTION CREDIT (MSERC): actual emission 

reductions which have been recognized by the District as being banked and registered 

with a MSERC certificate issued in accordance with the requirements of Rule 214.1.

MOBILE TRANSPORT TANK: any tank truck or trailer, railroad tank car, or tanker used 

to transport reactive organic liquids.

MODELING: use of an air quality simulation model, based on specified assumptions 

and data, which has been approved in writing by the executive officer of the Air 
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Resources Board.

MODIFICATION: any physical change, change in method of operation of, or addition to, 

an existing emissions unit, or any change in hours of operation or production rate which 

would necessitate a change in permit conditions, except that routine maintenance or 

repair shall not be considered to be a physical change. 

Unless previously limited by a permit condition, the following shall not be considered 

changes in method of operation:

1. change in ownership of an existing stationary source with valid permit(s) to 

operate.

2. replacement of an existing emissions unit with an identical emissions unit.

3. replacement of part of an emissions unit providing the total fixed capital cost of the 

replacement part(s) does not exceed 50 percent of the fixed capital cost of an 

entirely new emissions unit and emissions are less than or equal to those from the 

original emissions unit.

A modification of an emissions unit also occurs when there is an increase in emissions 

from such unit caused by a modification of the stationary source and the emissions unit 

is not subject to a daily emissions limitation. 

A modification to a stationary source e shall include any modification of its permitted 

emissions unit or addition of any new emissions units.

A reconstructed stationary source shall be treated as a new stationary source and not 

as a modification.

MOTOR VEHICLE: a vehicle that is self propelled as defined in the California Vehicle 

Code, Division I, Section 415. Any self-propelled vehicle, but not limited to, cars, trucks, 

buses, golf carts, vans, motorcycles, tanks, and armored personnel carriers.

MOBILE SOURCE EMISSION REDUCTION CREDIT (MSERC) PROGRAM: as 

recognized by the California Air Resources Board, any activity undertaken by a person 

which produces actual mobile source emission reductions within Imperial County for 

purposes of establishing ERC=s pursuant to Rules 214 and 214.1. A program can be a 

one time action, a series of one time actions or a continuous set of actions.

MOBILE SOURCE EMISSION REDUCTION CREDIT (MSERC) REGISTRY: a tracking 

maintained by the District which records all MSERC deposits, withdrawals, transfers 

and transactions as required by Rule 214.1.

MULTI-COLOR COATING: a coating that is packaged in a single container and that is 

labeled and formulated to exhibits more than one color when applied in a single coat.
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For purposes of Rule 427, means any coating that exhibits more than one color in the 

dried film after a single application, is packaged in a single container, and hides surface 

defects on areas of heavy use, and which is applied over a primer or adhesion 

promoter.

MULTIPLE-CHAMBER INCINERATOR: any article, machine, equipment, contrivance, 

structure or any part of a structure used to dispose of combustible refuse by burning, 

consisting of three or more refractory walls, interconnected by gas passage ports or 

ducts, and employing adequate design parameters necessary for maximum combustion 

of the material to be burned.

NO-BURN DAY: any day on which agricultural burning is prohibited by the California Air 

Resources Board or by the District.

NO-BURN LIST: a list of fields for which ERC's have been applied and on which burning 

will not be allowed.

NONATTAINMENT AREA: means for an air pollutant, an area which is shown by 

monitored data or which is calculated by air quality modeling (or other methods 

determined by the administrator to be reliable) to exceed a state or national ambient air 

quality standard for such pollutant, or an area designated by state or federal agency as 

exceeding state or federal air quality standards.

NONATTAINMENT POLLUTANT: any pollutant or precursor for which an area within 

the District boundaries has been designated "nonattainment" pursuant to final 

rule-making by the Environmental Protection Agency published in the federal register, or 

that has been designated nonattainment by the Air Resources Board pursuant to 

section 39607 of the Health and Safety Code.

NONFLAT COATING: a coating that is not defined under any other definition in this rule

rule 424, Architectural Coatings and that registers a gloss of 15 or greater on an 85-

degree meter and 5 or greater on a 60-degree meter according to ASTM Designation D 

5235-89 (1999), incorporated by reference in r Rule 424, Architectural Coatings, 

subsection G.5.c D.6.c.

NONFLAT- HIGH GLOSS COATING: a nonflat coating that registers a gloss of 70 or 

above greater on a 60-degree meter according to ASTM Designation D 523-89 (1999), 

incorporated by reference in r Rule 424, Architectural Coating, subsection G.5.c. D.6.c. 

Nonflat – High Gloss coatings must be labeled in accordance with Rule 424, 

Architectural Coating, subsection E.10.

NON-PERMITTED EMISSIONS: for the purpose of Rule 214, non-permitted emissions 

are emissions which are not governed under a District permit.

NONINDUSTRIAL USE: nonindustrial use means any use of architectural coatings 

except in the construction or maintenance of any of the following: facilities used in the 
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manufacturing of goods and commodities; transportation infrastructure, including 

highways, bridges, airports and railroads; facilities used in mining activities, including 

petroleum extraction; and utilities infrastructure, including power generation and 

distribution, and water treatment and distribution systems.

OFFSET: the use of an emission decrease to compensate for an emission increase of 

an affected pollutant from a new or modified source subject to the requirements of the 

New Source Review Rule.

OFFSET FILL LINE: any liquid fill line which contains one or more pipe bends, and the 

horizontal distance between the truck delivery connection and the storage container fill 

opening is 6.1 meters (20 feet) or greater.

OIL-EFFLUENT WATER SEPARATOR: any device or piece of equipment used to 

remove petroleum compounds or associated chemicals from effluent water

OPACITY: the degree to which emissions reduce the transmission of light and obscure 

the view of the background.

OPAQUE STAINS: all stains that are not classified as semitransparent stains.

OPAQUE WOOD PRESERVATIVES: all wood preservatives not classified as clear or 

semi-transparent wood preservatives or as below ground wood preservatives.

OPEN BURNING IN AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS IN THE GROWING OF CROPS 

OR RAISING OF FOWLS OR ANIMALS:

1. the burning in the open of materials produced wholly from operations in the 

growing and harvesting of crops or raising of fowls or animals for the primary 

purpose of making a profit, of providing a livelihood, or of conducting agricultural 

research or instruction by an educational institution; and

2. the burning of grass and weeds in or adjacent to fields in cultivation or being 

prepared for cultivation in connection with operations qualifying under 1 above; and

3. the burning of materials not produced wholly from such operations, but which are 

intimately related to the growing or harvesting of crops and which are used in the 

fields, except as prohibited by District regulations. Examples are trays for drying 

raisins, date palm protection paper, and fertilizer and pesticide sacks or 

combustible containers, where the sacks or combustible containers are emptied in 

the field, or other reasonable nearby location under the direct control of the farm 

operator. This does not include products made from rubber. 

OPEN OUTDOOR FIRE: the complete or partial burning or smoldering of any 

combustible refuse or other material of any type, directly exposed to the atmosphere, 

whether or not enclosed in a fireproof container, where the products of combustion are 
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not channeled through a flue.

OPEN-TOP VAPOR DEGREASER: any batch loaded, boiling organic solvent 

degreaser.

ORCHARD OR CITRUS GROVE HEATER: any article, machine, equipment, or other 

contrivance, burning any type of fuel, capable of emitting air contaminants, used or 

capable of being used for the purpose of giving protection from frost damage. 

Contrivances commonly known as wind machines are not included.

ORGANIC CONTENT: for purposes of Rule 412, degree of contamination used to limit 

daily rate contaminated soil may be added to an active soil aeration pile.

ORGANIC MATERIALS: chemical compounds of carbon excluding carbon monoxide, 

carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbonates and ammonium carbonate. 

ORGANIC SOLVENTS: include diluents and thinners and are defined as organic 

materials which are liquids at standard conditions and which are used as dissolvers, 

viscosity reducers, or cleaning agents.

OTHER CATTLE FACILITY: a CAF housing cattle which does not meet the definition of 

a Beef Feedlot or Dairy.

OWNER OR OPERATOR: includes, but is not limited to, any person who owns, leases, 

supervises or operates equipment.

PARCEL: a legally subdivided piece of land or combined lands under common 

ownership.

PARTICLEBOARD: a composite wood product panel, molding, or other building 

material composed of cellulosic material (usually wood) in the form of discrete particles, 

as distinguished from fibers, flakes, or strands, which are pressed together with resin.

PARTICULATE MATTER: any material, except uncombined water, which exists in a 

finely divided form as a liquid or solid at standard conditions. Dust shall also be 

considered as particulate matter.

PARTICULATE MATTER (PM10): particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter 

equal to or less than 10 micrometers.

PASSENGER CAR: Aany motor vehicle designed primarily for transportation of persons 

and having a design capacity of twelve persons or less@ (13 CCR '1900.)

PEARLESCENT: exhibiting various colors depending on the angles of illumination and 

viewing, as observed in mother-of-pearl.
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PERMANENT: emission reductions that are enduring and enforceable for the duration 

of the credit life.

PERMISSIVE-BURN DAY: any day on which agricultural burning is not prohibited by 

the California Air Resources Board or the District.

PERMIT TO OPERATE: the written permit issued by the Imperial County Air Pollution 

Control District for the operation of any facility, article, machine, equipment, or other 

contrivance.

PERSON: shall have the same meaning as defined in Health and Safety Code section 

39047 and is any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business trust, 

corporation, company, limited liability company, contractor, supplier, installer, user or 

owner, or any federal, state or local government agency, public district, or any officer or 

employee thereof.

PHASE I VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM: a system which recovers the hydrocarbon 

vapors resulting from the transfer of reactive organic compounds into a stationary tank 

or mobile transport tank.

PHASE II VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM: a gasoline vapor recovery system that 

recovers vapors during the fueling of motor vehicles from stationary storage tanks.

PHOTOCHEMICALLY REACTIVE SOLVENT: any solvent with an aggregate of more 

than 20 percent of its total volume composed of the chemical compounds classified 

below or which exceeds any of the following individual percentage composition 

limitations, referred to the total volume of solvent:

1. A combination of hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ethers, or ketones 

having an olefinic or cyclo-olefinic type of unsaturation: 5 percent;

2. a combination of aromatic compounds with eight or more carbon atoms to the 

molecule except ethylbenzene: 8 percent;

3. a combination of ethylbenzene, ketones having branched hydrocarbon structures, 

or toluene: 20 percent.

PLYWOOD: a panel product consisting of layers of wood veneers or composite core 

pressed together with resin. Plywood includes panel products made by either hot or 

cold pressing (with resin) veneers to a platform.

POST-CONSUMER COATING: finished coatings generated by a business or consumer 

that have served their intended end uses, and are recovered from or otherwise diverted 

from the waste stream for the purpose of recycling.

a finished coating that would have been disposed of in a landfill, having completed its
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usefulness to a consumer, and does not include manufacturing wastes.

POTENTIAL EMISSIONS: the sum of the maximum emissions from all emissions units 

at a stationary source, based on the maximum design capacity, unless otherwise limited 

by enforceable conditions contained in the authority to construct and permit to operate, 

expressed in terms of pounds per quarter. (Pounds per quarter for PM10 and sulfur 

oxides shall be determined by multiplying the permitted emission level, pursuant to Rule 

207, in pounds per day, by the permitted operating days per quarter.)

POTENTIAL TO EMIT: the maximum capacity of an emissions unit to emit a regulated 

air pollutant based on its physical and operational design. Any physical or operational 

limitation on the capacity of the stationary source to emit a pollutant, including air 

pollution control equipment and restrictions on hours of operation or on the type or 

amount of material combusted, stored, or processed, shall be treated as part of its 

design if the limitation or the effect it would have on emissions is incorporated into the 

applicable permit as an enforceable permit condition.

POWER RATING: means the maximum, continuous power output of a Stationary Gas 

Turbine(s), in megawatts (MW) or equivalent, as certified by the manufacturer unless 

limited by a condition in a APCD Authority to Construct or a Permit to Operate. Power 

augmentation shall not be included in power rating.

PRECURSOR: a directly emitted air pollutant that, when released to the atmosphere, 

forms or causes to be formed or contributes to the formation of a secondary pollutant for 

which a state or national ambient air quality standard has been adopted, or whose 

presence in the atmosphere will contribute to the violation of one or more state or 

national ambient air quality standards. The following precursor-secondary pollutant 

relationships shall be used for the purposes of these regulations:

PRECURSORS SECONDARY POLLUTANTS

Hydrocarbons and substituted a) Photochemical Oxidant (Ozone)

hydrocarbons (reactive organic b) The organic fraction of PM10.

gases). 

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) a) Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

b) The nitrate fraction of PM10.

c) Photochemical Oxidant (Ozone)

Sulfur Oxides (SOx) a) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

b) Sulfates (SO4)

c) The sulfate fraction of PM10.

PREPREG COMPOSITE MATERIAL: for the purposes of Rule 425, means, a 

reinforcing material impregnated with partially polymerized organic resins and ready for 

application.
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PRESSURE TANK: a tank which maintains working pressure sufficient at all times to 

prevent hydrocarbon vapor or gas loss to the Atmosphere.

PRE-TREATMENT WASH PRIMER: a primer that contains a minimum of 0.5 percent 

acid, by weight, when tested in accordance with ASTM Designation D 1613-06 96, 

incorporated by reference in r Rule 424, Architectural Coatings, subsection G.5.e D.6.e 

of rule 424, Architectural Coatings, that is labeled and formulated for application directly 

to bare metal surfaces to provide corrosion resistance and to promote adhesion of 

subsequent topcoats.

PRETREATMENT COATING: any coating that contains a minimum of one-half (0.5) 

percent acid by weight and not more than 16 percent solids by weight necessary to 

provide surface etching and is labeled and formulated for application directly to bare 

metal surfaces to provide corrosion resistance and adhesion.

PRIMER, SEALER, AND UNDERCOATER: for purposes of Rule 424, Architectural 

Coatings, a primer, sealer, and undercoater is a coating labeled and formulated for one 

or more of the following purposes;

1. to provide a firm bond between the substrate and the subsequent coatings; or

2. to prevent subsequent coatings from being absorbed by the substrate; or

3. to prevent harm to subsequent coatings by materials in the substrate; or

4. to provide a smooth surface for the subsequent application of coatings; or

5. to provide a clear finish coat to seal the substrate; or

6. to block materials from penetrating into or leaching out of a substrate.

a coating labeled and formulated for application to a substrate to provide a firm bond 

between the substrate and subsequent coats.

PRIMER: for purposes of Rule 427, Automotive Refinishing Operations primer is any 

coating which is labeled and formulated for application to a substrate to provide:

1. a bond between the substrate and subsequent coats

2. corrosion resistance

3. a smooth substrate surface, or

4. resistance to penetration of subsequent coats, and on which a subsequent coating is 

applied.
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Primers may be pigmented.

PRIMER SEALER: for purposed of Rule 427, Automotive Refinishing Operations a 

primer sealer is any coating which is labeled and formulated for application prior to the 

application of a color coating for the purpose of color uniformity, or to promote the ability 

of the underlying coating to resist penetration by the color coating.

any coating applied prior to the application of a topcoat for the purpose of corrosion 

resistance, adhesion of the topcoat, color uniformity, and to promote the ability of an 

undercoat to resist penetration by the topcoat.

PRIMER SURFACER: any coating applied prior to the application of a topcoat for the 

purpose of corrosion resistance, adhesion of the topcoat, and which promotes a uniform 

surface by filling in surface imperfections.

PRIORITY RESERVE: a depository of emission reductions for loan to applicable priority 

sources for use as offsets pursuant to Rule 207.

PROCESS HEATER: means any combustion equipment fired with liquid and/or 

gaseous fuel and which transfers heat from the combustion gases to water or processes 

streams. Heaters used for swimming pools, spas and/or therapy pools shall be 

considered process heaters. “Process Heater” shall not include any combustion 

equipment where the material being heated is in direct contact with the products of 

combustion, such as Furnaces or Kilns, or any unfired waste heat recovery heater that 

is used to recover sensible heat from the exhaust of any combustion equipment.

PROCESS WEIGHT PER HOUR: the total weight of all materials introduced into any 

specific process which process may cause any discharge into the atmosphere. Solid 

fuels charged will be considered as part of the process weight, but liquid and gaseous 

fuels and combustion air will not. "The Process Weight Per Hour" will be derived by 

dividing the total process weight by the number of hours in one complete operation from 

the beginning of any given process to the completion thereof, excluding any time during 

which the equipment is idle. Cooling air and cooling water will not be considered as part 

of the process weight.

PROJECT: activity, for which a permit is required, or that has the potential to emit air 

contaminants.

PROPOSED EMISSIONS: the potential to emit for a new or post modification emissions 

unit.

QUANTIFIABLE: means a reliable and accurate basis for calculating the amount, rate, 

nature and characteristic of an emission reduction that can be established, considering 

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ARB and District policies and 

procedures. In addition, "quantifiable" emission reductions must estimate the amount of 

the reduction and characterize this reduction for future use. Quantification may be 
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based on emission factors, stack tests, monitored values, operating rates and averaging 

times, process or production inputs, modeling, or other reasonable measurable 

practices.

QUARTERLY: the calendar quarter beginning in January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 

1.

QUICK-DRY ENAMEL: a nonflat coating that is labeled as specified in rule 424, section 

C.8 and that is formulated to have the following characteristics:

1. is capable of being applied directly from the container under normal conditions with 

ambient temperatures between 60 and 80oF (16 and 27oC).

2. when tested in accordance with ASTM Designation D 1640-95, incorporated by 

reference in rule 424, Architectural Coatings, section D.6.f, sets to touch in 2 hours 

or less, is tack free in 4 hours or less, and dries hard in 8 hours or less by the 

mechanical test method; and

3. has a dried film gloss of 70 or above on a 60 degree meter.

QUICK-DRY PRIMER, SEALER AND UNDERCOAT: a primer, sealer or undercoat that 

is dry to the touch in 30 minutes and can be recoated in 2 hours when tested in 

accordance with ASTM Designation D 1640-95, incorporated by reference in rule 424, 

Architectural Coatings, section D.6.f.

RAINY PERIOD: for the purpose of rule 420, when the twenty-four (24) hour measured 

rainfall amount ending at 4 a.m. is between 0.20 inches and 0.75 inches.

RANGE IMPROVEMENT BURNING: the use of open outdoor fires to remove 

vegetation for a wildlife, game or livestock habitat or for the initial establishment of an 

agricultural practice on previously uncultivated land.

RATED BRAKE HORSEPOWER: The maximum rated brake horsepower specified for 

the engine by the manufacturer and listed on the nameplate for the unit, regardless of 

any derating, unless limited by the engine's Permit to Operate (PTO).

REACTIVE ORGANIC COMPOUND (ROC): any volatile compound containing carbon, 

except:

1. Acetone, ethane, methane, and inorganic compounds:

Acetone, ethane, methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, 

metallic carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate

2. Chlorinated compounds:
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1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)

methylene chloride (dichloromethane)

3. Chlorofluorocarbons:

trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11)

dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12)

1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113)

1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (CFC-114)

chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115)

4. Hydrofluorocarbons:

pentafluoroethane (HFC-125)

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134)

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a)

1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a)

1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a)

trifluoromethane (HFC-23)

5. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123)

2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124)

1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b)

1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b)

chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22)

6. Parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF)

7. Cyclic, branched or linear completely methylated siloxanes (VMS)

8. Perfluorocarbon compounds which fall into the following classes:

cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated alkanes, 

cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated ethers with no unsaturation,

cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated tertiary amines with no 

unsaturations, and sulfur containing perfluorocarbons with no unsaturations and 

with sulfur bonds only to carbon and fluorine.

Perflourocarbons and siloxanes shall be assumed to be absent from any product 

or process unless the manufacturer or operator indicates which specific, 

individual compounds from these broad classes are present, indicates the 

amount(s) present, and demonstrates the availability of a test method approved 

by the U.S. EPA, the ARB, and the District for verifying the amount(s) present 

quantitatively.
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

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REACTIVE PENETRATING SEALER: a clear or pigmented coating that is labeled and 

formulated for application to above-grade concrete and masonry substrates to provide 

protection from water and waterborne contaminants, including, but not limited to, alkalis, 

acids, and salts. Reactive Penetrating Sealers must penetrate into concrete and 

masonry substrates and chemically react to form covalent bonds with naturally 

occurring minerals in the substrate. Reactive Penetrating Sealers line the pores of 

concrete and masonry substrates with a hydrophobic coating, but do not form a surface 

film. Reactive Penetrating Sealers must meet all of the following criteria:

1. the Reactive Penetrating Sealer must improve water repellency at least 80 

percent after application on a concrete or masonry substrate. This performance 

must be verified on standardized test specimens, in accordance with one or more 

of the following standards, incorporated by reference in Rule 424, Architectural 

Coatings subsection E.5.t: ASTM C67-07, or ASTM C97-02, or ASTM C140-06; 

and

2. the Reactive Penetrating Sealer must not reduce the water vapor transmission 

rate by more than 2 percent after application on a concrete or masonry substrate. 

This performance must be verified on standardized test specimens in accordance 

with ASTM E96/E96M-05, incorporated by reference in Rule 424, Architectural 

Coatings subsection G.5.u; and

3. products labeled and formulated for vehicular traffic surface chloride screening 

applications must meet the performance criteria listed in the National 

Cooperative Highway Research Report 244 (1981), incorporated by reference in 

Rule 424, Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.v.

Reactive Penetrating Sealers must be labeled in accordance with Rule 424, 

Architectural Coatings subsection E.8

REAL: a "real" emission reduction means that actual air emissions are reduced and that 

they are actually occurring and not artificially devised.

REASONABLE FURTHER PROGRESS: annual incremental reductions in emissions 

required for the purpose of ensuring attainment of state or federal ambient air quality 

standards by the applicable date.

REASONABLY AVAILABLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY (RACT): is the most stringent 

of the following control options:

1. The most effective emission limits in existing regulations that are currently in effect 

in any District whose nonattainment status is designated as moderate, with such 

limits resulting from the application of retrofit technologies judged by the Air 

Pollution Control Officer to be demonstrated and reliable.
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2. Emission limits identified in existing Suggested Control Measures (SCMs), model 

rules, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency=s (EPA's) Control Techniques 

Guidelines (CTGs) or other such documents.

3. Emission limits in new (post 1988) suggested control measures and the technical 

review group of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association approved 

Reasonably Availability Control Technology/Best Available Retrofit Control 

Technology (RACT/BARCT) determinations, which are not identified as Best 

Available Control Technology, (BACT) and are less stringent than BACT.

4. The lowest emission limit that can be achieved by the specific source by the 

application of control technology taking into account environment impacts, 

technological feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and the specific design features or 

extent of necessary modifications to the source. Emission limits for existing 

specific sources may be found in the field studies and evaluations of District 

regulations conducted by EPA and ARB.

5. The lowest emission limit achieved for the source category that is technically 

feasible, economically reasonable and achieved in practice anywhere (including 

outside the U.S.), with such limits resulting from the application of retrofit control 

technologies judged by the Air Pollution Control Officer to be demonstrated and 

reliable.

6. Any combination of control technologies that will achieve emission reductions 

equivalent to that resulting from the most stringent option listed above.

REBUILT EQUIPMENT: for the purposes of Rule 415, means any component of a 

vapor recovery system that has undergone repair or replacement of any or all of its 

internal parts. 

RECONSTRUCTED STATIONARY SOURCE: any stationary source undergoing 

physical modification where the fixed capital cost of the new components exceeds 50 

percent of the fixed capital cost of a comparable entirely new stationary source. Fixed 

capital cost means that capital needed to provide all the depreciable components.

RECYCLED COATING: an architectural coating formulated such that it contains a 

minimum of 50% by volume post-consumer coating, with a maximum of 50% by volume 

secondary industrial materials or virgin materials.

not less than 50 percent of the total weight consists of secondary and post-consumer 

coating, with not less than 10 percent of the total weight consisting of post-consumer 

coating.

REDUCER: the solvent used to thin enamel.

REDUCTION OF ANIMAL MATTER: processing animal matter by any process, 
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including rendering, cooking, drying, dehydration, digestion, and evaporation, but not 

including any processing of food for human consumption.

REFINISHING: any coating of vehicles, their parts and components, or mobile 

equipment, including partial body collision repairs, for the purpose of protection or 

beautification and which is subsequent to the original coating applied at an original 

equipment manufacturing (OEM) plant coating assembly line.

REMOTE RESERVOIR: liquid organic solvent tank which is completely enclosed except 

for a solvent return opening no larger than 100 cm2 (15 in2) which allow used organic 

solvent to drain into it from a separate organic solvent sink or work area and which is 

not accessible for soaking parts.

RESIDENTIAL: areas where people reside or lodge, including, but not limited to, single 

and multiple family dwellings, condominiums, mobile homes, apartment complexes, 

motels, and hotels.

RESIDENTIAL RUBBISH: refuse originating from residential uses and includes wood, 

paper, cloth, cardboard, tree trimmings, leaves, lawn clippings, and dry plants, but not 

household garbage.

RETAIL FACILITY OR RETAIL SERVICE STATION: is any motor vehicle refueling 

facility subject to payment of California sales tax on gasoline sales.

RICH BURN ENGINE: Any spark or compression ignited internal combustion engine 

that is operated with an exhaust gas stream oxygen concentration of less than four 

percent (4%) by volume. The exhaust gas oxygen content shall be determined from the 

uncontrolled exhaust gas stream.

ROAD OILS: slow cure asphalts.

ROC ANALYZER: hydrocarbon analyzer satisfying U.S. EPA Method 21, 40 CFR Part 

60.

ROOF COATING: a non-bituminous coating labeled and formulated exclusively for 

application to roofs for the primary purpose of preventing water penetration, of the 

substrate by water or reflecting heat and ultraviolet light radiation., or reflecting solar 

radiation. Metallic pigmented roof coatings which qualify as metallic pigmented coatings 

shall not be considered to be in this category, but shall be considered to be in the 

metallic pigmented coatings category.

RULE: a rule of the Air Pollution Control District of Imperial County.

RUST PREVENTATIVE COATING: a coating formulated to prevent the corrosion of 

metal surfaces for one or more of the following applications:
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1. Direct-to-metal coating; or

2. Coating intended for application over rusty, previously coated surfaces.

The Rust Preventative category does not include the following:

3. Coatings that are required to be applied as a topcoat over a primer; or

4. Coatings that are intended for use on wood or any other non-metallic surface.

Rust Preventative coatings are for metal substrates only and must be labeled as such, 

in accordance with the labeling requirements in Rule 424, Architectural Coatings 

subsection E.6.

SANDING SEALER: a clear or semi-transparent wood coating labeled and formulated 

for application to bare wood to seal the wood and to provide a coat that can be abraded 

to create a smooth surface for subsequent applications of coatings. A sanding sealer 

that also meets the definition of a lacquer is not included in this category, but is included 

in the lacquer category.

SEALER: a coating labeled and formulated for application to a substrate for one or more 

of the following purposes: to prevent subsequent coatings from being absorbed by the 

substrate, or to prevent harm to subsequent coatings by materials in the substrate.

SEASONAL SOURCE: any stationary source with more than 75 percent of its annual 

operating hours within a consecutive 120 day period.

SECONDARY EMISSIONS: for the purposes of Rule 207, means emissions which 

would occur as a result of the construction or operation of a stationary source or 

modification, but do not come from the stationary source or modification itself. 

Secondary emissions must be specific, well defined, quantifiable, and impact the same 

general area as the stationary source or modification which causes the secondary 

emissions. Secondary emissions include emissions from any offsite support facility 

which would not be constructed or increase its emissions except as a result of the 

construction or operation of the stationary source. Secondary emissions do not include 

any emissions which come directly from a mobile source such as emissions from the 

tailpipe of a motor vehicle, from a train, or from a vessel.

SECONDARY INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS: products or by-products of the paint 

manufacturing process that are of known composition and have economic value but can 

no longer be used for their intended purpose.

SEMITRANSPARENT COATING: a coating that contains binders and colored pigments 

and is formulated to change the color of the surface, but not conceal the grain pattern or 

texture.
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SEMI-TRANSPARENT STAINS: coatings which are formulated to change the color of a 

surface but not conceal the surface.

SEMI-TRANSPARENT WOOD PRESERVATIVES: wood preservative stains formulated 

and used to protect exposed wood from decay or insect attack by the addition of a wood 

preservative chemical registered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 

which change the color of a surface but do not conceal the surface, including clear 

wood preservatives.

SHELLAC: a clear or opaque coating formulated solely with the resinous secretions of 

the lac beetle (Laciffer lacca), thinned with alcohol, and formulated to dry by evaporation 

without a chemical reaction.

SHOP APPLICATION: application of a coating to a product or a component of a product 

in or on the premises of a factory or a shop as part of a manufacturing, production, or 

repairing process (e.g., original equipment manufacturing coatings).

SHUTDOWN: means an action necessary to cease operation of a unit and includes the 

amount of time needed to safely do so. fFor the purposes of calculating emission 

reduction credits, means the permanent cessation of emissions from an emitting unit.

SINGLE-STAGE COATING: any pigmented coating, excluding primers and multi-color 

coatings, labeled and formulated for application without a subsequent clear coat. 

Single-stage coatings include single-stage metallic/iridescent coatings.

SOAP BUBBLE SCORE: the magnitude of a leak as indicated by the size of bubble 

formation resulting from spraying the suspected area with a standard solution. Soap 

scores are assigned following six seconds of observation as follows:

Soap Score Estimate Bubble Volume (cc/6 Sec.)

0 No detectable bubbling 

1 0 to 1 cc per 6 sec. 

2 1 to 10 cc per 6 sec. 

3 10 to 100 cc per 6 sec. 

4 Greater than 100 cc per 6 sec.

SOLICIT: to require for use or to specify, by written or oral contract.

SOLVENT: a VOC-containing fluid used to perform cleaning operations.

SOURCE: a specific device, article, or piece of equipment from which air contaminants 

are emitted, or the distinct place (such as with fires or other chemical activity) from 

which air pollutants are emitted. A project or facility may have more than one source 

and the term may be used to describe a group of "sources."
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SPACE VEHICLE: a vehicle designed for use beyond the earth's atmosphere.

SPECIALTY COATING: a coating used for limited, specialty applications, such as 

camouflage coatings or extreme performance coatings. Such coatings frequently have 

no complying counterpart, and often must be used due to fulfill specific performance 

requirements of the particular coating application.

SPECIALTY PRIMER, SEALER, AND UNDERCOATER: a coating labeled as specified 

in rule 424, Architectural Coatings, subsection C.7 and that is formulated for application 

to a substrate to block water-soluble stains resulting from: fire damage; smoke damage; 

or water damage.

Specialty Primers, Sealers, and Undercoaters must be labeled in accordance with Rule 

424, Architectural Coatings subsection E.7.

seal fire, smoke or water damage; to condition excessively chalky surfaces, or to block 

stains. An excessively chalky surface is one that is defined as having a chalk rating of 

four or less as determined by ASTM Designation D 4214-98, incorporated by reference 

in rule 424, Architectural Coatings, section D.6.g.

SPOT/PANEL REPAIR: repair of an area on a motor vehicle, piece of mobile 

equipment, or associated parts or components of less than 1 square foot (929 square 

centimeters). 

the non-assembly line process of repairing and restoring a portion of motor vehicle to 

pre-damaged condition.

SPRAY SAFETY SWITCH: safety switch which cuts off spray applicator pump if vapor 

level drops below a specific level.

STACK-GAS OXYGEN SYSTEM: means a system of monitors that is used to maintain 

excess air at the desired level. A typical system consists of a flue gas oxygen and/or 

carbon monoxide monitor that automatically provides a feedback signal to the 

combustion air controller.

STAIN: a clear, semitransparent, or opaque coating labeled and formulated to change

the color of a surface but not conceal the grain pattern or texture.

STANDARD CONDITIONS: a gas temperature of 60 degrees fahrenheit and a gas 

pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute. Results of all analyses and tests 

shall be calculated or reported at this gas temperature and pressure.

STARTUP: means an action necessary to begin operation of a unit and includes the 

amount of time needed for a unit and ancillary equipment to achieve stable operation.

STATE BOARD: the California Air Resources Board, or any person authorized to act 
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on its behalf.

STATIONARY GAS TURBINE(S): means any gas turbine system, with or without power 

augmentation, which is permanently attached to a foundation, or is not a portable gas 

turbine. Two or more gas turbines powering a common shaft shall be treated as one 

gas turbine. 

STATIONARY SOURCE: any building, structure, facility, equipment, or emissions unit 

which emits or may emit any affected pollutant directly or as a fugitive emission. 

Building, structure, or facility includes all pollutant emitting activities, including emissions 

units, which:

1. are located on one or more contiguous or adjacent properties, and

2. are under the same or common ownership or operation, or which are owned or 

operated by entities which are under common control, and

3. belong to the same industrial grouping either by virtue of falling within the same 

two-digit standard industrial classification code or by virtue of being part of a 

common industrial process, manufacturing process, or connected process 

involving a common raw material.

STATIONARY TANK: any tank, reservoir or other container used to store, but not 

transport, reactive organic compounds.

STENCIL COATING: for the purposes of Rule 425, means an ink or coating which is 

rolled, sprayed with an airbrush or a touch-up gun with capacity of 8 ounces (236.4 ml) 

or less, or brushed using a template to add identifying letters and/or numbers to 

aerospace components.

STONE CONSOLIDANT: a coating that is labeled and formulated for application to 

stone substrates to repair historical structures that have been damaged by weathering 

or other decay mechanisms. Stone Consolidants must penetrate into stone substrates 

to create bonds between particles and consolidate deteriorated material. Stone 

Consolidants must be specified and used in accordance with ASTM E2167-01, 

incorporated by reference in Rule 424, Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.w.

Stone Consolidants are for professional use only and must be labeled as such, in 

accordance with the labeling requirements in Rule 424, Architectural Coatings 

subsection E.9.

STRIPPER: a reactive organic compound liquid applied to remove a maskant, paint, 

paint residue or temporary protective coating.

SUBMERGED FILL PIPE: any permanent fill pipe which has its discharge opening 

entirely submerged when the liquid level is six inches above the bottom of the tank. 
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ASubmerged fill pipe@ when applied to a tank which is loaded from the side means any 

fill pipe which has its discharge opening entirely submerged when the liquid level is 18 

inches above the bottom of the tank. 

SURFACE PREPARATION SOLVENT: any solvent used primarily for the conditioning 

of a surface to receive a coating.

SURPLUS: emission reductions in excess of any emission reduction which is:

1. required by any adopted federal, state or District law, regulation, rule, agreement 

or order or

2. attributed to a control measure noticed for workshop in the District or proposed or 

contained in the State Implementation Plan or

3. attributed to a control measure that is included in the adoption schedule of the 

District Air Quality Attainment Plan as adopted by the Air Pollution Control Board 

or

4. not achieved by the use of vehicle registration surcharge fees.

5. emission reductions produced by monies from any public air quality related 

funding program including but not limited to the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality 

Standards Attainment Program.

SWIMMING POOL COATING: a coating labeled and formulated to coat the interior of 

swimming pools and to resist swimming pool chemicals. Swimming pool coatings 

included coatings used for swimming pool repair and maintenance.

SWIMMING POOL REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE COATING: a rubber based coating 

labeled and formulated to be used over existing rubber based coatings for the repair 

and maintenance of swimming pools.

SWITCH LOADING: the loading of organic liquids with a Reid vapor pressure of less 

than 4.0 pounds into a delivery vessel where the previous load was gasoline.

TACK COAT: any application of asphalt applied to an existing surface to provide a bond 

between new surfacing and an existing surface and to eliminate slippage planes where 

the new and existing surfaces meet.

TANK REPLACEMENT: the replacement of one or more stationary gasoline storage 

tanks at an existing gasoline dispensing facility, or, the excavation of 50 percent or more 

of an existing gasoline dispensing facility's total underground liquid gasoline piping from 

the stationary storage tanks to the gasoline dispensers.

TEMPERATURE-INDICATOR SAFETY COATING: a coating labeled and formulated as 
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a color-changing indicator coating for the purpose of monitoring the temperature and 

safety of the substrate, underlying piping, or underlying equipment, and for application 

to substrates exposed continuously or intermittently to temperatures above 400F 

(204C).

TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE COATING: any coating which is labeled and formulated 

for the purpose of temporarily protecting areas from overspray or mechanical damage. 

a coating applied to an aerospace component to protect it from mechanical and 

environmental damage during manufacturing and shipping.

THERMAL OXIDIZER: means combustion equipment fired with gaseous fuel and used 

to control emissions of air contaminants from industrial or commercial processes.

THERMO CONTROL COATING: a coating applied to space vehicle components to 

reflect heat and formulated to give specific heat reflectance, absorption and emissivity 

properties, or a coating required for aerospace engine components to delay component 

failure due to fire.

TINT BASE: an architectural coating to which colorant is added after packaging in sale 

units to produce a desired color.

TOPCOAT: a coating applied over a primer as the final coat for purposes such as 

appearance, identification, or protection.

TOTAL REDUCED SULFUR COMPOUNDS: the sulfur compounds methyl mercaptan, 

dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide.

TOUCH-UP COATING: for the purposes of Rule 425, means a coating that is used for 

that portion of the coating operation which is incidental to the main coating process but 

necessary to cover minor imperfection or to achieve coverage as required. A touch-up 

coating may include small amounts of solvent, applied by hand, used to attach coating 

patches exhibiting inadequate adhesion.

TOXIC AIR CONTAMINANT: an air pollutant which may cause or contribute to an 

increase in mortality or an increase in serious illness or which may pose a present or 

potential hazard to human health. This includes, but is not limited to, hazardous air 

pollutants listed in Section 112(b) of the Clean Air Act, which is incorporated by 

reference.

TRAFFIC MARKING COATING: a coating labeled and formulated for marking and 

striping streets, highways, or other traffic surfaces including, but not limited to, curbs, 

berms, driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, and airport runways.

TRANSFER: in reference to emission reduction credits, means the conveyance of an 

emission reduction credit from one entity to another
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TREATED BRUSH: material to be burned that has been felled, crushed or uprooted 

with mechanical equipment, or desiccated with herbicides.

TRANSFER EFFICIENCY: for the purposes of these rules, is the amount of coating 

solids adhering to the object being coated divided by the total amount of coating solids 

sprayed, expressed as a percentage.

means the ratio of the weight or volume of coating solids adhering to the part being 

coated to the weight or volume of coating solids used in the application process, 

expressed as a percentage.

TRUCK BED LINER COATING: any coating, excluding clear, color, multi-color, and 

single stage coatings, labeled and formulated for application to a truck bed to protect it 

from surface abrasion.

TUB AND TILE REFINISH COATING: a clear or opaque coating that is labeled and 

formulated exclusively for refinishing the surface of a bathtub, shower, sink, or 

countertop. Tub and Tile Refinish coatings must meet all of the following criteria:

1. the coating must have a scratch hardness of 3H or harder and a gouge hardness 

of 4H or harder. This must be determined on bonderite 1000, in accordance with 

ASTM D3363-05, incorporated by reference in Rule 424, Architectural Coatings 

subsection G.5.o,; and

2. the coating must have a weight loss of 20 milligrams or less after 1000 cycles. 

This must be determined with CS-17 wheels on bonderite 1000, in accordance 

with ASTM D4060-07 incorporated by reference in Rule 424, Architectural 

Coatings subsection G.5.p; and

3. the coating must withstand 1000 hours or more of exposure with few or no #8 

blisters. This must be determined on unscribed bonderite, in accordance with 

ASTM D4585-99 and ASTM D714-02e1, incorporated by reference in Rule 424, 

Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.q; and

4. the coating must have an adhesion rating of 4B or better after 24 hours of 

recovery. This must be determined on unscribed bonderite, in accordance with 

ASTM D4585-99 and ASTM D3359-02, incorporated by reference in Rule 424, 

Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.n. 

ULTRASONIC: enhancement of cleaning process by vibrating organic solvent with high 

frequency sound waves, causing implosion of microscopic vapor cavities within liquid 

organic solvent.

UNDERBODY COATING: any coating labeled and formulated for application to wheel 

wells, the inside of door panels or fenders, the underside of a trunk or hood, or the
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

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underside of the motor vehicle.

UNDERCOATER: a coating labeled and formulated to provide a smooth surface for 

subsequent coatings.

UNIFORM FINISH COATING: any coating labeled and formulated for application to the 

area around a spot repair for the purpose of blending a repaired area’s color or clear 

coat to match the appearance of an adjacent area’s existing coating.

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (U.S. EPA): the 

administrator or appropriate delegate of the "United States Environmental Protection 

Agency."

UNRESERVED FUNDBALANCE: the excess of the assets of a governmental fund or 

trust fund over its liabilities and fund balance reserved accounts.

UPWIND: the area bounded by a line drawn perpendicular to the predominant wind flow 

line passing through or nearest to the site of the new source or modification and 

extending to the boundaries of the same or adjoining counties within the same air basin 

except where the Air Pollution Control Officer determines that for reasons of topography 

or meteorology such a definition is inappropriate. For the purposes of Rule 207, means 

the area bounded by a line passing through the site of the new or modified source 

perpendicular to the predominant summer wind flow line and extending to the 

boundaries of the same air basin in the direction opposite the predominant summer 

wind flow, except where the Air Pollution Control Officer determines that for reasons of 

topography or meteorology such a definition is inappropriate.

VALID: Under the provisions of this rule, as long as the certification is current and does 

not exceed the maximum hours. 

VAPOR LEVEL CONTROL THERMOSTAT: safety switch which turns off sump heater if 

temperature rises above design operating level at center of air-vapor interface.

VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM: a vapor-gathering system capable of collecting organic 

vapors and gases emitted during the operation of equipment.

VAPOR TIGHT: for the purposes of Rule 415, means a leak of less than 100 percent of 

the lower explosive limit on a combustible gas detector measured at a distance of 2.5 

cm (1 in) from the source or no visible evidence of air entrainment in the sight glasses of 

liquid delivery hoses.

VARIANCE: an authorization by the Hearing Board to permit for a specified limited 

period of time some act contrary to the requirements specified by these rules and 

regulations.

VARNISH: a clear or semi-transparent wood coating, excluding lacquers and shellacs, 
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formulated to dry by chemical reaction on exposure to air. Varnishes may contain small 

amounts of pigment to color a surface, or to control the final sheen or gloss of the finish.

VEHICLE CLASS: either a passenger car, light duty truck, medium duty vehicle or 

heavy duty vehicle as defined in 13 CCR '1900.

VENEER: thin sheets of wood peeled or sliced from logs for use in the manufacture of 

wood products such as plywood, laminated veneer lumber, or other products.

VIRGIN MATERIALS: materials that contain no post-consumer coatings or secondary 

industrial materials.

VOLATILE FUEL: any fuel having a Reid vapor pressure of greater than 3.0 pounds per 

square inch when tested pursuant to the American Society of Testing and Materials 

(ASTM) Reid Vapor Pressure test method, or having a true vapor pressure of greater 

than 3.0 pounds per square inch absolute at 100°F if the ASTM Reid Vapor Pressure 

test is not applicable.

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC): any volatile compound containing at least 

one atom of carbon, excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic 

carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate, and excluding the following:

1. methane;

methylene chloride (dichloromethane);

1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform);

trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11);

dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12);

1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113);

1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (CFC-114);

chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115);

cholrodifluoromethane (HCFC-22);

1,1,1-trifluoro-2,2-dichloroethane (HCFC-123);

2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124);

1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b);

1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b);

trifluoromethane (HFC-23);

pentafluoroethane (HFC-125);

1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134);

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a);

1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a);

1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a);

cyclic, branched, or linear completely methylated siloxanes;

the following classes of perfluorocarbons:

(A) cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated alkanes;

(B) cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated ethers with no 
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

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unsaturations;

(C) cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated tertiary amines with no 

unsaturations; and

(D) sulfur-containing perfluorocarbons with no unsaturations and with the 

sulfur bonds only to carbon and fluorine; and

2. the following low-reactive organic compounds which have been exempted by the 

U.S. EPA:

acetone;

ethane;

parachlorobenzotrifluoride (1-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl benzene);

perchloroethylene; and

methyl acetate.

VOC ACTUAL: VOC Actual is the weight of VOC per volume of coating and it is 

calculated with the following equation:

VOC Actual = (Ws-Ww-Wec)

(Vm)

Where:

VOC Actual = the grams of VOC per liter of coating (also known as “Material 

VOC”)

Ws = weight of volatiles, in grams

Ww = weight of water, in grams

Wec = weight of exempt compounds, in grams

Vm = volume of coating, in liters

VOC CONTENT: the weight of VOC per volume of coating. VOC Content is VOC 

Regulatory, as defined within this rule under VOC Regulatory, for all coatings except 

those in the Low Solids category. For coatings in the Low Solids category, the VOC 

Content is VOC Actual, as defined within this rule under VOC Actual. If the coating is a 

multi-component product, the VOC content is VOC Regulatory as mixed or catalyzed. If 

the coating contains silanes, siloxanes, or other ingredients that generate ethanol or 

other VOCs during the curing process, the VOC content must include the VOCs emitted 

during curing.

, calculated according to the procedures specified in rule 424, subsection D.1.

VOC REGULATORY: VOC Regulatory is the weight of VOC per volume of coating, less 

the volume of water and exempt compounds. It is calculated with the following 

equation:

VOC Regulatory = (Ws-Ww-Wec)

(Vm-Vw-Vec)
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Where:

VOC Regulatory = grams of VOC per liter of coating, less water and exempt 

compounds (also known as “Coating VOC”)

Ws = weight of volatiles, in grams

Ww = weight of water, in grams

Wec = weight of exempt compounds, in grams

Vm = volume of coating, in liters

Vw = volume of water, in liters

Vec = volume of exempt compounds, in liters

WASTE HEAT RECOVERY BOILER: means waste heat recovery boilers used to 

recover sensible heat from unfired waste heat recovery boilers and from the exhaust of 

any combustion equipment.

WATER TREATMENT ADDITIVES: any combination of chemicals used to treat cooling 

tower water. They include, but are not limited to, corrosion inhibitors antiscalants, 

dispersants and biocides.

WATERPROOFING CONCRETE/MASONRY SEALER: a clear or pigmented filmforming coating that is labeled and formulated for sealing concrete and masonry to 

provide resistance against water, alkalis, acids, ultraviolet light, and staining.

WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE: a clear or opaque coating that is labeled and 

formulated for application to concrete and masonry surfaces to provide a seamless 

waterproofing membrane that prevents any penetration of liquid water into the 

substrate. Waterproofing Membranes are intended for the following waterproofing 

applications: below-grade surfaces, between concrete slabs, inside tunnels, inside 

concrete planters, and under flooring materials. Waterproofing Membranes must meet 

the following criteria:

1. coating must be applied in a single coat of at least 25 mils (at least 0.025 inch) 

dry film thickness; and

2. coatings must meet or exceed the requirements contained in ASTM C836-06, 

incorporated by reference in Rule 424, Architectural Coatings subsection G.5.r.

The Waterproofing Membrane category does not include topcoats that are included in 

the Concrete/Masonry Sealer category (e.g., parking deck topcoats, pedestrian deck 

topcoats, etc.).

WATERPROOFING SEALER: a coating labeled and formulated for application to a 

porous subsrate for the primary purpose of preventing the penetration of water.

WIPE CLEANING: method of cleaning which utilizes a cloth, cotton swab or other 

material, wetted with a organic solvent, which is physically rubbed on surface to be 

degreased.
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 101

101-49

WOOD COATINGS: coatings labeled and formulated for application to wood substrates 

only. The Wood Coatings category includes the following clear and semitransparent 

coatings: lacquers; varnishes; sanding sealers; penetrating oils; clear stains; wood 

conditioners used as undercoats; and wood sealers used as topcoats. The Wood 

Coatings category also includes the following opaque wood coatings: opaque lacquers; 

opaque sanding sealers; and opaque lacquer undercoaters. The Wood Coatings 

category does not include the following: clear sealers that are labeled and formulated 

for use on concrete/masonry surfaces; or coatings intended for substrates other than 

wood.

Wood Coatings must be labeled “For Wood Substrates Only”, in accordance with Rule 

424, Architectural Coatings subsection E.11

WOOD PRESERVATIVE: a coating labeled and formulated to protect exposed wood 

from decay or insect attackh, that is registered with both the U.S. EPA under the 

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 United States Code (U.S.C.) 

Section 136, et seq.) and with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

WOOD SUBSTRATE: a substrate made of wood, particleboard, plywood, medium 

density fiberboard, rattan, wicker, bamboo, or composite products with exposed wood 

grain. Wood Products do not include items comprised of simulated wood.

ZINC-RICH PRIMER: a coating that meets all of the following specifications:

1. coating contains at least 65 percent metallic zinc powder or zinc dust by weight 

of total solids; and

2. coating is formulated for application to metal substrates to provide a firm bond 

between the substrate and subsequent applications of coatings; and

3. coating is intended for professional use only and is labeled as such, in 

accordance with the labeling requirements in Rule 424, Architectural Coatings 

subsection E.12.
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424-1

RULE 424 ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS 

(Adopted 11/9/82; revised 9/14/99; 01/11/2005; __/__/2010)

A. Applicability

Except as provided in subsection A.1C, this rule is applicable to any person who 

supplies, sells, offers for sale, or manufactures, blends, or repackages any 

architectural coating for use within the District, as well as any person who applies 

or solicits the application of any architectural coating within the District. Terms 

applicable to this rule are defined in Rule 101 - Definitions.

B. Severability

Each provision of this rule shall be deemed severable, and in the event that any 

provision of this rule is held to be invalid, the remainder of this rule shall continue 

in full force and effect.

C. A.1 Exemptions

The requirements of this rule do not apply to:

C.1A.1.aAny architectural coatings that are supplied, sold, offered for sale, 

or manufactured for use outside of the District or for shipment to 

other manufacturers for reformulation or repackaging.

C.2A.1.bAny aerosol coating product

C.3A.1.c With the exception of section F, this rule does not apply to A any 

architectural coating that is sold in a container with a volume of 

one liter (1.057 quart) or less.

B D. Standards

DB.1 VOC Content Limits: Except as provided in subsections D.2 or D.3 B.2, 

B.3, and B.8, no person shall: (i) manufacture, blend, or repackage for 

sale use within the district; or (ii) supply, sell, or offer for sale for use within 

the district; or (iii) solicit for application or apply within the district, any 

architectural coating with a VOC content in excess of the corresponding 

limit specified in Table 424-1, after the specified effective date in Table 

424-1. Limits are expressed as VOC Regulatory, thinned to the 

manufacturer’s maximum thinning recommendation, excluding any 

colorant added to tint bases. 

 DB.2 Most Restrictive VOC Limit: If anywhere on the container of any 

architectural coating, or any label or sticker affixed to the container, or in 
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any sales, advertising, or technical literature supplied by a manufacturer or 

anyone acting on their behalf, any representation is made that indicates 

that the coating meets the definition of or is recommended for use for 

more than one of the coating categories listed in Table 424-1, then the 

most restrictive VOC content limit shall apply. This provision does not 

apply to the coating categories specified in subsections B.2.a through 

B.2.o.

If a coating meets the definition in Rule 101 for one or more specialty 

coating categories that are listed in Table 424-1, then that coating is not 

required to meet the VOC limits for Flat, Nonflat, or Non-flat – High Gloss 

coatings, but is required to meet VOC limit for the applicable specialty 

coating listed in Table 424-1. 

With the exception of the specialty coating categories specified in 

subsection D.2.a through D.2.l, if a coating is recommended for use in 

more than one of the specialty coating categories listed in Table 1, the 

most restrictive (or lowest) VOC content limit shall apply. This requirement 

applies to: usage recommendations that appear anywhere on the coating 

container, anywhere on any label or sticker affixed to the container, or in 

any sales, advertising, or technical literature supplied by a manufacturer or 

anyone acting on their behalf. 

B.2.a Antenna coatings

B.2.b Antifouling coatings

D.2.a Aluminum roof coatings

D.2.bB.2.c Bituminous roof primers

B.2.d Fire retardant coatings 

B.2.e Flow Coatings

D.2.cB.2.f High temperature coatings

D.2.dB.2.g Industrial maintenance coatings

B.2.h Lacquer coatings (including lacquer sanding sealers)

D.2.eB.2.i Low solids coatings

D.2.fB.2.j Metallic pigmented coatings

D.2.gB.2.k Pretreatment wash primers

D.2.hB 2.l Shellacs

D.2.iB.2.m Specialty primers, sealers, and undercoaters

B.2.n Temperature indicator safety coatings

D.2.j Wood Coatings

D.2.kB 2.o Wood preservatives

D.2.l Zinc-rich primers

DB.3 Sell-Through of Coatings: A coating manufactured prior to the effective 

date specified for that coating in Table 424-1 may be sold, supplied, or 

offered for sale for up to three years after the specified effective date. In 

addition, a coating manufactured before the effective date specified for 
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that coating in Table 424-1 may be applied at any time, both before and 

after the specified effective date, so long as the coating complied with the 

standards in effect at the time the coating was manufactured. This 

subsection B D.3 does not apply to any coating that does not display the 

date or date-code required by subsections E.1 C.1.

DB.4 Painting Practices: All architectural coating containers used to apply the 

contents therein to a surface directly from the container by pouring, 

siphoning, brushing, rolling, padding, ragging or other means, shall be 

closed when not in use. These architectural coating containers include, 

but are not limited to, drums, buckets, cans, pails, trays or other 

application containers. Containers or any VOC containing materials used 

for thinning and cleanup shall also be closed when not in use.

DB.5 Thinning: No person who applies or solicits the application of any 

architectural coating shall apply a coating that is thinned to exceed the 

applicable VOC limit specified in Table 424-1.

B.6 Rust Preventative Coatings: Effective upon adoption of this rule, a 

person shall only apply or solicit the application of a rust preventative 

coating for non-industrial use, unless the rust preventative coating 

complies with the industrial maintenance coating VOC limit specified in 

Table 424-1.

D.6B.7Coatings Not Listed in Table 424-1: For any coating that does not meet 

any of the definitions for the specialty coatings categories listed in Table 

424-1, the VOC content limit shall be determined by classifying the coating 

as a f Flat, Nonflat, or Nonflat-High Gloss coating or a nonflat coating, 

based on its gloss, as defined in Rule 101, definitions and the 

corresponding f Flat, Nonflat, or n Nonflat – High Gloss VOC limit in Table 

424-1 shall apply.

B.8 Lacquers: Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B.1, a person or 

facility may add up to 10 percent by volume of VOC to a lacquer to avoid 

blushing of the finish during days with relative humidity greater than 70 

percent and temperature below 65F, at the time of application, provided 

that the coating contains acetone and no more than 550 grams of VOC 

per liter of coating, less water and exempt compounds prior to the addition 

to VOC.

EC. Container Labeling Requirements

Each manufacturer of any architectural coating subject to this rule shall display 

the information listed in sections C E.1 through C.9 E.12 on the coating container 

(or label) in which the coating is sold or distributed.
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EC.1 Date Code: The date the coating was manufactured, or a date code 

representing the date, shall be indicated on the label, lid, or bottom of the 

container. If the manufacturer uses a date code for any coating, the 

manufacturer shall file an explanation of each code with the Executive 

Officer of the California Air Resources Board.

EC.2 Thinning Recommendations: A statement of the manufacturer’s 

recommendation regarding thinning of the coating shall be indicated on 

the label or lid of the container. This requirement does not apply to the 

thinning of architectural coatings with water. If thinning of the coating prior 

to use is not necessary, the recommendation must specify that the coating 

is to be applied without thinning.

EC.3 VOC Content: Each container of any coating subject to this rule shall 

display one of the following values in grams of VOC per liter of coating:

either the maximum or the actual VOC content of the coating, as supplied, 

including the maximum thinning as recommended by the manufacturer. 

VOC content shall be displayed in grams of VOC per liter of coating.

E.3.a Maximum VOC Content as determined from all potential product 

formulations; or

E.3.b VOC c Content displayed as determined from actual formulation 

data, or 

E.3.c VOC Content shall be as determined using the test methods in 

section G.2 D.3. 

The equation in section D.2 shall be used to calculate VOC content.

If the manufacturer does not recommend thinning, the container must 

display the VOC Content, as supplied. If the manufacturer recommends 

thinning, the container must display the VOC Content, including the 

maximum amount of thinning solvent recommended by the manufacturer. 

If the coating is a multi-component product, the container must display the 

VOC content as mixed or catalyzed. If the coating contains silanes, 

silozanes, or other ingredients that generate ethanol or other VOC’s 

during the curing process, the VOC content must include the VOC’s 

emitted during curing. VOC Content shall be determined as defined in 

Rule 101, Definitions.

E.4 Faux Finishing Coatings: Effective January 1, 2011, the labels of all 

Faux Finishing coatings shall prominently display the statement “This 

product can only be sold or used as part of a Faux Finishing coating 
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system.”

E.5C.4Industrial Maintenance Coatings: Effective January 1, 2011, the labels 

of all Industrial Maintenance coatings shall prominently display the 

statement “For industrial use only: or “For professional use only”.

In addition to the information specified in section C.1, C.2, and C.3 each 

manufacturer of any industrial maintenance coating subject to this rule 

shall display on the label or lid of the container in which the coating is sold 

or distributed one or more of the descriptions listed below:

C.4.1 For industrial use only.@

C.4.2 For professional use only.@

C.4.3 ANot for residential use@ or ANot intended for residential use.@

C.5 Clear Brushing Lacquers: Effective three months after adoption of this 

rule, the labels of all clear brushing lacquers shall prominently display the 

statements AFor brush application only,@ and AThis product must not be 

thinned or sprayed.@

E.6C.6Rust Preventative Coatings: The labels of all rust preventive coatings 

shall prominently display the statement “For Metal Substances Only.”

Effective three months after adoption of this rule, the labels of all rust 

preventative coatings shall prominently display the statement AFor Metal 

Substrates Only.@

E.7C.7Specialty Primers, Sealers, and Undercoaters: Effective three months 

after adoption of this rule, the labels of all specialty primers, sealers, and 

undercoaters shall prominently display one or more of the descriptions 

listed below:

Effective January 1, 2011 and until January 1, 2012, the labels of all 

specialty primers, sealers, and undercoaters shall prominently display one 

or more of the descriptions listed in subsection E.7.a thru E.7.c.

C.7.1 For blocking stains

E.7.aC.7.2 For fire-damaged substrates

E.7.bC.7.3 For smoke-damaged substrates

E.7.cC.7.4 For water-damaged substrates

C.7.5 For excessively chalky substrates

C.8 Quick Dry Enamels: Effective three months after adoption of this rule, the 

labels of all quick dry enamels shall prominently display the words AQuick 

Dry@ and the dry hard time.
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E.8 Reactive Penetrating Sealers: Effective January 1, 2011, the labels of all 

Reactive Penetrating Sealers shall prominently display the statement 

“Reactive Penetrating Sealer”.

E.9 Stone Consolidants: Effective Janaury 1, 2011, the labels of all Stone 

Consolidants shall prominently display the statement “Stone Consolidant –

For Professional Use Only”. 

EC.910Nonflat - High Gloss Coatings: The labels of all Nonflat-High Gloss 

coatings shall prominently display the words “High Gloss.”

Effective three months after adoption of this rule, the labels of all nonflat -

high gloss coatings shall prominently display the words AHigh Gloss.

E.11 Wood Coatings: Effective January 1, 2011 the labels of al Wood 

Coatings shall prominently display the statement “For Wood Substrates 

Only.”

E.12 Zinc Rich Primers: Effective January 1, 2011, the labels of all Zinc Rich 

Primers shall prominently display the statement “For Professional Use 

Only”.

F. Reporting Requirements

F.1 Sales Data: A responsible official from each manufacturer shall upon 

request of the Executive Officer of the California Air Resources Board, or 

his or her delegate, provide data concerning the distribution and sales of 

architectural coatings. The responsible official shall within 180 days 

provide information, including, but not limited to:

F.1.a the name and mailing address of the manufacturer;

F.1.b the name, address and telephone number of a contact person;

F.1.c the name of the coating product as it appears on the label and the 

applicable coating category;

F.1.d whether the product is marketed for interior or exterior use or both;

F.1.e the number of gallons sold in California in containers greater than 

one liter (1.057 quart) and equal to or less than one liter (1.057 

quart);

F.1.f the VOC Actual content and VOC Regulatory content in grams per 

liter. If thinning is recommended, list the VOC Actual content and 

VOC Regulatory content after maximum recommended thinning. If 

containers less than one liter have a different VOC content than 

containers greater than one liter, list separately. If the coating is a 

multi-component product, provide the VOC content as mixed or 

catalyzed;
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424-7

F.1.g the names and CAS numbers of the VOC constituents in the 

product;

F.1.h the names and CAS number of any compounds in the product 

specifically exempted from the VOC definition, as listed in Rule 

101, Definitions;

F.1.i whether the product is marketed as solventborne, waterborne, or 

100% solids;

F.1.j description of resin or binder in the product;

F.1.k whether the coating is a single-component or multi-component 

product;

F.1.l the density of the product in pounds per gallon;

F.1.m the percent by weight of: solids, all volatile materials, water, and 

any compounds in the product specifically exempted from the VOC 

definition, as listed in Rule 101, Definitions; and

F.1.n the percent by volume of: solids, water, and any compounds in the 

product specifically exempted from the VOC definition, as listed in 

Rule 101, Definitions.

F.2 All sales data listed in subsection F.1.a thru F.1.n shall be maintained by 

the responsible official for a minimum of three years. Sales data 

submitted by the responsible official to the Executive Officer of the 

California Air Resources Board may be claimed as confidential, and such 

information shall be handled in accordance with the procedures specified 

in Title 17, California Code of Regulations Sections 91000-91022.

GD. Compliance Provisions and Test Methods

GD.1 Calculation of VOC Content: for the purpose of determining compliance 

with the VOC content limits in Table 424-1, the VOC content of a coating 

shall be determined as defined in Rule 101, Definitions. by using the 

procedures described in D.2. The VOC content of a tint base shall be 

determined without colorant that is added after the tint base is 

manufactured. If the manufacturer does not recommend thinning, the VOC 

Content must be calculated for the product as supplied. If the 

manufacturer recommends thinning, the VOC Content must be calculated 

including the maximum amount of thinning solvent recommended by the 

manufacturer. If the coating is a multi-component product, the VOC 

content must be calculated as mixed or catalyzed. If the coating contains 

silanes, siloxanes, or other ingredients that generate ethanol or other 

VOCs during the curing process, the VOC content must include the VOCs 

emitted during curing. 

D.2 Calculation for the determination of VOC content per volume of coating:

D.2.a With the exception of low solids coatings, determine the VOC 
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424-8

(Ws-Ww-Wec)

1s (Vm)

content in grams of VOC per liter of coating thinned to the 

manufacturer=s maximum recommendation, excluding the volume 

of any water and exempt compounds. Determine the VOC content 

using equation 1 as follows:

(1) VOC Content = 

Where:

VOC Content=grams of VOC per liter of coating

 Ws = weight of volatiles, in grams 

Ww = weight of water, in grams

Wec = weight of exempt compounds, in grams

Vm = volume of coating, in liters 

Vw = volume of water, in liters

Vec = volume of exempt compounds, in liters 

D.2.b For low solids coatings, determine the VOC content in units of 

grams of VOC per liter of coating thinned to the manufacturer=s 

maximum recommendation, including the volume of any water and 

exempt compounds. Determine the VOC content using equation 2 

as follows:

 VOC Content =

 Where:

VOC Content = the VOC content of a low solids coating in 

grams of VOC per liter of coating

Ws = weight of volatiles, in grams

Ww = weight of water, in grams

Wec = weight of exempt compounds, in grams

Vm = volume of coating, in liters

G.2D.3VOC Content of Coatings: To determine the physical properties of a 

coating in order to perform the calculations found in Rule 101 Definitions

subsection D.2.a, the reference method for VOC content is U.S. EPA 

Method 24, incorporated by reference in subsection G.5.i D.6.11, except 

as provided in subsections G.3 D.4 and G.4 D.5. An alternative method to 

determine the VOC content of coatings is the South Coast Air Quality 

Management District (SCAQMD) Method 304-91 (Revised February 

1996), incorporated by reference in subsection G.5.j D.6.12. The exempt 

compounds content shall be determined by SCAQMD Method 303-91 

(Revised 1993 August 1996), Bay Area Air Quality Management District 

(BAAQMD) Method 43 (Revised 1996), or BAAQMD Method 41 (Revised 

1995), as applicable, incorporated by reference in subsections G.5.h, 

G.5.f, and G.5.g, respectively D.6.10. To determine the VOC content of a 

(Ws-Ww-Wec)

(Vm-Vw-Vec)

1s
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424-9

coating, the manufacturer may use U.S. EPA Method 24, or an alternative 

method as provided in subsection G.3 D.4, formulation data, or any other 

reasonable means for predicting that the coating has been formulated as 

intended (e.g., quality assurance checks, record keeping). However, if 

there are any inconsistencies between the results of a Method 24 test and 

any other means for determining VOC content, the Method 24 test results 

will govern, except when an alternative method is approved as specified in 

subsection G.3 D.4. The District Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) may 

require the manufacturer to conduct a Method 24 analysis.

GD.4.3Alternative Test Methods: Other test methods demonstrated to provide 

results that are acceptable for purposes of determining compliance with 

subsection G.2 D.3, after review and approved in writing by the staffs of 

the District, the ARB, and the U.S. EPA, may also be used.

GD.54Methacrylate Traffic Marking Coatings: Analysis of methacrylate 

multicomponent coatings used as traffic marking coatings shall be 

conducted according to a modification of U.S. EPA Method 24 (40 CFR 

59, subpart D, Appendix A), incorporated by reference in subsection G.5.k

D.6.m. This method has not been approved for methacrylate 

multicomponent coatings used for other purposes than as traffic marking 

coatings or for other classes of multicomponent coatings.

GD.65Test Methods: The following test methods are incorporated by reference 

herein, and shall be used to test coatings subject to the provisions of this 

rule.

G.5D.6.aFlame Spread Index: The flame spread index of a fire-retardant 

coating shall be determined by ASTM Designation E 84-99 84-07, 

“Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of 

Building Materials” (see r Rule 101, Fire-Retardant Coating).

G.5D.6.bFire Resistance Rating: The fire resistance rating of a fireresistive coating shall be determined by ASTM Designation E 

119-07 98, “Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building 

Construction Materials” (see r Rule 101, Fire-Resistive Coating).

G.5D.6.cGloss Determination: The gloss of a coating shall be 

determined by ASTM Designation D 523-89 (1999). “Standard 

Test Method for Specular Gloss”(see r Rule 101, Flat Coating, 

Nonflat Coating, Nonflat - High Gloss Coating and Quick-Dry 

Enamel).

G.5D.6.dMetal Content of Coatings: The metallic content of a coating 

shall be determined by SCAQMD Method 318-95, “Determination 
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424-10

of Weight Percent Elemental Metal in Coatings by X-Ray 

Diffraction,” SCAQMD Laboratory Methods of Analysis for 

Enforcement Samples (see r Rule 101, Aluminum Roof, Faux 

Finishing, and Metallic Pigmented Coating).

G.5D.6.eAcid Content of Coatings: The acid content of a coating shall 

be determined by ASTM Designation D 1613-06 96, “Standard 

Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical 

Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related 

Products” (see r Rule 101, Pre-treatment Wash Primer).

D.6.f Drying Times: The set-to-touch, dry-hard, dry-to-touch, and dry-torecoat times of a coating shall be determined by ASTM Designation 

D 1640-95, AStandard Test Methods for Drying, Curing, or Film 

Formation of Organic Coatings at Room Temperature@ (see rule 

101, Quick-Dry Enamel and Quick-Dry Primer, Sealer, and 

Undercoater). The tack-free time of a quick-dry enamel coating 

shall be determined by the Mechanical Test Method of ASTM 

Designation D 1640-95.

D.6.g Surface Chalkiness: The chalkiness of a surface shall be 

determined using ASTM Designation D4214-98, AStandard Test 

Methods for Evaluating the Degree of Chalking of Exterior Paint 

Films@ (see rule 101, Specialty Primer, Sealer, and Undercoater).

G.5.fD.6.hExempt Compounds-Siloxanes: Exempt compounds that are 

cyclic, branched, or linear completely methylated siloxanes, shall 

be analyzed as exempt compounds for compliance with section 

6F by BAAQMD Method 43, “Determination of Volatile 

Methylsiloxanes in Solvent-Based Coatings, Inks, and Related 

Materials,” BAAQMD Manual of Procedures, Volume III, adopted 

11/6/96 (see r Rule 101, Volatile Organic Compound, and 

subsection G.2 D.3)

G.5.gD.6.iExempt Compunds-Parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF):

The exempt compound parachlorobenzotribfluoride, shall be 

analyzed as an exempt compound for compliance with section F 8

by BAAQMD Method 41, “Determination of Volatile Organic 

Compounds in Solvent Based Coatings and Related Materials 

Containing Parachlorobenzotribluoride.” BAAQMD Manual of 

Procedures, v Volume III, adopted 12/20/95 (see r Rule 101, 

Volatile Organic Compound, and subsection G.2 D.3.)

G.5.hD.6.jExempt Compounds: The content of compounds exempt 

under U.S. EPA Method 24 shall be analyzed by SCAQMD 
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424-11

Method 303-91 (Revised 1993), “Determination of Exempt 

Compounds,” (SCAQMD Laboratory Methods of Analysis for 

Enforcement Samples (see r Rule 101, Volatile Organic 

Compound, and subsection G.2 D.3)

G.5.iD.6.kVOC Content of Coatings: The VOC content of a coating shall 

be determined by U.S. EPA Method 24 as it exists in appendix A 

of 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 60, “Determination 

of Volatile Matter Content, Water Content, Density, Volume 

Solids, and Weight Solids of Surface Coatings” (see subsection

G.2 D.3)

G.5.jD.6.lAlternative VOC Content of Coatings: The VOC content of 

coatings may be analyzed either by U.S. EPA Method 24 or 

SCAQMD Method 304-91 (Revised 1996), ADetermination of 

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Various Materials,” 

SCAQMD Laboratory Methods of Analysis for Enforcement 

Samples (see subsection G.2D.3)

G.5.kD.6.mMethacrylate Traffic Marking Coatings: The VOC content of 

methacrylate multicomponent coatings used as traffic marking 

coatings shall be analyzed by the procedures in 40 CFR part 59, 

subpart D, appendix A, “Determination of Volatile Matter Content 

of Methacrylate Multicomponent Coatings Used as Traffic Marking 

Coatings”(September 11, 1998) (see subsection G.4D.5).

G.5.l Hydrostatic Pressure for Basement Specialty Coatings: ASTM 

D7088-04 “Standard Practice for Resistance to Hydrostatic 

Pressure for Coatings Used in Below Grade Applications Applied to 

Masonry” (see Rule 101, Basement Specialty Coating).

G.5.m Gonioapparent Characteristics for Coatings: ASTM E-284-07, 

“Standard Terminology of Appearances” (see Rule 101, 

Gonioapparent).

G.5.n Tub and Tile Refinish Coating Adhesion: ASTM D 4585-99, 

“Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using 

Controlled Condensation” and ASTM D3359-02, “Standard Test 

Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test” (see Rule 101, Tub 

and Tile Refinish Coating).

G.5.o Tub and Tile Refinish Coating Hardness: ASTM D 3363-05, 

“Standard Test Method for Film Hardness by Pencil Test” (see Rule 

101, Tub and Tile Refinish Coating).
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424-12

G.5.p Tub and Tile Refinish Coating Abrasion Resistance: ASTM D 

4060-07, “Standard Test Methods for Abrasion Resistance of 

Organic Coatings by the Taber Abraser” (Rule 101, Tub and Tile 

Refinish Coating).

G.5.q Tub and Tile Refinish Coating Water Resistance: ASTM D 4585-

99, “Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings 

Using Controlled Condensation” and ASTM D714-02e1, “Standard 

Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Blistering of Paints” (see 

Rule 101, Tub and Tile Refinish Coating).

G.5.r Waterproofing Membrane: ASTM C836-06, “Standard 

Specification for High Solid Content, Cold Liquid-Applied 

Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane for Use with Separate 

Wearing Course” (see Rule 101, Waterproofing Membrane).

G.5.s Mold and Mildew Growth for Basement Specialty Coatings: 

ASTM D3273-00, “Standard Test Method for Resistance to Growth 

of Mold on the Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental 

Chamber” and ASTM D3274-95, “Standard Test Method for 

Evaluating Degree of Surface Disfigurement of Paint Films by 

Microbial (Fungal or Algal) Growth of Soil and Dirt Accumulation” 

(see Rule 101, Basement Specialty Coating).

G.5.t Reactive Penetrating Sealer Water Repellency: ASTM C67-07, 

“Standard Test Method for Sampling and Testing Brick and 

Structural Clay Tile”; or ASTM C97-02, “Standard Test Methods for 

Absorption and Bulk Specific Gravity of Dimension Stone”, or 

ASTM C140-06, “Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing

Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units” (see Rule 101, 

Reactive Penetrating Sealer.)

G.5.u Reactive Penetrating Sealer Water Vapor Transmission: ASTM 

E96/E96M-05, “Standard Test Method for Water Vapor 

Transmission of Materials” (see Rule 101, Reactive Penetrating 

Sealer).

G.5.v Reactive Penetrating Sealer – Chloride Screening 

Applications: National Cooperative Highway Research Report 244 

(1981), ”Concrete Sealers for the Protection of Bridge Structures”

(see Rule 101, Reactive Penetrating Sealer).

G.5.w Stone Consolidants: ASTM E2167-01, “Standard Guide for 

Selection and Use of Stone Consolidants” (see Rule 101, Stone 

Consolidant).
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 424

424-13

E. Reporting Requirements

E.1 Clear Brushing Lacquers: Each manufacturer of clear brushing lacquers 

shall, on or before April 1 of each calendar year, submit an annual report 

to the Executive Officer of the California Air Resources Board (ARB). The 

report shall specify the number of gallons of clear brushing lacquers sold 

in the State during the preceding calendar year, and shall describe the 

method used by the manufacturer to calculate State sales.

E.2 Rust Preventative Coatings: Each manufacturer of rust preventative 

coatings shall, on or before April 1 of each calendar year, submit an 

annual report to the Executive Officer of the ARB. The report shall specify 

the number of gallons of rust preventative coatings sold in the State during 

the preceding calendar year, and shall describe the method by the 

manufacturer to calculate State sales.

E.3 Specialty Primers, Sealer, and Undercoaters: Each manufacturer of 

specialty primers, sealers, and undercoaters shall, on or before April 1 of 

each calendar year, submit an annual report to the Executive Officer of the 

ARB. The report shall specify the number of gallons of specialty primers,

sealers, and undercoaters sold in the State during the preceding calendar 

years, and shall describe the method used by the manufacturer to 

calculate State sales.

E.4 Toxic Exempt Compounds: For each architectural coating that contains 

perchloroethylene or methylene chloride, the manufacturer shall, on or 

before April 1 of each calendar year, report to the Executive Officer of the 

ARB the following information for products sold in the State during the 

preceding year.

E.4.a the product brand name and a copy of the product label with legible 

usage instructions;

E.4.b the product category listed in Table 424-1 to which the coating 

belongs;

E.4.c the total sales in California during the calendar year to the nearest 

gallon;

E.4.d the volume percent, to the nearest 0.10 percent, of 

perchloroethylene and methylene chloride in the coating.

E.5 Recycled Coatings: Manufacturers of recycled coatings must submit a 

letter to the Executive Officer of the ARB certifying their status as a 

Recycled Paint Manufacturer. The manufacturer shall, on or before April 1 

of each calendar year, submit an annual report to the Executive Officer of 

the ARB. The report shall include, for all recycled coatings, the total 
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 424

424-14

number of gallons distributed in the State during the preceding year, and 

shall describe the method used by the manufacturer to calculate State 

distribution.

E.6 Bituminous Coatings: Each manufacturer of bituminous roof coatings or 

bituminous rood primers shall, on or before April 1 of each calendar year, 

submit an annual report to the Executive Officer of the ARB. The report 

shall specify the number of gallons of bituminous roof coatings or 

bituminous roof primers sold in the State during the preceding calendar 

year, and shall describe the method used by the manufacturer to calculate 

State sales.
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 424

424-15

TABLE 424-1

Table of Architectural Coating Standards

(grams of VOC per liter of Coating as applied, less water and Exempt Compound 

and excluding any colorant added to tint bases)

TABLE 424-1

VOC CONTENT LIMITS FOR ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS

Limits are expressed as VOC Regulatory, thinned to the manufacturer’s maximum 

thinning recommendation, excluding any colorant added to tint bases.

Coating Category

Effective

05/01/2005

01/01/2011

Effective

1/1/2012

Flat Coatings 100 50

Nonflat Coatings 150 100

Nonflat-High Gloss Coatings 250 150

Specialty Coatings

Aluminum Roof Coatings 400

Antenna Coatings 530

Antifouling Coatings 400

Basement Specialty Coatings 400

Bituminous Roof Coatings 300 50

Bituminous Roof Primers 350

Bond Breakers 350

Clear Wood Coatings

 Clear Brushing Lacquers

 Varnishes 

 Sanding Sealers (other than lacquer sanding sealers)

 Lacquers (including lacquer sanding sealers)

680

350

350

550

Concrete Curing Compounds 350

Concrete/Masonry Sealers 100

Driveway Sealers 50

Dry Fog Coatings 400 150

Faux Finishing Coatings 350

Fire Resistive Coatings 350

Fire Retardant Coatings 

 Clear

 Opaque

650

350

Floor Coatings 250100

Flow Coatings 420

Form-Release Compounds 250
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 424

424-16

TABLE 424-1

VOC CONTENT LIMITS FOR ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS

Limits are expressed as VOC Regulatory, thinned to the manufacturer’s maximum 

thinning recommendation, excluding any colorant added to tint bases.

Coating Category

Effective

05/01/2005

01/01/2011

Effective

1/1/2012

Graphic Arts (Sign) Coatings (Sign Paints) 500

High Temperature Coatings 420

Industrial Maintenance Coatings 250

Low Solids Coatingsba 120

Magnesite Cement Coatings 450

Mastic Texture Coatings 300 100

Metallic Pigmented Coatings 500

Multi-Color Coatings 250

Pre-treatment Wash Primers 420

Primers Sealers & Undercoaters 200 100

Quick-Dry Enamels 250

Quick-Dry Primers, Sealers, and Undercoaters 200

Reactive Penetrating Sealers 350

Recycled Coatings 250

Roof Coatings 250 50

Rust Preventative Coatings 400 250

Shellac: 

 Clear

 Opaque

730

550

Specialty Primers, Sealers, and Undercoaters 350 100

Stains 250

Stone Consolidants 450

Swimming Pool Coatings 340

Swimming Pool Repair and Maintenance Coatings 340

Temperature-Indicator Safety Coatings 550

Traffic Marking Coatings 150 100

Tub and Tile Refinish Coatings 420

Waterproofing Membranes 250

Waterproofing Sealers 250

Waterproofing Concrete/Masonry Sealers 400

Waterproofing Membranes 250

Wood Coatings 275

Wood Preservatives 350

Zinc-Rich Primers 340
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 424

424-17

b units are grams of VOC per liter (pounds of VOC per gallon) of coating, including water and exempt compounds.

a. Limit is expressed as VOC Actual.
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-1

RULE 427 AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHING OPERATIONS

(Adopted 9/14/99: Revised __/__/__)

A. General

A.1 Purpose

The purpose of this Rule is to limit the emission of Volatile Organic 

Compounds from the Finishing or Refinishing of Motor Vehicles, Mobile 

Equipment and their parts and components.

The purpose of this rule is to limit Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) 

emissions from coatings and solvents associated with the coating of motor 

vehicles, mobile equipment, and associated parts and components.

A.2 Applicability

A.2.a Except as provided in section A.2.b, this rule is applicable to any 

person who supplies, sells, offers for sale, manufactures, or 

distributes any automotive coating or associated solvent for use

within the District, as well as any person who uses, applies, or 

solicits the use or application of any automotive coating or 

associated solvent within the District.

A.2.b This rule does not apply to:

A.2.b.1 Any Automotive coating or associated solvent that is 

offered for sale, sold, or manufactured for use outside 

of the District or for shipment to other manufacturers 

for reformulation or repackaging.

A.2.b.2 Any aerosol coating product

A.2.b.3 Any automotive coating that is sold, supplied, or 

offered for sale in 0.5 fluid ounce or smaller 

containers intended to be used by the general public 

to repair tiny surface imperfections.

A.2.b.4 Any coating applied to motor vehicles or mobile 

equipment, or their associated parts and components, 

during manufacture on an assembly line.

This Rule applies to any facility engaged in the assembly of or Refinishing 

of Group I (buses and Mobile Equipment) and Group II (passenger cars, 

Large/Heavy Duty Truck cabs and chassis, Light and Medium Duty Trucks 

and Vans, and motorcycles) vehicles, when the process(es) utilize any of 
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-2

the products specified in subsection C.1.a of this Rule.

B. Definitions

The following terms used in this Rule are defined in Rule 101 - Definitions:

Additive; Anti-Glare/Safety Coating; Camouflage Coating; Catalyst; Coating; 

Color Match; Electrostatic Application; Extreme Performance Coating; Finish; 

Graphic Design Application; Group I Vehicles; Group II Vehicles and Equipment; 

High-Volume, Low-Pressure (HVLP) Spray; Large/Heavy Duty Trucks; Light and 

Medium Duty Trucks and Vans; Metallic Topcoat; Mobile Equipment; 

Multicolored Topcoat; Pretreatment Wash Primer; Primer; Primer Sealer; Primer 

Surfacer; Reducer; Refinishing; Specialty Coatings; Spot/Panel Repair; Surface 

Preparation Solvent; Topcoat; Touch-up Coating; Transfer Efficiency.

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

B.1 VOC Content

B.1.a “VOC regulatory for Coatings” means VOC in grams per liter of 

coating, excluding water and exempt compounds, and shall be 

calculated by the following equation:

GVOCVOC regulatory content = WSv - WW - WESec

VM - Vw - Vesc

B.1.b “VOC actual for Coatings” means VOC in grams per liter of 

material shall be calculated using the following equation:

VOC actual content = Wv - WW - Wec

VM

B.1.c “VOC content for Solvents” means VOC in grams per liter of 

material shall be calculated using the following equation:

VOC content = Wv - WW - Wec

VM

Where: GVOC = Grams VOC/L of Coating less water and Exempt Compounds

VOC content = amount of volatile organic compounds in grams/liter

Wv = weight of volatiles in grams

Ww = weight of water in grams

Wec = weight of exempt compounds in grams

Vm = volume of material (coating or solvent, as applicable) in liters
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-3

Vw = volume of water in liters

Vex = volume of exempt compounds in liters

GRAMS OF VOC PER LITER OF Coating LESS WATER AND LESS EXEMPT 

COMPOUNDS: the weight of VOC per combined volume of VOC and Coating 

solids is calculated by the following equation:

WS = weight of volatile compounds in grams

WW = weight of water in grams

WES = weight of Exempt Compounds in grams

VM = volume of material in liters

VW = volume of water in liters

VES = volume of Exempt Compounds in liters

MULTI-STAGE TOPCOAT SYSTEM: a Topcoat system composed of either a 

basecoat/clearcoat, a basecoat/midcoat/clearcoat, or a 

groundcoat/basecoat/midcoat/clearcoat. The VOC content of a multi-stage 

Topcoat system shall be determined according to the following formulas:

For a basecoat/clearcoat system:

 VOCbc + 2VOCcc

VOCMS = 3

For a 3 Stage Coating system:

 VOCbc + VOCmc + 2VOCcc

VOCMS = 4

For a 4 Stage Coating system:

VOCMS = VOCgc + VOCbc + VOCmc + 2VOCcc5

WhereVOCMS is the average of the VOC content, as applied, and used to 

determine compliance with the standards in subsection C.1.a.1.

VOCgc is the VOC content, as applied of a pigmented groundcoat or tinted 

Primer Sealer.

VOCbc is the VOC content, as applied, of a pigmented basecoat.

VOCmc is the VOC content, as applied, of a translucent midcoat.

2VOCcc is two times the VOC content, as applied, of a transparent 

clearcoat.

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND is any compound containing at least 

one atom of carbon, except for the following compounds and solvents: 

methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic 

carbides or carbonates, ammonium carbonate, 1, 1,1-trichloroethane, 

methylene chloride, trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11), 
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-4

dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12), chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22), 

trifluoromethane, (HFC-23), 1,1,12-trichloro-21,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC113), 1,2-dichloro- 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (CFC-114), 

chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115), 2,2-dichloro-1.1.1-trifluoroethane 

(HCFC-123), 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124), 

pentafluorethane (HFC-125), 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134), 1,1,1,2-

tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a), 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b), 

1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b), 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC143a), 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a), and the following four classes of 

perfluorocarbon (PFC) compounds:

1. cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated alkanes,

2. cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated ethers with no 

unsaturations,

3. cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated tertiary amines 

with no unsaturations, and

4. saturated perfluorocarbons containing sulfur with sulfur bonds only 

to carbon and fluorine.

C. Standards

C.1 Coating Limits

No person shall apply to any motor vehicle, mobile equipment, or 

associated parts and components, any coating with a VOC regulatory 

content, as calculated pursuant to subsection B.1.a, in excess of the 

following limits, except as provided in section C.3:

Coating Category VOC regulatory limit, as applied, in 

grams/liter (pounds per gallon*)

Effective 

April 1, 2010

Adhesion Promoter 540 (4.5)

Clear Coating 250 (2.1)

Color Coating 420 (3.5)

Multi-Color Coating 680 (5.7)

Pretreatment Coating 660 (5.5)

Primer 250 (2.1)

Primer Sealer 250 (2.1)

Single-Stage Coating 340 (2.8)

Temporary Protective Coating 60 (0.5)

Truck Bed Liner Coating 310 (2.6)

Underbody Coating 430 (3.6)

Uniform Finish Coating 540 (4.5)

Any other coating type 250 (2.1)
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-5

*English units are provided for information only.

C.1.a Any Person who applies Coating to Group I or II vehicles, Mobile 

Equipment, their parts and components, shall comply with 

subsections C.1.a.1 or C.1.a.2 below:

C.1.a.1Group I Vehicles and Mobile Equipment: Any Person shall 

not Finish or refinish Group I Vehicles and Equipment or 

their parts and components where Color Match is not 

required, using any Coating with a VOC content in excess of 

the following limits, expressed as grams of VOC per liter (or 

pounds per gallon) of Coating, as applied excluding water 

and exempt solvents, unless emissions of VOC to the 

Atmosphere are controlled by air pollution abatement 

Equipment with combined Capture Efficiency and Control 

Efficiency of the abatement device of at least 85 percent, 

and which has been approved in writing by the Air Pollution 

Control Officer:

 VOC Limits

Pretreatment Wash Primer 780 g/L (6.5 lbs/gal)

Primer 420 g/L (3.5 lbs/gal)

Primer Sealer 420 g/L (3.5 lbs/gal)

Primer Surfacer 420 g/L (3.5 lbs/gal)

TOPCOATS

 Metallic Topcoat 420 g/L (3.5 lbs/gal)

 Extreme Performance 420 g/L (3.5 lbs/gal)

 Multicolored 685 g/L (5.7 lbs/gal)

 Camouflage Coating 420 g/L (3.5 lbs/gal)

 All Other Topcoats 420 g/L (3.5 lbs/gal)

C.1.a.2Group II Vehicles: Any Person shall not refinish Group II 

Vehicles, their parts and components, or Group I Vehicles 

and Mobile Equipment where Color Match is required, using 

any Coating with a VOC content in excess of the following 

limits, expressed as grams of VOC per liter (or pounds per 

gallon) of Coating as applied, excluding water and exempt 

solvents, unless emission of VOC to the Atmosphere are 

controlled by air pollution abatement Equipment with a 

combined Capture Efficiency and Control Efficiency of the 

abatement device efficiency of at least 85 percent, and 

which has been approved in writing by the Air Pollution 

Control Officer:

VOC Limits

Pretreatment Wash Primer 780 g/L (6.5 lbs/gal)

Primer/Primer Surfacer 420 g/L (3.5 lbs/gal)
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-6

Primer Sealer 420 g/L (3.5 lbs/gal)

TOPCOATS

Metallic Topcoat 520 g/L (4.3 lbs/gal)

Multistage Topcoat System 540 g/L (4.5 lbs/gal)

Multicolor 685 g/L (5.7 lbs/gal)

 Multicolor Multistage 480 g/L (4.0 lbs/gal)

 All Other Topcoats 420 g/L (3.5 lbs/gal)

Speciality Coating 840 g/L (7.0 lbs/gal)

C.2 Most Restrictive VOC Limit

If anywhere on the container of any automotive coating, or any label or 

sticker affixed to the container, or in any sales, advertising, or technical 

literature supplied by a person, any representation is made that indicates 

that the coating meets the definition of or is recommended for use for 

more than one of the coating categories listed in section C.1, then the 

lowest VOC content limit shall apply.

C.2 Transfer Efficiency

C.2.a For all Coatings, any Person shall not apply any Coating to any 

Group I or II vehicles or Mobile Equipment or their parts and 

components unless one of the following methods is used:

C.2.a.1Electrostatic Application Equipment, operated in accordance 

with the manufacturer's recommendations;

C.2.a.2High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) spray Equipment, 

operated in accordance with the manufacturer's 

recommendations;

C.2.a.3Any other Coating application which has been demonstrated 

to the satisfaction of the Air Pollution Control Officer to be 

capable of achieving at least 65 percent Transfer Efficiency, 

as per section G.2.c, and for which written approval of the 

Air Pollution Control Officer has been obtained.

C.3 Alternative Compliance

Instead of complying with the VOC content limits specified in section C.1, 

a person may use an emission control system that has been approved, in 

writing, by the Executive Officer or Air Pollution Control Officer of the 

District and which achieves an overall control efficiency of at least 85 

percent as determined pursuant to sections E.5 and E.6. Any approved 

system emission control must be maintained and used at all times in 
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-7

proper working condition. 

C.3 Prohibition of Specification

No Person shall solicit or require for use or specify the application of a 

Coating on a Group I or II vehicle, Mobile Equipment, or part or 

component thereof if such use or application results in a violation of the 

provisions of this Rule. The prohibition of this section shall apply to all 

written or oral contracts under the terms of which any Coating which is 

subject to the provisions of this Rule is to be applied to any Motor Vehicle, 

Mobile Equipment, or part or component at any physical location within the 

District.

C.4 Prohibition of Possession

No person shall possess at any automotive refinishing facility, any 

automotive coating that is not in compliance with section C.1 or C.3, as 

applicable. Effective April 1, 2010, no person shall possess at any 

automotive refinishing facility, any solvent with a VOC content greater than 

25 grams per liter.

C.4 Prohibition of Sale

No Person shall offer for sale or sell within the District any Coating that 

does not meet the VOC content limits as set forth in subsection C.1.a of 

this Rule. The prohibition of this section shall apply to the sale of any 

Coating which will be applied at any physical location within the District.

C.5 Prohibition of Sale or Manufacture

No person shall manufacture, blend, repackage for sale, supply, sell, offer 

for sale, or distribute within the District any coating with a VOC content in 

excess of the limits specified in section C.1.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a person may manufacture, 

blend, repackage for sale, supply, sell, offer for sale, or distribute a coating 

with a VOC content in excess of the limits specified in section C.1 under 

the following circumstances and provided all of the requirements of 

section D.6 are also met:

C.5.a The coating is for use exclusively within an emission control 

system as allowed in section C.3, or

C.5.b The coating is for use outside the District.

C.5 Compliance Statement Requirement
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-8

The manufacturer of Coatings subject to this Rule shall include a 

designation of VOC as supplied on data sheets; including Coating 

components, expressed in gram per liter or pounds per gallon, excluding 

water and exempt solvents.

C.6 Prohibition of Specification

No person shall solicit or require the use of, or specify the application or 

use of any coating or solvent on a motor vehicle or mobile equipment, or 

associated parts and components, if such use or application results in a 

violation of this rule. This prohibition shall apply to all written or oral 

contracts, including, but not limited to, job orders, under the terms of which 

any coating or solvent that is subject to the provisions of this rule is to be 

used or applied. This prohibition shall not apply to coatings that meet the 

criteria specified in section C.5.

C.6 Surface Preparation and Cleanup Solvent

The requirements of this section shall apply to any Person using solvent 

for surface preparation and cleanup.

C.6.a Any Person shall not use an organic compound(s), or mixture 

thereof, (excluding Exempt Compounds) for surface preparation 

with a VOC content in excess of 200 grams per liter (1.67 pounds 

per gallon) of material, as applied.

C.6.b Any Person shall use closed, non-absorbent containers for the 

storage or disposal of any applicator (including brushes, swabs, 

cloth or paper) used for solvent surface preparation and cleanup.

C.6.c Any Person shall store fresh or open solvent in closed containers.

C.6.d Any Person shall not use organic compounds for the cleanup of 

spray Equipment including paint lines unless an enclosed system is 

used for cleanup. The system shall enclose spray guns, cups, 

nozzles, bowls, and other parts during washing, rinsing and 

draining procedures. Equipment used shall minimize the 

evaporation of organic compounds to the Atmosphere.

C.7 Coating Application Methods

No person shall apply any coating to any motor vehicle, mobile equipment, 

or associated parts and components unless one of the following 

application methods is used:
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-9

C.7.a Brush, dip or roller.

C.7.b Electrostatic spray.

C.7.c High-Volume Low-Pressure (HVLP) spray equipment

C.7.d Use of a spray gun: If a spray gun is used, the end user must 

demonstrate that the gun meets the HVLP definition found in 

Rule 101 Definitions in design and use. A satisfactory 

demonstration must be based on the manufacturer’s published 

technical material on the design of the gun and by a 

demonstration of the operation of the gun using an air pressure 

tip gauge from the manufacturer of the gun.

C.7.e Any alternative method that achieves a transfer efficiency 

equivalent to, or higher than, the application methods listed in 

sections C.7.a, C.7.b, or C.7.c as determined per section E.9. 

Written approval from the Executive Officer or Air Pollution 

Control Officer shall be obtained for each alternative method 

prior to use.

Section C.7 does not apply to underbody coatings, graphic arts 

operations, truck bed liner coatings, or any coating use of less than one 

(1) fluid ounce (29.6 milliliters).

C.7 Any Person shall not use any speciality Coating with a VOC content, as 

applied, in excess of 840 g/L (7.0 lbs/gal), excluding water and exempt 

solvents. Use of all speciality Coating except anAnti-Glare/Safety Coating 

glare/safety Coatings shall not exceed 5.0 percent of all Coating, applied, 

averaged on a monthly basis. The application of Topcoats with a 

Specialty Coating used as an Additive shall be subject to the Topcoat 

limits in subsections C.1.a.1 or C.1.a.2.

C.8 Solvent Limits and Evaporative Loss Minimization

C.8.a Effective April 1, 2010, each solvent present at any automotive 

refinishing facility shall not exceed a VOC content of 25 grams 

per liter as calculated pursuant to section B.1.c.

C.8.b Solvent-laden materials shall be stored in closed containers.

C.8.c All automotive coating components, automotive coatings, and 

solvents shall be stored in closed vapor-tight containers.

C.8.d No person shall clean spray equipment unless a closed system 

is used. However, equivalent control equipment can be used if 
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-10

the Executive Officer or Air Pollution Control Officer of the 

District approves it in writing prior to use.

C.8.e All waste automotive coating components, automotive coatings, 

and solvents shall be stored in closed vapor-tight containers, 

except while adding to or removing them from the containers.

C.8. Any Person seeking to use an Extreme Performance Coating in any 

Coating operation which is subject to this Rule shall comply with the 

requirements of subsection E.1.a.

D. Administrative Requirements Exemptions

D.1 Compliance Statement Requirement

D.1.a For each individual automotive coating or automotive coating 

component, the manufacturer and repackager shall include the 

following information on product data sheets, or an equivalent 

medium:

D.1.a.1 The VOC actual for coatings and VOC regulatory for 

coatings, expressed in grams per liter;

D.1.a.2 The weight percentage of volatiles, water, and exempt 

compounds;

D.1.a.3 The volume percentage of water and exempt 

compounds; and,

D.1.a.4 The density of the material (in grams per liter).

D.1.b For each individual ready to spray mixture (based on the 

manufacturer’s and repackager’s stated mix ration), the 

manufacturer and repackager shall include the following 

information on product data sheets, or an equivalent medium:

D.1.b.1 The VOC actual for coatings and VOC regulatory for 

coatings, expressed in grams per liter;

D.1.b.2 The weight percentage of volatiles, water, and exempt 

compounds;

D.1.b.3 The volume percentage of water and exempt 

compounds; and,

D.1.b.4 The density of the material (in grams per liter).
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-11

D.1.c The manufacturer and repackager of solvents subject to this 

rule shall include the VOC content as supplied, calculated 

pursuant to section B.1.c, expressed in grams per liter, on 

product data sheets, or an equivalent medium.

D.2 Labeling Requirements

D.2.a The manufacturer and repackager of automotive coatings or 

automotive coating components shall include on all containers 

the applicable use category(ies), and the VOC actual for 

coatings and VOC regulatory for coatings, as supplied, 

expressed in grams per liter.

D.2.b The manufacturer and repackager of solvents subject to this 

rule shall include on all containers the VOC content for solvents, 

as supplied, expressed in grams per liter.

D.3 Maintenance of Records.

Records required by this rule shall be retained for a minimum of three 

years and made available for inspection by District personnel upon 

request.

D.4 Record Keeping Requirements.

Any person who uses coatings or solvents subject to this rule shall 

maintain and have available at all times, on site, the following:

D.4.a A current list of all coatings and solvents used that are subject 

to this rule. This list shall include the following information for 

each coating and solvent:

D.4.a.1 Material name and manufacturer

D.4.a.2 Application method

D.4.a.3 Coating type (as listed in section C.1) and mix ratio 

specific to the coating

D.4.a.4 VOC actual for coatings and VOC regulatory for 

coatings, as applied, or VOC content for solvent.

D.4.a.5 Whether the material is a coating or solvent.

D.4.b Current manufacturer specification sheets, material safety data 
Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Rule 427

427-12

sheets, technical data sheets, or air quality data sheets, which 

list the VOC actual for coatings and VOC regulatory for coatings 

of each ready-to-spray coating (based on the manufacturer’s 

stated mix ratio) and automotive coating components, and VOC 

content of each solvent.

D.4.c Purchase records identifying the coating type (as listed in 

section C.1), name, and volume of coatings and solvents.

D.5 Record Keeping Requirements for Emission Control Systems.

Any person using an emission control system shall maintain daily records 

of key system operating parameters which will demonstrate continuous 

operation and compliance of the emission control system during periods of 

VOC emission producing activities. “Key system operating parameters” 

are those parameters necessary to ensure or document compliance with 

section C.3, including, but not limited to, temperatures, pressure drops, 

and air flow rates.

D.6 Record Keeping Requirements for Prohibition of Sale.

Any person claiming an exception specified in section C.5 shall keep a 

detailed log of each automotive coating component and automotive 

coating manufactured, blended, repackaged for sale, supplied, sold, 

offered for sale, or distributed showing:

D.6.a The quantity manufactured, blended, repackaged for sale, 

supplied, sold, offered for sale, or distributed, including size and 

number of containers;

D.6.b The VOC regulatory for coatings;

D.6.c The VOC actual for coatings;

D.6.d To whom they were supplied, sold, offered for sale, or 

distributed, or for whom they were manufactured, blended, or 

repackaged for sale including the name, address, phone 

number, retail tax license number, and valid district permit 

number; and,

D.6.e The specific exception being utilized under section C.5.

D.1 The provisions of this Rule shall not apply to:

D.1.a A facility which uses a total of less than one (1) gallon of Coating, 

including any VOC-containing materials added to the original 
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Coating as supplied by the manufacturer, subject to this Rule, in 

any one day; or

D.1.b Surface Coating operations that emit not more than 3 pounds of 

VOC's per day and not more than 200 pounds of VOC's per 

calendar year.

D.1.c Noncommercial Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Refinishing 

operations performed by any individual at his/her residence for the 

purpose of Finishing or Refinishing that individual's personal 

vehicles.

D.1.d Touch-Up Coatings.

D.1.e Graphic Design Applications.

D.1.f Coating applied using non-refillable hand-held aerosol spray 

containers.

D.1.g Body fillers.

D.1.h Bedliner Coatings.

D.2 The limits set forth in subsection C.1.a.1 and C.1.a.2 shall not apply to:

D.2.a automotive Refinishing operations which emit not more than 3 

pounds of VOC per hour, before add-on controls; or

D.2.b automotive Refinishing operations which emit not more than 15 

pounds of VOC per day, before add-on controls; or

D.2.c facilities that do not exceed 10 tons per year theoretical Potential 

Emissions. "Theoretical Potential Emissions" is defined as the 

greater of design capacity, or maximum production (based on 8760 

hours/year) before add-on controls.

D.3 For the purposes of claiming an exemption pursuant to subsections D.2.a 

or D.2.b, hourly or daily emissions shall be considered from Date Of 

Adoption of Rule forward.

D.4 Once a facility exceed 3 pounds of VOC per hour, or 15 pounds of VOC 

per day, respectively, it will become and remain subject to the limits even 

if its emissions later fall below the applicability threshold.

D.5 Any facility or Person classified as exempt or claiming to be exempt under 

this section (D), shall meet the record keeping requirements of this Rule 

so as to be able to prove the exemption status.

E. Test Methods Administrative Requirements
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The following test methods are incorporated by reference herein, and shall be 

used to test coatings and solvents subject to the provisions of this rule. A source 

is in violation of this rule if any measurement by any of the listed applicable test 

methods exceeds the standards of this rule.

E.1 Methyl Acetate, Acetone, and PCBTF Content.

The quantity of methyl acetate, acetone, and parachlorobenzotrifluoride 

(as specified in section B.1 and the Exempt Compounds found in Rule 101 

Definitions “Volatile Organic Compounds” and “Exempt Compounds” shall 

be determined by using ASTM Method D6133-02: “Standard Test Method 

for Acetone, p-Chlorobenzotrifluoride, Methyl Acetate or t-Butyl Acetate 

Content of Solventborne and Waterborne Paints, Coatings, Resins, and 

Raw Materials by Direct Injection Into a Gas Chromatograph” (February 

2003).

E.2 Acid Content.

Measurement of acid content (as specified in the definition of 

“Pretreatment Coating” found in Rule 101 Definitions) shall be determined 

by using ASTM D1613-03 “Standard Test Method for Acidity in Volatile 

Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, 

and Related Products” (October 2003)

E.3 Alternative Test Methods.

The use of other test methods which are determined to be equivalent or 

better and approved, in writing, by the Executive Officer or Air Pollution 

Control Officer of the District, CARB, and U.S. EPA may be used in place 

of the test methods specified in this rule.

E.4 VOC Content of Coatings or Solvents.

VOC content (as specified in sections B.1, C.1, and C.8.a) shall be 

determined by U.S. EPA Method 24 as set forth in Appendix A of Title 40 

of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR) Part 60, “Determination of 

Volatile Matter Content, Water Content, Density, Volume Solids, and 

Weight Solids of Surface Coatings”.

E.5 Control Efficiency

When either U.S. EPA Method 25, 25A, or 25B is used to determine VOC 

emissions, control device equivalency (as specified in section C.3) shall 

be determined as specified in U.S. EPA’s “Guidelines for Determining 

Capture Efficiency,” (January 9, 1995) and 40 CFR 51, Appendix M, 

Methods 204-204f as applicable.
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E.6 Determination of Alternative Compliance.

Alternative compliance (as specified in section C.3) shall be determined by 

U.S. EPA Method 25, 25A, or 25B, Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, 

Part 60, Appendix A as applicable. A source is in violation if the measured 

VOC emissions, as measured by any of the test methods, exceed the 

standards specified in section C.3.

E.7 Metallic Content.

The metallic content of a coating (as specified in the definition for 

“Metallic/Iridescent Color Coating” found in Rule 101 Definitions shall be 

determined by South Coast Air Quality Management District Method 318-

95, “Determination of Weight Percent Elemental Metal in Coatings by Xray” (July 1996).

E.8 Exempt Compound Content.

Exempt compound content, other than as determined pursuant to section 

E.1, (as specified in the definition for “Volatile Organic Compounds” found 

in Rule 101 Definitions for exempt compounds and section B.1) shall be 

determined by using CARB Method 432, “Determination of 

Dichloromethane and 1,1,1-Trichloroethane in Paints and Coatings” 

(September 12, 1998); CARB Method 422, “Determination of Volatile 

Organic Compounds in Emissions from Stationary Sources” (January 22, 

1987); or South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) 

Method 303-91, “Determination of Exempt Compounds” (February 1993).

E.9 Transfer Efficiency.

Spray equipment transfer efficiency (as specified in the definition for 

“Transfer Efficiency” found in Rule 101 Definitions and C.7.e) shall be 

determined by using South Coast Air Quality Management District “Spray 

Equipment Transfer Efficiency Test Procedures for Equipment User” (May 

24, 1989).

E.10 HVLP Equivalency.

Spray equipment HVLP equivalency (as specified in section C.7.d) shall 

be determined by using South Coast Air Quality Management District 

“Guidelines for Demonstrating Equivalency with District Approved Transfer 

Efficient Spray Guns” (September 26, 2002).

E.1 Extreme Performance Coating Petition: 
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Any Person seeking to use an Extreme Performance Coating in any 

Coating operation which is subject to the provisions of this Rule shall 

comply with the following requirements:

E.1.a A petition shall be submitted to the Air Pollution Control Officer 

stating the performance requirements, volume of Coating, and VOC 

level which is attainable. The petitioner must also, in a written 

statement, certify that after reasonable inquiry, to their knowledge, 

no other Coating(s) are available which will meet the requirements 

of subsection C.1.a of this Rule and of the specified performance 

requirements for a specific contract.

E1.b If the Air Pollution Control Officer grants written approval, such 

petition will be repeated on an annual basis.

E.1.c If the Air Pollution Control Officer grants written approval, such 

approval shall contain volume and VOC limit conditions.

E.1.d Records must be maintained as in Section F.1.

E.2 Rule 417 Applicability: 

Any Coating, Coating operation, or facility which is exempt from all or a 

portion of the VOC limits of this Rule shall comply with the provisions of 

Rule 417.

F. Construction of Headings Monitoring and Records

Section and subsection headings do not in any manner affect the scope, 

meaning, or intent of the provisions of this Rule.

All Persons subject to this Rule and any Person claiming any exemption under 

subsection D.1 shall comply with the following requirements:

F.1 Maintain and have available during an inspection, a current list of Coating 

in use which provides all of the Coating data necessary to evaluate 

compliance, including the following information separately for both Group I 

and II vehicles , as applicable:

F.1.a Additive, Coating, Catalyst, and Reducer used.

F.1.b Mix ratio of components used

F.1.c VOC content of Coating as applied.

F.2 Maintain records on a daily basis including:
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F.2.a Coating and mix ratio of components used in the Coating; and

F.2.b quantity of each Coating applied.

F.2.c Any Person/facility utilizing an add-on emission Control 

Device/system as a means of complying with provisions of this Rule 

shall also maintain records of key system operating and 

maintenance data for the purpose of demonstrating continuous 

compliance during periods of emission producing activities. The 

data shall be recorded in a manner a prescribed by the District.

F.3 The Person shall maintain records on a monthly basis showing the type 

and amount of solvent used for cleanup and surface preparation.

F.4 Such records shall be retained and available for inspection by the Air Pollution 

Control Officer for the previous 24 month period.

G. Severability Test Methods

Each part of this Rule shall be deemed severable, and in the event that any part 

of this Rule is held to be invalid, the remainder of the Rule shall continue in full 

force and effect.

G.1 A violation of the limits contained in this Rule as determined by any one of 

these test methods shall constitute a violation of this Rule.

G.2 The following specified test methods shall be used to determine 

compliance with the provisions of this Rule.

G.2.a Analysis of Samples - VOC Determination: 

Samples of Volatile Organic Compounds (less Exempt 

Compounds) as specified in Sections C.1.a.1 to C.1.a.2 shall be 

analyzed as prescribed by EPA Reference Method 24 for VOC 

content (without correction for Exempt Compounds) and ASTM 

Test Method D4457-85, or CARB Method 432 for determination of 

emissions of Exempt Compounds. Perfluorocarbon compounds 

shall be assumed to be absent from a product or process unless a 

manufacturer or facility operator identifies the specific individual 

compounds (from the broad classes of perfluorocarbon 

compounds) and the amount present in the product or process and 

provides a validated test method which can be used to quantify the 

specific compounds.

G.2.b Determination of Emissions: 
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Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds as specified in Sections 

C.1.a.1 or C.1.a.2 shall be measured as prescribed by EPA 

Reference Method 25 for determining VOC emissions and Control 

Device efficiency, in combination with the methods prescribed in 

U.S. EPA document Guidelines for Determining Capture Efficiency, 

dated January 9, 1995.

G.2.c Determination of Transfer Efficiency: 

Transfer Efficiency as required by Section C.2.a.3 shall be 

determined by procedures as prescribed in the SCAQMD document 

"South Coast Air Quality Management District Spray Equipment 

Transfer Efficiency Test Procedure for Equipment User, May 24, 

1998".

G.2.d Determination of Percentage of Metal in Metallic Coatings: 

Determinations shall be made using SCAQMD Method 311-91, 

"Determination of Percent Metal in Metallic Coatings by 

Spectrographic Method", as found in the SCAQMD document 

Laboratory Methods Of Analysis For Enforcement Samples, The 

June 1991 edition.

G.2.e Acidity in volatile Solvents and in Coating Compounds: 

Determination of acid strength shall be made using ASTM Test 

method D1613-85.

G.2.f Determination of Exempt Compounds Content: 

Determination of the content of Exempt Compounds in Coating or 

solvents or any diluents shall be by ASTM Test Method D4457-85.