REVISED PROPOSED September 17, 2009 

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RULE 4692 COMMERCIAL CHARBROILING (Adopted March 21, 2002, Amended [rule 

adoption date].) 

1.0 Purpose 

The purpose of this rule is to limit VOC and PM-10 emissions from commercial 

charbroiling. This rule also specifies the administrative, recordkeeping requirements, and 

the test methods. 

2.0 Applicability 

This rule applies to owners and operators of commercial cooking operations, preparing 

food for human consumption. The rule requirements apply to chain-driven charbroilers 

used to cook meat. 

3.0 Definitions 

3.1 Catalytic Oxidizer: a control device, which burns or oxidizes smoke and gases 

from the cooking process to carbon dioxide and water, using an infrastructure 

coated with a noble metal alloy. 

3.2 Chain-driven Charbroiler: a semi-enclosed cooking device with a mechanical 

chain, which automatically moves food through the device. 

3.3 Charbroiler: a cooking device composed of the following three major 

components: a grated grill, a high-temperature radiant surface and a heat source. 

The heat source heats the high-temperature radiant surface, which provides the 

heat to cook the food resting on the grated grill. This includes, but is not limited 

to broilers:, grill charbroilers, flamebroilers, and direct-fired barbecues. 

3.4 Commercial Cooking Operations: a food handling and preparation facility that 

primarily serves the general public. Institutional eating facilities, such as school 

cafeterias, and delicatessen departments of a grocery store and establishments 

that do no cooking are not considered commercial cooking operations. 

3.5 Existing Chain-driven Charbroiler: any chain-driven charbroiler operating on 

or before June 21, 2002. 

3.5 3.6 Meat: for the purposes of this rule, includes beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, 

and seafood. 

3.7 New Chain-driven Charbroiler: any chain-driven charbroiler initially installed 

and operated after June 21, 2002.
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3.6 3.8 PM-10: as defined in Rule 1020 (Definitions). For purposes of determining 

control efficiency, all particulate collected using the test method specified in 

Section 6.7 shall be considered PM-10.

3.7 3.9 VOC: as defined in Rule 1020 (Definitions). 

3.8 3.10 Weekly: a consecutive seven-day period. 

4.0 Exemptions 

4.1 Limited Use Exemption

4.1.1 Until January 1, 2011, a chain-driven charbroiler is exempt from the 

requirements of Section 5.0 provided it is not used to cook 875 pounds 

of meat or more in any calendar week. 

4.1.2 On and after January 1, 2011, a chain-driven charbroiler may be exempt 

from the requirements of Section 5.0, provided:

4.1.2.1 It is not used to cook 400 pounds of meat or more in any 

calendar week, or 

4.1.2.2 It is not used to cook more than 10,800 pounds in the 

most recent rolling 12 month period, and the amount of 

meat cooked every calendar week is less than 875 pounds, 

and the facility has not previously been required to 

comply with Section 5.0.

4.1.3 The claim of exemption is based on total quantity of meat cooked on 

each individual charbroiler at the facility. To claim an exemption, 

operators must keep records in accordance with Section 6.1. 

4.2 Low-Emitting Units

4.2.1 Except for the applicable recordkeeping requirements of Section 6.1, the 

control requirements in Section 5.0 of this rule shall not apply to units 

that are shown, using the test method specified in Section 6.5, to emit 

less than one pound per day of any criteria air pollutant. 

4.2.2 The test results shall be used to determine the maximum amount of meat 

which can be cooked and still be exempt from control requirements. 

4.2.3 Operators claiming this exemption shall provide adequate demonstration 

of emissions using the test method in Section 6.5 and keep records in 

accordance with applicable provisions of Section 6.1.
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The control requirements in Section 5.0 shall not apply to operators of chain-driven 

charbroilers, which satisfy either section 4.1 or 4.2. Operators claiming an exemption 

from control requirements under either section 4.1 or 4.2 shall maintain records as 

specified in section 6.2. 

4.1 Charbroilers used to cook 875 pounds or less of meat per week on the chaindriven charbroiler.

4.2 Chain-driven charbroilers used to cook more than 875 pounds of meat per week 

but are shown, using the test method specified in section 6.4, to emit less than 

one pound per day of any criteria air pollutant. The test results shall be used to 

determine the maximum amount of meat, which can be cooked, and still, be 

exempt from control requirements.

5.0 Requirements 

5.1 Until January 1, 2011, no person shall operate a chain-driven charbroiler unless

it meets the provisions of either Section 5.1.1 or Section 5.1.2.

5.1.1 The chain-driven charbroilers shall be equipped and operated with a 

catalytic oxidizer as a control device, and the combination 

charbroiler/catalyst shall be tested in accordance with the test method 

specified in Section 6.5.

5.1.2 The charbroiler/catalyst is a unit certified for use in the South Coast Air 

Quality Management District (SCAQMD).

5.2 On and after January 1, 2011, no person shall operate a chain-driven charbroiler 

unless the chain-driven charbroiler is equipped and operated with a catalytic 

oxidizer. The catalytic oxidizer shall have a control efficiency of at least 83% 

for PM-10 emissions and a control efficiency of at least 86% for VOC 

emissions. Chain-driven charbroiler/catalytic oxidizers combinations certified

by SCAQMD before January 1, 2011 shall be deemed compliant for the 

purposes of this section.

5.3 Alternative control devices or methods may be used, if:

5.3.1 Until January 1, 2011, the alternative control device or alternative 

control method is demonstrated to be as effective as the catalytic oxidizer 

in reducing both PM-10 and VOC emissions.

5.3.2 On and after January 1, 2011, it is demonstrated that the alternative 

control device or alternative control method has a control efficiency of at 
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least 83% for PM-10 emissions and a control efficiency of at least 86% 

for VOC emissions. 

5.1 Existing chain-driven charbroiler

On and after March 21, 2003 no person shall operate an existing chain-driven 

charbroiler unless:

5.1.1 it is equipped and operated with a catalytic oxidizer control device, and 

the combination charbroiler/catalyst has been tested in accordance with 

the test method specified in Section 6.4; or 

5.1.2 the charbroiler/catalyst is a unit certified for use in the South Coast Air 

Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Other control devices or 

methods may be used, if tested in accordance with the test method 

specified in Section 6.4, to be as effective as the catalytic oxidizer in 

reducing both PM-10 and VOC emissions. 

5.2 New chain-driven charbroiler 

On and after June 21, 2002 no person shall operate a new chain-driven 

charbroiler unless:

5.2.1 it is equipped and operated with a catalytic oxidizer control device, and 

the combination charbroiler/catalyst has been tested in accordance with 

the test method specified in Section 6.4, or

5.2.2 the charbroiler/catalyst is a unit certified for use in the SCAQMD. 

Other control devices or methods may be used, if tested in accordance 

with the test method specified in Section 6.4, to be as effective as the 

catalytic oxidizer in reducing both PM-10 and VOC emissions. 

5.4 5.3Control Device Maintenance

Catalytic oxidizers or other control Control devices, including catalytic 

oxidizers, shall be maintained in good working order to minimize visible 

emissions to the atmosphere and operated, cleaned, and maintained in 

accordance with the manufacturer's specifications in a maintenance manual or 

other written materials supplied by the manufacturer or distributor of the 

catalyst or other control device, or chain-driven charbroiler. 
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6.0 Administrative Requirements Recordkeeping and Test Methods

6.1 Owners and operators of chain-driven charbroilers equipped with control 

equipment shall, at the time of occurrences listed in Sections 6.1.1 and 6.1.2, 

record such actions and retain the records for a period of not less than five 

years. These records shall be made available to a District representative upon 

request. Records shall consist of: 

6.1.1 the date of installation or changing of any catalyst or, if applicable, other 

approved control device; and 

6.1.2 the date and time of cleaning and maintenance performed for the catalyst 

or, if applicable, other approved control device. 

6.1 6.2 Recordskeeping for Exempt Units 

6.1.1 A charbroiler owner or operator, claiming an exemption under Section 

4.1, shall keep weekly records the total quantity, in pounds, of meat 

cooked on each chain-driven charbroiler on the premises.

6.1.2 A charbroiler owner or operator claiming an exemption under Section 

4.2 shall keep the following records: 

6.1.2.1 The test results used to determine the maximum amount of meat

which can be cooked on each charbroiler and still be exempt 

from control requirements; and

6.1.2.2 On a weekly basis, the total quantity, in pounds, of meat 

cooked on each charbroiler on the premises.

6.1.3 The applicable records required in Section 6.1.1 and Section 6.1.2 shall 

be retained on the premises for a period of not less than five years and 

made available to a District representative upon request.

6.2.1 Owners and operators of chain-driven charbroilers operating under an 

exemption from the control requirements of this rule shall maintain 

weekly records of the amount of meat cooked and monthly records of the 

amount of meat purchased. These records shall be retained on the 

restaurant premises for a period of not less than five years and made 

available to a District representative upon request. 

6.2.2 Owners and operators of chain-driven charbroilers operating under the 

exemption in Section 4.2, shall keep on file the test results used to 
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determine the maximum amount of meat, which can be cooked, and still 

be exempt from control requirements.

6.2 Records for Charbroilers Subject to Control Requirements

6.2.1 The owner or operator of a chain-driven charbroiler subject to the 

control requirements of Section 5.0 shall keep weekly records of the total 

quantity, in pounds, of meat cooked on each chain-driven charbroiler on 

the premises.

6.2.2 The records required in Section 6.2.1 shall be retained on the premises 

for a period of not less than five years and made available to a District 

representative upon request.

6.3 Alternative Recordkeeping

Owners and operators may request an alternative record keeping method, 

provided the APCO and EPA have determined, in writing, that the alternative 

recordkeeping method provides equivalent compliance assurance as the records 

specified in applicable provisions of Sections 6.1 or 6.2. 

6.4 Certification of Control Devices

6.4.1 A chain-driven charbroiler/catalytic oxidizer combination certified by 

SCAQMD shall be deemed certified for the purpose of this section.

6.4.2 For District certification, the operator shall submit sufficient information 

to assure that the chain-driven charbroiler and control device 

combination is adequately designed to meet the minimum emission 

control efficiency of Section 6.6.

6.4.3 In order for a control device manufacturer to obtain District certification, 

the manufacturer shall: 

6.4.3.1 Obtain confirmation from an independent testing laboratory that

the chain-driven charbroiler and control device combination has 

been tested in accordance with the applicable procedure in 

Section 6.5; and

6.4.3.2 Demonstrate that the emission control efficiency of the chaindriven charbroiler and control device combination meets the 

applicable emission control efficiency of Section 6.6; and
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6.4.3.3 Obtain a written certification, for the chain-driven charbroiler 

and control device combination from the APCO, in accordance 

with Section 6.7.

6.5 6.4 Test Methods 

6.5.1 Determination of Emissions from Chain-Driven Charbroilers with

Catalytic Oxidizers (SCAQMD Method)

The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Protocol – 

“Determination of Particulate and Volatile Organic Compound Emissions 

from Restaurant Operations”, dated November 14, 1997 shall be used to 

determine the pounds of PM and VOC per 1,000 pounds of meat cooked

control efficiency of the control device. 

6.5.2 Alternative Test Methods

An owner or operator may use an alternative test method for which 

written approval of the EPA and the APCO has been obtained.

6.5.3 Calculation for Control Efficiency

The control system efficiency shall be calculated using the following 

equation:

% Control Efficiency = [ (WPM-10, inlet – WPM-10, outlet) / WPM-10, inlet ] X 100 

Where:

WPM-10, inlet = weight of PM-10 at the inlet side of the emission control 

system, in mg

WPM-10, outlet= weight of PM-10 at the outlet side of the emission control 

system, in mg

6.6 Emission Control Efficiency Limits for Certification

When tested in accordance with Section 6.5, a control device shall have a 

control efficiency of at least 83% with respect to PM-10 emissions; and at least 

86% with respect to VOC emissions.

6.7 Certification Procedure
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6.7.1 Each manufacturer who requests certification of their compliant control 

equipment, shall submit an application to the APCO. The application 

shall:

6.7.1.1 Provide the following general information: 

6.7.1.1.1 Name and address of manufacturer; 

6.7.1.1.2 Brand name, trade name, model number;

6.7.1.1.3 Any accoutrements installed to enhance or support 

the operation of the control equipment; and

6.7.1.1.4 Operation conditions, including the maximum air 

flow rate;

6.7.1.2 Provide a description of the model being certified;

6.7.1.3 Include a complete certification source test report demonstrating 

that the control equipment was tested in accordance with 

procedure in Section 6.5;

6.7.1.4 Include a written statement that the model complies with the 

emission rate limit and citing the applicable emission rate limit; 

and

6.7.1.5 Be submitted to the District no more than 90 days after the date 

of the emissions compliance test conducted in accordance with 

Section 6.5.

6.7.2 The manufacturer may submit, to the APCO, an approved SCAQMD

certification in lieu of conducting duplicative certification tests.

6.7.3 The APCO will approve or deny the request for certification after 

completing review of the application for certification and source test 

report.

7.0 Compliance Schedule

7.1 A chain-driven charbroiler that is exempt from the control requirements of Rule 

4692 on or before [rule adoption date] that becomes subject to the control 

requirements of Section 5.0, the charbroiler shall be in full compliance with the 

applicable rule requirements on January 1, 2011 and thereafter.
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7.2 Loss of Exemption

Except as noted in Section 7.1, an owner or operator of a charbroiler that loses 

its exempt status shall comply with the applicable requirements of Sections 5.0 

and 6.0 of this rule when the charbroiler is returned to operation after the loss of 

exemption. 
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