Vapor Recovery Definitions

D-200

DEFINITIONS FOR

VAPOR RECOVERY PROCEDURES

Adopted: April 12, 1996

Amended: March 17, 1999

Amended: February 1, 2001

Amended: July 3, 2002

Amended: October 8, 2003

Amended: May 25, 2006

Amended: May 2, 2008

Amended: January 9, 2013

Amended: April 23, 2015
California Environmental Protection Agency

Air Resources Board

Vapor Recovery Definitions

D-200

Definitions for

Vapor Recovery Procedures

1 APPLICABILITY

The terms and acronyms contained herein are applicable for the Certification and Test 

Procedures for Vapor Recovery Systems at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities, Gasoline Bulk 

Plants, Gasoline Terminals, Cargo Tanks, Novel Facilities, and Aboveground Storage Tanks. 

They are intended as a clarification of the terms and acronyms used throughout the 

Certification and Test Procedures. 

2 TERMS

abbreviated operational tests

operational tests that are conducted for a duration of less than 180 days. 

aboveground storage tank

a system that uses a gasoline storage tank that is intended for fixed installations, 

without backfill, that is located above or below grade.

airport refueller

a cargo tank which: has a total capacity no greater than 5000 gallons; exclusively 

transports avgas and jet fuel; and is not licensed for public highway use.

assist

a vapor recovery system, which employs a pump, blower, or other vacuum inducing 

devices, to collect and/or process vapors at a subject facility.

balance

a vapor recovery system which uses direct displacement to collect and/or process 

vapors at a subject facility.

below-grade vaulted tank

an aboveground storage tank that is below the level of the earth’s surface contained in 

an enclosure, without backfill, and requires continuous ventilation.

blend valve

the valve in a dispenser that typically creates specific product grade by blending two 

other product grades in a ratio.

bootless nozzle

identifies a type of vapor recovery nozzle that does not have a bellows, or “boot,” over 

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the length of the nozzle spout.

bulk plant

an intermediate gasoline distribution facility where delivery to and from storage tanks 

is by cargo tank.

cargo tank

any container, including associated pipes and fittings, that is used for the 

transportation of gasoline on any highway and is required to be certified in 

accordance with Section 41962 of the California Health and Safety Code.

certification procedures

document certified performance standards and performance specifications for vapor 

recovery systems, and document test procedures for determining compliance with 

such standards and specifications.

The purpose of such procedures is to provide certified performance standards and 

performance specifications for performance levels equal to or greater than those 

levels required by federal, state, and local statutes, rules, and regulations applicable 

at the time that any ARB Executive Order certifying a system is signed.

certification tests

any test conducted as part of the certification process. Certification tests include 

operational tests, vapor recovery equipment defect tests, challenge mode tests, and 

any bench testing conducted during a system or component certification. 

challenge mode testing

testing to verify that the system will meet applicable standards and specifications 

under various GDF operating conditions. 

compartment

a liquid-tight division of a cargo tank.

compliance tests

tests which, as required by an ARB Executive Order, are performed after certification 

to determine compliance with a certified performance standard or specification.

district

any of California's local air pollution agencies, including the air pollution control 

districts and air quality management districts.

effective date

For vapor recovery performance standards or performance specifications originally 

adopted by ARB prior to January 1, 2012, “effective date,” as used in Health and Safety 

Code sections 41954(g)(2) and 41956.1(a), shall be the date listed in the applicable 

certification procedure.

For vapor recovery performance standards or performance specifications adopted by 

ARB on or after January 1, 2012, “effective date,” as used in Health and Safety Code 

sections 41954(g)(2) and 41956.1(a), means the date the first system or component 

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is certified by ARB to meet the new or revised performance standard or performance 

specification adopted by ARB pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.

The effective date “starts the clock” for the period of continuing use of installed vapor 

recovery systems/equipment under Health and Safety Code section 41956.1. The 

period may be up to four years after which the component and/or system may no longer 

be used. 

emission factor

a performance standard expressed as pounds of hydrocarbon per 1,000 gallons of 

gasoline dispensed.

engineering evaluation

an evaluation by the Executive Officer of the relationship that vapor recovery system 

and/or system component design, operation, and defects, have on the performance of 

the vapor recovery system. The evaluation may include, but is not limited to, an analysis 

based on physical science, chemistry, and engineering data from test procedures, in-use 

performance audits, challenge mode tests, or observations conducted by the Executive 

Officer or technical or other information made available to the Executive Officer. 

Executive Order

a document issued by the Executive Officer that certifies a vapor recovery system.

existing installation

any gasoline dispensing facility that is not a new installation.

expired certification

any system or component certification that has reached the end of it’s certification 

period and has not been renewed or extended by the Executive Officer. 

full operational tests

operational tests where the complete complement of test procedures are conducted 

to demonstrate compliance with all the applicable standards and specifications in CP201.

gastight

exhibiting no vapor leak(s).

gasoline

any petroleum distillate having a Reid vapor pressure of four pounds or greater and 

meeting the requirements of title 13, California Code of Regulations, division 3, 

chapter 5, article 1, beginning with section 2250.

gasoline dispensing facility

a gasoline dispensing facility (GDF) is a stationary source which receives gasoline 

from cargo tanks and/or dispenses gasoline directly into the fuel tanks of motor 

vehicles.

hold-open latch

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a certified device which is an integral part of the dispensing nozzle and is manufactured 

specifically for the purpose of dispensing gasoline without requiring the consumer's 

physical contact with the nozzle during refueling operations.

incinerator

any assist processor designed to control hydrocarbon emissions by any kind of 

oxidation which generates exhaust which is so hot and variable in volume that such 

volume can only be determined by correlated measurements and thermodynamic 

principles, rather than direct measurement. 

insertion interlock

any certified mechanism which is an integral part of a bellows-equipped dispensing 

nozzle which prohibits the dispensing of fuel unless the bellows has been 

compressed.

in-station diagnostics (ISD)

equipment that provides continuous real-time monitoring of critical emission-related 

vapor recovery system parameters and components, and alerts the station operator 

when a failure mode is detected so that corrective action is taken.

leak detection solution

any solution containing soap, detergent or similar materials which promote formation 

of bubbles, and which is used to wet joints or surfaces from which gas may be 

leaking, and which causes bubbles to form at the site of any escaping gas.

leak free

liquid leak of no greater than three drops per minute.

limited operational tests

operational tests where only the test procedures appropriate for a specific 

component(s) are conducted to demonstrate compliance with specific standards and 

specifications.

liquid condensate trap (knock-out pot, thief port)

a device designed to collect liquid that condenses in the vapor return line in a manner 

that allows it to be evacuated and ensures that the vapor return line will not be blocked 

by the accumulation of liquid.

liquid leak

the dripping of liquid organic compounds at a rate in excess of three (3) drops per 

minute from any single leak source other than the liquid fill line and vapor line 

disconnect operations. For cargo tanks, a liquid leak from liquid product line and 

vapor line disconnect operations is defined to be:

more than two (2) milliliters liquid drainage per disconnect from a top loading 

operation; or

more than ten (10) milliliters liquid drainage from a bottom loading operation. 

Such liquid drainage for disconnect operations shall be determined by computing 

the average drainage from three consecutive disconnects at any one permit unit. 

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liquid removal device

a device designed specifically to remove liquid from the vapor return portion of a vapor 

hose.

liquid retention

any liquid gasoline retained in the nozzle’s liquid path or the vapor passage of the 

nozzle/hose assembly, on the atmospheric side of the vapor check valve, that is subject 

to potential spillage or evaporation.

low permeation hose

a hose that is used to dispense gasoline and complies with the permeation 

performance standard as determined by UL 330 (seventh edition). 

lower explosive limit (LEL)

the minimum volumetric fraction of combustible gas, in air, which will support the 

propagation of flame; commonly expressed in units of percent (%) or parts per million 

(ppm).

Standard references for physical properties of combustible gases differ by a few 

percent in their listed values for lower explosive limit (LEL) and differ also in terms 

employed. For clarity:

“LEL” shall mean the same as “lower limit of flammability,” “lower end of the 

explosive range”, and other related terms in common technical discourse.

The authoritative reference for determination of LEL values shall be the chapter 

GASEOUS FUELS, by C. C. Ward, pages 7-21 to 7-24 of Marks' Standard 

Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, Eighth Edition, McGraw Hill, New York, 

1978.

The LEL for propane is 2.1% (21,000 ppm).

The LEL for methane is 5.0 % (50,000 ppm).

major modification

the modification of an existing GDF that makes it subject to the same requirements to 

which a new installation is subject.

Modification of the Phase I system that involves the addition, replacement, or removal

of an underground storage tank, or modification that causes the tank top to be 

unburied, is considered a major modification of the Phase I system.

Modification of the Phase II system that involves the addition, replacement or removal 

of 50 percent or more of the buried vapor piping, or the replacement of dispensers, is 

considered a major modification of the Phase II system. The replacement of a 

dispenser is not a major modification when the replacement is occasioned by end 

user damage to a dispenser. 

Phase II system upgrades to make the systems ORVR compatible do not constitute a 

major modification. Phase II system upgrades to comply with the under-dispenser 

containment requirement (CCR, Title 23, section 2636(h)(1)) initiated before January 

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1, 2004 do not constitute a major modification. Modifications to dispensers may 

require use of unihose configurations as described in CP-201 section 4.10.

The replacement of an aboveground storage tank is a major modification. The 

installation of an AST after retrofitting with standing loss controls or the exchange of 

an AST for a standing loss control retrofitted AST of equal capacity to comply with the 

requirements of CP-206 is not a major modification.

mini-boot

a device used on vapor recovery nozzles to enhance collection efficiency without 

requiring a tight seal at the vehicle fillpipe.

multi-product dispenser (MPD)

a dispenser of multiple products with one or more hoses per dispenser side.

motor vehicle

as defined in Section 39039 of the Health and Safety Code.

National Institute of Standards and Technology

the United States Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST) which, through its Standard Reference Materials (SRM) Program, 

provides science, industry, and government with a source of well-characterized 

materials certified for chemical composition or for some chemical or physical 

property. These materials are designated SRMs and are used to calibrate 

instruments and to evaluate analytical methods and systems, or to produce scientific 

data that can be referred readily to a common base.

new installation

a gasoline dispensing facility that is not constructed as of the operative date of the 

latest amendments to Certification Procedure CP-201 or CP-206, or a gasoline 

dispensing facility constructed as of the operative date of the latest amendments to 

Certification Procedure CP-201 or CP-206 that has undergone a major modification 

on or after the operative date of the amendments. 

novel

a modifier which indicates a vapor recovery system (or system feature) or facility to 

which the written procedures (of general applicability) do not apply; for such a novel 

system or facility, new system-specific or facility-specific performance specifications 

and test procedures shall be developed and required as conditions of certification.

nozzle bellows (nozzle boot)

the flexible device around the spout of some vapor recovery nozzles, utilized to contain 

the vapor displaced from the vehicle.

on-board refueling vapor recovery system

vehicle based system required by title 13, California Code of Regulations, section 

1978, or Part 86, Code of Federal Regulations.

operational test

testing conducted for the purpose of certification of a vapor recovery system or 

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component where the vapor recovery equipment is installed in an operating GDF. 

Also see the definitions for “abbreviated”, “full”, and “limited” operational tests. The 

term “operational test” is intended to imply certification tests conducted on a GDF

operating under normal conditions. This definition excludes vapor recovery 

equipment defect and bench tests conducted as part of a system certification.

Challenge mode testing may be conducted during an operational test if the Executive 

Officer determines that such testing will not impact the operational test.

operative date

the date on which a regulated person is first required to act or is prohibited from 

acting. The operative date determines when new installations and facilities 

undergoing major modifications must use equipment that meets the applicable 

performance standard and/or performance specification.

ORVR fleet facility

a gasoline dispensing facility that is exempted from Phase II vapor recovery 

requirements because it fuels primarily vehicles that are equipped with on-board 

refueling vapor recovery systems. The term includes only those facilities that have 

been exempted from Phase II vapor recovery by district rules, as described in the 

February 28, 2008 memo1 from ARB to Air Pollution Control Officers. 

over-fill prevention device

a device designed to stop the delivery of product to a storage tank to prevent the overfilling of the tank and potential spillage.

phase I 

control of vapors during the transfer of gasoline from the cargo tank to the gasoline 

dispensing facility.

phase II

the control of vapors during the transfer of gasoline from the gasoline dispensing 

facility to the vehicle and storage of gasoline at the gasoline dispensing facility.

portable fuel container

any container or vessel that is designed or used primarily for receiving, transporting, 

storing, and dispensing fuel.

pressure-related fugitive emissions

those emissions of hydrocarbon vapors emitted from a GDF due to a positive gauge 

pressure in the headspace (ullage) of the gasoline storage tank, as determined using the 

procedures outlined in TP-201.2F. These emissions do not include transfer emissions at 

the nozzle/fillpipe interface, emissions from the processor, nor the emissions from the 

vent pipe P/V valve, provided that the cracking pressure of the P/V valve has been 

exceeded.

processor

a vapor processor, either destructive or non-destructive, that operates to manage the 

pressure of the vapor in the gasoline storage tank within specified limits.

1 The ARB memo is available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/vapor/e85/e85orvrletter022008.pdf

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Reid Vapor Pressure

the absolute vapor pressure of volatile petroleum liquids, except liquefied petroleum 

gases, as determined in accordance with ASTM D323-89.

renewed certification

an Executive Order for vapor recovery equipment or system reviewed and approved 

for renewal by the Executive Officer on or before the expiration date as stated in the 

Executive Order.

revoked certification

an Executive Order for vapor recovery equipment or system which has been 

determined by the Executive Officer to not be in compliance with the applicable 

performance standards and specifications. 

rigid piping

any piping material with a bend radius that exceeds six feet as determined by TP201.2G.

rural air district

one of California's Air Pollution Control Districts (APCD) or Air Quality Management 

Districts (AQMD).with a population density less than 300 persons per square mile, 

based on the most recent Census data as tabulated by the California Department of 

Finance.

spillage

liquid which enters the environment from a dispensing facility, except for liquid which 

leaves such dispensing facility in a vehicle tank or cargo tank.

The following definitions apply for the determination of spillage as defined above:

pre-dispensing spillage

spillage which occurs between:

the time when a dispensing nozzle is removed from a dispenser and

the time when the dispensing nozzle is inserted into the tank receiving the 

dispensed liquid.

dispensing spillage 

spillage which occurs between:

the time when the dispensing nozzle is inserted into the tank receiving the 

dispensed liquid and

the time when the dispensing nozzle is withdrawn from the tank receiving the 

dispensed liquid.

post-dispensing spillage 

spillage which occurs between:

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the time when the dispensing nozzle is withdrawn from the tank receiving the 

dispensed liquid and

the time when the dispensing nozzle is returned to a dispenser.

spitback

the forcible ejection of liquid gasoline upon activation of the nozzle’s primary shutoff 

mechanism.

spitting

liquid gasoline dispensed or released from the nozzle spout when the trigger is 

depressed without the dispenser being activated.

static torque of phase I adaptor

the amount of torque, measured as pound-inches, required to start the rotation of a 

rotatable phase I adaptor as measured in accordance with TP-201.1B.

standing loss control

the control of vapors from ASTs when no Phase I or Phase II gasoline transfers are 

occurring.

submerged fillpipe 

any fillpipe which has its discharge opening entirely submerged when the liquid level 

is six inches above the bottom of the tank. 

when referring to a tank which is loaded from the side, any fillpipe which has its 

discharge opening entirely submerged when the liquid level is 18 inches above the 

bottom of the tank.

superseded certification

an Executive Order (EO) that has been replaced by a revised version of the 

Executive Order that reflects changes in the vapor recovery equipment or system.

summer fuel

fuel that is required to comply with the requirements of title 13, California Code of 

Regulations, section 2262.4.

temperature attenuation

a standing loss control for aboveground storage tanks that controls the effects of 

diurnal ambient temperature or solar radiation on fuel surface temperature.

test procedures

specify equipment and techniques for determining the performance and compliance 

status of vapor recovery systems relative to certified performance standards and 

associated certified performance specifications.

terminal

a primary distribution facility for the loading of cargo tanks that deliver gasoline to 

bulk plants, service stations and other distribution points; and where delivery to the 

facility storage tanks is by other than by cargo tank.

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terminated certification

status of certification of any systems or any system components certified under 

performance standards in effect prior to the adoption of revised standards and installed 

prior to the operative date of the revised standards. 

top off

the attempt to dispense gasoline to a motor vehicle or utility equipment fuel tank after the 

dispensing nozzle primary shutoff mechanism has engaged. The filling of a class of 

vehicle tanks which, because of the configuration of the fill pipe, cause premature 

activation of the primary shutoff, shall not be considered topping off.

transition flow

the flow rate at which a transition occurs in the slope of the plot of flow rate versus 

pressure for a valve tested per TP-201.2B.

ullage

the empty volume of any container. For example, the ullage of a tank designed 

primarily for containing liquid is the volume of the tank minus the volume of the liquid.

underground storage tank

any one or combination of tanks, including pipes connected thereto, which is used for 

the storage of gasoline, which is substantially or totally beneath the surface of the 

ground and does not have an emergency vent.

unihose dispenser

a multi-product dispenser that has only one hose and nozzle per dispenser side.

urban air district

one of California's Air Pollution Control Districts (APCD) or Air Quality Management 

Districts (AQMD) with a population density greater than or equal to 300 persons per 

square mile, based the most recent U.S. Census data as tabulated by the California 

Department of Finance.

useful life

the period of time during which a vapor recovery system or component can be used 

as intended, conforms to manufacturer’s specifications, and complies with all 

applicable ARB regulations, standards, and specifications. 

vapor guard (see mini-boot)

vapor leak

a vapor leak measured as greater than 10,000 parts per million on a methane 

calibrated gas detector, measured at a minimum distance of one centimeter from the 

source in accordance with EPA Reference Method 21, compliance with the static 

pressure integrity requirements as determined by TP-201.3, bagging of individual 

components, or the presence of bubbles using a liquid leak detector solution.

vapor recovery system

a vapor gathering system capable of collecting the hydrocarbon vapors and gases 

discharged and a vapor disposal system capable of processing such hydrocarbon 

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vapors and gases so as to prevent their emission into the atmosphere, with all tank 

gauging and sampling devices gastight except when gauging or sampling is taking 

place.

vapor recovery system for gasoline dispensing facility (GDF)

all equipment used at a GDF to recover, contain, and transfer gasoline vapors 

generated by refueling vehicle tanks, gasoline storage tanks, and portable fuel 

containers, including, but not limited to, dispensing equipment, couplers, fittings, 

processors, control boards, gauges, and monitors.

vent

any plumbing which conveys an air/vapor mixture from a vapor recovery system to 

the atmosphere.

winter fuel

fuel that is not required to comply with the regulations that are applicable to summer 

fuel.

3 ACRONYMS

ACF

actual cubic feet (see CF, CFH, and CFM) at sampling conditions.

APCD

one of California's Air Pollution Control Districts.

AQMD

one of California's Air Quality Management Districts.

A/L Ratio or A/L

air to liquid ratio.

ARB

Air Resources Board. 

ARB Executive Officer or Executive Officer

the Executive Officer of the ARB or his or her authorized representative or designate.

AST

aboveground storage tank.

CARB

California Air Resources Board.

CCR

California Code of Regulations.

CF

cubic feet.

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CFR

Code of Federal Regulations.

CT#

cargo tank number issued by the Executive Officer.

CFH

cubic feet per hour.

CFM

cubic feet per minute.

DMS

California Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Measurement Standards.

DOSH

California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety and 

Health.

Eng. Eval.

engineering evaluation.

EO

Executive Order.

FID

flame ionization detector.

GC/FID

gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector.

GDF

gasoline dispensing facility.

H&SC

California Health and Safety Code.

ID

inside diameter.

ID#

identification number.

ISD

In-Station Diagnostics.

LDS

leak detection solution.

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LEL

lower explosive limit.

LPM

liters per minute.

mmHg

millimeters of mercury (unit of pressure).

MPD

multi-product dispenser.

N2

nitrogen gas.

NDIR

non-dispersive infrared.

NEMA

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

NIST 

National Institute of Standards and Technology.

NPT

National pipe threads

ORVR

onboard refueling vapor recovery.

PV or P/V Valve

pressure/vacuum relief vent valve.

QA/QC

quality assurance/quality control

SFM

California State Fire Marshal.

Sec.

section.

SLC

Standing Loss Control

Spec.

specification.

Std.

standard.

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SWRCB

State Water Resources Control Board.

UST

underground storage tank.

VRED

vapor recovery equipment defect.

WC

water column (unit of pressure normally expressed in inches).

WCg

water column, gauge (unit of pressure normally expressed in inches).

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