(Adopted: 5/6/77; Amended: 6/2/78; Amended: 4/4/80;

Amended: 7/9/82; Amended: 9/8/95; Amended: 6/13/97; 

Amended: 1/20/98; Amended: 07/18/00: Amended: 04/15/14)

AVAQMD Rule 701 701-1

Air Pollution Emergency Episodes

RULE 701

Air Pollution Emergency Contingency Actions

(A) General

(1) The purpose of this rule is to:

(a) Define air pollution Episode criteria;

(b) Provide for Episode notification to the public;

(c) Recommend precautionary actions to be taken during Episodes; and

(d) Prevent or reduce the severity of Episodes.

(2) Applicability

(a) This rule shall apply to all persons within the jurisdiction of Antelope 

Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) and shall also 

specify the measures to be taken by AVAQMD during air pollution 

Episodes

(B) Definitions

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

(1) “Air Contaminant or Air Pollutant” - 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 

combination thereof.

(2) “Air Pollution Control Officer” (APCO) – The person appointed to the position of 

Air Pollution Control Officer of AVAQMD pursuant to the provisions of 

California Health & Safety Code §40750, and his or her designee.

(3) “Air Quality Index” (AQI) - The uniform reporting system established by the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to make air pollution reports more 

easily understood by the public. The AQI simplifies information by converting 

units of air pollution measurement into a uniform scale from 0 to 500.

(4) “Child Day Care Facility” - A State licensed child day care, pre-school, or afterschool program.
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(5) “Declared Episode” - Exists whenever the APCO determines:

(a) That any of the applicable Episode criteria levels specified in this rule 

have been attained; or

(b) That it is likely that any of the applicable Episode criteria levels specified 

in this rule is imminent to be attained that day.

(6) “Electric Power Generating System” - All boiler and approved alternative 

resources owned or operated by, and approved alternative resources and 

replacement units under contract to sell power to, any one of the following: 

Southern California Edison, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, or any 

of their successors.

(7) “Employee” – Any person employed by a person(s), firm, business, educational 

institution, non-profit agency or corporation, government or other entity. The 

term exempts seasonal employees, temporary employees, volunteers, field 

personnel, field construction workers, and independent contractors.

(8) “Episodes” - The intermediate levels between the National Ambient Air Quality 

Standard and the Level of Significant Harm for Air Pollutants at which some 

pollution abatement or health notification action must be taken. The applicable 

Episode criteria, by pollutant and averaging period established by the USEPA and 

the California Air Pollution Emergency Plan, are presented in Attachment 2.

(9) “Essential Public Service”:

(a) A sewage treatment facility which is publicly owned and operated 

consistent with an approved regional growth plan;

(b) A prison;

(c) Police or fire fighting operations;

(d) Schools, hospitals, or ambulance operations;

(e) Construction and operation of a landfill gas control or processing facility;

(f) Water delivery operations;

(g) Public or private utility operations responding to public emergencies or 

utility outages, excluding routine maintenance, 

(h) Public transit; or

(i) U.S. Postal Service Operations.

(10) “Fleet Vehicles” - Motor vehicles as defined by the Motor Vehicle Code Division 

1, Section 415 of the State of California Vehicle Code and operated from one 

business address.
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(11) “Force Majeure Natural Gas Curtailment” - An interruption in natural gas service 

due to unforeseeable failure, malfunction, or natural disaster, not resulting from 

an intentional or negligent act or omission on the part of the owner or operator of 

a boiler, or a supply restriction resulting from California Public Utility 

Commission (CPUC) priority allocation system of CPUC Rule 23, such that the 

daily fuel needs of a boiler cannot be met with the natural gas available.

(12) “News Media” - The written press, television, radio, and other mass media of 

communication such as on-line computer information services.

(13) “Outdoor Activity Curtailment Actions” - Measures, as presented in Attachment 

1, to reduce outdoor activities by children during periods when air quality exceeds 

the Health Advisory Episode level for ozone or the Stage 1 Episode for all other 

pollutants for which Episode criteria are defined.

(14) “Predicted Episode” - Exists whenever the APCO determines that it is likely that 

any of the Episode levels specified in this Rule will be reached during the 

following day.

(15) “School” - Public and private educational institutions for children ranging from 

grades Kindergarten through 12.

(16) “Upset of Production” - A situation in which the process throughput or production 

rate is reduced by more than 20 percent of normal daily operations as a direct 

result of reducing emissions in order to comply with this regulation for Stage 2 or 

Stage 3 Episodes.

(17) “Volatile Organic Compound” (VOC) – Any compound of carbon which may 

participate in such atmospheric photochemical reactions and contribute to the 

formation of photochemical smog, excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, 

carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, ammonium carbonate and those 

exempt compounds listed in 40 CFR 51.100(s)(1).

(18) “Wildland Vegetative Management Burning” - 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 as defined by Title 17, California Administrative 

Code, Section 80100.

(C) Facility Requirements

(1) The following actions are required for the owner or operator of any facility which 

has actual emissions of 91 metric tons (100 tons) or more per year of either 

VOCs, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), or oxides of sulfur (SOx), and are encouraged 

for all other emitters of these pollutants:

(a) Upon notification of a predicted Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episode either from

the APCO or via the News Media, reduce combined emissions for VOCs, 

NOx, and SOx, by at least 20 percent of normal weekday operations.
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(b) Upon notification by the APCO of the declaration of an air pollution state 

of emergency by the Governor, take the applicable actions which the 

Governor requires.

(2) The following actions are required for any facility having 100 or more 

Employees:

(a) Upon notification of a predicted Stage 2 or 3 Episode either from the 

APCO or via the News Media, post at least one sign in a conspicuous 

place designating the Predicted Episode stage and requesting ridesharing 

and telecommuting.

(b) Upon notification of a predicted Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episode either from 

the APCO or via the News Media, reduce Fleet Vehicle miles traveled by

at least 20 percent of normal week day operations.

(c) Upon notification by the APCO of the declaration of an air pollution state 

of emergency by the Governor, take the applicable actions which the 

Governor requires.

(3) All facilities subject to subsections (C)(1) or (C)(2) are encouraged to develop and 

maintain an internal plan to meet the specified requirements.

(4) Upon a predicted Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episode, an owner or facility shall maintain a 

log of the actions taken to meet the requirements in subsections (C)(1) or (C)(2).

(5) Facilities required to implement Stage 2 or Stage 3 actions shall implement such 

actions by at least just after midnight (00:01 hours standard time) or upon 

commencement of normal business hours on the day for which an Episode is 

predicted.

(6) Liquid or solid fossil fuel shall not be burned in Electric Power Generating 

Systems on predicted or declared Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episode days of ozone, sulfur 

dioxide, sulfur dioxide plus ozone, or sulfates in combination with ozone unless a 

Force Majeure Natural Gas Curtailment is in effect.

(D) AVAQMD Requirements

(1) Measurements

(a) The APCO shall maintain air monitoring stations throughout AVAQMD

so that air quality can be monitored on a continuous basis and air pollution 

Episodes can be measured and predicted. Air quality information will be 

reported daily using the AQI.
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(2) Episode Notifications by the APCO

(a) The APCO shall notify the California Air Resources Board and the News 

Media (e.g. those media in each county determined to be most likely to 

result in widespread public knowledge) whenever an Episode is predicted, 

declared, or terminated.

(b) The APCO may notify directly or shall otherwise rely on the News Media 

to disseminate to the following whenever an Episode is predicted, 

declared, or terminated:

(i) School officials;

(ii) Local and state law enforcement agencies;

(iii) Public safety personnel who have responsibilities for or interest in 

air pollution control;

(iv) All facilities or activities subject to subsections (C)(1) or (C)(2).

(c) The APCO shall announce the prediction of an Episode not later than 2:00 

pm (4:30 pm for sulfate portion of ozone/sulfate Episode) of the day 

before the Episode is predicted to occur.

(d) A declared or Predicted Episode shall be terminated whenever the Air 

Contaminant which caused the Episode has been verified by the APCO to 

be below the applicable Episode criteria set forth for the calling of such 

Episode and the available scientific and meteorological data indicate that 

the concentration of such Air Contaminant will not likely increase again 

within the next hour so as to reach the previously attained Episode.

(e) The notice of an Episode shall include the following:

(i) Stage level and predicted duration.

(ii) The affected source and receptor areas.

(iii) Air Contaminants for which the Episode is declared.

(iv) The AQI value for the Air Pollutant with the highest predicted or 

actual AQI reading and associated health message.

(3) Upon the declaration of any Predicted or attained Episode, the APCO shall take 

the following actions:

(a) For Ozone Health Advisories Only:

(i) Recommend as part of the notification required by subsection 

(D)(2) that Schools and Child Day Care Facilities take the actions 

specified in Attachment 1, paragraph (b);

(ii) Recommend as part of the notification required by subsection 

(D)(2) to the public that individuals with special health problems 

follow the precautions recommended by their physicians or health 

officials;

(iii) By means of a telephone recorded message, notify members of the 

public who contact the AVAQMD.
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(b) For Stage 1 Episodes:

(i) Recommend as part of the notification required by subsection 

(D)(2) that Schools and Child Day Care Facilities take the actions 

specified in Attachment 1, paragraph (c); 

(ii) Take the actions specified in subsections (D)(3)(a)(ii) and (iii); 

(iii) Encourage the public to reduce unnecessary driving; 

(iv) Encourage the public to ride share; 

(v) Encourage employers to limit the amount of time their Employees 

work outdoors to the degree practicable.

(c) For Stage 2 and Stage 3 Episodes: 

(i) Recommend as part of the notification required by subsection 

(D)(2) that Schools and Child Day Care Facilities take the actions 

specified in Attachment 1, paragraph (d); 

(ii) Take the actions specified in subsections (D)(3)(b)(ii) through (v); 

(iii) Within the receptor area(s) of the Episode: 

a. Recommend the suspension of programs which involve the 

physical exertion by participants using public parks or 

public recreation facilities; 

b. Recommend that all non-emergency driving be 

discontinued as soon as possible.

(iv) The APCO shall implement source inspections upon a Predicted 

Episode.

(E) Special Actions for Wildland Vegetative Management Burning 

(1) Upon declaration of any predicted Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episode, all Wildland 

Vegetative Management Burning is prohibited. 

(2) Upon the declaration of any attained Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episode, all Wildland 

Vegetative Management Burning, if already ignited, shall be terminated. 

(F) Interdistrict Coordination 

Upon request of an air pollution control officer in an adjoining air basin for action to 

abate Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episodes occurring within that district, the APCO shall make a 

determination, and if the need for action is confirmed, direct the implementation of the 

actions required in this Rule for any significant source area identified within the District 

which contributes to the ongoing Episode in the adjoining district. Sources in that area 

shall comply as though an Episode has been declared in their area.

(G) Exemptions

(1) Percentage emissions reductions or percentage reductions in vehicle miles 

traveled lower than those specified in section (C) shall be allowed by the APCO:
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(a) If the facility submits a letter to the APCO, not later than 30 days 

following a predicted Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episode, demonstrating at least 

one of the following conditions:

(i) That meeting the stated percentage reductions jeopardizes public 

health or safety, 

(ii) That meeting the stated percentage reductions damages equipment 

or creates an Upset of Production, or

(b) The facility or activity is an Essential Public Service.

(2) Buses, commuter van pool vehicles or other vehicles, used exclusively for multipassenger commuting between home and the place of work or School are 

excluded from the Fleet Vehicle reduction provisions of subsection (C)(2)(b).

Programs that include adult participants in scheduled athletic events with paid 

attendance are exempted from subsection (D)(3)(c)(iii)a..

[SIP: See SIP Table at 

http://www.avaqmd.ca.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=921]
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ATTACHMENT 1 

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CURTAILMENT ACTIONS

State and federal guidance identifies the following actions that Schools and Child Day Care 

Facilities can take to curtail outdoor activities to reduce or minimize children's exposure to air 

pollution:

(a) For periods of unhealthful air quality (exceeding the federal clean air standards):

(1) Susceptible individuals, e.g. children with heart or lung disease:

Minimize outdoor activity.

(2) Healthy individuals with a noticeable adverse health response to existing 

conditions: 

Minimize outdoor activity.

(b) For Health Advisory Episodes (applies only to Ozone and PM2.5):

(1) All children:

Discontinue prolonged, vigorous outdoor exercise lasting longer than one hour.

(2) Susceptible persons, such as those with heart or lung disease:

Avoid outdoor activity.

(3) Examples of the kinds of outdoor activities that should be avoided are 

calisthenics, basketball, running, soccer, football, tennis, swimming laps, water 

polo.

(c) For Stage 1 Episodes:

(1) All children:

Discontinue all vigorous outdoor activities regardless of duration.

(2) Outdoor physical education (PE) classes, sports practices, and athletic 

competitions should be re-scheduled or canceled if practicable.

(d) For Stage 2 or Stage 3 Episodes:

(1) All children:

Discontinue all outdoor activities.
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ATTACHMENT 2

EPISODE CRITERIA

For the purpose of Rule 701, the following Episode criteria shall apply: 

Air Contaminant Averaging 

Time 

Health 

Advisory

Stage 

1 

Stage 

2 

Stage 

3 

Ozone 1 Hour 0.15 ppm 0.20 ppm 0.35 ppm 0.50 ppm

Ozone, Combination w/ Sulfur Dioxide 1 Hour 0.20 ppm* 0.35 ppm* 0.50 ppm* 

Carbon Monoxide 1 Hour 40 ppm 75 ppm 100 ppm** 

8 Hours*** 15 ppm 30 ppm 40 ppm 

Sulfur Dioxide 1 Hour 0.5 ppm 1.0 ppm 2.0 ppm 

24 Hours*** 0.2 ppm 0.6 ppm 0.8 ppm 

Sulfate, in Combination with Ozone 24 Hours*** 

(Sulfate) 

25 ug/m3

1 Hour (Ozone) 0.20 ppm 

Nitrogen Dioxide 1 Hour 0.6 ppm 1.2 ppm 1.6 ppm 

24 Hours*** 0.15 ppm 0.3 ppm 0.4 ppm 

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 24 Hours*** 35.5 

μg/m3

55.5 

μg/m3

150.5 

μg/m3

250.5 

μg/m3

* These levels shall apply when the ozone concentration and the sulfur dioxide concentration 

each exceeds 0.10 ppm, one-hour average, and shall be determined by adding the ozone and 

sulfur dioxide concentration.** For one hour and predicted to persist for one additional clock 

hour. *** Averaging time is based on a running clock hourly average. 
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