(Adopted: 01/09/76; Amended: 05/05/78;Amended: 10/14/79;

Amended: 04/04/86; Amended: 12/07/90; Amended: 06/09/95) 

AVAQMD Rule 462 462-1

Organic Liquid Loading

RULE 462 

Organic Liquid Loading

(a) Purpose

 This rule is intended to control emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from 

facilities that load organic liquids with a vapor pressure of 1.5 psia (77.5 mm Hg) or 

greater under actual loading conditions into any tank truck, trailer, or railroad tank car. 

(b) Definitions

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

 (1) BACKGROUND is the ambient concentration of organic vapors in the air 

measured according to the EPA Method 21 subsection 4.3.2. 

 (2) CLASS "A" FACILITY is any facility which loads 20,000 gallons (75,700 liters) 

or more on any one day of organic liquids into any tank truck, trailer, or railroad 

tank car. 

 (3) CLASS "B" FACILITY is any facility: 

 (A) which was constructed before January 9, 1976 and loads more than 4,000 

gallons (15,140 liters) but not more than 20,000 gallons (75,700 liters) of 

gasoline on any one day into any tank truck, trailer, or railroad tank car. 

 (B) which was constructed before January 9, 1976 and loads not more than 

4,000 gallons (15,140 liters) of gasoline on any one day, but more than 

500,000 gallons (1,892,500 liters) of gasoline in any one calendar year, 

into any tank truck, trailer, or railroad tank car. 

(C) which was constructed after January 9, 1976 and loads not more than 

20,000 gallons (75,700 liters) of gasoline on any one day into a tank truck, 

trailer or railroad tank car. 

 (4) CLASS "C" FACILITY is any facility existing before January 9, 1976 which 

loads not more than 4,000 gallons (15,140 liters) of gasoline on any one day and 

not more than 500,000 gallons in any one calendar year, into any tank truck, 

trailer, or railroad tank car. 
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Organic Liquid Loading 

 (5) EXEMPT COMPOUNDS are any of the following compounds that have been 

determined to be non-precursors of ozone: 

 (A) Group I (General) 

 trifluoromethane (HFC-23) 

 pentafluoroethane (HFC-125) 

 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134) 

 tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) 

 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a) 

 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) 

 chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) 

 dichlorotrifluoroethane (HCFC-123) 

 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124) 

 dichlorofluoroethane (HCFC-141b) 

 chlorodifluoroethane (HCFC-142b) 

 cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated alkanes 

 cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated ethers with no 

unsaturations 

 cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated tertiary amines with no 

unsaturations 

 sulfur-containing perfluorocarbons with no unsaturations and with sulfur 

bonds only to carbon and fluorine 

 (B) Group II 

 methylene chloride 

 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) 

 trifluoromethane (FC-23) 

 trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC-113) 

 dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12) 

 trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) 

 dichlorotetrafluoroethane (CFC-114) 

 chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115) 

 The use of Group II compounds and/or carbon tetrachloride may be restricted in 

the future because they are toxic, potentially toxic, or upper atmospheric ozone 

depleters, or cause other environmental impacts. By January 1, 1996, 

chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform), and 

carbon tetrachloride will be phased out in accordance with the Code of Federal 

Regulations Title 40, Part 82 (December 10, 1993). 

 (6) FACILITY is an organic liquid or gasoline loading rack or set of such racks that 

load organic liquid or gasoline into tanks, trailers or railroad cars, which are 

located on one or more contiguous properties within the District, in actual 

physical contact or separated solely by a public roadway or other public right-ofway, and are owned or operated by the same person or persons under common 

control. 
 

AVAQMD Rule 462 462-3

Organic Liquid Loading 

 (7) FACILITY VAPOR LEAK is an escape of organic vapors from a source other 

than a tank truck, trailer or railroad tank car in excess of 3,000 ppm as methane 

above background when measured at a distance of 2 centimeters from the source 

according to EPA Method 21. A facility vapor leak source does not include liquid 

spillage or condensate resulting from "liquid leaks". 

 (8) GASOLINE is any petroleum distillate or petroleum distillate/alcohol blend or 

alcohol, except any liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which has a vapor pressure of 

1.5 psia (77.5 mm Hg) or greater under actual loading conditions and is used as a 

fuel for internal combustion engines. 

 (9) LIQUID LEAK is a dripping of liquid organic compounds at a rate in excess of 

three drops per minute from any single leak source other than the liquid fill line 

and vapor line of disconnect operations. 

 (10) LIQUID LEAK FROM DISCONNECT OPERATIONS is defined as: (a) more 

than two milliliters of liquid drainage per disconnect from a top loading operation; 

or (b) more than ten milliliters of liquid drainage per disconnect from a bottom 

loading operation. Such liquid drainage shall be determined by computing the 

average drainage from three consecutive disconnects at any one loading arm. 

 (11) ORGANIC LIQUID is any liquid compound containing the element carbon that 

has a vapor pressure of 1.5 psia (77.5 mm Hg) or greater under actual loading 

conditions excluding liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), methane, carbon 

monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, 

ammonium carbonate, and exempt compounds. 

 (12) SUBMERGED FILL LOADING is a type of organic liquid loading operations 

where the discharge opening is completely submerged when the liquid level above 

the bottom of the vessel is eight centimeters (3.2 inches) or higher. 

 (13) SWITCH LOADING is a transfer of organic liquids with a vapor pressure of less 

than 1.5 psia (77.5 mm Hg) under actual loading condition into any tank truck, 

trailer or railroad tank car that was loaded with an organic liquid with a vapor 

pressure of 1.5 psia (77.5 mm Hg) or greater immediately preceding the transfer. 

 (14) TRANSFER EQUIPMENT shall consist of all the components of the liquid 

loading line between the liquid pump and the transporting vessel, and the vapor 

return line from the transporting vessel to the storage tank, or to and including the 

vapor recovery system. 

 (15) TRANSPORT VESSEL is a tank truck, trailer or railroad tank car that is equipped 

to receive and transport organic liquid. 
462-4 AVAQMD Rule 462 

Organic Liquid Loading 

 (16) TRANSPORT VESSEL VAPOR LEAK is an escape of organic vapors from a 

transport vessel in excess of 100 percent of the LEL when monitored according to 

the CARB Test Procedure for Gasoline Vapor Leak Detection Using Combustible 

Gas Detector. 

 (17) VAPOR DISPOSAL SYSTEM is a control equipment designed and operated to 

reduce VOC emissions into the atmosphere. 

 (18) VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM is a vapor gathering system which is capable of 

collecting and returning discharged hydrocarbon vapors and gases during loading 

of organic liquids into transport vessels, back to a stationary storage container, or 

into an enclosed process system. 

 (19) VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC) is any volatile compound 

containing the element carbon, excluding methane, carbon monoxide, carbon 

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

exempt compounds. 

(c) Applicability

 The provisions of this rule shall apply to all the organic liquid loading facilities that are 

defined as Class A, B or C facilities pursuant to paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(3) and (b)(4) of 

this rule. 

(d) Requirements

 (1) Loading Requirements at Class A Facilities 

 (A) From June 9, 1995 until January 31, 1999, each Class A facility shall be 

equipped with a vapor recovery and/or disposal system approved by the 

Executive Officer or designee. Effective February 1, 1999, each Class A 

facility shall be equipped with a CARB certified vapor recovery system 

and/or disposal system. 

 (B) Each vapor recovery and/or disposal system at a Class A facility shall be 

equipped with a continuous monitoring system (CMS) that is installed, 

operated, and maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications 

and is approved by the Executive Officer or designee. 

 (C) The transfer of organic liquids shall be accomplished in such a manner that 

the displaced organic vapors and air are vented under design conditions to 

the vapor recovery and/or disposal system. 
 

AVAQMD Rule 462 462-5

Organic Liquid Loading 

 (D) From June 9, 1995 until January 31, 1998, each system shall reduce the 

emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) to 0.29 pound or less per 

thousand gallons (35 grams per 1,000 liters) of organic liquid transferred. 

Effective February 1, 1998, each system shall reduce the emissions of 

VOCs to 0.08 pound or less per thousand gallons (10 grams per 1,000 

liters) of organic liquid transferred. 

 (E) Any Class A facility transferring gasoline into any truck, trailer, or railroad 

tank car shall be designed and operated for bottom loading only. 

 (F) The transfer equipment shall be operated and maintained so that there are 

no overfills, facility vapor leaks, liquid leaks, or liquid leaks from 

disconnect operations. 

 (2) Loading Requirements at Class B Facilities 

 (A) From June 9, 1995 until January 31, 1999, each Class B facility shall be 

equipped with a vapor recovery system which is approved by the 

Executive Officer or designee. Effective February 1, 1999, each Class B 

facility shall be equipped with a CARB certified vapor recovery system. 

 (B) Such system shall be designed and operated to recover at least 90 percent 

of the displaced vapors. 

 (C) The backpressure in the vapor recovery system shall not exceed 18 inches 

of water pressure. 

 (D) Any Class B facility transferring gasoline into any truck, trailer, or railroad 

tank car, shall be designed for bottom loading only. 

 (E) The transfer equipment shall be operated and maintained so that there are 

no overfills, facility vapor leaks, liquid leaks, or liquid leaks from 

disconnect operations. 

 (3) Loading Requirements at Class C Facilities 

 (A) Each Class C facility shall be equipped and operated for submerged fill 

loading or bottom fill loading. All gasoline or equivalent vapor pressure 

organic liquids shall be transferred in this manner. 

 (B) The transfer equipment shall be operated and maintained so that there are 

no overfills, liquid leaks, or liquid leak from disconnect operations. 
462-6 AVAQMD Rule 462 

Organic Liquid Loading 

 (4) Loading Requirements for Transport Vessels 

 (A) No person shall allow loading or unloading of organic liquid or other use 

or operation of any transport vessel unless the vessel has a valid 

certification of vapor integrity as defined by the applicable Air Resources 

Board Certification and Test Procedures, pursuant to Health and Safety 

Code Section 41962(g) and the California Administrative Code Title 17, 

Section 94004. 

 (B) Transport vessel vapor leaks from dome covers, pressure vacuum vents or 

other sources shall be determined in accordance with the CARB Test 

Procedure for Gasoline Vapor Leak Detection Using a Combustible Gas 

Detector dated, September 1, 1982. 

 (C) The transport equipment shall be operated so such that there are no liquid 

leaks. 

 (5) Switch Loading 

 Uncontrolled switch loading is prohibited except at Class C facilities. 

 (6) Leak Inspection Requirements 

 (A) The owner and operator of any Class A, B, or C facility shall be required 

to perform an inspection of the vapor collection system, the vapor disposal 

system, and each loading rack handling organic liquids, for facility vapor 

leaks or liquid leaks of volatile organic compounds on one of the 

following schedule: 

 (i) monthly if sight, sound, and smell are used as detection methods. 

 (ii) quarterly if an organic vapor analyzer (OVA) is used to monitor for 

facility vapor leaks. 

 (B) Each detection of a leak shall be repaired or replaced within 72 hours. The 

repaired or replacement component shall be reinspected the first time the 

component is in operation after the repair or replacement. 

(e) Compliance Schedule

 The owner and operator of any Class A, B, or C facility subject to this rule shall comply 

with the requirements of subdivision (d) in accordance with the following schedule: 
 

AVAQMD Rule 462 462-7

Organic Liquid Loading 

 (1) For Class A facilities subject to paragraph (d)(1): 

 (A) By July 1, 1996, submit an application to the Executive Officer or 

designee for permit to construct a new or modified vapor recovery and/or 

disposal system where applicable. 

 (B) By February 1, 1997, submit a Continuous Monitoring System (CMS) 

Plan to the Executive Officer or designee for the approval. 

 (C) By February 1, 1998, demonstrate compliance with the organic vapor 

emission limit of 0.08 pound per thousand gallons of organic liquid 

transferred. 

 (D) Within 30 calendar days after completing construction of a new or 

modified vapor recovery and/or disposal system, a written request shall be 

submitted to CARB for certification of the new or modified vapor 

recovery and/or disposal system. 

 (E) By February 1, 1999, demonstrate compliance with the CARB certification 

of the existing or modified vapor recovery and/or disposal system. 

 (2) For Class B facilities subject to paragraph (d)(2): 

 (A) By February 1, 1999, demonstrate compliance with the CARB certification 

of the existing vapor recovery system 

 (3) For Class B facilities that were Class C facilities prior to June 9, 1995 and now 

are subject to paragraph (d)(2): 

 (A) By January 1, 1996, submit an application to the Executive Officer or 

designee for permit to construct and permit to operate a vapor recovery 

system where applicable. 

 (B) By February 1, 1998, demonstrate compliance with the requirement of 90 

percent recovery of displaced vapors. 

 (C) Within 30 calendar days after completing construction of a new or 

modified vapor recovery system, a written request shall be submitted to 

CARB for certification of the new or modified vapor recovery and/or 

disposal system. 

 (D) By February 1, 1999, demonstrate compliance with the CARB certification 

requirement. 
462-8 AVAQMD Rule 462 

Organic Liquid Loading 

(f) Compliance Determination/Test Methods

 (1) Compliance with the emission limit of organic vapors as specified in the 

subparagraph (d)(1)(D) shall be determined according to EPA Method 25A, 25B 

or SCAQMD Method 501.1. 

 (2) Continuous Monitoring System required pursuant to subparagraph (d)(1)(B) shall 

be in compliance with Code of Federal Regulation Title 40 Part 60 Appendix B. 

 (3) Compliance with the vapor recovery efficiency as specified in the subparagraph 

(d)(2)(B) shall be determined according to CARB Method 202. 

 (4) Determinations of facility vapor leaks as defined in the paragraph (b)(7) shall be 

conducted according to EPA Method 21. 

(g) Recordkeeping

 (1) The owner and operator of any Class A, B, or C facility, in order to determine the 

classification of such facility, shall maintain a daily log of the throughput and a 

summary of the throughput for the calendar year to date, of the liquid organic 

compounds subject to the provisions of this rule. 

 (2) The owner and operator of any Class A, B, or C facility shall maintain records for 

verification of compliance with the requirements in paragraph (d)(6). The records 

shall include, but are not limited to, inspection dates, description of leaks 

detected, repair/replacement dates, and reinspection dates. A single compliant 

daily log shall suffice to satisfy this requirement. 

 (3) All records shall be maintained at the facility for at least two years and shall be 

available to the Executive Officer or designee upon request. 

(h) Distribution of Responsibilities

 (1) The owner and operator of any Class A, B, or C facility shall be responsible and 

liable for complying with the provisions of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), and 

(d)(6) and subdivisions (e) and (g) of this rule, and for maintaining the equipment 

at the facility in such condition that it can comply with the requirements of this 

rule if properly operated. If employees of the owner or operator of the facility 

supervise or affect the transfer operation, the owner or operator of the facility shall 

be responsible for ensuring that the transfer operation complies with all 

requirements of this rule and that the transfer equipment is properly operated. 

 (2) The owner, operator, and driver of a transport vessel shall be responsible and 

liable for complying with paragraphs (d)(4) and (d)(5) of this rule. 
 

AVAQMD Rule 462 462-9

Organic Liquid Loading 

(i) Exemptions

 (1) The provisions of subparagraphs (d)(1)(F), (d)(2)(E) and (d)(3)(B) shall not apply 

to components found in violation of facility vapor leaks or liquid leaks either of 

which is detected and recorded originally by the owner or operator, provided the 

repair or replacement of applicable equipment is completed within the specified 

period as given in subparagraph (d)(6)(B). 

 (2) The provisions of subparagraphs (d)(1)(A) and (d)(1)(B) shall not apply to vapor 

recovery and/or disposal systems which vent displaced hydrocarbon vapors to an 

adjacent refinery flare or other combustion device that receives gaseous streams 

from other refinery sources. 

[SIP: Submitted as amended 6/9/95 on 10/13/95; approved 5/3/95, 60 FR 21702, __________, 

Approved 7/8/82, 47 FR 29668, 40 CFR 52.220(c)(88)(iii)(B); Approved 1/21/81, 46 FR 5965, 

40 CFR 52.220(c)(47)(i)(B); Approved 7/26/77, 42 FR 37976, 40 CFR 52.220(c)(31)(vi)(A).] 
462-10 AVAQMD Rule 462 

Organic Liquid Loading 

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