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(Adopted January 9, 1976)(Amended May 5, 1978)(Amended October 14, 1979)

(Amended April 4, 1986)(Amended December 7, 1990)(Amended June 9, 1995)

(Amended May 14, 1999)

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. 

(5) EXEMPT COMPOUNDS are as defined in Rule 102.

(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 
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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-of-way, and are owned or operated by the same

person or persons under common control.

(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 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.
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(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.

(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 Vapor Recovery Test Procedure TP204.3 – Determination of Leak(s).

(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) Each Class A facility shall be equipped with

(i) a CARB certified vapor recovery and/or disposal system,

or;

(ii) a District-approved vapor recovery and/or disposal system

only when such system does not require CARB certification 

pursuant to Health and Safety Code 41954.

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

shall be equipped with a continuous monitoring system (CMS) that 
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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.

(D) Each vapor recovery and/or disposal 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.

(G) The backpressure in the vapor recovery and/or disposal system shall 

not exceed 18 inches of water column pressure.

(2) Loading Requirements at Class B Facilities

(A) Each Class B facility shall be equipped with

(i) a CARB certified vapor recovery and/or disposal system,

or;

(ii) a District-approved vapor recovery and/or disposal system

only when such system does not require CARB certification 

pursuant to Health and Safety Code 41954.

(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 column 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
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(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.

(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). 

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

vents or other sources shall be determined in accordance with the

CARB Vapor Recovery Test Procedure TP-204.3 – Determination 

of Leak(s).

(C) The transport vessel shall be operated so that there are no transport 

vessel vapor leaks or 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.
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(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:

(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) CARB Certification or District Approval

(i) Any vapor recovery and/or disposal system subject to clause 

(d)(1)(A)(i) shall meet the following requirements:

(I) By February 1, 1999, the existing or modified vapor 

recovery and/or disposal system shall be CARBcertified.

(II) No later than 180 calendar days after completion of

construction, any vapor recovery and/or disposal

system installed after May 14, 1999 shall be CARBcertified, or;

(ii) By December 31, 1999 or 180 calendar days after

completing construction, whichever is later, the vapor

recovery and/or disposal system subject to Clause

(d)(1)(A)(ii) shall be District approved.

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

(A) Any vapor recovery and/or disposal system subject to clause

(d)(2)(A)(i) shall meet the following requirements:

(i) By February 1, 1999, the existing or modified vapor

recovery and/or disposal system shall be CARB-certified.
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(ii) No later than 180 calendar days after completion of

construction, any vapor recovery and/or disposal system

installed after May 14, 1999 shall be CARB-certified, or;

(B) By December 31, 1999 or 180 calendar days after completion of

construction, whichever is later, the vapor recovery and/or disposal 

system subject to clause (d)(2)(A)(ii) shall be District-approved.

(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) CARB Certification or District Approval

(i) Any vapor recovery and/or disposal system subject to clause 

(d)(2)(A)(i) shall meet the following requirements:

(I) By February 1, 1999, the existing or modified vapor 

recovery and/or disposal system shall be CARBcertified.

(II) No later than 180 calendar days after completion of

construction, any vapor recovery and/or disposal

system installed after May 14, 1999 shall be CARBcertified, or;

(ii) By December 31, 1999 or 180 calendar days after

completion of construction, whichever is later, the vapor

recovery and/or disposal system subject to clause

(d)(2)(A)(ii) shall be District-approved.

(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, as applicable.
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(2) Continuous Monitoring System required pursuant to subparagraph

(d)(1)(B) shall be in compliance with Code of Federal Regulations Title 40 

Part 63 Subpart R Section 63.427 and Code of Federal Regulations Title

40 Part 60 Appendix B, as applicable.

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

subparagraph (d)(2)(B) shall be determined according to the CARB Vapor 

Recovery Certification Procedure CP-202 – Certification Procedure for

Vapor Recovery Systems of Bulk Plants or, for the vapor recovery and/or 

disposal system subject to Clause (d)(2)(A)(ii), the SCAQMD Approval

Procedure for Vapor Recovery Systems of Bulk Plants dated May 14,

1999.

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

shall be conducted according to EPA Method 21.

(5) Compliance with the requirements of District approval for vapor recovery

and/or disposal systems as specified in subparagraphs (d)(1)(A) and

(d)(2)(A) shall be determined according to the District Approval Procedure 

for Vapor Recovery Systems for Bulk Plants dated May 14, 1999. All

testing required in the District Approval Procedure for Vapor Recovery

and/or Disposal System shall be conducted by testing firms/laboratories

that have been approved by the District for the specific tests under the

Laboratory Approval Program.

(6) Any other alternative test method approved in writing by the District,

CARB, and EPA may be used only when none of the test methods

identified in this subdivision are applicable.

(7) When more than one test method or set of test methods are specified for

any testing, a violation of any requirements of this rule established by any

one of the specified test methods or set of test methods shall constitute a

violation of the rule.

(g) Recordkeeping

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

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. A

log showing daily compliance shall suffice to satisfy this requirement.
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(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.

(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.

(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.