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Rule 214 Phase I Vapor Recovery Requirements

Part 1.0 General

1.1 Purpose

 To limit the emission of gasoline vapor into the atmosphere during 

gasoline transfer operations other than vehicle fueling. 

1.2 Applicability

 The provisions of this rule shall apply to the transfer of gasoline 

from delivery vehicles to storage tanks. In addition, in ozone nonattainment areas the provisions of this rule shall apply to the pumpout of gasoline from any stationary storage container, delivery 

vessel, or vehicle fuel tank. Part 3.0 applies to areas that have not 

been federally designated as non-attainment and Part 4.0 applies 

to areas that have been designated as non-attainment. Parts 1.0 

(General), 2.0 (Definitions) and 5.0 (Monitoring and Records) apply 

to all areas. 

Part 2.0 Definitions

APCO: Air Pollution Control Officer or Executive Director of the Northern 

Sierra Air Quality Management District, or an authorized representative 

thereof. 

Background: A reading as methane on a portable hydrocarbon detection 

instruction which is observed at least three (3) meters upwind from the 

device to be inspected and reasonably uninfluenced by any specific 

emission point. 

CARB: The California Air Resources Board. 

CARB Certified: A Phase I or Phase II vapor recovery system, 

equipment, or any component thereof, for which CARB has evaluated its 

performance and issued a valid Executive Order pursuant to Health and 

Safety Code Section 41954. Each component of a system is a separate 

CARB certified item and cannot be replaced with a non-certified item or 

other items that are not certified for use with that particular system. 

Except for qualified repairs, a CARB certified component shall be as 

supplied by the qualified manufacturer. A rebuilt component shall not be 

deemed as CARB certified unless the person who rebuilds the component 

is authorized by CARB to rebuild that specific CARB certified component. 

Delivery Vessel: Any motor vehicle, trailer, or rail car used for the 

transportation of gasoline. 

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Dry Break: A Phase I vapor recovery component that opens only by 

connection to a mating device to ensure that no gasoline vapors escape 

from the underground storage tank before the vapor return line is 

connected and sealed.

Executive Order: A document issued by CARB pursuant to Health and 

Safety Code Section 41954 certifying that a specific vapor recovery 

system meets the applicable performance specifications and setting 

conditions for the certification. 

Gasoline: Any petroleum distillate or petroleum distillate/alcohol blend 

having a Reid vapor pressure of 4 pounds per square inch absolute or 

greater as determined by a method specified in Section 5.1(A). 

Gasoline Dispensing Facility: A mobile fueler or a stationary source 

consisting of one or more storage tanks and associated equipment that 

receives, stores and dispenses gasoline to motor vehicle fuel tanks. 

Gasoline Vapors: Organic compounds in the displaced vapors including 

any entrained liquid gasoline. 

Installer/Contractor: A person(s) engaged in the installation, alteration, 

repair or replacement of a vapor recovery system or its components at a 

gasoline dispensing facility. 

Leak Free: A liquid leak of less than three drops in any minute. 

Mobile Fueler: Any gasoline delivery vessel with an attached container 

that is used to transport and dispense gasoline from an onboard storage 

container into any motor vehicle fuel tank. 

Offset Fill Pipe: A fill pipe which contains one or more pipe bends and for 

which the horizontal distance between the truck delivery connection and 

the storage container fill opening is 6.1 meters (20 feet) or greater. 

Purge: To release gasoline vapors, gases, or hydrocarbon vapors to the 

atmosphere from a delivery vessel by introduction of air or an inert gas. 

Rebuild/Rebuilt: Repairs, replacement, or reconstructions to any part of 

a component of a vapor recovery system that forms the gasoline vapor 

passage of the component, or that comes in contact with the recovered 

gasoline vapors in the component. Rebuild does not include the 

replacement of a complete component with another CARB certified 

complete component; nor does it include the replacement of a spout, 

bellows, or vapor guard of a CARB certified nozzle. The new part shall be 

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CARB certified and as supplied by the qualified manufacturer specifically 

for the CARB certified nozzle. 

Spill Container: An enclosed container around a Phase I fill pipe that is 

designed to collect gasoline spillage resulting from disconnection between 

the liquid gasoline delivery hose and the fill pipe. 

Submerged Fill Pipe: Any fill pipe, the discharge opening of which is 

entirely submerged when the liquid level is 6 inches above the bottom of 

the container. "Submerged fill pipe" when applied to a container which is 

loaded from the side is defined as any fill pipe the discharge opening of 

which is entirely submerged when the liquid level is 18 inches above the 

bottom of the container. 

Switch Loading: The transfer of diesel fuel into a delivery vessel or 

storage container which previously contained gasoline. 

Tester: Any person(s) who conducts a performance or re-verification test 

as required by this Rule or by a CARB Executive Order. 

Vapor Recovery Equipment Defects List: A list of defects CARB has 

identified as substantially impairing the efficiency of the vapor recovery 

system, incorporated by reference in Title 17 CCR Section 94006, 

pursuant to California Health & Safety Code Section 41960.2(c). 

Vapor Tight: For delivery vessels other than mobile fuelers, a reading 

100% or less of the lower explosive limit (21,000 ppm measured as 

equivalent propane), as determined by the method specified in Section 

5.1(B). For all other operations, a condition under which the concentration 

of total organic compounds, measured 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) from any 

source, does not exceed 10,000 ppmv (expressed as methane) above 

background, as determined by the method specified in Section 5.1(B). 

VRED List: Vapor Recovery Equipment Defects List. 

Part 3.0 Federal Ozone Attainment/Unclassified Areas

 The following provisions (3.1 through 3.4) shall apply only in those 

portions of the District that have not been designated as non-attainment 

for any national ambient air quality standard for ozone. 

3.1 Phase I Storage Tanks

No owner or operator of a retail service station shall transfer, permit 

the transfer, or provide equipment for the transfer of gasoline from 

a delivery vehicle to a stationary storage tank, unless a CARBcertified Phase I vapor recovery system is installed on the storage 

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tank and used during the transfer. 

3.2 Exemptions to 3.1

A. Small Tanks

A gasoline storage tank with a capacity of less than 1.0 cubic 

meter (260 gallons) located at a retail service station or a 

tank of 550 gallons or less at all other locations. 

B. Agricultural Tanks

A gasoline storage tank used the majority of the time for the 

fueling of implements of husbandry as defined in Division 16, 

Chapter 1, of the Vehicle Code. 

C. Tanks With an Offset Fill Pipe

An underground gasoline storage tank installed prior to 

December 15, 1988 which is equipped with an offset fill pipe. 

D. Annual Volume Throughput 

Any facility which has a calendar year volume throughput of 

less than 480,000 gallons of gasoline. 

3.3 Tank Replacement - Phase I Requirement

At the time of tank replacement, a CARB-certified Phase I vapor 

recovery system shall be installed and used thereafter on all tanks 

at the facility unless exempted from the Phase I requirement 

pursuant to Section 3.2(A) or Section 3.2(B). 

3.4 Defective Gasoline Storage Tank or Phase I Equipment - 

Prohibition of Use

Whenever the Air Pollution Control Officer or his designee 

determines that a gasoline storage tank, Phase I vapor recovery 

system, or any component thereof, contains a defect, the Air 

Pollution Control Officer or his designee shall mark such system or 

component "Out of Order." No person shall use or permit the use 

of such marked component or system until it has been repaired, 

replaced, or adjusted as required to permit proper operation, and 

the Air Pollution Control Officer, or his designee has reinspected it 

or has authorized its use pending reinspection. 

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Part 4.0 Federal Ozone Non-attainment Areas

The following provisions (Sections 4.1 through 4.4) shall apply only in 

areas designated as non-attainment for any national ambient air quality 

standard for ozone. These are in addition to and supersede all other 

provisions of this Rule. 

4.1 Applicability Thresholds

This Part (4.0) applies to the transfer of gasoline or switch loading from 

any delivery vessel into any stationary storage container with a capacity of 

250 gallons or more, or any mobile fueler with a capacity of 120 gallons or 

more. This rule also applies to the “pump-out” of gasoline from any 

stationary storage container with a capacity of 250 gallons or more, mobile 

fueler with a capacity of 120 gallons or more, or vehicle fuel tank with a 

capacity of 5 gallons or more. 

4.2 Exemptions to Section 4.1

A. Implements of Husbandry 

The provisions of this rule shall not apply to the transfer of 

gasoline into any stationary container which is used primarily 

for the fueling of implements of husbandry as such vehicles 

are defined in Division 16 (Section 36000 et seq) of the 

California Vehicle Code, if such container is equipped with a 

permanent submerged fill pipe. 

B. Throughput 

The provisions of this rule shall not apply to any facility, retail 

or non-retail, where each and every month of operation 

within a calendar year has a volume throughput of gasoline 

less than 10,000 gallons. 

4.3 Standards

A. Equipment and Operation Requirements 

A person shall not transfer or permit the transfer of gasoline, 

or perform or permit switch loading, from any delivery vessel 

into any stationary storage container with a capacity of 250 

gallons or more or mobile fueler with a capacity of 120 

gallons or more, unless such container is provided with a 

permanent submerged fill pipe and unless such transfer is 

made under the following conditions, as applicable: 

i. Underground storage tanks are equipped with a 

CARB certified vapor recovery system that shall 

prevent emission to the atmosphere of at least 98%, 

by volume, of the gasoline vapors displaced from the 

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storage container during the transfer of gasoline into 

the container. The vapor recovery system shall be 

maintained and operated according to the 

manufacturer’s specifications and the applicable 

CARB Executive Orders, and shall meet all of the 

following: 

a. The vapor recovery system is maintained to be 

leak free, vapor tight, and in good working 

order; 

b. All fill tubes are equipped with vapor tight caps; 

c. All dry breaks are equipped with vapor tight 

seals and vapor tight caps; 

d. Each vapor tight cap is in a closed position 

except when the fill tube or dry break it serves 

is actively in use. 

e. A CARB certified spill container shall be 

installed and maintained free of standing liquid, 

debris and other foreign matter. The spill 

container shall be equipped with an integral 

drain valve or other devices that are certified 

by CARB to return spilled gasoline to the 

underground stationary storage tank. The drain 

valve shall be maintained closed and vapor 

tight at all times except when the valve is 

actively in use. 

ii. Aboveground storage tanks are equipped with a 

CARB certified vapor recovery system that shall 

prevent emission to the atmosphere of at least 95%, 

by volume, of the gasoline vapors displaced from the 

storage container during the transfer of gasoline into 

the container, and shall meet all of the following: 

a. The vapor recovery system shall be maintained 

and operated according to the manufacturer’s 

specifications and the applicable CARB 

Executive Orders; 

b. The vapor recovery system is maintained to be 

leak free, vapor tight, and in good working 

order; 

c. All fill tubes are equipped with vapor tight caps; 

d. All dry breaks are equipped with vapor tight 

seals and vapor tight caps; 

e. All vapor return lines without dry breaks are 

equipped with vapor tight caps; 

f. Each vapor tight cap is in a closed position 

except when the fill tube or dry break it serves 

is actively in use. 

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g. All CARB certified coaxial fill tubes are springloaded and operated so that the vapor passage 

from the stationary storage tank or the mobile 

fueler back to the tank truck trailer is not 

obstructed. 

iii. Mobile fuelers are equipped with a CARB certified 

vapor recovery system that shall prevent emission to 

the atmosphere of at least 95%, by volume, of the 

gasoline vapors displaced from the mobile fueler 

container during the transfer of gasoline into the 

container. The vapor recovery system shall be 

maintained and operated according to the 

manufacturer’s specifications and the applicable 

CARB Executive Orders, and meet all of the following: 

a. The vapor recovery system is maintained to be 

leak free, vapor tight, and in good working 

order; 

b. The container dome hatch must remain closed 

and latched at all times. It must not be opened 

for the purpose of routine tank gauging 

operations. It may only be opened to 

accomplish inspections which are necessary 

due to equipment failures, scheduled 

maintenance and repairs. 

B. Delivery Vessels 

A person shall not operate, or allow the operation of a 

gasoline delivery vessel other than a mobile fueler, unless it 

is certified according to CARB Certification Procedure CP204 and maintained in compliance with the certification 

requirements, and meets all of the following: 

i. Each gasoline delivery elbow is equipped with sight 

windows. 

ii. The fuel delivery lines shall be maintained leak free, 

vapor tight, and free of air ingestion. A fuel delivery 

that is free of air ingestion is determined by observing 

the fuel stream as clear and free of air bubbles 

through the sight windows on the delivery system, 

except during the initial and final 60 seconds of fuel 

transfer. 

iii. All vapor return lines are connected between the 

delivery vessel and the stationary storage tank or 

other delivery vessel. In addition, all associated 

hoses, fittings, and couplings are maintained in a leak 

free and vapor-tight condition. 

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iv. The hatch on any delivery vessel shall be equipped 

with a vapor tight cover during gasoline transfer and 

pumping. The hatch shall not be opened except for 

visual inspection, which may be performed after at 

least three minutes following the completion of the 

gasoline transfer or pumping. Except otherwise 

specified by CARB, visual inspection shall be 

completed in three minutes or less. 

v. A person shall not purge gasoline vapors, gases, or 

hydrocarbon vapors from a delivery vessel to the 

atmosphere. 

C. Pressure Vacuum Valve Requirement 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable CARB 

Executive Order, the operator of any vapor recovery system 

shall have a pressure vacuum valve installed on all vent 

pipes open to the atmosphere with a minimum pressure 

setting at 2.5 to 6.0 inches of H2O. The pressure vacuum 

valve shall have a minimum vacuum setting at 6.0 to 10.0 

inches of H2O. 

D. Prohibition of Sale

A person shall not supply, offer for sale, sell, install or allow 

the installation of any new or rebuilt vapor recovery system 

or any of its components, unless the system and 

components are CARB certified. Each vapor recovery 

system and its components shall be clearly and permanently 

marked with the qualified manufacturer’s name and model 

number as certified by CARB. In addition, any qualified 

manufacturer who rebuilds a component shall also clearly 

and permanently mark the corresponding information on the 

component. 

E. Pump-out 

i. No person shall allow the transfer (“pump-out”) of 

gasoline from a stationary storage container with a 

capacity of 250 gallons or more or a mobile fueler with 

a capacity of 120 gallons or more into a stationary 

storage container or delivery vessel unless the 

transfer is made using a vapor collection and transfer 

system capable of returning the displaced vapors to 

the storage container being pumped out. 

ii. No person shall allow the transfer (“pump-out”) of 

gasoline from a vehicle fuel tank with a capacity of 5 

gallons or more into a stationary storage container or 

delivery vessel unless the rate at which gasoline is 

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allowed to drip outside an area that drains back into 

the vehicle fuel tank is less than 3 drops per minute. 

F. Maintenance Inspection 

i. The owner/operator of a gasoline dispensing facility 

shall, at a minimum, verify the following on each day 

that fuel is delivered: 

a. The spill container is clean and does not 

contain gasoline. The spill containment drain 

valve is seating properly. 

b. The fill caps and gaskets are not missing, 

damaged or loose. 

c. The spring-loaded submerged fill pipe seals 

properly against the coaxial fitting. 

d. The dry break (poppet valve) is not missing or 

damaged. 

e. The submerged fill pipe is not missing or 

damaged. 

ii. Any equipment with a major defect listed in the VRED 

List shall be removed from service and tagged to 

ensure that is not used until it is repaired and brought 

into compliance before being returned to service. 

iii. The owner or operator of a vapor recovery system 

shall insure that the removal from service of one 

component of a vapor recovery system with multiple 

components will not result in gasoline liquid or vapors 

entering the atmosphere. 

iv. Defects discovered during the maintenance 

inspection and repaired in accordance with Title 17, 

Division 3, Subchapter 7.5, Chapter 1, Section 93101 

of California Code of Regulations such that after 

repair gasoline liquid or vapors do not enter the 

atmosphere shall not constitute a violation of this 

Rule. 

G. Prohibition of Use 

Whenever a Phase I vapor recovery system, or any 

component thereof, contains a defect listed in the VRED List, 

the operator shall mark such system or component "Out of 

Order." No person shall use or permit the use of such 

marked component or system until it has been repaired, 

replaced, or adjusted, as required to permit proper operation, 

and the Air Pollution Control Officer has reinspected it or has 

authorized its use pending reinspection. 

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4.4 Administrative Requirements 

A. Certification

i. Installers/contractors shall not install, alter, repair or 

replace a vapor recovery system unless they meet all 

of the following requirements: 

a. Are certified by the International Code Council 

(ICC) for Vapor Recovery System Installation 

and Repair, and, if required by the Executive 

Order, certified by the system manufacturer. 

b. Maintain valid certifications as required in 

paragraph (a). 

c. Have and make available on site proof of any 

and all certifications required by this Rule, the 

Executive Order and the Installation, Operation 

and Maintenance Manual in order to install or 

maintain specific systems. 

ii. Testers shall not test a vapor recovery system unless 

they meet all of the following requirements: 

a. Effective 3 months after a certification test is 

available, be certified by the International Code 

Council (ICC) for Vapor Recovery System 

Testing and Repair. 

b. If required by the Executive Order, be certified 

by the system manufacturer. 

c. Maintain valid certifications as required in 

paragraphs (a) and (b). 

d. Have and make available on site proof of any 

and all certifications required by this Rule, the 

Executive Order and the Installation, Operation 

and Maintenance Manual in order to test 

specific systems. 

B. Notification of Testing 

At least 7 days prior to performance or re-verification testing, 

the owner or operator shall notify the Air Pollution Control 

Officer of the exact date and time of the test. If the vapor 

recovery system fails any of the applicable tests and the 

necessary repairs are performed that same day, the owner 

or operator may retest the vapor recovery system on the 

same day without re-notification, provided that the reasons 

for the test failure and any repairs performed are properly 

documented in the test reports and repair records. 

 

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C. Test Requirements for Vapor Recovery System 

The following requirements are to verify the proper operation 

of a vapor recovery system. 

i. Required Tests: Unless otherwise specified in the 

applicable CARB Executive Orders, performance and 

reverification tests shall include the following, as 

applicable, according to the test methods specified in 

Section 5.1 of this rule: 

a. Static Torque of Rotatable Adaptors Test 

b. Leak Rate of Drop Tube Test 

c. Leak Rate of Drop Tube Overfill Protection 

Devices and Spill Container Drain Valves 

d. Leak Rate and Cracking Pressure of P/V 

Valves Test, and 

e. Static Leak Tests 

ii. Initial Tests: Within 30 calendar days of completion of 

construction or modification of any vapor recovery 

system, the owner or operator shall conduct and pass 

all applicable performance tests. 

iii. Testing Frequency: The owner/operator of a gasoline 

dispensing facility shall perform and pass all 

applicable reverification tests annually within 30 days 

of the end of each annual period following the most 

recent successful tests, or more frequently as 

required by the applicable CARB Executive Order. 

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Part 5.0 Monitoring and Records 

5.1 Testing Procedure 

The performance and reverification tests shall be conducted in 

accordance with the following test methods. All test methods 

referenced in this section shall be the most recent version approved 

by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CARB, and the Air 

Pollution Control Officer or as stated in the applicable Executive 

Orders. 

A. Vapor Pressures: Vapor pressures shall be determined by 

ASTM D2879-97 (Test Method for Vapor PressureTemperature Relationship and Initial Decomposition 

Temperature of Liquids by Isoteniscope, 1997); ASTM D323-

94 (Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products 

((Reid Method)), 1994); or ASTM D5191-07 (Standard Test 

Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products ((Mini 

Method)), 2007). 

B. Vapor Tight: 

i. For delivery vessels other than mobile fuelers, CARB 

Vapor Recovery Test Procedure TP-204.3 shall be 

used to determine vapor tight condition. 

ii. For all other operations, EPA Reference Method 21 

shall be used to determine vapor tight condition. 

C. Static Torque of Rotatable Phase I Adaptors: CARB Test 

Procedure TP-201.1B. 

D. Leak Rate of Drop Tube/Drain Valve Assembly Test: CARB 

Test Procedure TP-201.1C. 

E. Leak Rate of Drop Tube Overfill Protection Devices and Spill 

Container Drain Valves: CARB Test Procedure TP-201.1D 

F. Leak Rate and Cracking Pressure of P/V Valves Test: CARB 

Test Procedure TP-201.1E 

G. Static Leak Tests: CARB Test Procedure TP-201.3 or TP201.3B as applicable. 

H. Those vapor recovery systems whose CARB Executive 

Orders specify different tests to be performed instead of, or 

in addition to, the referenced test methods, or which, by their 

design, preclude the use of the referenced test methods, 

shall be tested in accordance with the test procedures 

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specified in the applicable CARB Executive Orders or their 

equivalents as approved by the APCO and EPA. 

I. Multiple Test Methods: When more than one test method or 

set of test methods is specified for any testing, a violation of 

any requirement of this rule established by any one of the 

specified test methods or set of test methods shall constitute 

a violation of this rule. 

5.2 Recordkeeping

A person subject to this rule shall maintain the following records onsite and make them available for review by the Air Pollution Control 

Officer immediately upon request. 

A. Results of the tests specified in Section 4.4(C) shall be 

delivered to the Air Pollution Control Officer within thirty (30) 

days of the completion of the test. The test results shall 

contain the following information: 

i. Name, location, address, and telephone number of 

the facility tested, and Northern Sierra Air Quality 

Management District permit number 

ii. Name, address and phone number of the person or 

company performing the test 

iii. Date of the test 

iv. Test data 

v. Statement of pass or fail 

B. Maintenance inspection reports shall include at least the 

following: 

i. Date and time of inspection 

ii. List of defects from the VRED List that are applicable 

to the vapor recovery equipment and have a 

verification procedure of “direct observation” or “direct 

measurement” 

iii. Notation by person performing inspection whether 

each defect is present 

iv. Description of any defects discovered 

v. Action taken upon discovery of a defect 

vi. Name and signature of person performing inspection 

C. The following records must be retained by the owner or 

operator for a period not less than 3 years (5 years for 

sources subject to the requirements of Rule 522, Title V 

Federal Operating Permit Program): 

i. Maintenance records for the vapor recovery system 

ii. Repair records for the vapor recovery system 

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iii. Maintenance inspection reports 

iv. Records of repairs performed as a result of defects 

discovered during maintenance inspections 

v. Performance test results 

vi. Reverification of performance test results 

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