RULE 3.22 STATIONARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

(Adopted 6/1/2009; Amended 10/6/2014)

A. APPLICABILITY

This rule applies to all stationary internal combustion engines 

with rated brake horsepower greater than or equal to fifty (>50 

bhp) used in industrial, institutional, and commercial 

operations that operate within the boundaries of the District. 

B. EXEMPTIONS

B.1 The provisions of this rule shall not apply to the 

following:

a. The operation of any engine while being used to preserve 

or protect property, human life, or public health during 

the existence of a disaster or state of emergency, such 

as a fire or flood;

b. Emergency standby engines whose total annual hours for 

maintenance and testing purposes do not exceed 100 hours 

as determined by a non-resettable hour meter. Hours used 

specifically for emergencies shall not be limited by 

this rule;

c. Engines whose total annual hours of operation do not 

exceed 200 hours as determined by a non-resettable hour 

meter;

d. Portable engines, as defined in California Health and 

Safety Code, Section 41751;

e. Engines used directly and exclusively for the growing of 

crops or the raising of animals. This exemption does not 

apply to any engine used at an agricultural source of 

air pollution that emits in any 12-month period air 

emissions greater than or equal to 50% of the major 

source thresholds for regulated air pollutants and/or 

HAPs; 

f. Engines operated exclusively in research or testing 

programs; 

g. Gas turbine engines; and

h. Compression ignition engines with a permitted capacity 

factor of 15 percent or less.

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C. DEFINITIONS

C.1 Date of Initial Start-up: The date in which an engine is 

operated for the first time within the boundaries of the 

District.

C.2 Emergency Standby Engine: As defined in the Airborne Toxic 

Control Measure for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines 

- CCR Title 17, §93115.

C.3 Emergency Use: As defined in the Airborne Toxic Control 

Measure for Stationary Compression Ignition Engines - CCR 

Title 17, §93115.

C.4 Lean Burn Engine: Any spark or compression ignited internal 

combustion engine that is operated with an exhaust gas 

stream oxygen concentration of four percent (4%) by volume, 

or greater. The exhaust gas oxygen content shall be 

determined from the uncontrolled exhaust gas stream.

C.5 Maintenance and Testing: The operation of an emergency 

standby engine to:

a. Evaluate the ability of the engine or its supported 

equipment to perform during an emergency. “Supported 

Equipment” includes, but is not limited to, generators,

pumps, transformers, switchgear, and breakers; or

b. Facilitate the training of personnel on emergency 

activities; or 

c. Provide electrical power for the facility when the 

utility distribution company takes its power 

distribution equipment offline to service that equipment 

for any reason that does not qualify as an emergency 

use.

C.6 North FRAQMD: The area of the Feather River Air Quality 

Management District which is north of a line connecting the 

northern border of Yolo County to the southwestern tip of 

Yuba County, and continuing along the Southern Yuba County 

border to Placer County.

C.7 Permitted Capacity Factor: The annual permitted fuel use 

divided by the product of the manufacturer’s specified 

maximum hourly fuel consumption times 8,760 hours per year.

C.8 Rated Brake Horsepower (bhp): The maximum rated brake 

horsepower specified for the engine by the manufacturer and 

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listed on the nameplate for the unit, regardless of any 

derating, unless limited by the engine's Permit to Operate.

C.9 Rich Burn Engine: Any spark or compression ignited internal 

combustion engine that is operated with an exhaust gas 

stream oxygen concentration of less than four percent (4%) 

by volume. The exhaust gas oxygen content shall be 

determined from the uncontrolled exhaust gas stream.

C.10 South FRAQMD: The area of the Feather River Air Quality 

Management District which is south of a line connecting the 

northern border of Yolo County to the southwestern tip of 

Yuba County, and continuing along the southern Yuba County 

border to Placer County.

C.11 Stationary Internal Combustion Engine: Any spark or 

compression ignited internal combustion engine that is 

operated, or intended to be operated, at a specific site 

for more than twelve (12) consecutive months, is attached 

to a foundation at that site, or is determined to be 

stationary by the District.

D. REQUIREMENTS

D.1 EMISSION LIMITS: Each engine shall not operate above the 

emission limitations according to the area of designation 

and fuel type, as shown in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1: North FRAQMD Emission Limits

NOx

(ppmv @ 15% 

O2)

VOC

(ppmv @ 15% 

O2)

CO

(ppmv @ 15% O2)

Spark Ignited 

Rich Burn 90 250 4,000

Spark Ignited 

Lean Burn 150 750 4,000

Compression Ignited 600 750 4,000

Table 2: South FRAQMD Emission Limits

NOx

(ppmv @ 15% 

O2)

VOC

(ppmv @ 15% 

O2)

CO

(ppmv @ 15% O2)

Spark Ignited 

Rich Burn 25 250 4,000

Spark Ignited 

Lean Burn 65 750 4,000

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Compression Ignited 80 750 4,000

D.2 INITIAL COMPLIANCE DEMONSTRATION: Each engine subject to 

meet the emission limits of D.1 shall demonstrate initial 

compliance. Initial compliance can be achieved by: 

a. Conducting a source test on the engine; or

b. Providing the District with support documentation which 

demonstrates that the engine is in compliance with the 

emission limits of this rule.

D.3 INITIAL COMPLIANCE TIMELINE: Each engine shall demonstrate 

initial compliance no later than ninety (90) days after the

date of initial startup.

D.4 ON-GOING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM: Upon successful demonstration 

of initial compliance, the owner or operator shall 

demonstrate on-going compliance as followed:

a. Each engine shall be source tested at least once every 

five (5) years, measured from the date of the last 

source test showing compliance. If initial compliance 

was satisfied without any source test data, the engine

shall be source tested no later than five (5) years 

after the date of initial startup.

b. During any calendar year in which a source test is not 

performed, the owner/operator shall use an emission 

analyzer to take NOx, CO, and O2 readings from the engine 

to verify compliance with the applicable emission 

limits.

1. The analyzer shall be calibrated, maintained, and 

operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s 

specifications and recommendations. 

2. Analyzer test data point intervals shall be no 

greater than five (5) minutes and data points shall 

be averaged over no less than fifteen (15) minutes of 

engine operation.

3. An analyzer reading in excess of the limits specified 

in Section D.1 shall not be considered a violation as

long as the problem is corrected and a follow-up 

emission reading is conducted within 15 days of the 

initial emission reading. If the problem cannot be 

corrected, the operator shall shutdown the engine and 

notify the District.

D.5 COMPLIANCE INSPECTION: For compliance demonstration 

purposes, the testing of emissions shall be conducted in 

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the presence of District staff unless District staff is not 

available. 

E. TEST METHODS AND PROCEDURES 

E.1 TEST METHODS: Compliance with the emission limits in Tables

1 and 2 shall be determined using the following test 

methods: 

a. Stack Gas Oxygen - EPA Method 3A or CARB Method 100.

b. Oxides of Nitrogen – EPA Method 7E or CARB Method 100.

c. Carbon Monoxide – EPA Method 10 or CARB Method 100.

d. Volatile Organic Compounds - EPA Method 18, 25A, 25B or 

CARB Method 100.

e. NOx emission limitations shall be expressed as nitrogen 

dioxide (NO2). 

f. VOC emission limitations shall be referenced to methane. 

g. All ppmv emission limitations shall be referenced at 15% 

volume stack gas oxygen on a dry basis. 

h. All emission readings shall be taken with the engine 

operating either at conditions representative of normal 

operations or conditions specified in the Permit to 

Operate.

F. RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

F.1 RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS: A record of the following 

information shall be maintained for five years and shall be 

made available to District personnel upon request:

a. The monthly and annual hours of operation or quantity of 

fuel consumed for each engine; 

b. A testing log which includes, but is not limited to, 

initial and on-going emission test results to verify 

compliance; and

c. Date(s) and type of maintenance performed.

F.2 SOURCE TEST PROTOCOL AND REPORT: A source test protocol 

shall be submitted to the District for review and approval 

at least thirty (30) days prior to any source test. The 

results from the source test shall be submitted to the 

District within thirty (30) days after testing.

F.3 ON-GOING COMPLIANCE REPORT: The facility shall submit a 

report to the District demonstrating on-going compliance 

for each engine by March 31 every year.

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