1136 - 1 

(Adopted September 16, 1983) (Amended August 5, 1988)(Amended May 5, 1989) 

(Amended March 2, 1990)(Amended June 28, 1990)(Amended November 2, 1990) 

(Amended December 7, 1990)(Amended August 2, 1991)(Amended April 8, 1994) 

(Amended August 12, 1994)(Amended September 8, 1995)(Amended June 14, 1996) 

RULE 1136. WOOD PRODUCTS COATINGS 

(a) Purpose and Applicability 

The purpose of Rule 1136 is to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) 

emissions from the application of coatings or strippers to, and surface preparation 

of, any wood products, including furniture, cabinets, shutters, frames and toys. 

This rule shall not apply to residential noncommercial operations. 

(b) Definitions 

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

 (1) AEROSOL COATING PRODUCT means a pressurized coating product 

containing pigments or resins that dispenses product ingredients by means 

of a propellant, and is packaged in a disposable can for hand-held 

application. 

 (2) BARRIER COAT - PLASTIC COMPONENTS is a coating applied to 

simulated wood components made from polypropylene, polystyrene, 

polyester, polyurethane, and other plastics to improve adhesion of 

waterborne coatings. 

 (3) BINDERS are non-volatile polymeric organic materials (resins) which 

form the surface film in coating applications. 

 (4) CAPTURE EFFICIENCY, in percent, is the ratio of the weight of the 

VOC in the effluent stream entering the control device to the weight of 

VOC emitted from wood product coating operations, both measured 

simultaneously, and can be calculated by the following equation: 

Capture Efficiency = [Wc/We] x 100 

Where: Wc = weight of VOC entering control device 

 We = weight of VOC emitted 

 (5) CLASSIC GUITARS are replicas of guitars that were originally 

manufactured before 1965 and are manufactured by the same original 

processes. 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 2 

 (6) CLEAR SEALER is a coating containing binders, but not opaque 

pigments, which seals the wood product prior to application of the 

subsequent coatings. 

 (7) CLEAR TOPCOAT is a final coating which contains binders, but not 

opaque pigments, and is specifically formulated to form a transparent or 

translucent solid protective film. 

 (8) COATING is a material which is applied to a surface and which forms a 

film in order to beautify and/or protect such surface. 

 (9) COMPOSITE WOOD is a manufactured material consisting of tightly 

compressed wood fibers bonded with resins which includes, but is not 

limited to, particleboard, fiberboard and hardboard. 

 (10) COMPOSITE WOOD EDGE FILLER is a material which is applied to 

the edge of a composite wood product, and whose primary function is to 

build up, or fill the voids and imperfections on the edge of the composite 

wood product. 

 (11) CONTROL DEVICE EFFICIENCY, in percent, is the ratio of the weight 

of the VOC removed by the control device from the effluent stream 

entering the control device to the weight of VOC in the effluent stream 

entering the control device, both measured simultaneously, and can be 

calculated by the following equation: 

Control Device Efficiency = [(Wc-Wa)/Wc] x 100 

Where: Wc = weight of VOC entering control device 

Wa = weight of VOC discharged from the control device 

 (12) CONVENTIONAL AIR SPRAY means a spray coating method in which 

the coating is atomized by mixing it with compressed air at an air pressure 

greater than 10 pounds per square inch (gauge) at the point of atomization. 

Airless and air assisted airless spray technologies are not conventional air 

spray because the coating is not atomized by mixing it with compressed 

air. Electrostatic spray technology is also not considered conventional air 

spray because an electrostatic charge is employed to attract the coating to 

the workpiece. 

 (13) CUSTOM REPLICA FURNITURE is new, made-to-order furniture that 

looks like antique furniture, rather than new furniture. It features detailed 

wood carvings and bruising of the wood to simulate antique furniture. 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 3 

 (14) DIP COAT is to dip an object into a vat of coating material and drain off 

any excess coating. 

 (15) ELECTROSTATIC APPLICATION is charging of atomized paint 

droplets for deposition by electrostatic attraction. 

 (16) EXEMPT COMPOUNDS - See Rule 102. 

 (17) EXTREME PERFORMANCE COATING is a two-component high-solids 

epoxy, urethane or polyester coating which requires the mixing of a resin 

and a catalyst, and is applied to a wood product to achieve a high gloss 

and/or high film build coat which cannot be achieved with a low-VOC 

coating, or to protect the wood product from one or more of the following 

environmental conditions: 

(A) Repeated scrubbing with industrial grade detergents, cleaners, or 

abrasive scouring agents; or 

(B) Frequent exposure to water, to outdoor weather, or to ultraviolet 

radiation. 

 (18) FILLER is a material which is applied to a wood product, and whose 

primary function is to build up, or fill the voids and imperfections in the 

wood product to be coated. This shall not include composite wood edge 

filler. 

 (19) FLOW COAT is to coat an object by flowing a stream of coating over an 

object and draining off any excess coating. 

 (20) GLAZES are a type of stain used to soften or blend the original color 

without obscuring it. 

 (21) GRAMS OF VOC PER LITER OF COATING, LESS WATER AND 

LESS EXEMPT COMPOUNDS is the weight of VOC per combined 

volume of VOC and coating solids and can be calculated by the following 

equation: 

Grams of VOC per Liter of Coating, Less Ws - Ww - Wes Water and Less Exempt Compounds = 

 Vm - Vw - Ves

 Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds in grams 

 Ww = weight of water in grams 

 Wes = weight of exempt compounds in grams 

 Vm = volume of material in liters 

 Vw = volume of water in liters 

 Ves = volume of exempt compounds in liters 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 4 

 For coatings that contain reactive diluents, the VOC content of the coating 

is determined after curing. The grams of VOC per liter of coating shall be 

calculated by the following equation: 

Grams of VOC per Liter of Coating, Less Ws - Ww - Wes Water and Less Exempt Compounds = 

 Vm - Vw - Ves

Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds, in grams, emitted 

into the atmosphere during curing 

 Ww = weight of water, in grams, emitted into the 

atmosphere during curing 

 Wes = weight of exempt compounds, in grams, emitted 

into the atmosphere during curing 

 Vm = volume of the material, in liters, prior to reaction 

 Vw = volume of water, in liters, emitted into the 

atmosphere during curing 

 Ves = volume of exempt compounds, in liters, emitted into 

the atmosphere during curing 

 (22) GRAMS OF VOC PER LITER OF MATERIAL is the weight of VOC per 

volume of material and can be calculated by the following equation: 

 Ws - Ww - Wes

 Grams of VOC per Liter of Material = 

 Vm

 Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds in grams 

 Ww = weight of water in grams 

 Wes = weight of exempt compounds in grams 

 Vm = volume of material in liters 

 (23) HIGH FILM BUILD is when the dry-film thickness per application is 

greater than four thousandths of an inch. 

 (24) HIGH GLOSS is when a coating surface shows a reflectance of 75 or 

more on a 60 degree meter. 

 (25) HIGH-SOLIDS STAINS are stains containing more than 1 pound of 

solids per gallon of material, and include wiping stains, glazes, and 

opaque stains. 

 (26) HIGH-VOLUME, LOW-PRESSURE (HVLP) SPRAY is an equipment 

used to apply coating by means of a spray gun which is designed to be 

operated and which is operated between 0.1 and 10.0 pounds per square 

inch gauge (psig) air pressure, measured dynamically at the center of the 

air cap and at the air horns. 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 5 

 (27) INK is a fluid that contains dyes and/or colorants and is used to make 

markings, but not to protect surfaces. 

 (28) JAPANS are saturated, pure pigments ground in a varnish-like vehicle 

used as a stain or glaze to create artistic effects, including but not limited 

to, dirt, old age, smoke damage, and simulated marble and wood grain. 

 (29) LOW-SOLIDS COATING is a coating containing 1 pound, or less, of 

solids per gallon of material. 

 (30) MOLD-SEAL COATING is the initial coating applied to a new mold or 

repaired mold to provide a smooth surface which, when coated with a 

mold release coating, prevents products from sticking to the mold. 

 (31) MULTI-COLORED COATING is a coating which exhibits more than one 

color when applied, and which is packaged in a single container and 

applied in a single coat. 

 (32) OVERALL CONTROL EFFICIENCY (C.E.), in percent, is the ratio of 

the weight of the VOC removed by the emission control system, to the 

total weight of VOC emitted from wood product coating operations, both 

measured simultaneously, and can be calculated by the following 

equations: 

C.E. = [(Wc-Wa)/We] x 100 

C.E. = [(Capture Efficiency) x (Control Device Efficiency)]/100 

Where: Wc = weight of VOC entering control device 

 Wa = Weight of VOC discharged from the control device 

 We = weight of VOC emitted 

 (33) PIGMENTED PRIMERS, SEALERS, AND UNDERCOATS are opaque 

coatings which contain binders and colored pigments formulated to hide 

the wood surface, that are applied prior to the topcoat to provide a firm 

bond, level the wood product surface, or seal the wood product surface. 

 (34) PIGMENTED TOPCOAT is a final opaque coating which contains 

binders and colored pigments, and is specifically formulated to hide the 

wood surface and form a solid protective film. 

 (35) POTENTIAL TO EMIT means the maximum capacity of a facility to emit 

any air pollutant under its physical and operational design. Any physical 

or operational limitation on the capacity of the facility to emit an air 

pollutant, including air pollution control equipment and restrictions on 

hours of operation, emissions, or on the type or amount of material 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 6 

combusted, stored, or processed, shall be treated as part of its design if the 

limitation is enforceable by the EPA Administrator. 

 (36) POUNDS OF VOC PER POUND OF SOLIDS is the weight of VOC per 

weight of coating solids within any given volume of coating and can be 

calculated by the following equation: 

 Ws - Ww - Wes

 Pounds of VOC per Pound of Solids = 

 Wr

 Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds in pounds 

 Ww = weight of water in pounds 

 Wes = weight of exempt compounds in pounds 

 Wr = weight of coating solids in pounds 

 For coatings that contain reactive diluents, the VOC content of the coating 

is determined after curing. The pounds of VOC per pound of coating 

solids shall be calculated by the following equation: 

 Ws - Ww - Wes

 Pounds of VOC per Pound of Solids = 

 Wr

 Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds, in pounds, emitted 

into the atmosphere during curing 

 Ww = weight of water, in pounds, emitted into the 

atmosphere during curing 

 Wes = weight of exempt compounds, in pounds, emitted 

into the atmosphere during curing 

 Wr = weight of coating solids, in pounds, prior to reaction 

 (37) REACTIVE DILUENT is a liquid which is a VOC during application and 

one in which, through chemical or physical reactions, such as 

polymerization, becomes an integral part of a finished coating. 

 (38) RATE PER DAY is the amount applied between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 

p.m. on the same calendar day. 

 (39) RATE PER CALENDAR YEAR is the amount applied between 

12:00 a.m. January 1 and 11:59 p.m. December 31. 

 (40) REFINISH is the recoating of wood products that have been previously 

coated. 

 (41) REPAIR COATING is a coating used to recoat portions of a wood 

product which has sustained damage to the coating following normal 

painting operations. 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 7 

 (42) ROLL COATER is a series of mechanical rollers that applies a thin 

coating on the wood product. 

 (43) SHUTTER is a movable screen or cover for a window, usually hinged and 

often fitted with louvers. 

 (44) SIMULATED WOOD MATERIALS are materials, such as plastic, glass, 

metal, paper etc., that are made to give a wood-like appearance or are 

processed like a wood product. 

 (45) STENCIL COATING is an ink or a pigmented coating which is rolled or 

brushed onto a template or stamp in order to add identifying letters and/or 

numbers to wood products. 

 (46) STRIPPER is a liquid used to remove cured coatings, cured inks and/or 

cured adhesives. 

 (47) TONER is a wash coat which contains binders and dyes or pigments to 

add tint to a coated surface. 

 (48) TOUCH-UP COATING is a coating used to cover minor coating 

imperfections appearing after the main coating operation. 

 (49) TRANSFER EFFICIENCY is the ratio of the weight of coating solids 

deposited on an object to the total weight of coating solids used in a 

coating application step, expressed as a percentage. 

 (50) VOC COMPOSITE PARTIAL PRESSURE is the sum of the partial 

pressures of the compounds defined as VOCs. 

 VOC Composite Partial Pressure is calculated as follows: 

 n (Wi

)(VPi)/MWi

 PPc = Σ 

 i=1 Ww We n Wi

 + + Σ 

 MWw MWe i=1 MWi

 

Where: 

 Wi

 = Weight of the "i"th VOC compound, in grams (g) 

 Ww = Weight of water, in grams (g) 

 We = Weight of exempt compound, in grams (g) 

 MWi = Molecular weight of the "i"th VOC compound, in g 

 g-mole 

 

 MWw = Molecular weight of water, in g 

 g-mole 

 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 8 

 MWe = Molecular weight of exempt compound, 

in 

g 

 g-mole 

 PPc = VOC composite partial pressure at 20oC, in mm Hg

 VPi

 = Vapor pressure of the "i"th VOC compound at 20oC, in mm 

Hg

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

of carbon, excluding methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic 

acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, ammonium carbonate, and exempt 

compounds. 

 (52) WASHCOAT is a coating that contains no more than 1.0 pound of solids 

per gallon of material, and which is used to seal wood product surfaces, 

for any of the following purposes: 

(A) to prevent undesired staining, 

(B) to control penetration, 

(C) to provide a barrier when paper laminates are applied to the wood 

product, 

(D) to seal glazes, 

(E) to improve adhesion of a waterborne topcoat. 

 (53) WOOD PRODUCTS are those surface-coated room furnishings which 

include cabinets (kitchen, bath, and vanity), tables, chairs, beds, sofas, 

shutters, art objects, and any other coated objects made of wood, 

composite wood, simulated wood material used in combination with wood 

or composite wood; and/or paper laminated on composite wood. 

 (54) WOOD PRODUCT COATING APPLICATION OPERATIONS are a 

combination of coating application steps which may include use of spray 

guns, flash-off areas, spray booths, ovens, conveyors, and/or other 

equipment operated for the purpose of applying coating materials. 

(c) Requirements 

(1) VOC Content of Coatings and Strippers 

(A) A person or facility shall not apply any coating to a wood product 

which has a VOC content, including any VOC-containing material 

added to the original coating supplied by the manufacturer, which 

exceeds the applicable limit specified below: 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 9 

(i) VOC LIMITS

Grams Per Liter (lb/gal) of Coating, [lbs VOC/lb of solids], 

Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds

COATING Current Limit

On and After 

7/1/97

I or II

On and After 

7/1/2005

 Clear Sealers 680 (5.7) [3.36] 550 (4.6) [1.39] 680 (5.7) [3.36] 275 (2.3) [0.36] 

 Clear Topcoat 680 (5.7) [2.99] 550 (4.6) [1.37] 275 (2.3) [0.35] 275 (2.3) [0.35] 

 Pigmented Primers, 

Sealers & Undercoats 600 (5.0) [1.08] 550 (4.6) [1.06] 600 (5.0) [1.08] 275 (2.3) [0.21] 

 Pigmented Topcoats 600 (5.0) [1.38] 550 (4.6) [1.10] 275 (2.3) [0.25] 275 (2.3) [0.25] 

Effective July 1, 1997, a person or facility shall use 

coatings on a wood product that comply with either all 

VOC limits in column I or all VOC limits in column II. A 

person or facility that applies a primer, sealer or undercoat, 

but not a topcoat, to a wood product, shall be subject to 

column I for that wood product. 

(ii) Notwithstanding the requirements of clause (c)(1)(A)(i), a 

person or facility that applies a topcoat and a primer, sealer 

or undercoat to a shutter may, until July 1, 2005, choose to 

comply with the VOC limits specified below for that 

shutter: 

VOC LIMITS

Grams Per Liter, (lb/gal) of Coating, [lbs VOC/lb of solids], 

Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds

COATING 

 Clear Sealers 275 (2.3) [0.36] 

 Clear Topcoat 680 (5.7) [2.99] 

 Pigmented Primers, Sealers 

& Undercoats 275 (2.3) [0.33] 

 Pigmented Topcoats 600 (5.0) [1.38] 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 10 

(iii) VOC LIMITS

Grams Per Liter, (lb/gal) of Coating, [lbs VOC/lb of solids], 

Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds

COATING Current Limit

On and After 

7/1/97

On and After 

7/1/2005

 Barrier Coat - Plastic Components 800 (6.7) [6.3] 760 (6.3) [3.9] 275 (2.3) [0.28] 

 Composite Wood Edge Filler 680 (5.7) [2.34] 550 (4.6) [1.15] 275 (2.3) [0.31] 

 Extreme Performance Coatings 420 (3.5) [0.51] 420 (3.5) [0.51] 275 (2.3) [0.33] 

 Fillers 500 (4.2) [0.66] 500 (4.2) [0.66] 275 (2.3) [0.18] 

 High-Solid Stains 700 (5.8) [2.84] 550 (4.6) [1.23] 350 (2.9) [0.42] 

 Inks 500 (4.2) [0.96] 500 (4.2) [0.96] 500 (4.2) [0.96] 

 Mold-Seal Coatings 750 (6.3) [4.2] 750 (6.3) [4.2] 750 (6.3) [4.2] 

 Multi-Colored Coatings 685 (5.7) [2.6] 685 (5.7) [2.6] 275 (2.3) [0.33] 

VOC LIMITS

Grams Per Liter (lb/gal) of Material

COATING Current Limit

On and After 

7/1/97

On and After 

7/1/2005

 Low-Solids Barrier Coat - Plastic 

Components 800 (6.7) 760 (6.3) 120 (1.0) 

 Low-Solid Stains, Toners, and 

Washcoats 800 (6.7) 480 (4.0) 120 (1.0) 

Any coating subject to this rule that meets any of the three VOC 

limit formats (grams per liter, lb/gal, or lbs VOC/lb of solids) is in 

compliance with this subparagraph. 

(B) A person shall not use a stripper on wood products unless: 

(i) it contains less than 350 grams of VOC per liter of 

material; or 

(ii) the VOC composite vapor pressure is 2 mm Hg 

(0.04 psia) or less at 20oC (68oF). 

(C) Owners and/or operators may comply with provisions of paragraph 

(c)(1)(A) and (B) by using an approved air pollution control 

system, consisting of collection and control devices, which reduces 

VOC emissions from the application of wood product coatings or 

strippers by an equivalent or greater amount than the limits 

specified in subparagraphs (c)(1)(A) and (B), with the written 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 11 

approval of the Executive Officer. The minimum required overall 

control efficiency of an emission control system at which an 

equivalent or greater level of VOC reduction will be achieved shall 

be calculated by the following equation: 

 (VOC LWc) 1 - (VOCLWn,Max/ Dn,Max) 

C.E. = [ 1 - { x } ] x 100 

 (VOCLWn,Max) 1 - (VOCLWc/Dc) 

 Where: C.E. = Overall Control Efficiency, percent 

 VOCLWc = VOC Limit of Rule 1136, less water and less 

exempt compounds, pursuant to 

subparagraph (c)(1)(A). 

 VOCLWn,Max = Maximum VOC content of non-compliant 

coating used in conjunction with a control 

device, less water and less exempt 

compounds. 

 Dn,Max = Density of solvent, reducer, or thinner 

contained in the non-compliant coating, 

containing the maximum VOC content of 

the multicomponent coating. 

 Dc = Density of corresponding solvent, reducer, 

or thinner used in the compliant coating 

system = 880 G/L. 

(D) Emissions Averaging Provisions 

(i) Owners or operators may comply with the provisions of 

subparagraph (c)(1)(A) by using an averaging approach for 

all or a portion of the coatings used at the facility, provided 

all requirements of this subparagraph are met. The owner 

or operator shall demonstrate that actual emissions from the 

coatings being averaged are less than or equal to 90 percent 

of the allowable emissions, on a daily basis, using the 

following inequality: 

0.09 VOC (U ) ER (U ) i i i i

i = 1

n

i = 1

n

∑ ≥ ∑
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 12 

Where: 

 VOCi = VOC content limit of coating “i” 

(pounds (lb) of VOC/gallon of 

material for low solids coatings; and 

lb VOC/lb of solids for all other 

coatings), as required by 

subparagraph (c)(1)(A); 

 Ui = Usage of coating “i” (gallons of 

material for low-solids coatings; and 

lb of solids for all other coatings); 

and 

 ERi = Actual VOC content of coating “i”, 

as applied (lb of VOC/gallon of 

material for low-solids materials; 

and lb VOC/lb of solids for all other 

coatings). 

The 0.9 multiplier above is not applicable after June 30, 

2005, or to facilities with a potential to emit less than 10 

tons of VOC per year. Any wood product coating not 

included in the emission averaging shall comply with the 

VOC limits in subparagraph (c)(1)(A). 

(ii) Emissions Averaging Plan (Plan) 

Owners or operators shall submit a Plan, pursuant to Rule 

221 - Plans, to the Executive Officer to participate in 

emissions averaging. The plan may not be implemented 

until it is approved in writing by the Executive Officer. 

Submittal of the Plan does not provide an exemption from 

the rule requirements. The Plan shall include, at a 

minimum: 

(I) A description of the wood product coatings 

to be included in the averaging program; and 

(II) A description of the quantification and 

recordkeeping procedures for coating usage; 

coating VOC and solids content; VOC 

emissions; and calculations to show daily 

compliance with clause (c)(1)(D)(i). 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 13 

(2) Transfer Efficiency 

A person or facility shall not apply coatings to wood products subject to 

the provisions of this rule unless the coating is applied with properly 

operating equipment, according to the equipment manufacturer's operating 

procedures, and by the use of one of the following methods: 

(A) electrostatic application; or 

(B) flow coat; or 

(C) dip coat; or 

(D) high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) spray; or 

(E) paint brush; or 

(F) hand roller; or 

(G) roll coater; or 

(H) such other coating application methods as are demonstrated to the 

Executive Officer to be capable of achieving at least 65 percent 

transfer efficiency, and for which written approval of the 

Executive Officer has been obtained. 

 (3) Solvent Cleaning Operations; Storage and Disposal of VOC-containing 

Materials 

 Solvent cleaning operations and the storage and disposal of VOC 

containing materials are subject to the provisions of Rule 1171 - Solvent 

Cleaning Operations. 

(d) Recordkeeping Requirements 

Records shall be maintained pursuant to Rule 109 or pursuant to an approved 

Emissions Averaging Plan, whichever is applicable. If compliance with the VOC 

limits in subparagraph (c)(1)(A) is based on the pounds of VOC per pound of 

solids format, then the operator shall keep a record of the VOC content of the 

coating in pounds of VOC per pound of solids in addition to complying with the 

requirements of Rule 109. 

(e) Prohibition of Specifications 

A person shall not specify the use in the District of any coating to be applied to 

any wood products subject to the provisions of this rule that does not meet the 

limits and/or requirements of this rule. The requirements of this paragraph shall 

apply to all written or oral contracts. 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 14 

(f) Test Methods 

(1) The VOC content of coatings and strippers shall be determined by: 

(A) United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) 

Reference Method 24 (Determination of Volatile Matter Content, 

Water Content, Density, Volume Solids, and Weight Solids of 

Surface Coating, Code of Federal Regulations Title 40, Appendix 

A), or Method 304 (Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds 

(VOCs) in Various Materials) in the South Coast Air Quality 

Management District (SCAQMD) "Laboratory Methods of 

Analysis for Enforcement Samples" manual. 

(B) The exempt compounds' content shall be determined by: 

 (i) Methods 302 (Distillation of Solvents from Paints, 

Coatings and Inks) and 303 (Determination of Exempt 

Compounds) in the SCAQMD "Laboratory Methods of 

Analysis for Enforcement Samples" manual. 

 (ii) The following classes of compounds: 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; and sulfur-containing 

perfluorocarbons with no unsaturations and with sulfur 

bonds only to carbon and fluorine, will be analyzed as 

exempt compounds for compliance with subdivision (c), 

only at such time as manufacturers specify which 

individual compounds are used in the coating formulations 

and identify the test methods, which, prior to such analysis, 

have been approved by the USEPA and the SCAQMD, that 

can be used to quantify the amounts of each exempt 

compound. 

(2) Film build thickness shall be determined using American Society of 

Testing Materials (ASTM) Test Method D5235, as adopted in 1992. 

(3) Gloss shall be determined using ASTM Test Method D 523, as adopted 

in 1989. 

(4) For the purpose of calculating the VOC composite vapor pressure of a 

VOC-containing material, the composition of the material shall be based 

on the known formulation of the material or determined by Method 308 in 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 15 

the SCAQMD "Laboratory Methods of Analysis for Enforcement 

Samples". 

(5) For determining the concentration of VOC in a gas stream and the 

efficiency of a control device, the total organic compound concentrations 

shall be determined using USEPA Test Method 25, 25A, or SCAQMD 

Method 25.1 (Determination of Total Gaseous Non-Methane Organic 

Emissions as Carbon) as applicable, and the concentration of exempt 

compounds shall be determined using either USEPA Test Method 18 or 

California Air Resources Board Method 422. 

(6) The capture efficiency of an emission control system as defined in 

paragraph (b)(3) shall be determined by a minimum of three sampling runs 

subject to the data quality objective (DQO) presented in the USEPA 

technical guidance document “Guidelines for Determining Capture 

Efficiency”, January 9, 1995. Individual capture efficiency test runs 

subject to the USEPA technical guidelines shall be determined by: 

(A) Applicable USEPA Methods 204, 204A, 204B, 204C, 204E, 

and/or 204F; or 

(B) The SCAQMD “Protocol for Determination of Volatile Organic 

Compounds (VOC) Capture Efficiency”; or 

(C) Any other method approved by the USEPA, the California Air 

Resources Board, and the SCAQMD Executive Officer. 

(7) The transfer efficiency of alternative coating application methods shall be 

determined in accordance with the SCAQMD method "Spray Equipment 

Transfer Efficiency Test Procedure for Equipment User, May 24, 1989." 

(8) When more than one test method or set of test methods are 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 the rule. 

(9) All test methods referenced in this subdivision shall be the most recently 

approved version. 

(g) Continuous Monitors 

(1) Each coating operation subject to subparagraph (c)(1)(C) shall have a 

continuous monitor, as approved by the Executive Officer, for any add-on 

control device used to meet the control requirement. 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 16 

(2) Records of the monitoring devices pursuant to paragraph (g)(1) and other 

data necessary to demonstrate compliance with the control requirements 

shall be maintained on the premises and made accessible for a period of 

two years to the Executive Officer in a form and manner as specified by 

the Executive Officer. 

(3) Compliance with subparagraph (c)(1)(C) shall be determined by source 

testing and/or evaluating continuous monitor data. 

(4) Each monitoring device used pursuant to paragraph (g)(1) shall be 

calibrated in a manner approved by the Executive Officer and maintained 

in optimum working order. 

(h) Rule 442 Applicability 

Any coating, coating operation, or facility which is exempt from all or a portion 

of the VOC limits of this rule shall comply with the provisions of Rule 442 unless 

compliance with the limits specified in this rule is achieved. 

(i) Alternative Emission Control Plan 

 An owner or operator may achieve compliance with paragraph (c)(1) by means of 

an Alternative Emission Control Plan pursuant to Rule 108. 

(j) Progress Reports 

Owners or operators shall submit a progress report to the Executive Officer by 

January 1, 2003. The Progress Report shall include at a minimum: 

(1) a statement that the facility or facilities are in compliance with the final 

Rule 1136 VOC limits; or 

(2) for each facility, a description of their wood coating process, the wood 

product types, the wood coatings currently in use and their VOC contents, 

the low-VOC wood coatings which will be tested, any expected wood 

coating process or control equipment modifications, and the results of 

previous low-VOC coating tests. Facilities shall also report if they are 

planning to use Mobile Source Emission Reduction Credits (MSERCs) 

pursuant to Regulation XVI or other alternative emission reductions 

allowed by District rules. 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 17 

(k) Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) Technology Assessment Audit 

The Executive Officer shall audit Rule 1136 by July 1, 2003 to assess the 

feasibility of the final VOC limits and whether new technology could provide 

additional reductions to meet the District’s AQMP objectives. 

(l) Exemptions 

(1) The provisions of paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this rule shall not apply 

to facilities that use less than one gallon per day of coating, as applied, 

subject to this rule. 

(2) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to coating operations subject to, 

and in compliance with, the provisions of Rule 1104. 

(3) The provisions of subparagraphs (c)(1)(A) and (C) shall not apply to the 

manufacturing of classic guitars until July 1, 2005. 

(4) Refinishing, Replacement, and Custom Replica Furniture Operations: 

Until July 1, 1998, the provisions of subparagraphs (c)(1)(A) and (C) shall 

not apply to any refinishing operations necessary for preservation, to 

return the wood product to original condition, to replace missing furniture 

to produce a matching set, or to produce custom replica furniture, 

provided records are maintained daily for two years as to the amount, type 

and VOC content of each coating used. 

(5) The provisions of paragraph (c)(1) shall not apply to touch-up and repair 

coatings until July 1, 2005. 

(6) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to aerosol coating products. 

(7) Notwithstanding the requirements of Rule 109(c)(1), Recordkeeping for 

Volatile Organic Compound Emissions, any facility that switches to 

waterborne coatings that meet the July 1, 2005 VOC limits may request 

written approval from the Executive Officer to record data on up to a 

quarterly basis, provided the Executive Officer determines that such 

recordkeeping allows for an equivalent level of enforceability. 

(8) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c)(2), a person or facility 

may use: 

 (A) any spray equipment that uses only coatings that comply with the 

July 1, 2005 VOC limits; or 

 (B) any spray equipment, except conventional air spray, that uses only 

coatings that contain 550 grams, or less, of VOC per liter of 

coating, less water and less exempt compounds. 
Rule 1136 (Cont.) (Amended June 14, 1996) 

1136 - 18 

(9) The provisions of paragraph (c)(2) shall not apply to air brushes with a 

capacity of four fluid ounces, or less. 

(10) The provisions of subparagraph (c)(1)(A) shall not apply to japans, 

provided the VOC content is 700 grams of VOC per liter of coating, less 

water and exempt compounds, or less, as applied. 

(11) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (c)(1)(A), a person or 

facility may add up to 10% by volume of VOC to a topcoat, primer, sealer 

or undercoat to avoid blushing of the finish during high humidity provided 

that: 

(A) the coating is not applied from April 1 to October 31 of any year; 

and 

(B) the coating contains acetone and no more than 550 grams of VOC 

per liter of coating, less water and exempt compounds, prior to the 

addition of VOC.