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Los Angeles Fire
Department Installation Requirements for VST Vapor Recovery System (pdf
1Mb)
Advisory 01-08 -
Schedule for the Installation of Phase II EVR (pdf 32 kb)
Compliance Plan Form - Form 461-CP
Since 2001, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted a
number of significant enhancements to gasoline
dispensing facilities' (GDFs') vapor recovery systems. These efforts
are necessary to ensure the continued effective operation of the vapor
recovery systems during the transfer and dispensing of gasoline at
these facilities.
As the regional air pollution control agency responsible for
permitting and enforcement activities related to GDFs, the South
Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has prepared a number of
Compliance Advisories to provide guidance to GDFs attempting to comply
with these new requirements. Regulatory requirements you should be
aware of include:
Enhanced Vapor Recovery (EVR)
Vapor recovery systems collect gasoline vapors that would otherwise
escape into the atmosphere during fuel delivery to the underground
storage tanks (Phase I) or fuel storage and vehicle fueling (Phase II). The
Enhanced Vapor Recovery (EVR) regulations became state law on April 1,
2001. These regulations provide more stringent requirements for vapor
recovery systems in order to reduce gasoline vapor emissions. The EVR
program is being phased-in according to the CARB
EVR timeline.
Vapor Recovery System Upgrades
 Phase I refers to the transfer of gasoline into fuel storage tanks. As
of April 1, 2005, all GDFs were required to be equipped with Phase I vapor
recovery systems on their underground tanks to meet enhanced vapor
recovery (EVR) standards. As of this date, all existing non-EVR Phase
I systems were decertified for use by the California Air Resources
Board (CARB), and any GDF operating without the upgraded EVR system is in
non-compliance with State regulations and AQMD
Rule 461 requirements. For information about all current and
upcoming EVR regulations, refer to CARB's
EVR Implementation Update.
 Phase II vapor
recovery systems control emissions associated with vehicle fueling and
the storage of fuel at a GDF.
Phase II EVR systems are certified to several new standards, including ORVR compatibility, more stringent spillage and “dripless nozzle”
requirements, In-station diagnostics and storage tank pressure limits.
GDFs with underground storage tanks must upgrade to Phase II EVR by
April 1, 2009.
In-station diagnostics
(ISD) detects potential failures automatically, notifies the station operator,
and is designed to reduce emissions by early detection and prompt repair. ISD must
be installed in GDFs with an annual throughput of more than 1.8
million gallons by September 1, 2009. The deadline for GDFs with
annual throughputs of 600,000- 1.8 million gallons, to install ISD is
September 2010. ISD monitors the performance of the vapor recovery
systems and triggers warnings for alarms to indicate potential failures. If corrective action
is not taken, ISD may eventually shut down fuel dispensing.
Other Related Issues
AQMD will assess a fee of $320.65 to any contractor that schedules a
Reverification/Performance test or a Pre-Backfill inspection and does
not conduct the planned event at the specified date and time.
In order to install vapor recovery system and components, contractors
must obtain certification from
equipment
manufacturers and
the
International Code Council (ICC)
Testers must complete the testing orientation
Training Class from SCAQMD, and obtain a tester number from the District. ICC
certification will be required of all testers within six months after
exam becomes available.
All performance and reverification testing can only be conducted
Monday through Friday during the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Testing may be conducted during weekend hours subject to SCAQMD approval. However, SCAQMD may
require retesting at these stations during regular SCAQMD business hours.
For questions about these new requirements call AQMD at 1.866.770.9140.
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