Free Online EPA Method 9 Lecture Course
EPA Method 9 certification has traditionally required students to attend a smoke school lecture before completing the visual opacity certification test. At many smoke schools, that lecture comes with a separate cost. VR Smoke School takes a different approach.
Our comprehensive online lecture course is instantly available to anyone who creates a free account. The course was developed from more than 45 years of smoke school training experience and is designed to help students understand the principles, procedures and documentation requirements involved in visible emissions observations. You can complete the lecture at your own pace, anytime.
Even if you do not choose smoke school through our EPA-approved virtual EPA Method 9 certification program, you can still use our lecture to meet the lecture requirement for other smoke school programs. There is no catch or required purchase.
Built From Real-World Smoke School Experience
The VR Smoke School lecture was built from decades of hands-on training, field experience and real-world visible emissions observations. Instead of relying only on text-based instruction, the course uses images, videos, examples and interactive quizzes to help students understand how to properly make opacity determinations.
The course covers the concepts behind visible emissions, how opacity is determined, how environmental conditions affect observations and how to properly document results. It is intended for new students, experienced Method 9 observers, facility personnel, consultants, inspectors and anyone who needs a stronger understanding of visible emissions observation methods.
What the Free EPA Method 9 Lecture Covers
The lecture provides a comprehensive foundation of all visible emissions observation methods. Topics include:
- What opacity is and how it is visually determined
- What visible emissions are and why they matter
- Common types of air emissions
- Plume shapes and how they form
- Types of particles found in air emissions
- Types of air emission control devices
- EPA Method 9 observation procedures
- The effect of atmospheric conditions and backgrounds
- How to document EPA Method 9 observations
- How to calculate average opacity
- How to audit an EPA Method 9 observation form
- How to read opacity from unusual sources
- Alternative test methods for visible emissions observations
- How to perform EPA Method 22 observations
- How to document EPA Method 22 observations
- Frequently asked questions about visible emissions observations
The course is designed to give students a practical understanding of both the science and the procedure behind visible emissions observations. For students preparing for EPA Method 9 certification, the lecture provides the background needed to understand what is being measured, how observations are performed and how readings should be documented.
Interactive Training, Quizzes and a Certificate of Completion
Throughout the lecture, students complete quizzes that help confirm they are retaining key information. These quizzes reinforce important topics such as observation procedures, field documentation, opacity averaging, Method 22 procedures and common mistakes that can affect visible emissions records.
A final test is also available for students who want to earn a certificate of completion for successfully completing the lecture course. This certificate can be useful for documenting that the lecture requirement has been satisfied before completing a smoke school visual test for certification.
Downloadable Forms and Quick Reference Materials
In addition to the lecture content, students receive access to a complete library of downloadable and printable visible emissions observation forms. These resources include forms for multiple visible emissions observation methods, along with a convenient EPA Method 9 Quick Reference sheet. All are free. Download and print as often as you need.
Use the Lecture Even If You Don't Choose Us
One of the most important benefits of the VR Smoke School lecture is that it is not restricted to students who certify through our program. If you need to complete the lecture requirement for any smoke school, you can create a free account, review the lecture and use the certificate of completion as documentation.
Students who later choose to certify through VR Smoke School can follow the VR Smoke School Process to complete practice training and the official certification exam through our EPA-approved virtual smoke school program.
Part of an EPA-Approved Virtual Smoke School Program
VR Smoke School provides EPA Method 9 certification through an EPA-approved virtual smoke school program under EPA ALT-152. The lecture course supports that program by giving students a strong foundation in visible emissions observation principles before they begin practice or certification testing.
However, the lecture is also valuable as a standalone training resource. Whether you are preparing for certification, refreshing your knowledge, training facility staff or reviewing visible emissions documentation procedures, our lecture has you covered.
Free Access With No Catch
The entire lecture course is 100% free. You only need to create a free account to receive instant access. We do not sell your information, and there is no requirement to purchase certification testing in order to use the lecture. It's free because we want to prove our knowledge of visible emissions observations and earn your consideration when choosing an EPA Method 9 certification provider.
For organizations comparing in-person and virtual training options, the Benefits of VR Smoke School include no travel, no scheduling, consistent testing conditions and more effective training.
Start the Free Online EPA Method 9 Lecture
The VR Smoke School online lecture covers everything a visible emissions observer needs to understand before performing EPA Method 9 or Method 22 observations. From opacity basics to plume behavior, documentation, averaging, auditing and alternative test methods, the course provides a complete foundation built on more than 45 years of smoke school training experience.
Create a free account today to access the full online lecture, download printable forms and earn a certificate of completion for the course. If you have questions before getting started, please Contact us.