How to Obtain EPA Method 9 Certification
A description of the two methods used to obtain EPA Method 9 certification; in-person smoke school and virtual smoke school.
The Smoke School Process
Smoke school is the process of training and certification to perform EPA Method 9 observations. An individual who is certified to perform EPA Method 9 observations can determine the opacity of visible emissions (such as smoke) to ensure a facility is in compliance with applicable opacity limits.
Smoke school consists of a lecture and a visual test. The lecture covers proper observation techniques and documentation procedures. The visual test consists of viewing 25 black and 25 white smoke plumes of known opacity. Individuals assess the opacity of the smoke plumes in 5% increments and their answers are compared to the actual opacity. An individual is certified when they successfully pass the visual test. EPA Method 9 certification is valid for 6 months.
In-Person Smoke School
In-person smoke school is one method of obtaining EPA Method 9 certification. In-person smoke schools use a smoke generator to train and certify individuals at locations such as parks or other public venues. These events are typically operated in all weather conditions and are often scheduled seasonally to accommodate the 6-month certification cycle.
Test runs, consisting of white and black smoke, can take up to 2 hours each due to crowd management, generator operation and manual grading. If multiple test runs are needed, a student may spend an entire day (or multiple days) at an in-person smoke school. If a student does not pass, they may need to travel to another event at a later date.
Virtual Reality (VR) Smoke School
Virtual smoke school is an alternative method of obtaining EPA Method 9 certification. Instead of viewing smoke plumes in person, plumes are recorded and displayed to a student using equipment and procedures established under ALT-152. The visual test criteria and grading are the same as in-person smoke school.
VR Smoke School allows individuals to complete certification anytime from a home or office setting. Test runs can be completed in less than 30 minutes and grading is immediate. Students can take the visual test as often as needed and only pay when they successfully pass and choose to purchase their certification.
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