How to Pass Smoke School & Earn EPA Method 9 Certification

With over 40 years of visible emissions training experience, we share tips for passing the smoke school test and earning EPA Method 9 certification.

Screenshot of the VR smoke school visual test with visible emissions of various opacity being displayed

VR Headset Tips

When taking the EPA Method 9 certification test on a virtual reality headset, there are several ways to ensure the best visual experience:

  • The distance between the lenses of a VR headset is usually adjustable. Slide the lenses in or out to achieve the clearest image.
  • Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the lenses before each use.
  • Move your head to look around, not your eyes. Viewing in a VR headset is slightly different than viewing in real life—you indicate where you are looking by moving your head.

EPA Method 9 Certification Test Basics

The visual test taken at a virtual smoke school or an in-person smoke school follows a few basic rules:

  • Make your observation at the point of highest opacity. This is usually within two stack diameters of the stack exit.
  • Opacity observations are always made in 5% increments. Always round to the nearest 5% when recording your observation.

You can fail the test in one of two ways:

  • If you miss a single reading by more than 15%, the test must be retaken.
  • If the total deviation for either white or black smoke exceeds 37, the test must be retaken. For the visual test, deviations are counted in 5% increments. For example, a deviation of 5% equals 1, 10% equals 2, and 15% equals 3.

Set the Opacity Range

If you believe a smoke value is a certain percentage, ask yourself whether it could be 20% lower or 20% higher. For example, if you assess the opacity as 35%, ask whether it is clearly higher than 15%, and then whether it is clearly lower than 55%.

Because you are allowed to miss a reading by up to ±15%, your acceptable range is relatively wide. There is a noticeable visual difference between 15%, 35%, and 55%.

Other Smoke School Test Tips

  • Practice as much as needed. You have 90 minutes to complete the test, which is typically more than enough time.
  • It’s OK to fail. Don’t expect to pass on your first attempt. With the VR Smoke School program, tests can be retaken quickly at no additional cost, and you can review missed readings to improve your accuracy.
  • Trust your instincts. Second-guessing often leads to incorrect answers.

Ready to get started? Create your free account for full access to the VR Smoke School Program and earn your EPA Method 9 certification today.

Register here.

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