SAN DIEGO COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT

RULE 61.4 - TRANSFER OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS INTO VEHICLE FUEL TANKS
(Effect. 5/6/77: Rev. Effective 10/16/90)

(a) APPLICABILITY

Except as proved for in Section (b) - Exemptions, this rule is applicable to the transfer of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) into any motor vehicle tank with a capacity greater than 5 gallons (18.93 liters) at the following fuel dispensing facilities:

1. Any retail service station, as defined in Rule 61.0 where VOC's are dispensed into motor vehicle tanks from any stationary storage tank with a capacity of 260 gallons (984 liters) or more, and
2. Any facility that is not a retail service station where:

   (i) VOC's are dispensed into motor vehicle tanks from any stationary storage tank with a capacity greater than 550 gallons (2080 liters), and

   (ii) Where more than 2000 gallons (7570 liters) of VOC's are transferred into motor vehicle tanks in any calendar month on the parcel of land where the facility is located.

(b) EXEMPTIONS (Rev. Effective 10/16/90)

Except as provided in (b)(5) below, this rule does not apply to the dispensing of:

1. VOC's into motor vehicle fuel tanks from any intermediate refueler provided VOC's are not sold directly from the intermediate refueler; or
2. Natural gas or propane when not mixed with any other VOC; or
3. VOC's into any vehicles performing emergency work necessary to restore property to a safe condition following a public calamity or work required to protect persons or property from imminent exposure to danger or damage.
4. VOC's from any stationary storage tank that:

   (i) Is used primarily in the fueling of aircraft and/or intermediate aircraft refuelers, or boats; or

   (ii) Is used exclusively in the filling of tanks with a capacity of 5 gallons (18.93 liters) or less; or

   (iii) Is located on a parcel of land on which not more than 2,000 gallons (7570 liters) are transferred into motor vehicles during any calendar month, provided that the facility is not a retail service station where:

   (A) no stationary storage tank with a capacity of 260 gallons (984 liters) or more is added, installed or replaced at the facility after March 14, 1989; and

   (B) no modification, replacement or repair of any underground liquid VOC piping from the stationary storage tank to the dispensers occurs at the facility after March 14, 1989; and

   (iv) Is located at any retail service station in the Desert portion of San Diego County provided that:

   (A) no stationary storage tank with a capacity of 260 gallons (984 liters) or more is added, installed or replaced at the facility after March 14, 1989; and

   (B) no modification, replacement or repair of any underground liquid VOC piping from the stationary storage tank to the dispensers occurs at the facility after March 14, 1989; and

   (C) the retail service station does not exceed a VOC throughput of 480,000 gallons (1817 kiloliters) in any calendar year after March 7, 1990; or

   (v) is located in the Desert portion of San Diego County at any dispensing facility other than a retail service station; or

   (vi) has a capacity of less than 260 gallons (984 liters).

5. The exemptions of paragraph (4)(iii) and subparagraph (iv)(C) above shall not apply unless the operator maintains records to total VOC liquid throughputs on the parcel of land where the facility is located, and makes those records available to the District upon request. The throughput records shall be maintained as follows: (Rev. Effective 10/16/90)

   (i) For exemptions associated with 2000 gallons/month or less, records shall be maintained for each calendar month and each monthly record shall be kept for at least two years.

   (ii) For exemptions associated with 480,000 gallons/year or less, the records shall be maintained for each calendar year and each yearly record shall be kept for at least two years.

(c) STANDARDS (Rev. Effective 10/16/90)

Except as provided for in Section (b) of this rule, no person shall transfer or allow the transfer of VOC's into any motor vehicle fuel tank unless all the following requirements are met:

1. The vapors displaced during the transfer, and displaced from any storage tank associated with the transfer, shall be controlled by a Phase II vapor recovery system certified by the State of California to be at least 95% effective, except for any Phase II vapor recovery system installed prior to July 1, 1976. Any system installed prior to July 1, 1976 shall prevent at least 95% of the vapors displaced during the transfer, and displaced from any storage tank associated with the transfer, from being released into the atmosphere.

   If installed after July 1, 1976, the Phase II vapor recovery system and its components shall have been certified by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) prior to installation; unless the installation is granted written approval by both the ARB and the District for the purpose of conducting field evaluations to determine the certification status of the system and/or any of its components.

2. No person shall insert or allow the insertion of an object between any vehicle tank fill spout and any vapor recovery nozzle in order to prevent sealing at the vehicle-nozzle interface.
3. The Phase II vapor recovery system and its components shall be installed, operated, and maintained so that their performance in actual use, as determined by the Air Pollution Control Officer, is:

   (i) The same as the ARB certification test system associated with the applicable State Executive Order, if the system was installed on or after July 1, 1976, or

   (ii) The same as when approval was granted for a Permit to Operate if the system was installed prior to July 1, 1976, and

   (iii) The Phase II vapor recovery system and its components are operated in accordance with any instructions of the manufacturer(s) of the system and its components unless otherwise specified by the Air Pollution Control Officer.

4. The Phase II vapor recovery system and its components shall not be altered from their certified or District approved configuration except as approved in advance by the Air Pollution Control Officer. Alterations include, but are not limited to:

   (i) Piping and fitting changes, or installation of valves in the vapor piping; or

   (ii) Substitutions of certified components with non-certified components and removal of certified components; and

   (iii) Any other modifications that can affect the emissions.

5. VOC dispensing equipment shall not be used if its associated Phase II system or any component thereof contains a defect that is determined by the Air Pollution Control Officer as being the same as, or having approximately the same emissions impact as, a defect identified in Title 17, California Code of Regulations, Section 94006. Any other defective Phase II system or component shall be replaced, repaired or adjusted within seven days in a manner that will bring the facility into compliance with the applicable District Rules and Regulations. In the latter case, the associated VOC dispensing equipment shall not be used if every violation is not eliminated within the seven day period. (Rev. Effective 10/16/90)
6. On and after September 1, 1989, each VOC dispensing nozzle shall be equipped with a hold-open latch device in proper working order, except where prohibited by the local fire authority.