EL DORADO COUNTY AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

RULE 215 - ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS
(Revised: 9/08/94; 9/27/94)

215.1 APPLICABILITY:
This rule is applicable to any person who supplies, sells offers for sale, applies, or solicits the application of any architectural coating, or who manufactures any architectural coating for use in the District.

215.2 DEFINITIONS:

1. APPURTENANCES: Accessories to an architectural structure, including, but not limited to: hand railings, cabinets, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, fences, rain-gutters and down spouts, window screens, lamp-posts, heating and air conditioning equipment, other mechanical equipment, large fixed stationary tools, and concrete forms.
2. ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS: Coatings applied to stationary structures and their appurtenances, to mobile homes, to pavements, or to curbs.
3. BELOW GROUND WOOD PRESERVATIVES: Coatings formulated to protect below ground wood from decay or insect attack and which contains a wood preservative chemical registered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
4. BITUMINOUS COATING MATERIALS: Black or brownish materials, soluble in carbon disulfide, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons and which are obtained from natural deposits or as residues from the distillation of crude petroleum oils, or of low grades of coal.
5. BOND BREAKERS: Coatings applied between layers of concrete to prevent the freshly poured top layer of concrete from bonding to the layer over which it is poured.
6. CLEAR WOOD FINISHES: Clear and semi-transparent coatings, including lacquers and varnishes, applied to wood substrates to provide a transparent or translucent solid film.
7. CONCRETE CURING COMPOUND: Coatings applied to freshly poured concrete to retard the evaporation of water.
8. DRY FOG COATING (MILL WHITE COATING): Coatings formulated only for spray application such that overspray droplets dry before subsequent contact with other surfaces.
9. EXEMPT ORGANIC COMPOUNDS: Means any of the following compounds:
   1. methane (CH₄)
   2. carbon dioxide (CO₂)
   3. carbon monoxide (CO)
   4. carbonic acid (CO(OH)₂)
   5. metallic carbides (M-C) or carbonates (M-CO₃)
   6. ammonium carbonate ((NH₄)HCO₃(NH₄)CO₂NH₂)
   7. 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)
   8. methylene chloride (dichloromethane)
   9. trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11)
   10.  dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12)
   11. chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22)
   12. trifluoromethane (HFC-23)
   13. 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113)
   14. 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (CFC-114)
   15. chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115)
   16. 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123)
   17. 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124)
   18. pentafluoroethane (HFC-125)
   19. 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-134)
   20. 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-134a)
   21. 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b)
   22. 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b)
   23. 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a)
   24. 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a)
   25. The following classes of perfluorocarbon (PFC) compounds:
       1. cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated alkanes,
       2. cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated ethers with no unsaturations,
       3. cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated tertiary amines with no unsaturations, and
       4. sulphur containing perfluorocarbons with no unsaturations and with sulfur bonds only to carbon and fluorine.  Perfluorocarbon compounds will be assumed to be absent from a product or process unless a manufacturer or facility operator identifies the specific individual compounds (from the broad classes of perfluorocarbon compounds) and the amounts present on the product or process and provides an EPA approved test method which can be used to quantify the specific compounds.
10. FIRE RETARDANT COATINGS: Coatings which have a flame spread index of less than 25 when tested in accordance with ASTM Designation E-84-87, "Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Material", after application to Douglas fir according to the manufacturer's recommendations or when tested by an equivalent method approved in writing by the APCO.
11. FORM RELEASE COMPOUNDS: Coatings applied to a concrete form to prevent the freshly poured concrete from bonding to the form. The form may consist of wood, metal, or some material other than concrete.
12. GRAMS OF VOC PER LITER OF COATING LESS WATER AND LESS EXEMPT ORGANIC COMPOUNDS: The weight of VOC per combined volume of VOC and coating solids and can be calculated by the following equation:
    
    Where:
    W_s = Weight of volatile compounds (grams)
    W_v = Weight of water (grams)
    W_es = Weight of exempt organic compounds (grams)
    V_m = Volume of material (liters)
    V_v = Volume of water (liters)
    V_es = Volume of exempt organic compounds (liters)
13. GRAMS OF VOC PER LITER OF MATERIAL: The weight of VOC per volume of material and can be calculated by the following equation:
    
    Where:
    W_s = Weight of volatile compounds (grams)
    W_w = Weight of water (grams)
    W_es = Weight of exempt organic compounds (grams)
    V_m = Volume of material (liters)
14. GRAPHIC ARTS COATINGS (SIGN PAINTS): Coatings formulated for and hand-applied by artists using brush or roller techniques to indoor and outdoor signs (excluding structural components) and murals, including lettering enamels, poster colors, copy blockers, and bulletin enamels.
15. HIGH-TEMPERATURE INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE COATINGS: Industrial maintenance coatings formulated for and applied to substrates exposed continuously or intermittently to temperatures above 400^oF.
16. INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE ANTI-GRAFFITI COATINGS: Two component clear industrial maintenance coatings formulated for and applied to exterior walls and murals to resist repeated scrubbing and exposure to harsh solvents.
17. INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE PRIMER: Is a coating which is intended to be applied to a surface prior to the application of an industrial maintenance topcoat, to provide a firm bond between the substrate and subsequent coats.
18. INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE TOPCOAT: Is a high performance coating which is formulated for and applied to substrates in industrial, commercial, or institutional situations that are exposed to one or more of the following extreme environmental conditions:
    1. Immersion in water, wastewater, or chemical solutions (aqueous and non-aqueous solutions), or chronic exposure of interior surfaces to moisture condensation;
    2. Acute or chronic exposure to corrosive, caustic or acidic agents, or to chemicals, chemical fumes, chemical mixtures, or solutions;
    3. Repeated exposure to temperatures in excess of 250^oF;
    4. Repeated heavy abrasion, including mechanical wear and repeated scrubbing with industrial solvents, cleaners, or scouring agents; or
    5. Exterior exposure of metal structures.  Industrial Maintenance Coatings are not for residential use or for use in areas of industrial, commercial, or institutional facilities such as office space and meeting rooms.
19. LACQUER: Is a clear or pigmented coating formulated with nitrocellulose or synthetic resins to dry, by evaporation without chemical reaction and to provide a quick drying, solid protective film.
20. LOW-SOLIDS STAINS AND WOOD PRESERVATIVES: Stains and wood preservatives that contain one pound or less of solids per gallon of material and contain no exempt organic compounds.
21. MAGNESITE CEMENT COATINGS: Coatings formulated for and applied to magnesite cement decking to protect the magnesite cement substrate from erosion by water.
22. MASTIC TEXTURE COATINGS: Coatings formulated to cover holes, minor cracks, and conceal surface irregularities, and which are applied in a thickness of at least 10 mils (dry single coat).
23. METALLIC PIGMENTED COATINGS: Coatings containing at least 0.4 pounds of elemental metallic pigment per gallon of coating as applied.
24. MULTI-COLORED COATINGS: Coatings which exhibit more than one color when applied and which are packaged in a single container and applied in a single coat.
25. NON-FLAT ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS: Are coatings which register a gloss of 15 or greater on an 85 degree meter or five or greater on a 60 degree meter, and which are identified on the label as a gloss, semi-gloss, or eggshell enamel coating.
26. OPAQUE STAINS: All stains that are not classified as semi-transparent stains.
27. OPAQUE WOOD PRESERVATIVES: Wood preservatives not classified as clear or semi-transparent wood preservatives or as below ground wood preservatives or low solids wood preservatives.
28. PRE-TREATMENT WASH PRIMER: A coating which contains at least one-half percent acid, by weight, applied directly to bare metal surfaces to provide necessary surface etching.
29. PRIMERS: Coatings formulated and applied to substrates to provide a firm bond between the substrate and subsequent coats.
30. QUICK-DRY PRIMERS, SEALERS, AND UNDERCOATERS: Are primers, sealers, and undercoaters which are intended to be applied to a surface to provide a firm bond between the substrate and subsequent coats and which are dry to touch in one-half hour and can be recoated in two hours (ASTM D 1640).
31. QUICK-DRY ENAMELS: Are non-flat coatings which comply with the following:
    1. Shall be capable of being applied directly from the container by brush or roller under normal conditions, normal conditions being ambient temperatures between 60^oF and 80^oF;
    2. When tested in accordance with ASTM D 1640 they shall set to touch in two hours or less, dry hard in eight hours or less, and be tack free in four hours or less by the mechanical test method;
    3. Shall have a 60^oF dried film gloss of no less than 70.
32. REACTIVE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (ROC): Is any volatile compound containing at least one atom of carbon except those compounds identified in this Rule as Exempt Organic Compounds. This term and definition shall replace the following terms and definitions wherever they appear in the District's Rules and Regulations: organic compound, organic gases, organic liquid, organic materials, organic vapor, volatile organic compounds and hydrocarbons.
33. ROOF COATINGS: Coatings formulated for application to exterior roofs and for the primary purpose of preventing penetration of the substrate by water, or reflecting heat and ultraviolet radiation. Metallic pigmented roof coatings which qualify as metallic pigmented coatings shall not be considered to be in this category, but shall be considered to be in the metallic pigmented coatings category.
34. SANDING SEALERS: Clear wood coatings formulated for and applied to bare wood for sanding and to seal the wood for subsequent application of varnish.
35. SEALERS: Coatings formulated for and applied to a substrate to prevent subsequent coatings from being absorbed by the substrate, or to prevent harm to subsequent coatings by materials in the substrate.
36. SEMI-TRANSPARENT STAINS: Coatings formulated to change the color of a surface but not conceal the surface.
37. SEMI-TRANSPARENT WOOD PRESERVATIVES: Wood preservative stains formulated and used to protect exposed wood from decay or insect attack by the addition of a wood preservative chemical registered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which change the color of a surface but do not conceal the surface, including clear wood preservatives.
38. SHELLACS: Clear or pigmented coatings formulated solely with the resinous secretions of the lac beetle, thinned with alcohol, and formulated to dry by evaporation without a chemical reaction.
39. SOLICIT: To require for use or to specify, by written or oral contract.
40. SPECIALTY PRIMERS, SEALERS, AND UNDERCOATERS: Primers, sealers and undercoaters used only to perform one of the following functions: repair fire, smoke or water damage; neutralize odors; block stains; block efflorescence; condition chalky surfaces; or coat acoustical materials without affecting their acoustical abilities.
41. SWIMMING POOL COATINGS: Coatings formulated and used to coat the interior of swimming pools and to resist swimming pool chemicals.
42. SWIMMING POOL REPAIR COATINGS: Chlorinated rubber based coatings used for the repair and maintenance of swimming pools over existing chlorinated rubber based coatings.
43. TRAFFIC COATINGS: Coatings formulated for and applied to public streets, highways, and other surfaces including, but not limited to curbs, berms, driveways, and parking lots.
44. UNDERCOATERS: Coatings formulated and applied to substrates to provide a smooth surface for subsequent coats.
45. VARNISHES: Clear wood finishes formulated with various resins to dry by chemical reaction on exposure to air.
46. VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC): Shall have the same meaning as Reactive Organic Compounds (ROC) as defined in subsection 215.2 FF. of this Rule.
47. WATERPROOFING SEALERS: Colorless coatings formulated and applied for the sole purpose of protecting porous substrates by preventing the penetration of water and which do not alter the surface appearance or texture.

215.3 REQUIREMENTS:

1. Except as provided in Subsections 215.3 B., 215.3 C., 215.3 E., and 215.3 F., no person shall, within the District; supply, sell, offer for sale, apply, or solicit the application of; or manufacture, blend, repackage for use within the District, any architectural coating which, at the time of sale or manufacture contains more than 250 grams of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) per liter of coating excluding water, exempt organic compounds and any colorant added to tint bases.
2. A person shall not sell, offer for sale or apply any non-flat architectural coating which, at the time of sale or manufacture, has a volatile organic compound content, excluding water and colorant added to tint bases, in excess of the following:
   1. 380 grams of volatile organic compounds per liter of coating if manufactured prior to September 1, 1986; or
   2. 250 grams of volatile organic compounds per liter of coating if manufactured on or after September 1, 1986.
3. Except as provided in Subsection 215.3 D., no person shall, within the District, sell, offer for sale, apply, supply, or solicit the application of; or manufacture, blend or repackage for use within the District, any architectural coating listed in the Table of Standards which, at the time of sale or manufacture, exceeds the limits in the Table (expressed as grams of VOC per liter of coating as applied, excluding water, exempt organic compounds, and any colorant added to tint bases) after the corresponding date listed in the Table:

1. Sale of a coating manufactured prior to the effective date of the corresponding standard in the Table of Standards, and not complying with that standard, shall not constitute a violation of Subsection 215.3 C. until three (3) years after the effective date of the standard, nor shall application of such a coating.
2. A person shall not sell, offer for sale or apply any architectural specialty coating (listed below) which, at the time of sale or manufacture, exceeds the following limits (expressed as grams of VOC per liter of coating as applied, excluding water) after the date listed below:

1. All VOC-containing materials shall be stored in closed containers when not in use.

215.4 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS:
The following labelling requirements shall apply to the extent not preempted by federal law.

1. Each container of any coating subject to this rule shall display the date of manufacture of the contents or a code indicating the date of manufacture. Each manufacturer of such coatings shall file with the Air Pollution Control Officer and the Executive Officer of the California Air Resources Board, an explanation of each code within four (4) months from the date of adoption of this rule or before such code is first used for such coatings within this District.
2. Each container of any coating subject to this rule shall display a statement of the manufacturer's recommendation regarding thinning of the coating. This recommendation shall not apply to the thinning of architectural coatings with water. The recommendation shall specify that the coating is to be employed without thinning or diluting under normal environmental and application conditions unless any thinning recommended on the label for normal environmental and application conditions does not cause a coating to exceed its applicable standard.
3. Each container of any coating subject to this rule and manufactured ONE YEAR AFTER THE ADOPTION DATE OF THIS RULE, shall display the maximum VOC content of the coating, as applied, and after any thinning as recommended by the manufacturer. The VOC content shall be displayed as grams of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) per liter of coating (less water and less exempt organic compounds, and excluding any colorant added to tint bases). VOC content displayed may be calculated using product formulation data, or may be determined using the test method in Section 215.6 A.
4. Each container of Industrial Maintenance Primer and Industrial Maintenance Topcoat subject to this rule and manufactured ONE YEAR AFTER THE DATE OF ADOPTION OF THIS RULE, shall include the statement "Not for Residential Use" or "Not for Residential Use in California" prominantly displayed on all labels of all industrial maintenance coatings.

215.5 EXEMPTIONS:

1. The requirements of this rule shall not apply to:
   1. Architectural coatings manufactured in the District for use outside of the District or for shipment to other manufacturers for repackaging.
   2. Architectural coatings supplied in containers having capacities of one liter or less.
   3. Architectural coatings sold in non-refillable aerosol containers having capacities of one liter or less.
   4. Emulsion-type bituminous pavement sealers.

215.6 TEST METHOD:

1. Volatile Organic Compounds: Measurement of volatile organic compounds in architectural coatings shall be conducted and reported in accordance with EPA Method 24 (40 CFR 60, Appendix A). Measurement of volatile organic compounds from exempt organic compounds also shall be conducted and reported in accordance with CARB Method 432.
2. Acid Content: Measurement of acid content of pretreatment wash primers shall be done in accordance with ASTM Method D 1613-85 (modified).
3. Metal Content: Measurement of metallic content of metallic pigmented coatings shall be done using the South Coast AQMD Method 311-91, "Analysis of Percent Metal in Metallic Coatings by Spectrographic Method" in SCAQMD's "Laboratory Method of Analysis for Enforcement Samples."

215.7 VIOLATIONS:
Failure to comply with any provision of this rule shall constitute a violation of this rule.