§ 59.208 Charcoal lighter material testing protocol.

(a) Each manufacturer or importer of charcoal lighter material subject to this subpart shall demonstrate compliance with the applicable requirements of § 59.203(d) using the procedures specified in this section. Any lighter material that has received certification from California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) under their Rule 1174, Ignition Method Compliance Certification Testing Protocol, will be considered as having demonstrated compliance with the applicable requirements of this subpart using the procedures in this section.

(b) The manufacturer or importer shall obtain from the testing laboratory conducting the testing, a report of findings, including all raw data sheets/charts and laboratory analytical data. The testing must demonstrate that VOC emissions resulting from the ignition of the barbecue charcoal are, on average, less than or equal to 9 grams per start. The manufacturer or importer shall maintain the report of findings.

(c) When a charcoal lighter material does not fall within the testing guidelines of this protocol, the protocol may be modified following a determination by the Administrator that the modified protocol is an acceptable alternative to the method described in this section and written approval of the Administrator.

(d) Meteorological and environmental criteria. (1) Testing shall be conducted under the following conditions:

(i) Inlet combustion air temperature is 16 to 27 degrees Celsius (60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) with a relative humidity of 20 to 80 percent;

(ii) The charcoal and lighter material are stored 72 hours before testing in a location with a relative humidity between 45 and 65 percent, and a temperature between 18 and 24 degrees Celsuis (65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit); and

(iii) The outside wind speed, including gusts, may be no more than 16 kilometers per hour (10 miles per hour) if the test stack is exhausted outdoors, or, if the test stack is exhausted indoors, indoor air must be stagnant.

(2) Temperature and relative humidity of the combustion air shall be continuously monitored during the test. Temperature and relative humidity of the place where the charcoal and lighter material are stored prior to the test shall be monitored and recorded during the 72 hours immediately prior to the test. If the stack is exhausted outdoors, the continuous outdoor wind speed monitor shall be observed or recorded continuously during testing. If the wind speed monitor is manually observed rather than electronically recorded, the maximum wind speed observed during the test shall be recorded.

(e) Definitions. For the purposes of this test protocol, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Baseline VOC emissions (E_b) means the 3.6 grams (0.008 pounds) per start of subject VOC mass emissions (calculated as CH₂) resulting from the ignition of charcoal by electric probe.

(2) Emission limit for VOC means 9 grams per start of resultant VOC emissions (E_r), (expressed as CH₂).

(3) Equivalent means equipment that has been demonstrated to meet or exceed the performance, design, and operation specifications of the prescribed equipment. A demonstration that equipment or a test method is a suitable alternative requires written approval from the Administrator prior to compliance testing, based on an evaluation of comparative performance specifications and/or actual performance test data.

(4) Ignition means the ready-to-cook condition of the charcoal determined by the temperature above the charcoal, the organic vapor concentration measured by the continuous organic emission monitor, and percent ash.

(5) Ignition VOC emissions (eI)—means the grams (pounds) per start of total subject VOC mass emissions (expressed as CH₂) resulting from the ignition of charcoal by the lighter material undergoing evaluation, including both charcoal and lighter material emissions.

(6) labeled directions means those directions affixed to the charcoal lighter material which specify:

(1) The amount of lighter material to use per kilogram (or pound) of charcoal, unless the lighter material is already impregnated or treated in the charcoal;

(2) How to use or apply the lighter material; and

(3) How and when to light the lighter material.

(7) Percent ash means a qualitative observation of the ratio of visible charcoal surface area ignited (grayish/white ash) to total charcoal surface area times 100.

(8) Reference VOC emissions (Eep)—means the grams (pounds) per start of subject VOC mass emissions (calculated as CH₂) resulting from the ignition of charcoal by the reference electric probe during the testing.

(9) Resultant VOC emissions (Er)—means the ignition VOC emission (E_I) less the reference VOC emissions (E_ep) plus baseline emissions (E_b).

(10) Start means a 25-minute period commencing from the instant that emissions may be released from the lighter material, either by evaporation or combustion, and further characterized such that by the end of said 25-minute period, ignition is achieved.

(f) Test structure, equipment specifications, and reference materials. (1) The test structure is to be located in a building or fabricated total enclosure (i.e., with enclosed sides and top). The enclosure shall be such that there are no constant or intermittent air flows within it that cause fluctuations in the stack velocity and/or disruptions of air flow patterns within the test chamber containing the reference grill . (WARNING: If the stack is vented into the building enclosure, caution must be taken to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and the reduction of oxygen.)