15A NCAC 02D .0613. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM

(a)  Any person required to operate a monitoring device by this Subchapter or Subchapter 2Q of this Chapter shall develop and implement a quality assurance program for the monitoring device.

(b)  The Director may require the owner or operator of a facility required to operate a monitoring device by this Subchapter or Subchapter 2Q of this Chapter to submit a quality assurance program if:

(1)           The maximum actual emission rate is more than 75 percent of the applicable emission standard;

(2)           The facility has violated an emission standard or a permit condition; or

(3)           The facility has failed to obtain quality assured data.

The quality assurance program shall be submitted to the Director within 60 days upon receipt of request.

(c)  Except for gaseous continuous emission monitoring systems, the quality assurance program required by Paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule shall include, if applicable:

(1)           procedures and frequencies for calibration,

(2)           standards traceability,

(3)           operational checks,

(4)           maintenance,

(5)           auditing,

(6)           data validation, and

(7)           a schedule for implementing the quality assurance program.

Continuous opacity monitoring systems may satisfy the requirements of Paragraph (a) of this Rule by complying with 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix M, Method 203, as proposed in 57 FR 46114. Except for opacity monitors and gaseous continuous emission monitoring systems, a manufacturer's recommended quality assurance procedure may be used as a quality assurance program if it provides an adequate quality assurance program.

(d)  Owner or operators that operate continuous emission monitoring systems for a gaseous pollutant may satisfy the requirements of Paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule by developing and implementing a written quality assurance program containing information required by 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix F, Section 3, Quality Assurance Procedures.

(e)  The owner or operator of a facility shall certify all opacity and gaseous continuous emission monitoring systems following applicable performance specifications in 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix B, within 60 days of monitor installation unless otherwise specified in permit or any other applicable rules.  The owner or operator of a facility required to install an opacity or gaseous continuous emission monitoring systems shall notify the Director at least 60 days before installation unless otherwise specified in permit or in 40 CFR Part 60, 61, 63, or 75.  The notification shall include plans or schematic diagrams of the proposed monitor location.

(f)  Quality assurance programs for ambient monitors shall comply with the requirements in 40 CFR Part 58.

(g)  A quality assurance program shall be available on-site for inspection within 30 days of monitor certification.

(h)  The Director shall approve the quality assurance program within 30 days of submittal if he finds that the quality assurance program will assure that the precision and accuracy of the data for the pollutants being measured are within the design limits of the instruments being used.  If the Director finds that the proposed quality assurance program does not meet the requirements of this Paragraph he shall notify the owner or operator of the facility of any deficiencies in the proposed quality assurance program.  The owner or operator shall have 30 days after receiving written notification from the Director to correct the deficiencies.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1); 143-215.65; 143-215.66; 143-215.107(a)(4);

Eff. April 1, 1999.