Smoke School, also known as Opacity Certification, is the formal training necessary to report visible emissions (i.e. smoke) as required by EPA Method 9.

This training must be attended by any person who may work for a regulated source that is required to complete periodic visible emissions observations as a condition for air quality permitting. Facility personnel who control any part of the operation where air pollution is a concern may also want to attend the class to help in recognizing potential issues and taking action before an exceedance occurs.

Smoke School is comprised of the following:

1. A classroom session, held the morning of the first day beginning at 8:30 in the morning; and,
   
   
2. A testing session lasting the remainder of the event. During the testing session, participants evaluate several sets of black and white smoke readings.

Those wishing to be certified in Smoke School must attend the classroom session at least once every two years. Field testing is required every six months to maintain certification.

The ASU Environmental Technology Management (ETM) program has partnered with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to offer EPA Method 9 Certification training (Smoke School) to regulators, air quality permit holders, environmental consultants and the general public. Training sessions are offered bi-annually in the Spring and the Fall. Please see the Registration page for further information on upcoming dates and locations.

For more information about regulatory requirements for EPA Method 9, please contact ADEQ at: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/compliance/smoke.html

TO CONTACT US:

Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus
Environmental & Emergency Management – Smoke School
7001 East Williams Field Road, Building 50
Mesa, Arizona 85212
Phone: 480-727-1322
Fax: 480-727-1684

To contact us: Web site: http://etmonline.asu.edu/headlines/Smoke%20School.cfm
E-mail: smokeschool@asu.edu