What is a qualitative assessment?

A qualitative assessment is an observation of visible emissions, or opacity, from a stationary source. The person responsible for making qualitative opacity assessments must be knowledgeable about the effect on visibility of emissions caused by background contrast, ambient lighting, observer position relative to lighting, wind, and the presence of uncombined water in the plume. A qualitative assessment is a brief description of the visible emissions. The qualitative assessment is not required to be six minutes long, and the observer is not required to be certified.

Records usually required for qualitative assessments include: time and date assessment occurred, whether emissions appeared normal, a description of the emission point from which any unusual emissions emanated, steps taken to correct any abnormal emissions, and the name of the person conducting the assessment, and any other information required by the permit.

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1. Who should I contact with questions about my permit?
2. How much is the fee for an operating permit application?
3. My Responsible Official has changed. Do I need to notify the Bureau of Air?
4. How many copies of my operating permit application do I send in?
5. What is included as an exempt activity for a Class I Operating Permit?
6. What is a Method 9 test?
7. What is a qualitative assessment?
8. What is CAM? Do the requirements include hazardous air pollutants?
9. What should my semi-annual report look like?
10. Do I have to startup an emission unit for a Method 9 test or qualitative assessment if I normally would not operate it at all during the reporting period?
11. I operate the equipment June to August only. The permit requires that Method 9 tests be conducted twice per year with no less than 6 months between readings. What should I do to stay in compliance?
12. I have applied for a Class I Operating Permit and have not received the new permit; a new MACT standard has been finalized, and my facility will be subject. What should I do?
13. How can I find out if my generator is an emergency generator?