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 .

ADEQ and ASU Environmental Technology Management are collaborating to present Smoke School sessions. Method 9 training sessions are listed below. Registration is required for all training sessions.

Register at ASU Polytechnic or contact ASU by phone at (480) 727-1322 or by email.

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 of the air quality permit. Facility personnel who control any part of the operation where air pollution is a concern may also want to take the class to help in recognizing potential issues and take action before an exceedance occurs.

Smoke School is a two-day event comprising two elements:

1. a classroom session, held the morning of the first day starting at 8:30 a.m.; 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. If only the field testing is needed, please contact the phone number listed above to schedule for the afternoon and/or second day schedule.

If you are unable to attend any of the ADEQ training sessions, or need a recertification sooner, the California Air Resources Board can provide information and locations to other smoke schools.

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