Smoke School – Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.  Smoke school is an informal name for EPA Method 9 Certification.  You will be certified to conduct EPA Method 9 observations after you successfully complete our smoke school test.  Other names for smoke school include; visible emissions observer training, VEO certification, smoke reader school and opacity observer testing.  They are all the same thing.

Generally, smoke school is attended by environmental personnel and regulatory agents who monitor visible emissions from sources.  In many cases, a facility has an air permit that requires their emissions to be less than X% opacity.  The facility will send people to smoke school to ensure their emissions are properly monitored and the limit (from the air permit) is not exceeded.  Violations resulting from exceeding the opacity limit can be very expensive.  Having a certified staff is a good way to ensure operations are running correctly and efficiently and opacity violations are avoided.

6 Months.  This duration is set by the guidelines of EPA Method 9 and is true of any certificate issued by a smoke school provider.

There is no Federal requirement for viewing the lecture CD or attending a smoke school lecture.  However, some States require that you review the lecture CD every 3 years.  If you are new to smoke school, we strongly recommend viewing the lecture CD.  It covers many important topics, including how to properly document your smoke school observations.  Without proper documentation techniques, you run the risk of having your observations rejected by your regulatory agency.  The CD only takes about 3 hours to view and is a great reference tool.

We advertise our smoke school as a ½ day event because most, if not all attendees are completed with the testing by noon.  However, we will stay until everyone successfully completes the test or light conditions are no longer favorable.

Technology & Accuracy.  Not too long ago, every smoke school provider used the same style of smoke generator.  They were inaccurate and problematic. We spent two years developing a better way to make smoke.  It’s much faster and more accurate than traditional smoke generators.  Our clients love it! 

No.  Three events can delay our smoke schools; electrical storms, heavy fog and heavy snow.  Regardless of the weather conditions, you should still show up at the scheduled start time.  If the instructor decides to delay the school, they will tell you how long the delay will be and when to meet back at the location.  We also provide an emergency contact number if you have questions on the status of the school.

Yes.  We personally requested and successfully completed a Federal Audit.

If we operate a public or private smoke school in your State, it is approved and recognized in your State.

Black or blue ballpoint pens (2).  A clipboard.  Weather-appropriate clothing.  Rain coat (if necessary).  Portable chair (if necessary).