Announcement
2010 Fall VEE
Certification
(
The VEE training program will
satisfy the certification requirements of 40 CFR 60 Appendix A,
Method 9 - Visible Determination of the Opacity of Emissions from Stationary
Sources. The certifications include both classroom and field training. In
accordance with EPA guidelines, HMH requires that first-time readers attend the
VEE-classroom session and recommends that all smoke-readers periodically
participate in the VEE classroom session as a refresher. The field
re-certifications are required every six months by Method 9 rule in order to
stay current as a VEE observer. The classroom training covers topics directly
related to VEE-Readings per EPA Reference Methods 9 and 22. HMH continually
updates the classroom materials to include any new guidelines by the
Important Notes for VEE Certification
• Low, mid and high
opacity orientation points and practice readings will be provided prior to each
black or white smoke run.
• In order to be accepted as a
“passing” VEE field certification form, each form needs to include
all details on sun-angle, distance and direction relative to the smoke stack. A
correctly filled out form demonstrates that the participant understands the
basic requirements of Method 9.
• A VEE valid run must consist of 25 white and
25 black readings conducted consecutively (back-to-back). A passing VEE run
therefore must show a passing score on a white run followed by a passing score
on a black run or vice versa, conducted back-to-back. It is up to the
participant to verify that this requirement has been met for a passing VEE
score before leaving the field training. Please do not hesitate to ask one of
the field operators if you need clarification regarding your score.
• Sunglasses should not be worn when viewing
the smoke plume.
• In case of high winds (> 25mph) the
training can no longer be carried out in accordance with EPA guidance.
• VEE-observation forms will be provided.
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN PEN, CLIP BOARD AND PENCIL.
• Participants are reminded that the field
class is outdoors and to dress appropriately for the weather.
• Please note that the field training will end
once all registered participants have left the site.
• During the course of the session
participants can attend or repeat any of the classroom or field certifications
at no extra charge. Please note price differential between field locations.
Conducted
By HMH0
2010 Fall
Schedule
Night Field Training - October 5th Location
- Hilltop Ski Chalet (1) Time : 7pm - 10pm
Day Field Training - October 6th Location
- Hilltop Ski Chalet (1) Time: 9am - 5pm
Day Field Training - October 11th Location
- APSC/VMT Contractor Parking Lot (2) Time: 1pm - 5pm
Night Field Training - October 11th Location
- APSC/VMT Contractor Parking Lot (2) Time: 7pm - 10pm
Night Field Training - October 13th Location
- GVEA Yard/North of Turbine Bldg. (3) Time: 7pm - 10pm
Day Field Training - October 14th Location
- GVEA Yard/North of Turbine Bldg. (3) Time: 9am - 5pm
Night Field Training - October 19th Location
- HMH Yard (4) Time: 7pm - 10pm
Day Field Training - October 20th Location
- HMH Yard (4) Time: 9am - 5pm
Location Descriptions:
1. Hilltop Ski Chalet
• From mid-town drive east on
2. Alyeska
Pipeline Service Company
• Contractor parking lot: At end of
•
3.
• Training Room: Check in with the
receptionist, head up the stairs and turn right.
• Yard: Park in the front parking lot, walk
through the main gate and turn right to head around to the back to the turbine
building.
4. HMH:
• From downtown head south on C-Street. Turn
right on 64th (
Fee Schedule (
Classroom Training - $75
Day Field Training - $145
Night Field Training - $75
Classroom Training - $75
Day Field Training - $350
Night Field Training - $125
Classroom Training - $75
Day Field Training - $275
Night Field Training - $125
Important:
Pre-registration:
In order to ensure a suitable size classroom facility, pre-registration is
required for the VEE classroom/refresher sessions for all locations. It is strongly
recommended to attend the Classroom/Field training in Anchorage at the Hilltop
Ski area location, as the (make-up) session on the later date will be limited
in size (max 25 for classroom/max 50 for field) due to space constraints.
Registration forms can be filled out and submitted by mail, e-mail or faxed to
the HMH office no later than one week prior to each classroom session.
Pre-registration is not required for all other field sessions (except for the
October 20 session at the HMH Yard), however, HMH will need a completed
registration form for each participant in order to assure that certificates and
invoices/receipts are sent to the proper addresses. Forms will also be
available at each field location. Only one form is needed for multiple participants
attending from the same organization.
August 2010
Contact
Information
Registration,
Certification, Invoicing, & Payments
Tammy Birch
Phone No.
907-562-8100
Fax No.
907-562-8900
Email
hmh-smokeschool@gci.net
Tests
& Grading
Karen
Haas
Phone No.
907-562-8100
Fax No.
907-562-8900
Email
hmh-khaas@gci.net
Training,
Regulations & Related Questions
Erik Haas
Phone No.
907-562-8100
Fax No.
907-562-8900
Email
hmh-ehaas@alaska.com
Conducted
By HMH
VEE-Practice Runs
Due to repeated requests, HMH created electronic
practice runs for 25 black and 25 white opacity readings. The following
practice run files can be downloaded in a MS-PowerPoint format and saved to
your desktop. The file size is indicated and the time for downloading will
depend on your connection speed. Each file can be best viewed in a slide-show
mode. Download also the Observation form and use for recording your observed
opacities for all 25 black and 25 white slides. A separate result form is
available below. Each Practice Run includes three calibration points (25%, 50%
and 75%).
Note: We were
careful taking the pictures at correct sun-angles, at a distance of 3-times the
stack height and perpendicular to the plume center lines. The background
consists of blue sky and green foliage which provide excellent contrast and a
choice of background. Winds were light to moderate. The images have a fairly
high resolution (therefore the large file size of each practice run). However,
in spite of the fact that all conditions were quite favorable, these images
cannot and are in no way meant to be of the same value as the actual field
observations. As always we value your comments.
VEE-Practice Run--Black #1 (15,000 KB)
(Record opacities on observation form)
VEE-Practice Run--White #1
(14,000 KB)
VEE-Practive
Run – Observation Form (463 KB) (Download
and print)
VEE-Practive
Run #1 – Results (6 KB) (Calculate your individual and combined deviations on
observation form)