Minimum Data Availability

Regarding data availability and reporting of monitoring deviations under Part 70 General Conditions K and R:

Except for monitoring malfunctions, associated repairs, and required quality assurance or control activities (including calibration checks and required zero and span adjustments), the permittee shall conduct all monitoring in continuous operation (or shall collect data at all required intervals) at all times that the emissions unit is operating.  For purposes of reporting monitoring deviations under Part 70 General Conditions K and R, and unless otherwise provided for in the Specific Requirements (or Table 3) of this permit, the minimum degree of data availability shall be at least 90% (based on a monthly average) of the operating time of the emissions unit or activity being monitored.  This condition does not apply to Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs for fugitive emissions (e.g., 40 CFR 60 Subpart VV, 40 CFR 63 Subpart H).

Part 70 General Condition V is based on 40 CFR 64.7(c).  The permittee should exclude time periods of monitoring malfunctions, associated repairs, and required quality assurance or control activities (including calibration checks and required zero and span adjustments) from the calculated percentage.  A monitoring malfunction is any sudden, infrequent, not reasonably preventable failure of the monitoring to provide valid data.  Monitoring failures that are caused in part by poor maintenance or careless operation are not malfunctions.

An example: May has 31 days, or 744 hours.  If monitoring malfunctions, associated repairs, and required quality assurance or control activities (including calibration checks and required zero and span adjustments) equated to 48 hours, then the 90% standard should be evaluated against 696 hours.