40 CFR §1065.925
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
Take the following steps to prepare PEMS for field testing:
- (a)Verify that ambient conditions at the start of the test are within the limits specified in the standard-setting part. Continue to monitor these values to determine if ambient conditions exceed the limits during the test.
- (b)Install a PEMS and any accessories needed to conduct a field test.
- (c)Power the PEMS and allow pressures, temperatures, and flows to stabilize to their operating set points.
- (d)Bypass or purge any gaseous sampling PEMS instruments with ambient air until sampling begins to prevent system contamination from excessive cold-start emissions.
- (e)Conduct calibrations and verifications.
- (f)Operate any PEMS dilution systems at their expected flow rates using a bypass.
- (g)If you use a gravimetric balance to determine whether an engine meets an applicable PM standard, follow the procedures for PM sample preconditioning and tare weighing as described in § 1065.590. Operate the PM-sampling system at its expected flow rates using a bypass.
- (h)Verify the amount of contamination in the PEMS HC sampling system before the start of the field test as follows:
- (1)Select the HC analyzer range for measuring the maximum concentration expected at the HC standard.
- (2)Zero the HC analyzers using a zero gas or ambient air introduced at the analyzer port. When zeroing a FID, use the FID's burner air that would be used for in-use measurements (generally either ambient air or a portable source of burner air).
- (3)Span the HC analyzer using span gas introduced at the analyzer port.
- (4)Overflow zero or ambient air at the HC probe inlet or into a tee near the probe outlet.
- (5)Measure the HC concentration in the sampling system:
- (6)Record this value as the initial HC concentration, xTHCinit, and use it to correct measured values as described in § 1065.660.
- (7)If the initial HC concentration exceeds the greater of the following values, determine the source of the contamination and take corrective action, such as purging the system or replacing contaminated portions:
- (8)If corrective action does not resolve the deficiency, you may use a contaminated HC system if it does not prevent you from demonstrating compliance with the applicable emission standards.