.32 Control of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from Wood Coating Operations.

A. Definitions. In this regulation the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Basecoat" means a coat of colored material, usually opaque, that is applied before graining inks, glazing coats, or other opaque finishing materials, and is usually top-coated for protection.

(2) Clear Topcoat.

(a) "Clear topcoat" means the final coating which contains binders but not opaque pigments and which is specifically formulated to form a transparent solid protective film on wood substrates.

(b) "Clear topcoat" includes clear brushing lacquers, clear lacquers, sanding sealers, and varnishes.

(3) "Conversion varnish" means a clear acid curing coating with an alkyd or other resin blended with amino resins, which:

(a) Is supplied as a single component or two-component product designed for professional application to wood flooring to produce a hard, durable, clear finish; and

(b) Results in a film formation from an acid-catalyzed condensation reaction, affecting a trans-etherification at the reactive ethers of the amino resins.

(4) "Daily weighted average" means the volume-weighted VOC content, expressed in grams VOC per liter (or pounds VOC per gallon) of all coatings, less water and exempt compounds, as applied on a given day.

(5) "Exempt compound" means a compound identified as exempt under the definition of volatile organic compound (VOC) under COMAR 26.11.01.01B.

(6) "Filler" means a preparation used to fill in cracks, grains, and imperfections of wood before applying a coating.

(7) "Paint remover or stripper" means a product designed to strip or remove paints or other related coatings, by chemical action, from a substrate without markedly affecting the substrate.

(8) Pigmented Coating.

(a) "Pigmented coating" means opaque coatings that contain binders and colored pigments.

(b) "Pigmented coating" includes opaque coatings that are formulated to conceal the wood surface either as an undercoat or a topcoat.

(9) "Primer" means a coating labeled and formulated for application to a substrate to provide a firm bind between the substrate and subsequent coats.

(10) "Sealer" means coatings containing binders that seal a wood surface prior to application of subsequent coatings.

(11) "Stain" means a clear, semi-transparent, or opaque coating labeled and formulated to change the color of a surface, but not conceal the grain pattern or texture.

(12) "Topcoat" means the last film-building finishing material that is applied in a finishing system.

(13) "Washcoat" means a coating containing not more than 1 pound of solids per gallon designed to seal wood surfaces, prevent undesired staining, and control penetration.

(14) Wood Coating Operation.

(a) "Wood coating operation" means an operation used to coat any product made of wood, a wood product such as rattan or wicker, or an engineered wood product such as particleboard.

(b) "Wood coating operation" does not include residential noncommercial operations and flat wood paneling coating subject to Regulation .33 of this chapter.

C. Applicability. The requirements of this regulation apply to a person that owns or operates a wood coating operation with actual VOC emissions of 20 pounds or more per operating day from all wood coating operations at the premises determined on a monthly average.

D. General Requirements.

(1) Spray Gun Application. A person subject to this regulation that applies a coating with a spray gun shall use a high volume-low pressure (HVLP) spray gun or other high efficiency application method approved by the Department.

(2) Alternative Compliance Method. A person subject to this regulation may achieve compliance with the requirements of this regulation through use of a control device that reduces emissions from the wood coating operation by not less than 90 percent overall.

E. VOC Content Limits.

(1) A person subject to this regulation shall meet the VOC content limits for coatings described in Table 1:

Table 1

	VOC Content Limits of Coatings as Applied, Less Water and Exempt Compounds
Coating Category	Grams per Liter	Pounds per Gallon
Stains	250	2.1
Washcoats, topcoats, and basecoats	420	3.5
Primers and sealers	200	1.7
Pigmented coatings	550	4.6
Clear topcoats	680	5.7
Conversion varnishes	725	6.1

(2) Daily Weighted Average Option. A person may demonstrate compliance by showing that the daily weighted average VOC of all compliant and noncompliant coatings used is equal to or less than 398 grams per liter (3.3 pounds per gallon).

(3) A person subject to this regulation shall meet the VOC content limits for non-coating materials described in Table 2:

Table 2

	VOC Content Limits of Non-Coating Materials as Applied, Less Water and Exempt Compounds
Non-Coating Materials	Grams per Liter	Pounds per Gallon
Fillers	500	4.2
Paint removers and strippers	350	2.9
Adhesives	120	1.0

F. Record Keeping Requirements.

(1) A person subject to this regulation shall maintain a monthly record of:

(a) The quantity of all coatings and materials used (liters); and

(b) Material data sheets, material lists, container labeling or records sufficient to show the VOC content of all coatings and materials used.

(2) A person demonstrating compliance using the daily weighted average of coatings as provided in §E(2) of this regulation shall maintain records sufficient to show daily compliance.

(3) Records shall be maintained for at least 2 years and made available to the Department upon request.