25 Pa. Code § 130.611 – Compliance provisions and test methods.

(a) Calculation of VOC content. For the purpose of determining compliance with the VOC content limits in § 130.603 Table 1 (relating to VOC content limits for architectural and industrial maintenance coatings), the VOC content of a coating shall be determined by using the procedures described in this subsection or subsection (b), as appropriate. The VOC content of a tint base shall be determined without colorant that is added after the tint base is manufactured.
1. (1) With the exception of low solids coatings, determine the VOC content in grams of VOC per liter of coating thinned to the manufacturer’s maximum recommendation, excluding the volume of water and exempt compounds. Determine the VOC content using Equation 1 as follows:
  Equation 1:
  VOC Content =
  (Ws - Ww - Wec)
  (Vm - Vw - Vec)
  Where:
  VOC Content = grams of VOC per liter of coating
  Ws = weight of volatiles, in grams
  Ww = weight of water, in grams
  Wec = weight of exempt compounds, in grams
  Vm = volume of coating, in liters
  Vw = volume of water, in liters
  Vec = volume of exempt compounds, in liters
2. (2) For low solids coatings, determine the VOC content in units of grams of VOC per liter of coating thinned to the manufacturer’s maximum recommendation, including the volume of any water and exempt compounds. Determine the VOC content using Equation 2 as follows:Equation 2:
  VOC Content (ls) =
  (Ws - Ww - Wec)
3. (Vm) Where:
  VOC Content (ls) = the VOC content of a low solids coating in grams of VOC per liter of coating
  Ws = weight of volatiles, in grams
  Ww = weight of water, in grams
  Wec = weight of exempt compounds, in grams
  Vm = volume of coating, in liters
(b) VOC content of coatings. To determine the physical properties of a coating to perform the calculations in subsection (a), the reference method for VOC content is EPA Reference Method 24, except as provided in subsections (c) and (d). An alternative method to determine the VOC content of coatings is SCAQMD Method 304-91, incorporated by reference in this section. The exempt compounds content shall be determined by SCAQMD Method 303-91, incorporated by reference in subsection (e). To determine the VOC content of a coating, the manufacturer may use EPA Reference Method 24, or an alternative method, as provided in subsection (c), formulation data, or another reasonable means for predicting that the coating has been formulated as intended—for example, quality assurance checks and recordkeeping. If there are inconsistencies between the results of a Reference Method 24 test and another means for determining VOC content, the Reference Method 24 results will govern, except when an alternative method is approved as specified in subsection (c). The Department may require the manufacturer to conduct a Reference Method 24 analysis.
(c) Alternative test methods. Other test methods demonstrated to provide results that are acceptable for purposes of determining compliance with subsection (b) may be used if approved in writing by the Department and the EPA.
(d) Methacrylate traffic coating markings. Analysis of methacrylate multicomponent coatings used as traffic marking coatings shall be conducted according to a modification of EPA Reference Method 24 (found at 40 CFR 59, Subpart D, Appendix A), incorporated by reference in subsection (e)(13). This method has not been approved for methacrylate multicomponent coatings used for other purposes than as traffic marking coatings or for other classes of multicomponent coatings.
(e) Test methods. The following test methods are incorporated herein by reference and the most up-to-date version of the test method shall be used to test coatings subject to this subchapter:
1. (1) Flame spread index. The flame spread index of a fire-retardant coating shall be determined by ASTM E 84-99, ‘‘Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.’’
2. (2) Fire-resistance rating. The fire-resistance rating of a fire-resistive coating shall be determined by ASTM E 119-98, ‘‘Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction Materials.’’
3. (3) Gloss determination. The gloss of a coating shall be determined by ASTM D 523-89, ‘‘Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss.’’
4. (4) Metal content of coatings. The metallic content of a coating shall be determined by SCAQMD Method 318-95, ‘‘Determination of Weight Percent Elemental Metal in Coatings by X-Ray Diffraction,’’ SCAQMD ‘‘Laboratory Methods of Analysis for Enforcement Samples.’’
5. (5) Acid content of coatings. The acid content of a coating shall be determined by ASTM D 1613-96, ‘‘Standard Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer and Related Products.’’
6. (6) Drying times. The set-to-touch, dry-hard, dry-to-touch and dry-to-recoat times of a coating shall be determined by ASTM D 1640-95, ‘‘Standard Methods for Drying, Curing, or Film Formation of Organic Coatings at Room Temperature,’’ (see § 130.602 (relating to definitions) for definitions of ‘‘quick-dry enamel’’ and ‘‘quick-dry primer, sealer and undercoater’’). The tack-free time of a quick-dry enamel coating shall be determined by the mechanical test method of ASTM D 1640-95.
7. (7) Surface chalkiness. The chalkiness of a surface shall be determined using ASTM D 4214-98, ‘‘Standard Test Methods for Evaluating the Degree of Chalking of Exterior Paint Films.’’
8. (8) Exempt compounds—siloxanes. Exempt compounds that are cyclic, branched or linear, completely methylated siloxanes, shall be analyzed as exempt compounds for compliance with this section by BAAQMD Method 43, ‘‘Determination of Volatile Methylsiloxanes in Solvent-Based Coatings, Inks, and Related Materials,’’ Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Manual of Procedures, Volume III.
9. (9) Exempt compounds—parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF). The exempt compound parachlorobenzotrifluoride shall be analyzed as an exempt compound for compliance with this section by BAAQMD Method 41, ‘‘Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Solvent-Based Coatings and Related Materials Containing Parachlorobenzotrifluoride,’’ found in BAAQMD Manual of Procedures, Volume III.
10. (10) Exempt compounds. The content of compounds exempt under EPA Method 24 shall be analyzed by SCAQMD Method 303-91, ‘‘Determination of Exempt Compounds,’’ found in SCAQMD ‘‘Laboratory Methods of Analysis for Enforcement Samples.’’
11. (11) VOC content of coatings. The VOC content of a coating shall be analyzed by EPA Method 24 found in ‘‘Determination of Volatile Matter Content, Water Content, Density, Volume Solids, and Weight Solids of Surface Coatings.’’
12. (12) Alternative VOC content of coatings. The VOC content of coatings may be analyzed by either EPA Reference Method 24 or SCAQMD Method 304-91, ‘‘Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Various Materials,’’ found in ‘‘SCAQMD Laboratory Methods of Analysis for Enforcement Samples.’’
13. (13) Methacrylate traffic marking coatings. The VOC content of methacrylate multicomponent coatings used as traffic marking coatings shall be analyzed by the procedures in 40 CFR Part 59, Subpart D, Appendix A, ‘‘Determination of Volatile Matter Content of Methacrylate Multicomponent Coatings Used as Traffic Marking Coatings.’’
14. (14) Radiation resistance. The radiation resistance of a nuclear coating shall be determined by ASTM Method D 4082-89, ‘‘Standard Test Method for Effects of Gamma Radiation on Coatings for Use in Light-Water Nuclear Power Plants.’’
15. (15) Chemical resistance. The chemical resistance of nuclear coatings shall be determined by ASTM Method D 3912-80, ‘‘Standard Test Method for Chemical Resistance of Coatings Used in Light-Water Nuclear Power Plants.’’
  Cross Reference
  This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 130.602 (relating to definitions); and 25 Pa. Code § 130.604 (relating to container labeling requirements).