ANALYSIS OF THE EMISSION INSPECTION ANALYZER

Recently, there has been more emphasis on checking the performance of in-use vehicles. This is occurring through the implementation of state inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs as well as the forthcoming emission repair warranty regulations (207(b)) authorized by the Clean Air Act. Practically all of the I/M data will be generated by field emission inspection analyzers (as opposed to laboratory equipment) in both centralized programs (i.e. central inspection lanes) and decentralized programs (i.e. inspection conducted by independent service centers). This data will affect the consumer through required maintenance, the automobile manufacturer through warranty claims, the State through emission credits, and the EPA through its ability to judge the effectiveness of the individual I/M programs. Obviously, a fundamental issue that an I/M program must deal with is the accuracy and validity of the test data taken under these programs. An inseparable part of that issue is the quality of the equipment used to obtain the data. Various state and trade associations have developed standards to control the quality of the equipment used, but as yet there are no nationally accepted minimum standards for inspection analyzers. An examination of the data validity issue should then encompass both -- Is the data generated under present conditions sufficiently valid, and -- Is there a need for minimum quality standards for inspection analyzers. The subject of this report deals with these questions and issues.

• Corporate Authors:

  Environmental Protection Agency

  Inspection and Maintenance Staff, 2565 Plymouth Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48105
• Authors:
  • CLEMMENS, W B
• Publication Date: 1980-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 66 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Exhaust gases; Inspection; Maintenance; Motor vehicles; Performance evaluations; Regulations; Specifications; Standards; State government; Testing equipment; Vehicle maintenance
• Identifier Terms: Clean Air Act
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment; I95: Vehicle Inspection;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00336876
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA-AA-IMS-80-5-A Tech Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 12 1981 12:00AM