N.M. Code R. § 20.11.101.19

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 12, June 25, 2024

Section 20.11.101.19 - FLEET AIR CARE INSPECTION STATIONS

A. No individual or business shall represent itself as a certified fleet AIR CARE station without being in possession of a duly authorized and currently valid certificate issued by the Program Manager. Violations of the requirements of 20.11.101.19 NMAC shall be a violation of this Part.

B. Any government entity, corporation, or other business entity may apply for authorization to become a fleet AIR CARE station authorized by the Program to perform inspections under this regulation. The fleet stations shall not offer inspections to the company's employees or the general public. Fleet AIR CARE stations shall be equipped and operated as required by this section, and any applicable provisions in the Procedures Manual. The sign requirements of 20.11.101.18 NMAC shall not apply to a fleet AIR CARE station.

C. Vehicles which fail to pass any one of the applicable criteria required in the following paragraphs: Paragraph (2), Exhaust Emissions; Paragraph (3), Anti-Tampering; or Paragraph (4), Visible Emissions (smoke); of Subsection C of 20.11.101.19 NMAC, shall be in noncompliance with this regulation, and a fail VIR shall be issued.

(1) Approved Equipment for Testing Fleet Vehicles: The Program Manager shall develop specifications and approve BAR 90 equipment which is capable of testing vehicles during idle test modes (with second chance capabilities), and during an unloaded 2500 RPM test. The specifications shall be described in a separate document and shall meet the minimum requirements set forth by 40 CFR Part 51. All fleet AIR CARE stations shall be equipped with approved BAR 90 analyzers.

(2) Fleet Vehicle Exhaust Emissions: Exhaust emissions inspection procedures for all fleet vehicles, other than diesel-powered vehicles, at fleet AIR CARE stations are as follows: A non-diesel motor vehicle manufactured on or before the 1980 model year shall be required to take and pass only the idle mode test condition. A non-diesel motor vehicle manufactured in or after the 1981 model year shall be required to take and pass both the unloaded 2500 RPM test condition and the idle mode test condition.

(a) Idle mode test condition: The idle mode test shall be performed with:

(i) the vehicle in drive for pre 1981 model year vehicles with automatic transmissions, or

(ii) in neutral both for vehicles with manual transmissions and for post 1980 model year vehicles with automatic transmissions. Exhaust emissions shall be recorded for HC and CO concentrations after readings have stabilized or at the end of 30 seconds, whichever occurs first. A CO2 reading less than 6% will be deemed as proof of exhaust sample dilution, and the vehicle shall be rejected from further emissions inspections until the vehicle is repaired.

(b) 1981 and newer vehicles shall be inspected and required to pass an unloaded 2500 rpm + 300 rpm test and an idle mode test. The appropriate maximum allowables are listed on Table II, under 20.11.101.14 NMAC, and shall apply to both test conditions. For the 2500 RPM test the engine of all vehicles shall be conditioned by increasing the engine speed to 2500 RPM (+/-300) for a period of 30 seconds with the transmission in neutral. Exhaust emissions for HC and CO shall be recorded after the readings have stabilized or at the end of 30 seconds, whichever comes first. If during these 30 seconds the recorded readings are below the appropriate maximum allowable (PASS), the unloaded 2500-rpm test shall terminate and the engine speed shall be returned to idle for an idle mode test. If the recorded readings at 2500 rpm are above the appropriate maximum allowables (FAIL), real time sampling shall continue until the vehicle either passes or ninety (90) seconds have elapsed, whichever occurs first. After final exhaust emissions reading have been recorded, engine speed shall be returned to idle for an idle mode test. The idle mode test shall be performed as described in Subparagraph (a), of Paragraph (2), of Subsection C of 20.11.101.19 NMAC. During both tests a sampling algorithm shall allow for sampling system delay.

(3) Anti-tampering:

(a) Fleet motor vehicles subject to this regulation shall be inspected for the presence and proper connections of original design features and components designed to reduce CO and HC exhaust emissions. The features and components are as follows:

(i) catalytic converter,

(ii) oxygen sensor,

(iii) air pump or air aspiration system as applicable.

(b) Any vehicle with such features or components removed or rendered inoperative shall be FAILED under this subsection. If no tampering is evident with these components or systems, this portion of the inspection shall be PASSED.

(4) Visible Emissions (Smoke): All non diesel vehicles subject to inspection shall pass an inspection for visible emissions. The inspection for visible emissions shall be conducted after the anti-tampering inspection and prior to the exhaust measurement inspection.

(a) The vehicle must be placed in neutral gear with the parking brake secured and all accessories off.

(b) The engine speed shall be raised to approximately 2000 RPM and held constant for 10 seconds.

(c) If visible emissions are emitted for a period of two consecutive seconds the vehicle shall FAIL this portion of the inspection.

(5) Additional Requirements for Fleet Air Care Stations:

(a) Each fleet AIR CARE station shall obtain and pay for routine and unscheduled maintenance and for replacement parts for its approved exhaust gas analyzer systems.

(b) No person shall solicit, advertise or imply that a business is a fleet AIR CARE station certified by the Program Manager to conduct inspections pursuant to this regulation without having a current Program issued certificate on display on the premises.

(c) No fleet AIR CARE station owner or operator shall allow a person to conduct any part of an inspection pursuant to this Part unless that person is an AIR CARE inspector certified by the Program Manager and has a current Program issued certificate on display on the premises.

(d) Certified fleet AIR CARE stations owners or operators shall be responsible for the general management of their station and for the supervision of their AIR CARE inspectors and technicians in accordance with this regulation, the VPMP Procedures Manual, and other procedures and policies of the Program.

(e) Each certified fleet AIR CARE station shall obtain and pay for routine and unscheduled maintenance and for replacement of parts for its approved exhaust gas analyzer systems.

N.M. Code R. § 20.11.101.19

11/16/93. . .12/1/95; 20.11.101.19 NMAC - Rn, 20 NMAC 11.101.II.8, 10/1/02