• Reading South Coast AQMD Rules

• Why Use PDF Files?

• How to Use PDF Files

• Blind and Visually Impaired Users

• Searching the Rule Book

Reading South Coast AQMD Rules

Some South Coast AQMD rules are administrative in nature, but many relate to a specific type of operation or source of pollution.  Because knowledge about air pollution is constantly growing, these rules and regulations are in a dynamic state, constantly changing.

Each regulation is broken down into a number of rules, each of which deals with a specific topic.  For instance, Regulation II deals with permits, while Rules 201 through 221 pertain to specific types of permits, how they are granted and administered, and their impact.

At a minimum, most non-administrative South Coast AQMD rules include:

• A statement of general applicability of the rule to certain processes or operations

• Definitions of terms

• Requirements of the rule

• Allowances or exemptions

Reading the statement of general applicability will help you decided if the rule applies to a specific process or operation.

After determining that a rule applies,  you may wish to review the definitions to learn which terms are essential to understanding the requirements of the rule.

Although a rule may apply to certain categories of operations, some specific types of operations within those categories may be exempt from rule requirements.  Reading the exemptions  next will enable you to determine whether your operation remains subject to the requirements of the rule.

For operations covered by the rule, reviewing the  specific requirements  will reveal the conditions or standards that must be met to achieve or maintain compliance.  In some cases, there may be more than one way to comply with the rule.

Why Use PDF Files?

Differences in internet browsers and computer configurations can cause web pages to display differently than intended, especially pages that contain tables, charts, formulas, or are highly formatted.  In such cases Portable Document Format (PDF) files can be used to display the document in the format in which it was originally intended.  PDF files maintain the look, presentation, and integrity of the original document.

PDF files also provide accessibility to a wide range of users.  PDF files can be viewed across multiple platforms (MAC, PC, Linux, etc. ) using the appropriate software or plug-ins for that platform.  Please be sure to use the most current PDF reader from to ensure compatibility for all PDF files.

How to Use PDF Files

1. Depending on your browser settings, when you click on one of the file links on the Rule Book pages, one of two things will happen:

   • You may be prompted for the location to which you will be saving the downloaded file. If this happens, enter the location (or accept the default) and proceed with the download.

   • Your browser may open the PDF file right in the browser itself. If this happens, you can either view the PDF file immediately, then save it or print it.

2. When saving the PDF file to your hard drive, make sure you save it to your documents folder or a location where you can find it again.

3. To read or print the PDF later make sure that you have install a PDF reader.  It can be either Adobe Acrobat Reader or one of the many alternatives (e.g., Foxit, Sumatra, Google Chrome, Kpdf, Xpdf, etc).

Blind and Visually Impaired Users

Adobe Acrobat can be setup to allow blind and visually impaired users to read most documents in Adobe PDF format using the "Accessibility Setup Assistant" menu.  This menu will guide you through options that affect how Adobe Reader displays documents and interacts with assistive technologies.

Searching the Rule Book

You may search the rule book for keywords or specific terms using the search box found in the upper right corner of pages on this web site.