Section 276.603  Evaporative System Integrity Test Maintenance and Calibration

a)         Applicability

Relevant parameters of the fuel cap pressure decay tester and leak flow testers shall be inspected according to the procedures contained in this Section.

1)         Pressure Decay Tester

A)        The fuel cap pressure decay tester shall be checked for integrity at the beginning of each operating day and after 5 hours of use each day.  If, after the fuel cap attachment end of the pressure decay tester is capped and pressurized to between 14 and 28 inches of water, the pressure system changes more than 0.2 inches of water over 15 seconds, the pressure decay tester shall be removed from service.

B)        The pressure gauge for the pressure decay tester shall be checked on a weekly basis against a reference gauge.  A pressure decay tester that has a deviation in the measured pressure exceeding 0.3 inches of water shall be removed from service.

2)         Leak Flow Tester

A)        The accuracy of the leak flow tester shall be verified by testing and correctly identifying the passing and failing reference fuel caps at the beginning of each operating day.  Reference fuel caps shall be stored in a dirt and dust free manner to prevent clogging and changes in flow rate.  Reference fuel caps shall be stored at the same temperature as the leak flow fuel cap tester to provide accurate flow reference.

B)        Independent flow bench verification of the reference fuel caps and the internal flow standard orifice shall be conducted before initial usage and as recommended by the leak flow tester manufacturer or as suggested by analysis of quality control data.  The bend flow verification results shall be traceable to NIST.

C)        The upstream filter for the leak flow tester shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.

b)         Any fuel cap leak flow tester or pressure decay tester that fails an inspection shall be removed from service until repaired and its accuracy verified.

c)         The fuel cap adapters shall be checked for leaks or damage following the recommendations of the fuel cap tester manufacturer or the fuel cap adapter supplier.

(Source:  Amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 18867, effective September 28, 1998)