Background

Charbroilers produce air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM). VOCs react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone, commonly called smog.   Fine particles equal to or less than 10 microns in diameter, commonly referred to as PM10, pass through the ventilation system and are exhausted into the atmosphere.

Both VOC and PM10 present public health risks.   Ozone produced from chemical reactions involving VOC may damage lung tissues and the respiratory tract.   PM 10 can easily bypass the natural filters in the nose and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs and lead to wheezing, nose and throat irritation, bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and lung damage.

On December 5, 2007, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's (BAAQMD) Board of Directors adopted Regulation 6, Rule 2: Commercial Cooking Equipment to reduce harmful emissions from charbroilers.  

Restaurants Subject to Regulation 6, Rule 2

Regulation 6, Rule 2 applies to restaurants that operate two types of charbroilers:

1. Any restaurant operating a chain-driven (conveyorized) charbroiler that purchase 500 pounds of beef or more per week.
2. Any restaurant operating an under-fired charbroiler that purchases 1000 pounds of beef or more per week.  Note the effective date for under-fired charbroilers begins January 1, 2010.  Please check back after June 1, 2009 for more information.

Restaurants that meet these criteria are required to install and operate a certified charbroiler and control device, register the equipment with the Air District, and keep maintenance and operations records unless they meet specific exemption criteria. 

To register charbroiler equipment go to Charbroiler Registration Form.

For a list of certified emission control devices, go to the BAAQMD Certified Charbroiler Equipment Table.

Chain-driven Charbroilers

A chain-driven charbroiler is a semi-enclosed cooking device designed to move food mechanically on a grated grill through the broiler.   Chain-driven charbroilers have burners located both above and below the grill to cook food quickly, therefore, chain-driven charbroilers are most common in fast food restaurants.

Typical chain-driven charbroiler

Requirements for Chain-driven Charbroilers

Effective January 1, 2009, restaurants that operate chain-driven charbroilers and purchase 500 pounds or more of beef per week on the charbroiler must:

1. Install and operate a charbroiler and catalytic oxidizer combination certified by the manufacturer to comply with BAAQMD emission limits of 1.3 pounds of PM10 and 0.32 pounds of VOC per 1,000 pounds of beef cooked or install and operate a charbroiler with an alternative emission control device combination (such as an electrostatic precipitator) provided the control device has been certified by the manufacturer to reduce emissions to 0.74 pounds of PM10 per 1,000 pounds of beef cook. 
2. Register the certified charbroiler and emission control device combination with the BAAQMD.
3. Keep documentation/records of the following information on the premises for at least 5 years:

- Date of installation of any emission control device

- All cleaning, maintenance, preventative maintenance and breakdown repair

  performed on the emission control device, including date, time and a description of

  work.

Exemption for Chain-driven Charbroilers

If your restaurant grills less than 400 pounds of beef per week on the chain-driven charbroiler, then you are exempt from this regulation provided records are maintained at the restaurant to document this.  You must be able to provide documentation such as receipts, purchase records, or invoices to demonstrate you grill less than 400 pounds of beef per week. 

Certified Charbroiler and Emission Control Devices

The charbroiler and control device combination must already be certified by the manufacturer to comply with BAAQMD Regulation 6, Rule 2.  The BAAQMD has determined catalytic oxidizer and charbroiler combinations currently certified by the South Coast Air Quality Management District meet the BAAQMD emission limits and are certified for use within the District.  All uncertified charbroiler and control device combinations require the manufacturer to conduct emissions' testing using an independent testing laboratory to demonstrate compliance with BAAQMD emission limits.  Please note that units with certified charbroiler and catalytic oxidizers do not require recertification or emissions' testing.  For a list of certified emission control devices, go to the BAAQMD Certified Charbroiler Equipment Table.

Registration of Charbroiler and Control Devices

You must complete a Charbroiler Registration Form and submit it to BAAQMD online.  You will need to know the following information to complete the form:

•  restaurant location and your contact information,
•  type of charbroiler,
•  charbroiler manufacturer and model number,
•  emission control manufacturer and model number,
•  other pertinent information to complete the online registration form. 

At the time you fill out the online registration form, you will be required to pay applicable fees so please have a valid credit card or e-check available.  There is an initial registration fee of $360 and annual renewal fee of $100 that can be found in Regulation 3, Fees - Schedule R.

After completion of the registration process, you will receive a certificate of registration that is valid for 1 year from the time you register.  You will be required to renew your registration every year for as long as you continue to operate your charbroiler.  If you no longer operate your charbroiler of have changed ownership, you are required to notify the District by calling (415) 749-4990.  Please ensure that you include a valid e-mail address on your registration to receive updates on the regulation and renewal notifications.

To register charbroiler equipment go to Charbroiler Registration Form.

Manufacturer's Certification of Equipment

The manufacturer of an emission control device must contract with an independent laboratory to perform an emission test, in accordance with specific procedures prescribed in the rule, to certify that the control device meets the relevant emission standards set in the rule.   The manufacturer is required to submit to the District a complete emission test report along with information describing the test and to certify that the control device and charbroiler combination meets the emissions requirements.  For more information on the testing procedures for chain driven and under-fired charbroilers, go to Section 602 and 603 of the rule.

For more information, please contact Janet Simon, Air Quality Specialist II, at (415) 749-4780.