Fifteen Questions to Ask Your Smoke School

Key criteria for evaluating EPA Method 9 smoke school quality and compliance

15 important questions concerning smoke schools

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Questions to ask your smoke school

# Question Answer
1 Do you have immediate and ongoing proof of certification? Yes. Pre-registered attendees receive immediate certification proof. Certification records are available online 24/7. CAA is the only smoke school with online certification records. Email reminders are provided to ensure certifications stay current.
2 Do you routinely blind-audit your trainers and operators? Yes. CAA was the first smoke school to conduct blind field audits to ensure Method 9 compliance and adherence to company operational policies.
3 Do you offer certification support after training? Yes. CAA defends its certifications at no charge. CAA has never had a certification challenge result in a court appearance.
4 Can you assist my organization with Title V requirements? Yes. CAA offers a VEO App that streamlines Title V readings, recordkeeping, and training requirements. It eliminates the need for some previously required VEO observation tools, reduces the chance of error in paperwork, and manages Method 9 certifications and training records.
5 Do you offer additional VEO services to assist with compliance? Yes. CAA can assist with law-related issues, development of a compliance monitoring plan, and train-the-trainer services. CAA also offers VEO reading assistance and can help complete VEO forms. Several types of resources and a VEO library are available on the website as a service to clients.
6 Do you let attorneys attend and audit your smoke schools? Yes. CAA will work with your attorney and demonstrate the internal audit system so they can complete a blind audit. CAA will also provide the 2015 AWMA audit form that addresses EPA Method 9 requirements.
7 Will you defend your certification in court? Yes, if necessary — but experience shows that a strong defense does not result in court appearances. CAA provides documentation and demonstration of a strong certification that resolves litigation before court. CAA has never been required to make a court appearance; certification challenges have been settled through discussion and documentation. Support is provided free of charge.
8 Does your program provide the full 0–100% opacity range? Yes. CAA's proprietary technology makes it the only smoke school able to produce and sustain 100% opacity.
9 Does your lecture comply with EPA Section 3.12 AND 600/4-83-011? Yes. CAA's targeted training for plant operating personnel meets all applicable QA/QC requirements.
10 Are your field tests in random order? Yes. CAA's test point generation assures statistical validity.
11 Does your company keep records for at least 5 years? Yes. All CAA records are maintained for at least 10 years, including certification records, calibration records, and test run strip charts, forms, and grading masters.
12 Are students monitored during your programs? If so, how? Yes. CAA employs a field manager at every smoke school to ensure students work independently. A field manager presence not only ensures work integrity, but provides an extra resource to help students, monitor test conditions, and evaluate observations. Field managers help ensure a class runs smoothly and efficiently.
13 Do your field instructors avoid giving hints during testing? Yes. CAA's mission is to train students so they understand the concepts and principles behind Method 9. Instruction is only provided before and after certification tests. No hints of any kind are provided during testing.
14 Have you been formally audited by a state or federal agency? Yes. CAA was federally audited approximately 10 years ago and found satisfactory. Suggestions from the audit have been implemented. CAA is routinely audited by state programs and conducts internal blind audits. Copies of all audit reports are maintained and available upon request.
15 Is there a compliance paper trail and can it be provided? Yes. CAA maintains a paper trail of its operations and certifications, utilizing a durable Power of Attorney to issue certification records. Method 9 certification records are available online and in paper format. CAA is the only smoke school to offer online certification records. Paper records are available upon request.