Compliance Assurance Visible Emissions Videos

EPA Method 9 smoke school certification doesn't have to mean travel, scheduling conflicts, or weather delays. VirtualOpacity® is CAA's virtual reality (VR) training and certification platform — an EPA-approved alternative test method (ALT-152A) that brings the smoke school experience to your facility.

Observers complete the full certification process on-site using an immersive VR environment that replicates a real smoke plume with precision. The training meets all EPA Method 9 visible emissions certification requirements — without anyone leaving the building. VirtualOpacity is an especially practical solution for Title V permit holders and EHS professionals managing observer certification across chemical, petroleum, power generation, cement, and manufacturing facilities.

CAA's in-person smoke schools deliver hands-on EPA Method 9 visible emissions certification at locations nationwide. Observers work CAA smoke school instructors in the field, evaluating a controlled smoke plume to earn or renew their certification.

What sets CAA's in-person program apart is the use of digital field certification technology. Observers complete the process using a phone or tablet — eliminating waiting, paper forms, and providing digital recordkeeping from start to finish.

In-person smoke school is especially well-suited for first-time certification candidates and organizations that want hands-on, real-life training.

Completing the EPA Method 9 visible emissions observation (VEO) form correctly is a critical step in every field opacity reading. This series of videos walks through each field on the VEO form, explaining what information is required and how to record it accurately.

Topics covered include observer and facility identification, source and unit description, date and time documentation, sky and background conditions, wind direction, observer positioning, and the 15-second opacity readings that make up the observation set.

Baghouse filters are among the most widely used air pollution control devices in industrial operations — but what actually happens inside one? This video walks through the mechanics of baghouse filtration, how particulate matter is captured and released, and what can go wrong when a baghouse is underperforming.

For EHS managers and plant operators, baghouse performance has direct implications for visible emissions compliance. A failing or overloaded baghouse can produce excess opacity — triggering EPA Method 9 evaluation requirements and potential compliance issues under a facility's Title V permit.

Accurate opacity observation under EPA Method 9 starts with understanding how light behaves. This video explains the properties of light that are most relevant to visible emissions evaluations — and why they matter in practice.

Sun angle, background contrast, atmospheric conditions, and observer positioning all influence what a trained observer sees when evaluating emissions at a stack or fugitive source.

Whether you're preparing for smoke school certification or brushing up before recertification, a solid grasp of light properties makes for more accurate, defensible opacity readings in the field.