Boilers - Air Quality

For more information about purchasing, permitting, registration and other issues:
Contact Miranda Monge at EH&S (mirandam17@berkeley.edu).

Boiler Specifications

It is crucial that you contact EH&S before purchasing your boiler to ensure that it meets current emission requirements. If a boiler is purchased that does not meet emissions criteria, it cannot be permitted and installed.

Choose a boiler that meets your needs.

  • Heat Rating larger than 10 MM BTU/hr: You are required to permit the boiler.
  • Heat Rating of  >2  to  < 10 MM BTU: You are required to register the boiler.

Does your boiler meet air quality regulations?
Boilers to be installed on campus must meet the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Regulation 9, Rule 7 as well as any other applicable regulations.

Permit Process

The permit process can take up to 8 months to complete. A general timeline of the process is as follows:

Steps Timeline

Step 1: Begin the permit process
EH&S prepares the documents. However, detailed information required for the permit application must be provided to EH&S by the Project in order to have a comprehensive submittal.

Step 2: EH&S will prepare the permit application forms

1 to 3 weeks

Step 3: EH&S submits permit application forms to BAAQMD
Step 4: BAAQMD Review

1 week to 4 months

Step 5: Receive invoice; Project pays invoice

30 days

Step 6: BAAQMD Review

1 week to 4 months

Step 7: BAAQMD sends “Authority to Construct” to EH&S
This document allows us to go forward with purchasing and installing the new boiler.

Step 8: Start Up Notification
Project must alert EH&S (at least three days prior) to the start-up date of the boiler. This start-up could be for initial testing or general operation. EH&S will then submit this start-up date to BAAQMD.

Step 9: BAAQMD sends “Permit to Operate” to EH&S

1 week to 2 months

Registration Process

The registration process can take up to 3 months to complete. A general timeline of the process is as follows:

Steps Timeline

Step 1: Begin the registration process
Submit boiler specifications to EH&S. EH&S will then register the boiler in the BAAQMD Database.

1 week
Step 2: Receive invoice; Department pays invoice

30 days

Step 3: BAAQMD sends registration confirmation

2 months

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who prepares the submittal to the BAAQMD for a permit?
UC Berkeley’s Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) prepares the documents. However, detailed information required for the permit application must be provided to EH&S by the department in order to have a comprehensive submittal.

Who do I contact if I need additional assistance with permitting / installing a boiler?
Contact Miranda Monge (mirandam17@berkeley.edu) with your proposed boiler location. Please include the proposed boiler specifications if available.