Surface Coating Operations

Surface coating operations are subject to a variety of state and federal air requirements, one of them being obtaining an air permit from DEQ's Air Quality Division. This document provides operators of small surface coating operations (approximately 30 tons/year or less of volatile organic compounds) a logical approach to determining what activities trigger the need for a Permit to Install, as identified in Rule 201 of the Michigan  Administrative Rules (Michigan Rules) for Air Pollution Control. Additional information about permit exemptions and the "general permit" will help guide you through the air permit process. 

Additional Forms: 

• Rule 287(c) Permit to Install Exemption Record: Surface Coating Equipment  - Rule 287(c) of the Michigan Administrative Rules for Air Pollution Control exempts surface coating operations that use less than 200 gallons of coating per month from having to obtain a Permit to Install. This form can be used to comply with the coating usage recordkeeping requirements of the Rule. 
• Rule 290 Permit to Install Exemption: Sources with Limited Emissions Record  (February 2005) - Rule 290 of the Michigan Administrative Rules for Air Pollution Control exempts sources of air pollution with limited emissions for having to obtain a Permit to Install. This form can be used to comply with the emission data recordkeeping requirements of the Rule. 
• VOC/HAP Emissions Calculation  Spreadsheet  and  Instructions .    This recordkeeping spreadsheet can be used to calculate VOC and HAP emissions from paints, solvents, and other evaporative loss products. This spreadsheet is specifically geared towards smaller companies who need help with recordkeeping to demonstrate compliance with their general permit or exemption. NOTE: You must save the file to your computer before entering data into the spreadsheet.  When you open the spreadsheet, you may get a message box asking you to enable/disable macros. Please click "enable macros." Go up to your top menu and click on "Tools," "Macro," and then "Security." You will need to change your security level to medium and then press OK. You will now be able to run the spreadsheet . 
• General Permit to Install for a Coating Line Emitting up to 10 tons per year of volatile organic compounds 
• Permit to Install Application and Instructions 

For More Information or Additional Assistance, contact the
Environmental Assistance Program   at 800-662-9278 

Do you have an outreach idea or suggestion for our Program?  Please feel free to submit your requests to: David Fiedler.