Code of Practice for the Reduction of VOC Emissions from the Use of Cutback and Emulsified Asphalt

6 Implementation

1. 6.1 Cutback asphalt
   1. 6.1.1 Standards for use during the ozone season
   2. 6.1.2 Standards for use outside of the ozone season
2. 6.2 Emulsified asphalt
   1. 6.2.1 Standards for use during the ozone season
   2. 6.2.2 Standards for use outside of the ozone season
3. 6.3 Manufacture, import, sale and use
4. 6.4 Labelling
5. 6.5 Procurement
6. 6.6 Conditions of use and training of staff

6.1 Cutback asphalt

CAs are classified into three groups depending on the relative speed of evaporation:

• Rapid-curing: asphalt cement combined with a light petroleum diluent of high volatility, generally with a boiling point similar to gasoline or naphtha.
• Medium-curing: asphalt cement combined with a petroleum diluent of intermediate volatility, generally with a boiling point similar to kerosene.
• Slow-curing: asphalt cement combined with a petroleum diluent of low volatility, generally with a boiling point similar to fuel oil.

CAs can be used with cold aggregates requiring little or no heat. They are most commonly used in road mixing operations, stockpile mixes and spray applications such as prime, tack and seal coats.

6.1.1 Standards for use during the ozone season

It is not recommended to use CA in paving material or in paving and maintenance operations from May 1 to September 30, except:

• If the asphalt is a slow-curing asphalt that contains no more than 0.5% by volume of VOCs, which evaporates at 260°C (500°F) or less.
• If CA is used for prime coating and for stockpile storage of patching mixes.

6.1.2 Standards for use outside of the ozone season

It is not recommended to use CA in paving material or in paving and maintenance operations between October 1 and April 30 that exceeds 5% by volume of VOCs, which evaporates at 260°C (500°F) or less.

6.2 Emulsified asphalt

Several types and grades of EA are produced to serve specific applications:

• The RS, MS, SS and QS designations refer to the emulsion setting rate of rapid-setting, medium-setting, slow-setting and quick-setting, respectively.
• The C preceding some of the EA grades designates a cationic asphalt emulsion.
• The h that follows certain grades designates a harder base asphalt in the product.
• The HF preceding some of the grades indicates a high-float product as measured by a float test specified under ASTM D139. High-float products generally contain added petroleum diluent such as fuel oil, which permits a thicker film to adhere to the aggregate and promotes stronger bonding of the asphalt to the aggregate. HF products are often used with dusty or dense graded aggregate.

EA products are used for road construction and for many specialty applications. RS and CRS products are generally used in spray applications such as aggregate (chip) seals and other surface treatment methods. The medium-setting grades are more commonly used for mixing with coarse aggregate for plant or road mix. The slow-setting grades are designed for maximum mixing stability and are used with dense-graded aggregate containing high fines which are used in soil stabilization, asphalt surface mixes, slurry seal applications, and tack and prime coat applications. Quick-setting grades are specialized emulsions used for quick-set slurry applications.

6.2.1 Standards for use during the ozone season

It is not recommended to use EA in paving material or in paving and maintenance operations between May 1 and September 30 that exceeds 3% by volume of VOCs, which evaporate at 260°C (500°F) or less.

6.2.2 Standards for use outside of the ozone season

There are no restrictions on the use of EA in paving material or in paving and maintenance operations from October 1 to April 30.

6.3 Manufacture, import, sale and use

It is not recommended to manufacture, import, sell or offer for sale any CA material which contains more than 5.0% by volume of VOCs, which evaporate at 260°C (500°F) or less.

It is recommended that manufacturers, importers, sellers and users of CA consider manufacturing, importing, selling or using low-emitting VOC product alternatives to replace petroleum solvents in the formulation of CA.

6.4 Labelling

Anyone who manufactures, sells or offers for sale CA or EA should develop a product technical specification sheet that should accompany the product when it is sold and include the instructions regarding recommendations on product use in Canada, in accordance with sections 7.1 and section7.2 of the Code of Practice. This could include seasonal restrictions as well as the type of use that is recommended or discouraged. Reference to the Code should also be displayed.

6.5 Procurement

It is expected that public or private proponents of projects requiring the use of CA or EA be familiar with the Code.

Compliance with the Code should be a condition of any contract that is issued for paving and maintenance operations in Canada by any private or public proponent or any level of government, including municipal, provincial, territorial, federal or Aboriginal authorities.

Contracts referred to in the previous paragraph should promote the use of alternative formulations of asphalt containing low VOC-emitting alternative products available that meet the specifications for the contract instead of petroleum solvents, when appropriate.

6.6 Conditions of use and training of staff

Any person or company conducting paving or maintenance operations using CA or EA should conduct all of their activities in accordance with the Code.

Any such person or company should provide their employees with appropriate training on the requirements of the Code. Such training should include, as a minimum, knowledge of the type and formulation of asphalt that should be used during and outside the ozone season, the recommended use for various types of asphalt throughout the year, and the operational changes associated with the use of EA with lower concentrations of VOCs compared with the traditional use of CA with higher concentrations of petroleum solvents.^Footnote8