The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has finalized the Standard Protocol (SP-014) for Human or Animal Crematory Incinerators. The final document is now available on the DEP’s Natural Gas Industry Testing and Source Testing Section website and can be directly accessed here.
This new protocol introduces a streamlined, optional methodology for performance testing for crematories operating under the BAQ-GPA/GP-14 permit. By utilizing SP-014, facilities can bypass the requirement to develop and submit a custom, site-specific testing protocol for DEP approval. Importantly, using this standard does not alter any existing conditions or limits within a facility’s GP-14 permit.
While the protocol ultimately benefits small business owners, its technical requirements are primarily designed for the source testing companies executing the tests. This standardized approach eliminates the need to draft custom protocols from scratch, which should reduce administrative time and result in lower testing costs for small crematories. This update is particularly timely, as industry consolidation has shrunk the pool of available source testing firms, making it harder for small crematories to schedule testing. A standardized process allows the remaining testing companies to operate more efficiently across multiple clients.
For a quick reference, the core components of the SP-014 are summarized below:
Protocol Feature
Requirement Detail
Applicability
Human or animal crematory incinerators with capacities < 500 lbs/hr operating under GP-14
Primary Purpose
Serves as an optional alternative to a site-specific testing protocol
GP-14 Conditions
Does not change any conditions in the existing GP-14 permit
Operating Capacity
Testing must occur at 90.0% or higher of the maximum routine cremation rate
Test Duration
EPA Method 5 runs must encompass an entire cremation cycle with a minimum duration of 60 minutes
Although SP-014 simplifies active source testing, crematory owners should also remember that they may be able to utilize existing stack test data in lieu of conducting a completely new source test.
For more details on air quality permits and regulations, please visit EMAP’s Crematory Resources Page. If you have questions about scheduling a source test, interpreting the SP-014 protocol, or determining if you can use existing stack test data, reach out to the EMAP team for confidential assistance.
Jeremy Hancher
Jeremy Hancher is the EMAP Program Manager located at the Widener University SBDC. He holds over 15 years of experience in environmental compliance, environmental policy, and program management. He is proud to be the team lead of the award-winning EMAP program which provides free and confidential environmental assistance to the Pennsylvania small business community in fulfillment of the requirements of the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act and Section 507 of the federal Clean Air Act.
In 2015, Jeremy was part of the team effort when EMAP was recognized by US EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy for Outstanding Accomplishments by a State Small Business Environmental Assistance Provider in Providing Technical Environmental Assistance to the Small Business Community. Jeremy holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a certificate from the Wharton School.
