What to Expect During a Gas Audit Inspection
The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) routinely performs gas audit inspections at licensed Smog Check stations to ensure the BAR-97 Emissions Inspection System (EIS) analyzer calibration readings are within specified tolerances.
When a BAR representative arrives at a station for a gas audit inspection, they will introduce themselves to the station owner, manager, or responsible managing employee (RME). The BAR representative will explain the inspection process and answer any questions before they begin. BAR will attempt to minimize any interruption to your business during the inspection. This means allowing the station to complete in-progress inspections or waiting until Smog Checks have been completed for waiting customers.
During the inspection, the BAR representative will ask the licensed inspector to perform a BAR-97 leak check, or three-day calibration, if required. The BAR representative will inspect the EIS and Low Pressure Fuel Evaporative Tester (LPFET) hardware for integrity and compliance with the BAR-97 specifications. They will also inspect the EIS cabinet tamper system for proper function. The BAR representative will introduce their own audit gases into the EIS and check the unit for accuracy. The readings produced by the EIS are compared against the known values of the audit gases to determine whether the EIS is operating correctly. If your station has more than one EIS, the BAR representative will repeat these procedures on each BAR-97 analyzer.
At the conclusion of the inspection, the BAR representative will provide the station owner, manager, or RME with an inspection report and explain their inspection results and recommendations. If any deficiencies are found, the BAR representative will provide instructions on how to submit proof of correction to BAR.
Gas audit inspections are one of BAR’s most effective tools to ensure the integrity of the Smog Check Program. Your cooperation during a gas audit inspection provides an opportunity for BAR and stations to communicate and to support our common goal of clean air in California.