Reinforced Polyester Resin Operations

Reinforced polyester resin operations entail laying reinforcements such as glass fiber in a mold and saturating it with a polyester plastic resin. The resin hardens to form a rigid plastic part, reinforced with the fiberglass. The resin is mixed with a catalyst as it is applied that causes a cross-linking reaction between the resin molecules. The cross-linking reaction causes the resin to harden from a liquid to a solid. Fiberglass boats and fiberglass boat parts, bathtubs, pools and hot tubs are built using this process. The polyester resin used in fiberglass boat manufacturing contains styrene, which a regulated air pollutant, as a solvent and cross-linking agent.

Reinforced polyester resin operations are eligible to operate in Florida under the terms of an air general permit (AGP) pursuant to the requirements of 62-210.310(4)(d), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

An AGP is an authorization by rule to construct or operate a specific type of air pollutant emitting facility. Use of such authorization by any individual facility does not require action by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) . The terms and conditions of an AGP are set forth in the rule, rather than in a separately issued air construction or air operation permit.

Registration

You can register, renew, change ownership or make administrative corrections to AGPs online.

• Air General Permit Electronic Registration System (AGPERS)

If you do not wish to use AGPERS, you can optionally download and complete the following worksheet and mail it to DEP at the address indicated in the worksheet instructions along with the $100 processing fee.

• Reinforced Polyester Resin Operations Air General Permit Example Worksheet

Compliance Assistance Info

• Reinforced Polyester Resin Operations Informational Handout

For more information on AGPs or assistance with using AGPERS, please contact DEP's Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 1-800-722-7457.

For questions related to compliance procedures such as test notifications, report submittals, record keeping, inspections, etc., please contact the compliance authority specific to the county where your facility is located. If it’s located in Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas or Sarasota counties, visit our Local Program Air Contacts page. For all other counties, go to our District Air Contacts page.