QA - Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audit

40 CFR Part 58 Appendix A sections 3.2.4, 3.3.3, 3.3.4, and 3.3.4.1 describe requirements for flow rate audits to be performed on each monitor used to measure PM10, PM10-2.5, PM2.5 and Pb. The Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audits should be performed at least every 6 months. To perform the audit, the monitor’s normal flow rate is checked using a certified flow rate transfer standard which is different from the one used for calibrating the monitor. The auditing agency conducting the Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audit may be the PQAO, or may be an independent agency. In any event, the assessment should be conducted by other than the routine site operator.

Particulate monitors using automated methods usually sample continuously and report hourly average values as raw data to AQS. When this audit is performed, the hourly average raw data value may not be available for reporting, in which case a null value and null data code are reported for that hour. The flow standard value (known flow rate of the transfer standard), and the monitor value (response value indicated by monitor) are recorded by the operator for entry into AQS for the monitor being assessed, for that date. For manual monitors the assessment can be performed prior to or after sampling so there is no data loss.

Examples:

QA - Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audit transaction in default mode
QA|I|Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audit|0145|06|067|0010|81102|4|20200708|1|122|118|16.7|16.6
QA - Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audit transaction in Tribal mode
QA|I|Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audit|0055|TT|905|9021|88101|1|20200108|1|145|118|16.7|16.7

Format

QA - Semi Annual Flow Rate Audit transaction format

Seq.

Name

Description

Formatting Rules

Required

Key

1

Transaction Type

Quality Assurance transaction identifier.

Must = QA

Always

2

Action Indicator

Indicator for Insert, Update, or Delete action.

Must = I, U, or D

Always

3

Assessment Type

Indicates the specific QA assessment associated with the transaction.

Must = Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audit

Always

Y

4

Performing Agency Code

Agency Code of organization performing assessment.

Must exist in AGENCIES reference table.

Optional; defaults to user agency

5

State Code / Tribal Indicator

The FIPS state code of the monitor, or “TT” to indicate that the next field on the transaction is a Tribal code.

Must exist in STATES Reference Table or be ‘TT’ for Tribal Site

Always

Y

6

County Code / Tribal Code

The FIPS County Code of the site. If the previous field on the transaction contains “TT”, then the Tribal Code of the site.

Must exist in COUNTIES (for state) or TRIBAL_AREAS Reference table

Always

Y

7

Site Number

Four digit number to uniquely identify site in county and/or tribe.

Must exist in SITES table with {State Code, county Code} or Tribal Code

Always

Y

8

Parameter Code

The AQS parameter code assigned to the monitor in AQS.

Must exist in PARAMETERS reference table.

Always

Y

9

POC

Parameter Occurrence Code: One or two digit number identifying a specific monitor for a parameter at the site.

Must exist in MONITOR table for non-Insert actions.

Always

Y

10

Assessment Date

Date that the assessment was performed

YYYYMMDD.

Always

Y

11

Assessment Number

A unique number associated with an assessment performed at a site on a given day. Value should be “1” unless additional same assessments are performed.

Integer.

Always

Y

12

Monitor Method Code

The sampling methodology of the monitor being assessed.

Must exist in SAMPLING METHODOLOGIES reference table.

Insert

13

Reported Unit Code

Units associated with the assessment.

Must exist in UNITS reference table, and unit code must be for Flow units type.

Unless Delete

14

Monitor Flow Rate

The measured flow rate provided by the monitor being assessed.

Decimal.

Insert

15

Assessment Flow Rate

The flow rate of the flow transfer standard.

Decimal.

Insert