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|I|Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audit|0145|06|067|0010|81102|4|20200708|1|122|118|16.7|16.6
QA|I|Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audit|0055|TT|905|9021|88101|1|20200108|1|145|118|16.7|16.7
Format¶
Seq. |
Name |
Description |
Formatting Rules |
Required |
Key |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Quality Assurance transaction identifier. |
Must = QA |
Always |
||
2 |
Indicator for Insert, Update, or Delete action. |
Must = I, U, or D |
Always |
||
3 |
Indicates the specific QA assessment associated with the transaction. |
Must = Semi-Annual Flow Rate Audit |
Always |
Y |
|
4 |
Agency Code of organization performing assessment. |
Must exist in AGENCIES reference table. |
Optional; defaults to user agency |
||
5 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
The AQS parameter code assigned to the monitor in AQS. |
Must exist in PARAMETERS reference table. |
Always |
Y |
|
9 |
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 |
Date that the assessment was performed |
YYYYMMDD. |
Always |
Y |
|
11 |
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 |
The sampling methodology of the monitor being assessed. |
Must exist in SAMPLING METHODOLOGIES reference table. |
Insert |
||
13 |
Units associated with the assessment. |
Must exist in UNITS reference table, and unit code must be for Flow units type. |
Unless Delete |
||
14 |
The measured flow rate provided by the monitor being assessed. |
Decimal. |
Insert |
||
15 |
The flow rate of the flow transfer standard. |
Decimal. |
Insert |