QA - Zero Span

Zero and Span are two different measurements that are quality control checks.

The zero check is a challenge of the instruments zero calibration conducted by introducing zero air into the analyzer and measuring the instrument response.

The span check is a challenge of the upper limit of the analyzers calibration conducted by introducing a calibration gas (approximately 80% of the operating range) into the analyzer.

Examples:

QA - Zero Span transaction in default mode

QA - Zero Span transaction in Tribal mode
QA|I|Zero Span|905|TT|905|9009|42101|1|20200107|1|588|008|12|621|671||

Format

QA - Zero Span transaction format

Seq.

Name

Description

Formatting Rules

Required

Key

1

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 = Zero Span

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

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

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 concentrations (Monitor Concentration and Check Standard Concentration).

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

Unless Delete

14

Monitor Zero Value

The concentration value provided by the monitor being assessed when exposed to zero concentration.

Decimal.

Unless Delete

15

Assessment Span Value

The known concentration of the calibration gas at the target span of the monitor.

Decimal.

Unless Delete

16

Monitor Span Value

The concentration value provided by the monitor being assessed when exposed to the span concentration.

Decimal.

Unless Delete

17

Null Data Reason Code

A code to explain why no monitor value was reported.

Must exist in QUALIFIERS reference table.

Monitor values or null data code required

18

Comment

Free form text describing the assesment or invalidation.

Text, up to 2000 characters.

Optional