ECMPS Support

EPA recently conducted an audit of analyzer component IDs and their reported serial numbers and discovered two issues we would like to bring to reporters’ attention.

1. Component IDs are not being updated when analyzers are replaced. A review of the data discovered analyzers that, according to data reported to EPA, have been in operation for 15 years or longer. Although possible, it is considerably longer than the expected or typical analyzer lifespan. In the event of a physical analyzer replacement, users should place an end date/hour on the existing Component ID, and then create a new Component ID and start date/hour that coincides with the date/hour the new analyzer was placed into service. Users should also report a QA Certification Event Data record to indicate the analyzer change.
2. Manufacturer, Model Version, and Serial Numbers are not being entered correctly. A review of the data discovered entries such as “###”, “???”, and, the staff favorite, “Later”. All of these should be updated with correct analyzer serial number. For flow monitors, provide a single component serial number that represents the control unit of the monitor. Leave this field blank for LME long-term fuel flow components unless using a certified fuel flowmeter to quantify heat input. Currently ECMPS allows the updating of these fields without changing or updating the Component ID. However EPA is investigating changes to prevent editing of these fields once hourly emissions data has been submitted using the analyzer.  

Whenever components are replaced, reporters should enter an end date for the old component record and create a new component record with a new unique ID associated with each system. Identifying components in this manner helps to ensure serial numbers reported in the electronic monitoring plan are updated and identified correctly. Verifying that reported serial numbers match the serial numbers of the equipment installed at a facility is considered a priority during field audits conducted by EPA or state auditors. Identifying serial numbers incorrectly indicates that, at a minimum, the reported records need to be updated or that equipment may have been replaced without completing the required QA tests necessary to validate hourly emissions data.

Please contact Chris Worley at worley.christopher@epa.gov or ECMPS Technical Support if you have further questions. 

Labels: Technical Support Tip

The next version of the ECMPS Client Tool is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The currently planned changes are shown in the list below.

Prior to the release, the EPA Host System will be unavailable the morning of September 11th until the release is completed later that day.

Labels: Release Schedule Information, Scheduled Outage

The EPA Host will be unavailable starting around 5pm ET on Friday, August 23rd until the morning of Monday, August 26th for scheduled maintenance.

While the EPA Host System is unavailable, the following functionality is not available in the Client Tool: synchronize, retrieve, and submit. During that time, users can only work with the Client Tool "offline."
Please contact ECMPS Technical Support if you have any questions about this planned downtime.

Labels: Scheduled Outage

In preparation for the 2019 Q3 modifications to the reporting of System and Component IDs during missing data periods, EPA has posted an updated white paper which details the changes.

Additionally, an updated draft subset of the ECMPS Emissions Reporting Instructions has been posted for review. The changes, in Redline Strikeout format, affect Section 2.5.1 Monitor Hourly Value Data and Section 2.5.2.1, MATS Derived Hourly Value Data. The updated document can be found here.

EPA no longer considers these changes to the Emissions Reporting Instructions to be "Draft," however, EPA reserves the right to make further changes in the future.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Chris Worley at worley.christopher@epa.gov.

Labels: Reporting Instructions, Technical Support Tip