Frequently Asked Questions
Return to Hazardous Waste Engineering main page.
What are the functions of a quality assurance officer (QAO)?
Please refer to the following guidance document for the QAO's scope of duties during a test burn:
QAO Scope of Duties
In addition to these duties, the QAO must be present on-site during the entire course of the test burn and must fully document his/her observances during the test burn in the test burn report.
Return to Top
What is required in a performance evaluation test plan (PETP)?
The requirements for the PETP are in 40 CFR 63.8:
- General Plan Requirements [40 CFR 63.8(3)] - evaluation program objectives, evaluation program summary, performance evaluation schedule, data quality objectives, and both internal and external QA programs.
- Continuous Monitoring Systems (CMS) - According to 40 CFR 63.8(c)(3), "verification of operational status shall, at a minimum, include completion of the manufacturer's written specifications or recommendations for installation, operation, and calibration of the system." This includes equipment such as thermocouples, flowmeters, pH probes, etc. The PETP shall include a list of relevant CMS, frequency of calibration, calibration procedures, and calibration acceptance criteria.
- Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) - The requirements in the general provisions are not specific for CEMS. However, 40 CFR 63.8(e)(1) states, "performance evaluation shall be conducted according to the applicable specifications and procedures described in this section or in the relevant standard." Therefore, it is reasonable that the calibration of the CEMS should include a relative accuracy test, response time test, calibration error test, and calibration drift 7-day test. These tests must be performed in accordance with Performance Specification 4B.
Facilities must provide a notification of the PET 60 days prior to the date of beginning the PET. 40 CFR 63.8(e)(5) requires that the PET report be submitted with the CPT report.
Return to Top
Do response time test and 7-day calibration drift tests need to be performed yearly?
Yes. Although Performance Specification 4B does not specifically require that response time and calibration drift tests be done yearly, this can be loosely drawn from Performance Specification 2.
Return to Top
Return to Hazardous Waste Engineering main page.
|