Air Monitoring
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EN14181 Stationary Source Emissions - Quality Assurance of Automated Measuring Systems
EN14181 has now been in operation for 10 years and has had far-reaching consequences for Regulators, Equipment Manufactures, Test Houses and, most importantly, Process Operators. The Standard describes the quality assurance procedures needed to assure that Automated Measurement Systems (AMS) installed to measure emissions to air are capable of meeting the uncertainty requirements on measured values given by legislation; e.g. EU Directives and BREF documents. The standard is currently under review and a revised version should be published this year.
By planning the project carefully, with all parties involved from the outset, good consistent results from the AMS can be achieved.
Three different Quality Assurance Levels (QAL 1, QAL 2, and QAL 3) are described. These cover the suitability of an AMS for its measuring task (e.g. before or during the purchase period of the AMS) QAL 1 (EN 15267), the validation of the AMS following its installation QAL 2, and the control of the AMS during its ongoing operation on an industrial plant QAL 3. An Annual Surveillance Test (AST) is also defi ned.
The suitability evaluation of the AMS and its measuring procedure are described in EN15267 (QAL 1) where a methodology is given for calculating the total uncertainty of AMS measured values. This total uncertainty is calculated from the evaluation of all the uncertainty contributions arising from its individual performance characteristics.
EN14181 specifi es procedures for establishing quality assurance levels QAL 2, QAL 3 and AST for an AMS installed on industrial plants for the determination of the fl ue gas components and other fl ue gas parameters. It supports requirements in the EU Industrial Emission Directive 2010/75/EU and the related BREF documents.
This standard specifi es:
• A procedure (QAL 2) to calibrate the AMS, following its installation, and to determine the ‘variability’ of the measured values obtained by the AMS. Various functional checks must be performed before the QAL2 is undertaken.
• A procedure (QAL 3) to maintain and demonstrate the required quality of the measurement results during the normal operation of an AMS, by checking that the zero and span characteristics are consistent with those determined during QAL 1 (drift checking).
• A procedure for the annual surveillance tests (AST) of the AMS in order to evaluate (i) that it functions correctly and its performance remains valid and (ii) that its calibration function and variability remain as previously determined. Functional checks are, again, required before the QAL2 is undertaken.
Dave Curtis Source Testing Association
Unit 11 Theobald Business Centre, Knowl Piece, Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Herts, SG4 0TY, UK.
Telephone: +44(0) 1462 457535 Facsimile: +44(0) 1462 457157 Email enquiries:
dave@s-t-a.org Web:
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This standard is designed to be used after the AMS has been accepted according to the procedures specifi ed in EN15267.
This standard is restricted to quality assurance (QA) of the AMS, and does not include QA of the data collection and recording system of the plant.
Tests in detail
The QAL 2 and AST procedures involve the testing laboratories who have to have ISO 17025 accreditation (UKAS in the UK), whereas the QAL 3 procedures involve the plant operators.
QAL 2 is a procedure for the determination of the calibration function and its ‘variability’, and a test of the ‘variability’ of the measured values of the AMS compared with the uncertainty
given by legislation. The ‘variability’ is a measure of the scatter of data around the calibration line. The QAL 2 tests are performed on suitable AMS that have been correctly installed and commissioned. A calibration function is established from the results of a number of parallel measurements performed with a Standard Reference Method (SRM) these methods are
Regulators Process operators Test laboratories
Roles and responsibilities of carrying out EN141818 tests Organisation Roles and requirements
CEMs manufacturers and suppliers
• Achieving and maintaining certifi cation of CEMs to the applicable MCERTS performance standards
• Supplying, correctly installing, commissioning and maintaining appropriate, MCERTS certifi ed CEMs to applicable installations
• Installing CEMs in a manner which assures their integrity and correct operation to the required performance standards
• When appropriate, co-operating with process operators and test laboratories to perform the functional tests and calibrate CEMs
• Achieving and maintaining accreditation to ISO 17025 and the MCERTS performance standards, for the applicable SRMs
• Performing the SRMs for the QAL2 and AST procedures
• Reporting the results of the functional tests specifi ed for the QAL2 and AST procedures
• From the beginning of 2011, test laboratories must also be accredited to EN 14181.
• Notifying the operator that the operator is responsible for ensuring that the functional tests are performed before each QAL2 and AST, regardless of who subsequently performs the functional tests
• Using CEMs certifi ed to the appropriate MCERTS performance standards
• Performing the QAL3 procedures
• Ensuring that the functional tests are performed before each QAL2 and AST.
• Submission of QAL2, QAL3 and AST reports as required by the regulator
• Applying a procedure for QAL3; maintaining QAL3 records, other records and information as specifi ed within EN 14181, and retaining QAL2 and AST reports for periods specifi ed by the regulator
• Specifying EN 14181 requirements within permits or variations to permits
• Assessing operator compliance
• Assessing test laboratories for compliance with the MID for EN 14181
• Providing guidance on EN 14181
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www.envirotech-online.com IET March / April 2014
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