Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT)

Electronic Stack Testing and Assessment Project

Version 3.0 ERT program files and user's manual are available below.

The spreadsheet template for importing test data to WebFIRE is available below.

October 15, 2007: The Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT), a Microsoft Access desktop application, is an electronic alternative for paper reports documenting nineteen of EPA's emissions measurement methods for stationary sources. The test methods supported by ERT Version 3 include the following:

Methods 1 through 4
Method 3A
Method 5
Method 6C
Method 7E
Method 10
Method 17
Method 25A

Method 26A
Method 29
Method 101
Method 101A
Method 201A
Method 202
CT Method 39
CT Method 40

The pollutants quantified by these test methods include:

- Filterable Particulate Matter
- Condensable Particulate Matter
- Filterable PM10
- Filterable PM2.5
- Carbon Monoxide
- Chlorine, Chloride, Hydrogen Chloride, Total Chloride
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Metals (Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Phosphorus (yellow or white), Selenium, Silver, Thallium and Zinc)
- Total organic compounds (TOC) (as Carbon, Ethane, Methane, Propane)

The ERT replaces the time-intensive manual preparation and transcription of stationary source emissions test plans and reports currently performed by contractors for emissions sources and the time-intensive manual quality assurance evaluations and documentation performed by State agencies. The ERT provides a format that:

Highlights the need to document the key information and procedures required by the existing EPA Federal Test Methods;
Facilitates coordination among the source, the test contractor, and the regulatory agency in planning and preparing for the emissions test;
Provides for consistent criteria to quantitatively characterize the quality of the data collected during the emissions test;
Standardizes the reports; and
Provides for future capabilities to electronically exchange information in the reports with facility, State or Federal data systems.

In addition to improving the content and quality of source emissions test reports, the ERT should:

Reduce the workload associated with manual transcription of information and data contained in the report;
Reduce the resources required to store and access the reports; and
Reduce redundant efforts in using the data for multiple purposes.

There are 3 parts to the application: 1) The Application; 2) the Project Data Set; and 3) an Excel Spreadsheet. The Application has all of the screens, reports, calculations and other items necessary to create and distribute the Test Plan and Test Report. The Project Data Set (PDS) contains the Test Plan and Test Report Data. This is the file that will be exchanged between the source test contractor, the client and the State Agency. Each PDS includes information for one test report. When the ERT is started initially, you are prompted to name the PDS that is created automatically in a "Project Data" directory by the ERT. The last PDS used is remembered by the ERT when restarted. There is no limit on the number of PDS files but only one PDS can be opened at a time.

The Excel Spreadsheet is the final part of the ERT. This spreadsheet can be used in the field (or office) to enter the run information. While the spreadsheet functions like most field data collection spreadsheet applications, many groups of cells have been named to exporting critical data. The ERT has the ability to import this data into the selected PDS. To use the ERT, you must use this spreadsheet file, transcribe the data manually or create the appropriate links in your spreadsheet.

The basic work flow is as follows:

Create the Test Plan
Print and attach draft Test Plan into PDS (optional)
Test Plan (via PDS file) is submitted to the Agency
Agency approves or returns (via PDS file) to submitter for revisions
Test Plan (via PDS file) is revised and re-submitted to the Agency
Field data is entered into the ERT Excel Spreadsheet
After test is performed, test and process data is entered into The ERT PDS file
PDS file is submitted to Agency
Agency reviews PDS

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Version 3.0 User's Guide and Program Files
ERT User's Guide	ertmanual_v3.pdf (PDF 3M)
ERT Application and Spreadsheet - You must have Microsoft Access 2000 or higher to run this version of the application. This file includes the ERT version 3.0 Microsoft Access file, the Excel spreadsheet and the User's Guide. To run ERT, unzip this file to any folder such as "c:\program files\ERT" and double click on ERT3.mdb. July 24, 2008: The test plan and test report page printing capabilities of the tool have been updated.	ertv3.zip (ZIP 3.3M)
ERT Application and Spreadsheet with Microsoft Access Runtime. Use this version if you do not have MS Access installed. This file includes the setup routine that will install the ERT application, the Excel Spreadsheet, Microsoft Access Runtime, and the User's Guide. If you have MS Access installed, please use the program file above. To run ERT, unzip this this file in a temporary folder and run the SETUP.EXE. After the setup, you can launch ERT from your desktop icon or from the Start Menu. The unzipped files in the temporary folder may be deleted after the setup is run. July 24, 2008: The test plan and test report page printing capabilities of the tool have been updated.	ertv3runtime.zip (ZIP 40M)
ERT Project Data Set (PDS) and Spreadsheet. This is a populated PDS and Spreadsheet for example purposes. The files are to be used with one of the above applications. This file includes an example PDS and the associated spreadsheet. Copy the file to your hard drive and extract the files. Use ERT to select the Example Data V3.mdb file.	ertv3exampledata.zip (ZIP 550K)

Spreadsheet template for importing test data to WebFIRE
This spreadsheet template is to be used for source test reports that do not use the Electronic Reporting Tool. The spreadsheet allows source test data to be added to WebFIRE electronically.	WebFIRE Template (XLS 27K)
Instructions for entering data into the spreadsheet.	WebFIRE Template instructions (PDF 66K)

Importing WebFIRE CSV files into MS Access instructions (TXT 1K)

Helpful Links Supporting the Electronic Reporting Tool
Emission Measurement Center Test Methods Emission Measurement Center Quality Assurance (QA) Team Documents Preparation and Review of Site Specific Test Plans Preparation and Review of Emission Test Reports

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User comments
We request that users help us evaluate and enhance the ERT by submitting suggestions and comments on:

Basic application flow,
Process DQQs,
Run DQQs,
Additional test methods/pollutants amenable for easy incorporation into ERT,
Suggested locations and content for context sensitive Help Screens,
Data or info not being collected that needs to be collected,
Expected value to your organization,
Recommendations for other EPA test methods to add to this tool,
Recommended enhancements (e.g. data export, automated test/process DQQs, etc.),
Errors/Typos/etc.

Email your comments to Ron Myers at myers.ron@epa.gov. We will update this software and the User's Guide periodically as reviewers identify easily to accommodate expansion, enhancement or corrections in the application.

EPA QA Handbook Volume III
Information in the current and previous version of Volume III of the QA Handbook may provide the basis for much of the context sensitive help for this tool. For information on the QC criteria of the methods, the QA Handbook Volume III (the old QA Red Book) and the revision of the handbook, are located and discussed on the EPA's Emission Measurement Center web site.

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Electronic Reporting Tool (ERT)

Electronic Stack Testing and Assessment Project

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