MP-Web Compliance Threshold Rules Advanced

MP-Web Compliance Threshold Rules Advanced setup

There are a vast number of comparison and filter options to aid with setting up compliance limits that are more complex than simple absolute limits. These options range from those that follow filtering through to more advanced options where the limit is based on values from other variables and locations or is conditional to a number of breaches based on calculated values or other factors.

Compare Values and Comparison Operators

Compare Values

Fixed Grid - This is the default setting for all more basic compliance set up, with access to the Grid available. It is applicable where each location has distinct compliance.

Fixed List - These are applicable where each location has simple compliance, such as generic standards or guidance levels. 

Variable – Compares the selected compliance data against the data linked to another variable. There will be no fixed values in the grid, but data will be compared to values presented against the Variable chosen. 

Calculation – Compares the selected compliance data against the output from a Predefined Calculation.

Aggregate – Compares the selected compliance data against the output from an Aggregate Calculation.

Translation – Compares the selected compliance data against the output of a Translation Grid.

Anything except a less than – Data will exceed the threshold when the data does not have a < prefix before the value.

Comparison Operator

Outside – This is the default comparison operator. Outside treats any values outside of the range as a breach.
Outside Inclusive – This is very similar to the outside operator. The difference is that it will include the upper and lower limits as breached values.
Between – The between operator has the reverse logic to outside. All values within the lower and upper limits will be classified as breaches.
Between Inclusive – Just like outside Inclusive, Between Inclusive also consists of the upper and lower limits.

Indirect Breaches

There can be situations where the compliance assessment is against a calculated or derived value, but the original value must also be flagged in a report or output. Examples could be relative percentage difference calculations, where a field and lab result are compared as a percentage difference. This calculation outputs a percentage difference value, with an applicable percentage value included in a List or Grid based compliance (for example (20%). It's desired, however, also to flag the initial values, which are different by more than the specified percentage. Other scenarios could be a desire to highlight text as a breach. This is also possible using specific Variable Type Yes/No responses, but it can also be done with Indirect Breaches. Using either a Translation Grid, Aggregate or General Calculation to convert text responses into values (such as 1/0).   

Exceedance Mode

Exceedance Mode introduces the concept of exceedances. An exceedance is a precursor to a Breach.

Multiple Exceedances – Multiple exceedances sets the number of exceedances within a given period. For example, if the consecutive breach is set to 4 exceedances in a single day, breaches will only be flagged if there are four or more exceedances in a single day.

Consecutive Exceedances – Consecutive exceedances set the number of successive exceedances required before a breach is flagged. There is no time limit, but unlike multiple exceedances, the exceedances have to be consecutive. 

Locations

This enables users to allocate breaches to values that are recorded at a different location.

Original Location – The default and typical example where the data is used to compare from the original location.

Same reference Location for All – This compares all the locations selected in the Threshold Rule to the values of one single location

Different Reference locations for each Sample Points – Allows different sample points to have separate comparison locations.

Date / Time Filter Tab

Only apply this rule starting from the following date:

This function allows you to filter down to different start dates. This can be used in isolation to set when the Threshold Rule becomes applicable or in conjunction with the end date.  

Only apply this rule until the following date:

This enables the compliance to be filtered to a particular end date. For example, if compliance values change over time and you want to record the historical values. 

Filter By Time of Day:

This filter allows you to use data only between certain times of the day. For example, it allows you to create night-and-day compliance.

Filter by Days of the Week:

This filter allows you to choose which days of the week you would like to use for compliance. By default, all days are selected.

Filter by month:

This Filter Allows you to choose a window of time in months. For example, you could select January to March and call the Threshold Rule ‘Q1’ for seasonally conditional compliance, creating multiple Threshold Rules for each varying period.

Dynamic Filter

Dynamic Filtering enables compliance to be conditional based on the values of other Variables or Calculations. For example, a compliance limit may only apply when a pump is discharging, or an engine is on, or compliance is excluded during a start-up phase.

Don’t apply any Filtering - This is the default option, meaning no filters are running and all values failing a Grid-based limit or Calculated limit will be marked as a breach.

Variable - Filters the selected compliance data against the data present in another Variable.

Calculation - Filters the selected compliance data against the output of a Calculation.

Aggregate - Filters the selected compliance data against the output of an Aggregate.

Translation - Filters the selected compliance data against the output of a Translation Grid.

Filter Constraints

Each of these filter constraints allows the user to filter using different constraints. For example, if the compliance is conditional to a particular flow rate or an ‘open’/’closed’ value, then enter the correct logic into the filter constraint, i.e. ‘Greater than’

Equals – Will breach when the value is equal to. For example, when a pump runs and a value of 1 or 0 is stored.

Not Equal – Opposite to Equals.

Less Than – Breaches when the value is less than the specified value.

Greater Than - Breaches when greater than the specified value.

Between – For this Constraint, you will have to add two values to provide a range.

Outside – Opposite to Between.

In the Following list – This is essentially the ‘Equals’ constraint but expanded to enable the use of multiple values and text-based values.

Not in the Following list – Opposite of ‘In the following list’.

Interpolation

Interpolation enables you to use comparison data when it doesn’t match the exact date and time of the primary variables data. For example, a pH value could have an upper limit of 9, but this is only a breach when discharging (recorded from an Open/Closed control valve). The control valve value may only be recorded when it opens and closes, so there won’t be a record of the exact time of the pH value. We, therefore, need to interpolate back to the previous Open/Closed value.

Previous – Interpolates back to the previous value;
Next – Interpolates to the next successive value after (if present);
Always Previous – Continuous interpolates backwards (i.e. even if there is a value at the same date/time);
Always Next – Continuous interpolates forwards (i.e. even if there is a value at the same date/time);
Nearest – Interpolates to the nearest value, whether backwards or forwards.

Locations

Original Location – Where the data for the comparison and primary data are stored against the exact location;

Same reference Location for All – Where the data for the comparison and primary data are stored against two different locations;

Different Reference locations for each Sample Point – Where the data is stored against different sample locations for each primary location (or combination).

Filters

The filters enable users to remove Objects from the Threshold Rule, which are included in the overall Compliance. 

Variable Filter

Allows you to filter out Variables that may have been part of an existing Compliance but aren’t needed for the specific Threshold Rule.

Sample Point Filter

Allows you to filter out Sample Points that may have been part of an existing Compliance but aren’t needed for the specific Threshold Rule.

Source Filter

It allows you to filter out sources that may have been part of an existing compliance but aren’t needed for the specific threshold rule.

Sample Type Filter

This can make the Threshold Rule conditional to certain Sample Types.

Data Qualifiers

This can make the Threshold Rule conditional to certain Data Qualifiers.