FRS	FRS Facility Linkage Application
Automated and Manual Merging
Version 1.2
	Date: 12/01/2016

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PRO'
Facility Registry Service (FRS)
Automated and Manual Facility Merging
updated December, 2016
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FRS	FRS Facility Linkage Application
Automated and Manual Merging
Version 1.2
Date: 12/01/2016
Contents
A.l Purpose & Overview	Error! Bookmark not defined.
A. 1 Purpose & Overview
The purpose of this documentat is to describe the automated and the manual merging process
utilized by Data Stewards in the Facility Linkage Application.
Program records in the FRS database are associated togeather automatically duiring integration
and refreshes of Program/State data into the FRS Database. The FRS database matches the
program records that have verying data quality in order attempt to identify unique facilities
which are utilized by other programs to allow for searching for unique facilities using a single
standardized address with improved data quality.
As FRS receives data flows from its partners, there are times when the incoming facility is
already listed in the FRS database. In this case, if the facility is an exact match or meets a certain
matching criteria threashold, it is automatically linked to an existing facility. (Automatic Merge)
If the facility is deemed as a potential duplicate, but not close enough to automatically match, a
flag is raised, it is then referred to the data stewards for further analysis and resolution (Manual
Merge). This merging capability and function reduces redundancy within the system, making the
service more concise, and reduces burden of data management in the long run.
A.2 Automated Merging
The automated merging is done by PL/SQL logic in the Oracle database. When a new record is
inserted into FRS it follows the logic shown in the flowchart below:
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FRS	FRS Facility Linkage Application
Automated and Manual Merging
Version 1.2
	Date: 12/01/2016
In the matching process, the incoming records are first standardized, parsed, and evaluated for
data quality. These processes makes the data uniform and facilitates in the matching process, as
it makes comparing the records easier and faster. FRS performs dynamic searches of the existing
database using name and address matching algorithms, which results in a score, as shown below.
If the record is matched with a FRS or program record with a score of 85 or above, the incoming
record is linked to the FRS record and then goes through the update process. If the matching
score for the incoming record is 84 or below, a new FRS record is created. If the score is
between 35 and 84, FRS flags the record as a potential duplicate for a steward to review. If the
score is 34 or below, no flags are raised and no linking takes places, it is treated as a completely
new record in FRS.
The data elements are given scores and the sum of their scores determines whether the facility
will be merged or flagged. The scoring is based on the following standardized data elements:
Scoring Table
Street name and House Number
50
Facility Name
25
City
15
County
5
Zip
5
In the three scenarios below, a match on the data elements shown would add up to a score of 85
and above, in which case the source record is linked with the FRS record.
Merge Combinations
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
City
City
County
County
State Code
Zip Code
Zip Code
House Number
State Code
State Code
Street Name
House Number
House Number
Facility Name
Street Name
Street Name

Facility Name
Facility Name


A 3 Manual Merging
Manual merging of duplicate facilities is done through the Facility Linkage Application (FLA).
When the automated process detects close potential matches to facilities, but not exact
duplicates, the facilities are flagged as possible duplicates. The possible duplicates then must be
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FRS	FRS Facility Linkage Application
Automated and Manual Merging
Version 1.2
	Date: 12/01/2016
resolved by a data steward to confirm if these facilities are the same through research. If
duplicates are present the data steward then merges the duplicate facilities, consolidating the
multiple records into one FRS record. If through research it is deemed that the given facility is a
new facility, and not a duplicate; then the data steward simply clears the flag. Facilities can also
be merged directly by the data steward through FLA, if they are known to be duplicates without
being flagged.
Manual merging is performed by FRS Pimary Data Stewards. A primary data steward acts as a
point of contact for regional data needs and data quality issues. Assists with the
dissemination of information about FRS, FRS data improvement projects, and coordinates with
State Data Stewards. The primary data stewards make data corrections in FLA, which are
incorporated directly into the FRS production layer, and approve data corrections submitted by
secondary or emergency response stewards within their region. Each EPA region is represented
by a primary data steward; a list is available from the FRS website or by clicking here.
Secondary data stewards consist of staff from regions, program offices, states and trusted
partners not identified as primary stewards. Secondary data stewards are delegated responsibility
by the primary stewards. These stewards recommend changes that are later approved by their
regional primary data steward.
There are multiple ways to identify facilities to merge in FLA
•	Via the possible duplicates or resolve duplicates report
•	Merging facilities not in the duplicates reports (if known, through other reports, searching
FLA, etc.)
There are multiple ways to access facilities flagged as possible duplicates
1) Through home page quick access under the "Data Initiatives" at the bottom of the FLA
page. The "Review" button highlighted by the redx in the image bleow will return a
report of all possible duplicates for the Data Stewards Region.
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FRS
FRS Facility Linkage Application
Automated and Manual Merging
Version 1.2
Date: 12/01/2016

Facility Linkage Application
My Profle Help Ab
aut Contact
Data initiatives
		
Data Initiatives Progress
WWIP/POTW Cleanup
1
My Queue
EE5DK*
Announcements
Data Refreshes
2) Another way to access the records flagged as duplicates is to select the Improve Data
subtab from the top menu.
Home Submission Data Sets v Search v v
Improve Data
From the Improve Data page you can create and refine a query to identify the data you
are focusing on. When on this page select the Resolve Duplicates option to have potential
duplicates returned using the criteria you specify. Click the Review button to evaluate
potential duplicate candidates.
1 fcEED 1 110055662607 1 -DAY PAINT & BODY #127 1100 COMMERCIAL AVE
OXNARD
CA
93033
VENTURA
1100 COMMERCIAL AVE.
V
09
1	1




OXNARD. CA 93030 US


3) From the Registry Details page you can select the "Find Duplicates" option and a list of
potential duplicates will be presented.
Edit Registry Edit Geolocator Find Duplicates Fix Linkages Comments (0)
After selecting a record
Clicking on the Review button or the Find Duplicates button returns a list of the facilities that
have been identified by the application as potential duplicate(s).(see image below) Note that the
first record is already checked, because that is the record that is the selected record, all potential
matches will appear below it.
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FRS	FRS Facility Linkage Application
Automated and Manual Merging
Version 1.2
Date: 12/01/2016
Registry Matching Results
Analyze the duplicate candidates and check the checkbox beside any duplicate records.
•	Select any registry IDs to merge by checking the check box.
•	Additional registry IDs can be added manually by entering a registry ID and selecting the add button.
•	dick the Cancel button to not merge any records and return to the previous page.
•	Please cfck the Remove button in the same row as the Registry ID you do not want included in the merge (except the first Row).
Registry ID Registry Name	Location Address City	State Postal Code County DQ Code Alternative Names Last Update Remove
110069458759 POPLAR BLUFF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1300 VICTORY IN POPLAR BUiFF MO 63901-3300 BUTLER VaSd	-	16-AU6-J0 - FLA O
110022017921 POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL	1300 VICTORY LW POPLAR BLUFF MO 63901	BUTLER Vald	POPtAR BLUFF HIGH 16-W3V-08 - [OS Q
Through research, the data steward chooses to either merge facilities or clear the flag. One or
more facilities can be merged to selected facility if they are verified as the same facility.
Proper research includes looking at the facility detailed view(s) to look at associated data such
as, alternate name(s), interests, SIC, NAICS codes and geospatial data to see if they are related.
Search engines such as Google, Bing along with map searches should also be employed in order
to ensure that the facilities are the same.
In order to merge the facilities click the box (to add a check) to the facility being merged and
then click on the blue "Merge" button. The data steward will be taken to the page shown below,
which lists the facilities and its associated interests.
Facility Linkage Application
My Profile Help About Contact
Merge Registries Back
Identify the record that you would like to keep as the FRS record.
•	To mdude another facility to merge, enter the Registry ID and select the Md button.
•	Select the record to retain from the list of records to merge.
•	Enter comments.
•	To edit the merged fetifty record, select the Merge and Update button.
•	If no duplicates were found for this facility, select the dear Flag button to remove this facility from the list of Possible Duplicates.
Add RscStry ID;
Registry ID	Registry Name	Location Address	City	County	State Postal C.
110022017921	POPLAR BLUFF HIGH 5CHOOL	1300 VICTORY LN	POPLAR BLUFF	BUTLER	MO	63901
(K&600009442)	POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL	1300 VICTORY LN	POPLAR BLUFF	BUTIS	MO	63901
1100694587S9	POPLAR BLUFF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1308 VICTORY LN	POPLAR BLUFF	BUTLER	MO	63901
(RCRAINFO-MOR000524173)	POPLAR BLUFF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 13M VICTORY LN	POPLAR BLUFF	BUTLER	MO	63901
Last Update Data Quality Code
16-NOV-08 - KB Valid
16-NOMS - B3S VaSd
16-AUG-30 - FLA Vatc
16-AUG-30 - FLA VaSd
row(s) 1 - 4 of 4
Additional Comments;
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FRS	FRS Facility Linkage Application
Automated and Manual Merging
Version 1.2
Date: 12/01/2016
Here the data steward will be choosing one record and FRS Registry ID to keep, and the
environmental interests from the other facility records will be merged into the one that is
retained.
After researching, if it is deemed that the facility data needs to be updated, the data steward can
choose the "Merge and Update" button. This will allow the data steward to update the chosen
facility before merging them.
If a known duplicate is not listed as a possible duplicate.
Another method for merging is manually selecting and merging facilities that are known to be
duplicates. An example would be to merge two facilities that the data steward knows for a fact
are duplicate, but have not made it to the possible duplicates report or have had the flag
incorrectly removed. There are various reasons why a facility would not show up in the possible
duplicates report, one example is if the naming is incorrect or address has been wrongly entered
- In which case you would update the facility data first. After updating any facility registry
information a possible duplicate check is automatically performed.
The on the Merge Registries page follow the step below describing how to merge a facility that
is not listed as a "possible duplicate." Duplicates in the system can also be found and merged
with facilities found to be the same while searching FLA.
From the Resolve Possible Duplicates page add in the Registry ED that should be linked with the
selected facility and click the add button. The page will refresh containing the record you added.
Then complete the merge as described above.
Facility Linkage Application
Merge Registries Back
My Profile Help About Contact
Identify the record that you woukJ like to keep as the FRS record.
•	To include another facility to merge, enter the Registry ID and select the Add button.
•	Select the record to retain from the list of records to merge.
•	Enter comments.
•	To edit the merged facility record, select the Merge and Update button.
•	If no duplicates were found for this facility, select the dear Flag button to remove this facffity from the Sst of Possible Duplicates.
fcJdRegsnylD:
Location Address City
County State Postal Code Last Update
Registry ID	Registry Name
110022017921	POPIAR BLUFF HIGH SOKOL	1300 VICTORY LN	POPLAR BLUFF	BUTIB!	MO 63901
(ICtS-600009442)	POPLAR BUFF HIGH SCHOOL	1300 VICTORY IN	POPIAR BLUFF	BUTLER	M0 63901
110069458759	POPIAR BUJFF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1300 VICTORY LN	POPLAR BUJFF	BUTLER	MO 63901
lfrNOWB - KB Valid
16-HOV-OS - IOS Valid
16-AUG-30 - FLA \foSd
(RCRAIWO-MOR000524173) POPIAR BLUFF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1300 VICTORY LN POPLAR BLUFF BUTLER MO 63901	16-AUG-30 - FLA Valid
w«y(s)l-4of 4
Comments
Wdsonal Comments;
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