We have a measuring device that we calibrated last year, however, we have only used this measuring device 5 times during the year, and the calibration cost is expensive. How can we extend the calibration period for this measuring device until next year in order to remain in compliance. Really appreciated for your reply.
Request Calibration Info
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Tagin
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Compliance with what? ISO 9001 or some other standard?
FWIW, we used the same (type of) device...mechanical meter for measuring feet for sale of plastic film on a core. (daily use)
We had ours calibrated every year for a while...and when it passed with no issues every time, we lengthened the cal period to 2yrs...then to 5yrs.
We measured hundreds of feet...I would not have trusted verification on a 3ft scale. I did not watch how innocal verified it, so I can't suggest much toward in-house calibration other than a tape measure and consideration of what accuracy is desired.
We had ours calibrated every year for a while...and when it passed with no issues every time, we lengthened the cal period to 2yrs...then to 5yrs.
We measured hundreds of feet...I would not have trusted verification on a 3ft scale. I did not watch how innocal verified it, so I can't suggest much toward in-house calibration other than a tape measure and consideration of what accuracy is desired.
Tagin
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ISO 9001 does not specify any required interval. So what you need to comply with is 7.1.5.1b ("[the resources provided] are maintained to ensure their continuing fitness for their purpose."), and use the risk-based thinking of 9001.
Typically, you might use a measurement device's interval as recommended by the manufacturer. However, if you can reasonably justify extending that interval, due to low usage or other reasons, then there is no restriction to that. It is a risk to extend an interval (imagine having a device calibrated only every 2 years and finding out that the product produced over the last 2 years needs to be recalled when you find out the measuring device was out-of-spec), so you might add a risk register entry for that interval change and then monitor effectiveness over the next 2 years (?) to see if there was any problems resulting from extending the interval. You can also cite the history of calibrations on that device to show that the device always came back from outside calibration with "AS FOUND" in spec, indicating that it historically never needed adjusting in the past.
Don't overlook that ISO 9001 allows you a) to verify (which can be a simple condition check if traceability isn't required) and b) it can be done "prior to use" (and you decide that).
Thank you! I fully agree. Great advice.
