Flow Meter Calibration - Outside Calibration Service vs. In-House Calibration

C

CDISO

#1
Recently, it was suggested that we start calibrating our own Flow-meters. We have 22 of them. The suggest-er felt that it isn't difficult, would save money, etc. The suggest-ee was not comfortable with the idea and said so.

I tend to agree with the suggest-ee because 1) At our ISO audit last May, the auditor wanted to see Calibration records for a piece of equipment. I had the work order showing that a Calibration was completed by an outside service instantly available, but he stated that he needed to see something with Traceability information on it. (We had that in the paper files). 2) If we need to provide Traceability information, we would need more than a calibrated bucket and a stopwatch.

I would like some guidance as to whether in-house calibration of flow-meters is compliant with the ISO 9001 standard, without purchasing calibration lab-quality equipment.

Thanks!
 
Elsmar Forum Sponsor
H

htquality

#2
I believe that if you approach the calibration properly, it can be done in-house with appropriate traceability available. You would need to use calibation equipment (another flow meter) that was calibrated with full traceability as well as appropriate tolerance that is higher (4:1 I believe) than the flow meters that you want to calibrate. So you might have to purchase a "better" flow meter, with traceable calibration, and use it to calibeate your other 22 meters in-house.
 

BradM

Staff member
Admin
#3
Recently, it was suggested that we start calibrating our own Flow-meters. We have 22 of them. The suggest-er felt that it isn't difficult, would save money, etc. The suggest-ee was not comfortable with the idea and said so.

I tend to agree with the suggest-ee because 1) At our ISO audit last May, the auditor wanted to see Calibration records for a piece of equipment. I had the work order showing that a Calibration was completed by an outside service instantly available, but he stated that he needed to see something with Traceability information on it. (We had that in the paper files). 2) If we need to provide Traceability information, we would need more than a calibrated bucket and a stopwatch.

I would like some guidance as to whether in-house calibration of flow-meters is compliant with the ISO 9001 standard, without purchasing calibration lab-quality equipment.

Thanks!
Good question! :agree1:

First, understand there are a lot of variables when it comes to flow, to name a few:

  • Flow Rate
  • Temperature
  • Pressure
  • Restrictions (if any)
  • Allowing adequate distance before and after flow rate
  • Achieving steady state
So I'm thinking of three approaches. One, if it is liquid, you might could use a method of placing a bucket on a scale, use a timer, and verify (by weight dispensed per time) if the flow is accurate.

The second, is to build a "dummy" system. You can have a dummy flow system with a flow standard, and have a spot for the U.U.T. in the flow system. Finally, you can add a spot for the U.U.T. in the current process system to verify the flow meters.

You can add up the uncertainties to the bucket/stopwatch system and see if it is sufficient. Other than that, I don't see how you could get around not purchasing a standard flowmeter. other than.... creating a dummy flow system and having a spot for three or four meters at a time. Then you could develop a comparison method with min/max deviation. However, there is no N.I.S.T. traceability here. :)
 

Hershal

Metrologist-Auditor
Staff member
Super Moderator
#4
BradM has a good answer. One thing you will notice if you peruse cal lab scopes, is there are not that many that do flow. It is a smaller and somewhat more specialized discipline within metrology and most cal labs have trouble with it.

Maybe for calipers inside cal can be done with assurance. But for some disciplines like flow, get an outside accredited lab.
 
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
M Load Cell Calibration using a totalizer on a flow meter General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 0
C Flow Meter calibration for mixed gases Calibration and Metrology Software and Hardware 1
T Calibration procedure for Bubble Gas Flow Meter General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 3
ScottK Soliciting recommendations for a fast turnaround calibration house - Mass Flow Meter Manufacturing and Related Processes 1
C Flow meter for medical device application Other Medical Device Related Standards 2
A SPC procedure / flow chart Statistical Analysis Tools, Techniques and SPC 2
M Risk Analysis Flow - Confusion between ISO 14971 and IEC 62304 IEC 62304 - Medical Device Software Life Cycle Processes 8
B FAR/Prime Contractor Flow-down Tool - AS9100 AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 3
D Calibration Process Flow Map Example Wanted General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 3
G New CAPA Work Flow with Revised 8D Approach Process Maps, Process Mapping and Turtle Diagrams 35
M Proper method to test flow of a regulator Inspection, Prints (Drawings), Testing, Sampling and Related Topics 1
Q AS9120B flow down to external providers: Records Retention AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 2
qualprod What is the Normal Flow in an ERP for Manufacturing? Manufacturing and Related Processes 0
D Virtual Documentation via Master Flow Chart? Process Maps, Process Mapping and Turtle Diagrams 4
eule del ayre Merging FMEA and Quality Control Process Flow FMEA and Control Plans 0
A Redesigning our process flow chart, PFMEA and Control Plan Process Maps, Process Mapping and Turtle Diagrams 4
K Vigilance process flow chart EU Medical Device Regulations 1
Ronen E Tolerance intervals (?) question - Flow Rate Probability Range Statistical Analysis Tools, Techniques and SPC 6
8 Creating Flow and Pull Game Lean in Manufacturing and Service Industries 1
S Improving Quality inspection gate in one piece flow manufacturing process Manufacturing and Related Processes 0
D Link between FMEA, flow chart and control plan FMEA and Control Plans 10
M What are the differences between "Process Flowchart form" and "Process Flow Diagram form"? IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 4
O Air Flow - Which is the operational difference between LAF (vertical and horizontal) and RLAF? Manufacturing and Related Processes 2
A Tubing Clog Tester - Convert from Air Bubble to Flow Rate Reliability Analysis - Predictions, Testing and Standards 1
A How a test flow can be build for a car electronic sunroof control Reliability Analysis - Predictions, Testing and Standards 6
R Cascading (Flow Down) Customer Specific Requirements IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 2
N Process Flow diagram steps for inspection and packaging APQP and PPAP 4
B AS9102 Supplier Flow Down Method AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 7
N Dataset for Academic Research - Infusion pump flow IEC 60601 - Medical Electrical Equipment Safety Standards Series 1
J ITAR flow down to Processors (Outsourced Processes) AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 1
A IATF 16949 Cl. 8.3.5.2 e) - Manufacturing Process Flow Charts & Layout IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 5
G In-House Calibration of Gas Flow Meters General Measurement Device and Calibration Topics 6
M ISO 9001:2015 Compliant Recruitment Flow Chart Training - Internal, External, Online and Distance Learning 6
K Which Symbols are used in Process flow diagrams? Manufacturing and Related Processes 2
T ITAR/EAR relationship and Flow Down to Suppliers AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 5
S Limitation of lateral flow immunoassay Other Medical Device and Orthopedic Related Topics 2
A AS 9100 - Risk Management Procedure and Flow Chart examples AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 4
A Can the BOM in SAP be used in lieu of process flow diagram? APQP and PPAP 7
S How can I make a Process Flow Diagram for APQP process Manufacturing and Related Processes 2
T Software for linking Process Flow Diagram, Process FMEA and Control Plan APQP and PPAP 9
R Irradiation Sterilization Dose Setting and Dose Audit Flow Charts ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 0
S Is 0.1 micron monitoring required for ISO Class 5 Laminar Air Flow unit ? Other ISO and International Standards and European Regulations 4
A IEC 60601-2-24 Question: Free Flow Clamp on Set? IEC 60601 - Medical Electrical Equipment Safety Standards Series 5
M Controlling Flow Charts that are hung in workplace. Quality Manager and Management Related Issues 6
D ISO 9001 Design Process Flow Chart ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 9
Ron Rompen Document Flow Chart Assistance Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 3
D Relationship between Diameter and Flow Rate & the Length Statistical Analysis Tools, Techniques and SPC 3
N How Can I Simplify This Process Flow? Lean in Manufacturing and Service Industries 8
R ISO/TS 16949:2009 Questions related to Work Flow IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 1
S US FDA PMA (Pre-Market Approval) Process Flow Chart Example Other US Medical Device Regulations 1

Similar threads

Top Bottom