Is there a standard which states how often instruments should be calibrated?

N

nixnine1

#1
Is there a standard which states how often instruments should be calibrated/validated? We have put 2 years on almost everything from calibration weights to gauges. Is that too much? And how do I know if it is too long?
 
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NikkiQSM

Quite Involved in Discussions
#2
Re: Calibration schedule

The equipment should have come with a certificate which explains when it needs to be calibrated.
 

NikkiQSM

Quite Involved in Discussions
#3
Re: Calibration schedule

You have to assess the equipment and based on risk of negatively affecting your product, you may want to increase the frequency of the calibration. For example, we use scales here to weigh up ingredients. It is very important that what the scale is reading it correct. The scales certificate originally stated that it should be calibrated annually, but because of the risk to our product, we have it calibrated quaterly.
 

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#4
Re: Calibration schedule

Is there a standard which states how often instruments should be calibrated/validated? We have put 2 years on almost everything from calibration weights to gauges. Is that too much? And how do I know if it is too long?
Some devices might need to be calibrated every time they're used, and others might not need calibration at all. Establishing intervals usually involves risk assessment and moving from shorter intervals to longer ones based on the "as found" condition when a device is calibrated.
 
#5
Re: Calibration schedule

The equipment should have come with a certificate which explains when it needs to be calibrated.
Not always! It's more a case of buying a calibration certificate first! Let's not overlook that the equipment manufacturer doesn't assume anyone wants calibration (results/certs) and certainly they don't know how (often) the equipment will be used. Theirs is a guesstimate, at best. To identify a calibration recall, one must know the results of the initial calibration, first. If the results show the equipment is on the limit as manufactured, it could be risky to let it go a whole year before recall...
 
#6
Re: Calibration schedule

Is there a standard which states how often instruments should be calibrated/validated? We have put 2 years on almost everything from calibration weights to gauges. Is that too much? And how do I know if it is too long?
No, there isn't. Everything is going to be different! I wouldn't expect weights to change in two years, but gauges might be out after 10 uses (depending what type of "gauge" you mean..)
 

NikkiQSM

Quite Involved in Discussions
#7
Re: Calibration schedule

Not always! It's more a case of buying a calibration certificate first! Let's not overlook that the equipment manufacturer doesn't assume anyone wants calibration (results/certs) and certainly they don't know how (often) the equipment will be used. Theirs is a guesstimate, at best. To identify a calibration recall, one must know the results of the initial calibration, first. If the results show the equipment is on the limit as manufactured, it could be risky to let it go a whole year before recall...
Well said:applause:

I suppose I am too ingrained of using our equipment. Its for testing medical plastics, so everything here comes with a NIST calibration certificate :)
 

qusys

Trusted Information Resource
#8
Re: Calibration schedule

Is there a standard which states how often instruments should be calibrated/validated? We have put 2 years on almost everything from calibration weights to gauges. Is that too much? And how do I know if it is too long?
In addition to what the other Covers said, I would like to suggest to rely also on manufacturer manual and instruction.
Only you know how critical is a gauge/tool to ensure valid result in monitoring and measurement activities. As you said, you have a process in place.
Analyse your data trying to understand if a wrong measurement due to malfunction or bad calibration/adjustment of your tools/gauges affected the product and cause a return from the customer.:bigwave:
 
G

Gmzita

#9
Re: Calibration schedule

Hi - this is my first time posting or answering anything - so here it goes - I agree with everything that has been listed above - i.e. manufactures recommendation, monitoring and data analysis, etc. But you also may want to check the testing or calibration methods that you are using. For instance, some of the ASTM and ISO standards actually do state or recommend a frequency for the calibration of items. ASTM E4 has a section titled "Time Interval Between Verifications" which gives recommended intervals for the calibration of a Force Testing Machine. Many other standards may also contain this information. It will require some digging but you may be able to find the answers for some of the equipment there.


 

Big Jim

Super Moderator
#10
At least in a backhanded way, ISO 9001 does provide some guidance on calibration intervals. It may not seem evident though.

I think that it goes without saying that you don't want to do it so often that it is burdensome.

The outer limit is from the paragraph in 7.6 right below the letters (7.6 a-e) where it states:

"In addition, the organization shall assess and record the validity of the previous results when the equipment is found not to conform to requirements. The organization shall take appropriate action on the equipment and any product affected."

Determining and taking appropriate action on the equipment may not be very difficult, but doing so on the product affected can be a huge liability and a huge project as well, one that you don't want to do if at all possible. This, in my mind is the outer side of the interval. It needs to be often enough that your risk is mitigated as much as practical.

Simply choosing an interval of two years without thinking through the impact could expose you to a lot of risk.
 
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