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During a recent audit of our lab, the auditor noted that we did not state the level of accuracy required for the calibration of our glass mercury thermometers. According to our department SOP, the accuracy should be supplied by the manufacturer, or by the calibrations contractor if the manufacturer is unknown or if the manufacturer's numbers are not available. Most of the thermometers in our lab fall into the latter description. Here's the major problem - nowhere on the calibration certificates were there any indications as to the accuracy of the thermometers, or any pass/fail criteria. The contractor basically just "verified" the thermometers by recording the readings at different temperatures.
Here's my question(s): Would our department be in compliant with ISO9000 standards if we provided our own accuracy for the thermometers? Would it be okay for me to send out a single thermometer to be calibrated, use that as my standard, and calibrate my other thermometers against it with a blanket accuracy of, let's say 1% of their ranges. If not, is there any place or publications that address the determination of the accuracy of thermometers? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
[This message has been edited by Dave T (edited 06 January 2000).]
Here's my question(s): Would our department be in compliant with ISO9000 standards if we provided our own accuracy for the thermometers? Would it be okay for me to send out a single thermometer to be calibrated, use that as my standard, and calibrate my other thermometers against it with a blanket accuracy of, let's say 1% of their ranges. If not, is there any place or publications that address the determination of the accuracy of thermometers? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
[This message has been edited by Dave T (edited 06 January 2000).]