Test Equipment at Work Station

[Deb Weissler]

According to the latest sanctioned interpretations, C3 states: "... if individuals are calibrating equipment (at their work stations) they shall be included in the laboratory organization." We currently have a series of leak testers that the repair mechanics calibrate daily using known leak orifice masters. The masters are calibrated on a scheduled basis by the Metrology Lab, but the mechanics themselves are not associated with that lab. Is the calibration they are doing subject to the laboratory scope requirements of QS-9000?

[This message has been edited by Deb Weissler (edited 22 March 2000).]

 

[Marc]

I wouldn't think a daily check qualifies as a lab function since metrology is doing the actual calibration. The folks doing the daily check at their bench do not adjust the equipment, do they? As I understand what you are saying is they just do a check and if out of the allowable 'tolerance' they call metrology in. Correct?

 

[Deb Weissler]

No, actually they ARE performing calibration adjustments using a calibrated orifice. There is a switch on the front of the leak tester that is normally set at "operate". However if the calibration has shifted when verification is done, the mechanic has a key to allow him to calibrate the settings. Metrology only maintains calibration control on the leak orifices, not on the leak testers themselves.

 

[Marc]

I'm moving this to the measurement and calibration forum - maybe we can get some answers there.