Calibration 1

CCLRC Engineering and Instrumentation Department

Procedures

Procedure Version: 2.3 Calibration

Objective

Scope This Procedure applies to all staff in Instrumentation using equipment to make quantitative measurements. The process for maintaining a register of calibrated equipment is described.

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Group Leaders are responsible for ensuring that this procedure is followed.

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To ensure that a register of calibrated equipment is maintained and that calibrated equipment is made available for use.

Approved by Quality Manager or Deputy:

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Steve Quinton

23/11/04

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CCLRC Engineering and Instrumentation Department

Procedures

Procedure Version: 2.3 Calibration

Responsibility

enter the new equipment on the Calibration Register and supply a Calibration Due sticker

Calibration Manager

define the recalibration date

Calibration Manager

inform the Calibration Coordinators monthly of any equipment due for recalibration, issue monthly reminders if necessary, after 6 months inform the Quality Manager who will take further action

arrange the calibration through contractor or on-site service

Calibration Manager

on completion note the recalibration in the Calibration Register and reevaluate the calibration interval based on the calibration results

Calibration Manager Calibration Manager Calibration Co-ordinator

item suspected to be out of calibration

take the equipment to the pick up point

Calibration Manager

Calibration Manager

Appendix 2: The Calibration Register

ensure that there is a calibration sticker or colour patch on the equipment inform the appropriate Quality Representatives if the equipment was reported out of calibration

Appendix 2: The Calibration Register

Appendix 3: Calibration Marking Appendix 4: Equipment out of Calibration

inform the Calibration Coordinator that the equipment is recalibrated the calibration Coordinator collects the equipment from the pick up point

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check the Instrumentation web for the latest version

inform the Calibration Manager of new equipment purchases

Calibration Manager

Calibration Co-ordinator

References

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Calibration Co-ordinator

Procedure

CCLRC Engineering and Instrumentation Department

Procedures

Procedure Version: 2.3 Calibration

Appendix 2: The Calibration Register Each Calibration Manager maintains a Calibration Register. The Register includes a list of the groups and their Calibration Co-ordinators served by that Register. The Register lists, as a minimum, each item's description, manufacturer, type, serial number, any Laboratory identifier, user, group location, Calibration Co-ordinator and recalibration date. The normal calibration period is one year but after successive calibrations with no adjustments required the period may be extended. It is the responsibility of the group leader, through the Calibration Co-ordinator, to inform the Calibration Manager of any new equipment purchased that needs to be added to the calibration register. The recalibration dates will be defined in the Register. Wherever possible new equipment is purchased with a calibration certificate for the first year. Appendix 3: Calibration Marking A label attached by the calibration contractor identifies all calibrated instruments. The recalibration date may be specified on this label but in some cases, for example if the calibration period has been extended, this may be incorrect. The definitive calibration date is that listed in the Calibration Register. If the label is missing, any calibration seal is broken, the equipment has required repair, or there is a reason to believe that the equipment may have gone out of calibration, then the appropriate Calibration Co-ordinator should be informed. They will arrange for the equipment to be recalibrated. A suitable label may identify uncalibrated equipment but any unlabelled item is assumed to be uncalibrated by default. Staff will not adjust equipment that has been calibrated except as part of a calibration process. If it is suspected that equipment has drifted out of specifications any calibration label will be marked to indicate this and the equipment will be recalibrated before using it to make quantitative measurements.

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The Instrumentation Quality Committee appoints a Calibration Manager for each of the two sites. The Manager is responsible for maintaining a Calibration Register and ensuring that the equipment listed is regularly calibrated. Each group that uses calibrated equipment nominates a Calibration Co-ordinator. The Co-ordinator liases with the Calibration Manager and is responsible for identifying the equipment that needs calibration.

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Appendix 1: Responsibilities

CCLRC Engineering and Instrumentation Department

Procedures

Procedure Version: 2.3 Calibration

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If on return from calibration it is reported that the equipment was out of specification this will be communicated to the Department Quality Committee through the Quality Representative. The Committee will determine the appropriate corrective action and the Quality Representative will ensure that this is noted on the Calibration Certificate

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Appendix 4: Equipment out of Calibration

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