Best Practice in Control of Monitoring & Measuring Devices

The Issue:

With ever increasing technology in our tools used to install building elements and measure performance the accuracy of those tools must be managed.  ISO 9001:2000, Clauses 7.6, sets out the responsibilities for this activity including:

• Identification of the measurements and tests to be carried out together with the accuracy required and the equipment to be used.
• Ensuring that all measuring, test and product verification equipment is identified, maintained, controlled, and checked or calibrated at specified intervals;
• Ensuring that test software is validated to ensure its capabilities and accuracy and is released in controlled manner;
• Maintenance of adequate records.

A Recommended Procedure:

1. Measuring and product validation equipment used should be identified and recorded;
2. All measuring and product validation equipment should have a calibration record noting acceptance criteria, identification marking, location, checking frequency, calibration dates and results;
3. The method of calibration should be identified e.g. by a calibration laboratory or in house against calibrated standards;
4. Equipment failing to meet the required standard must be identified for repair clearly marked “Not Calibrated” or discarded and the record amended;
5. New equipment should be checked or calibrated before use and the calibration record prepared if necessary;
6. After completion of the calibration the details should be amended on the calibration label on the equipment;
7. A Calibration Equipment Register is required;
8. The Calibrated Equipment Register should be updated after calibration. The next calibration date will be entered based on instrument specification;
9. All measuring and product validation equipment should be stored in conditions to ensure accuracy and fitness for use;
10. Where precise measurements are required during construction activities ensure that appropriately calibrated equipment is used to obtain measurements;
11. Calibrations for such equipment must be current, and have been performed by a recognised Calibration Service. The equipment must be permanently identified;
12. If the equipment has been hired, a copy of the calibration report must be available for viewing;