General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

July 2014
© Copyright National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia 2014

This publication is protected by copyright under the Commonwealth of Australia

Copyright Act 1968.

NATA’s accredited facilities or facilities seeking accreditation may use or copy

this publication or print or email this publication internally for accreditation
purposes.

Individuals may store a copy of this publication for private non-commercial use
or copy a reasonable portion of this publication in accordance with the fair
dealing provisions in Part III Division 3 of the Copyright Act 1968.

You must include this copyright notice in its complete form if you make a copy
of this publication.

Apart from these permitted uses, you must not modify, copy, reproduce,
republish, frame, upload to a third party, store in a retrieval system, post,
transmit or distribute this content in any way or any form or by any means
without express written authority from NATA.
General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

General Equipment- Calibration and Checks

All parameters that contribute to the overall quality of a test or calibration
require measurement traceability. This includes measurements that have a
significant effect on the accuracy or validity of the result being reported.
Therefore equipment that is used to provide a measurement of these
parameters must be calibrated.
A facility must demonstrate how it has determined which parameters are critical
(and non critical) to the overall quality of test and calibration results. As an
example, critical parameters may be analytical or quantitative data, or
measurements which have a significant contribution to the final result and
associated measurement uncertainty.

Definitions
‘Metrological Traceability’ is the property of a measurement result whereby
the result can be related to a reference through a documented unbroken chain
of calibrations, each contributing to the measurement uncertainty (ISO/IEC
Guide 99 (2007) – 2.41).
Applying this definition, the measurement uncertainty must be determined for
each link of the traceability chain back to a realised standard. The last step of
the link must also be included e.g. equipment calibrated in-house through use of
a reference item or reference material.
To demonstrate evidence of measurement traceability, each link of the
traceability chain, including its measurement uncertainty, must be reviewed.
NATA’s policy for measurement traceability is detailed in Policy Circular 11.
‘Calibration’ is an operation that, under specified conditions, in a first step,
establishes a relation between the quantity values with measurement
uncertainties provided by measurement standards and corresponding
indications with associated measurement uncertainties and, in a second step,
uses this information to establish a relation for obtaining a measurement result
from an indication (ISO/IEC Guide 99 (2007) – 2.39).
As detailed in Policy Circular 11 and under clause 5.6, of the ISO 17025
Standard Application Document, calibrations are normally carried out by an
external calibration authority and an endorsed test report is obtained for this
work. For calibrations performed in-house, a facility must demonstrate the
capability to do so according to the criteria set out in ISO/IEC 17025 sub-clause
5.6.2.1 and NATA Policy Circular 12.
Note: Some items of equipment such as sound level meters are designed to have a
level adjustment before each use by applying a known source to the input of
the instrument. Although sometimes called a ‘calibration’ or ‘internal calibration’
by the manufacturer, it is a single point level adjustment and is not to be
confused with a full calibration which provides measurement traceability across
the instruments full measurement range.
‘Check’ is a measurement of at least one point in a range of a measuring
instrument or system or material against a known value to confirm that it has not
deviated significantly from its original calibrated value. It is also an examination
of the condition of an artefact i.e. the reference of known value, to determine
that it has not been adversely affected by constant use.

July 2014 Page 3 of 15

General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

Checks are usually carried out in-house by the facility staff. If, however, the
checks are carried out by an external authority then an endorsed report must be
obtained.
By performing a check on an instrument, a facility is able to determine if the
instrument has changed since its last calibration. By performing regular checks,
the interval between periodic calibrations may be extended.
Alternatively, in some applications, where an instrument is used for comparative
results and it has been determined that measurement traceability is not
required, a check of the instrument’s measurement functionality may be
deemed acceptable.

Calibration and checking intervals

Facilities are responsible for establishing their own equipment assurance
program. This is to ensure that all equipment used satisfies the need to
produce consistent and reliable and where appropriate, traceable results.
When establishing an equipment assurance program, consideration must be
given to the following:
• history of stability;
• frequency of use;
• accuracy required;
• requirement for traceability of measurement;
• ability of staff to perform in-house checks;
• successful participation in proficiency testing programs.
Equipment assurance programs move the emphasis from a high reliance on
demonstration of equipment conformance at the time of calibration to:
• having a greater contribution from more frequent checks against
reference items or materials;
• cross-checking against similar systems;
• the checking of particular critical features.
Equipment calibration and check programs should cover:
• commissioning of new equipment (including initial calibration and checks
after installation);
• operational checking (checking during use with reference items or
materials*);
• periodic checking (interim but more extensive checking, possibly
including partial calibration);
• scheduled maintenance by in-house or specialist contractors;
• complete recalibration.
Note: * If no appropriate reference items or materials are available, then the facility
shall demonstrate that the alternatives used have sufficient traceability, stability,
homogeneity and accuracy such that the method and subsequent results can
be deemed fit for purpose.
Where an equipment assurance program is not established by the laboratory,

July 2014 Page 4 of 15

General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

then the minimum intervals for calibrations and checks are as detailed in the
following table.
The table includes the most common items of equipment and it should not be
assumed that measurement traceability, and thus calibrations (and checks), are
not applicable for equipment not listed.
The intervals indicated in the table are based on the assumption that:
• typical uses of the equipment and the required accuracy have been
considered;
• the equipment is of good quality, of proven adequate stability and is
properly used and housed;
• the facility has both the equipment capability and staff expertise to
perform the requisite in-house checks;
• all of the subsidiary checks indicate satisfactory operation.
Shorter intervals between calibrations and/or checks may be required when the
equipment operates under less than ideal conditions. If any suspicion of
damage arises, the equipment must be recalibrated immediately and thereafter
at reduced intervals until it is shown that stability has not been impaired.
Furthermore, reduced intervals between calibrations and/or checks may also be
required in particular testing applications or with particular equipment
configurations.
An interval may be extended if the facility is able to justify the extension, subject
to statutory, contract, specification or test standard requirements.
In order to assist facilities to demonstrate good control of their tests and
measurements and to reduce their operating costs, NATA encourages facilities
to develop equipment assurance programs.
Details of the documents referenced may be found within the body of the
following table.

July 2014 Page 5 of 15

 General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

General Equipment Table

Checking
Calibration
interval Procedures and
Item of equipment interval
(months) references
(years)
Accelerometers
Piezoelectric types 3
12 Intercomparison.
On use Check against vibration calibrator.
Servo, strain gauge 2 On use Check by inversion
and piezoresistive
types (CD or 0Hz
response
Air flow nozzles Initial
12 Check throat diameter.
Anemometers 1
Angle gauges 2 then 4
Balances 3 The Calibration of
Weights and Balances
EC Morris and KMK Fen
12 Service.
6 Repeatability check.
NATA Technical Note 13.
1 One point check.
NATA Technical Note 13.
Barometers Initial NATA Technical Note 8.
Biological safety 1 AS 2252.4
cabinets (BSC)Class I
and Class II for
personnel and
environment protection
Callipers 2 AS 1984
Dial gauges 2 AS 2103
Digestion blocks Initial, then Temperature variation check across
e.g. blocks or mantles 12 and after working spaces or recovery check
used for Kjehldahl repair or with a difficult to digest
Nitrogen, Chemical maintenance standard/sample e.g. nicotinic acid for
Oxygen Demand or TKN digestion.
metal digestions
Dimensional
Measuring machines
Precision scales 10
Geometric tests 5
Micrometer heads 3
Coordinate Measuring 2
Machines (CMMs)

July 2014 Page 6 of 15

 General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

Checking
Calibration
interval Procedures and
Item of equipment interval
(months) references
(years)
6 Intermediate volumetric check (eg ball
bar).
Displacement 2
transducers (LVDT)
On use Against length standard.
Electrical instruments
Digital multimeters 1 Calibrate over all ranges and
(DMM), and other parameters of use including
types of meters which calibration across frequency (Hz) of
measure electrical use.
parameters such as
volts, resistance,
current, capacitance
etc.
Including:
Analog meters,
Data loggers,
Chart recorders,
Watthour and
Varhour meters.
6 Compare with meters of similar
resolution.
Environmentally
controlled enclosures
including
Incubators,
Ovens,
Furnaces,
Conditioning
enclosures (ageing),
Refrigerators and
Freezers,
Water baths
Temperature 3 Spatial uniformity, IEC 60068-1;
60068-2-38; 60068-2-39; AS 2853
On use Monitor temperature at at least one
point
Humidity 3
12 Spatial uniformity of temperature.
CO2 On use Monitor level.
Infra Red, Ultraviolet 3
and Visible
On use Check operation of the
lamps.
Pressure / Vacuum On use Monitor level.

July 2014 Page 7 of 15

 General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

Checking
Calibration
interval Procedures and
Item of equipment interval
(months) references
(years)
Extensometers
Contact and Optical 2 AS 1545. Grading requirements apply.
Feeler gauges 2 AS 1665

Flowmeters
Differential Pressure 2
meters, orifice meters,
venturi meters and
Anubar
6 Flow or dimensional calibration plus
inspection for wear and damage.
Pressure to be calibrated as
appropriate.
Electronic Thermal, 1 Where high temperature or corrosive
Mass Flow gases are monitored a shorter interval
is recommended.
Laminar flow meters 2
6 Inspect for damage or contamination
Sonic Nozzle
Reference 0.1% 3 6 Inspect and clean.
Working 0.5% 6 6 Inspect and clean.
Soap Film 2
Positive Displacement 2
Meters
Provers 2
6 Thermometer ice points and pressure
readout checks for stability
Rotary meter 2
6 Inspect for contamination or damage
Rotameters Variable 2
area meters
3 Visual inspection for damage to float
edges or ball float for pitting
Turbine meters 2
6 Inspect for contamination or damage
of turbine blades
Turbine meters (Pelton 1
Wheel/Miniature)
Vortex shedding 2
6 Inspect for contamination of the bluff
body
Wet test meters 2

July 2014 Page 8 of 15

 General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

Checking
Calibration
interval Procedures and
Item of equipment interval
(months) references
(years)
Before use Set water level before use
Force testing
machines
Dead Weight 5 AS 2193
Elastic Dynamometer 2 AS 2193
Hydraulic, pneumatic 2 AS 2193
6 Cross head speed (for constant rate
of extension machines) and pressure
Fume cupboards 1 6 Depending on cabinet type either
(cabinets) AS/NZS 2243.8 or AS/NZS 2243.9
Gauge blocks 2 then 4 AS 1457
subsequent
Hygrometers
(Assmann and sling 10
psychrometers)
6 Compare thermometers at room
temperature with wick dry.
AS 2001.1 Appendix C
Thermohygrographs 1
(hair)
Weekly Check against a calibrated
psychrometer.
Electronic types (eg. 1
digital psychrometer)
Digital psychrometers 3
(not electrical
impedance sensors)
6 Check against a calibrated
thermometer at ambient temperature.
Electrical impedance 1 2 yearly if used only under ambient
humidity probes conditions.
Dew or frost point 2
hygrometers
Levels (precision) 4
12 12- monthly single point check for
electronic levels
Load cells and Large 2 AS 2193
scale weighing
devices
On use If amplification is variable, perform
shunt calibration check.
Luminance meters &
Illuminance meters

July 2014 Page 9 of 15

 General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

Checking
Calibration
interval Procedures and
Item of equipment interval
(months) references
(years)
Digital 1
Analogue 2
Manometers
Liquid 10
Electronic 1
Masses
Stainless steel, nickel 3
chromium alloy
Other alloy and iron 2
Class III
For proof loading 5 Against calibrated load cell (in house)
purposes or weighing device, which achieves
the specified accuracy.
Micrometers 5 AS 2102
1 Zero, one point (against gauge block)
and condition of anvils.
Optical electronic 2
distance
measurement
equipment
Optical projectors 5
pH meters Daily or on Check against two buffer solutions as
use per manufacturer’s instructions.
Pipettes (POVAs) * * *Equipment calibration and/or
checking requirement will be
dependent on the criticality of volume
dispensed and/or the repeatability of
dispensed volume required by the
test method.
Pressure equipment
Test gauges used for 1 AS 1349 for Bourdon tube types
calibration of industrial
gauges
Industrial gauges not 1 AS 1349 for Bourdon tube types
subject to shock
loading
Industrial gauges 6 months AS 1349 for Bourdon tube types
subject to shock
loading.
Digital pressure 1
gauges
Pressure transducers 1
Pressure transmitters 1

July 2014 Page 10 of 15

 General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

Checking
Calibration
interval Procedures and
Item of equipment interval
(months) references
(years)
Calibrators 1
Radiation 2 Initial test of target size dependence
thermometers should be performed
including Visible and Initial calibration should include
Infrared Pyrometers sufficient points to confirm linearity
12 Check at one point in range or at ice
point
Disappearing filament 3
pyrometers
Pyrgeometers 3
Sieves Initial Compliance certificate to AS 1152,
BS 410.
12 More or less frequent checks may be
required against a reference set or a
suitable reference material.
Sound measuring 2
devices Including
Sound level meters &
Noise dosimeters
On use Check against acoustic calibrator or
pistonphone
Acoustic calibrators 1 AS/IEC 60942
including Pistonphones
and sound sources
6 Intercompare
Spectrophotometers 6 Wavelength accuracy, bandpass,
and absorbance, stray light error, linearity
Spectroradiometers of response, repeatability and
matching of cells.
On use A blank and at least 2 points on the
calibration curve must be checked.
Tape measures, rules
Tape measures and Initial AS 1290.4
retractable pocket rules
24 to 60 Check at maximum length, depending
on use and accuracy required.
Steel rules Initial BS 4372
6 1 point check within operating range.
Thermocouples
‘Base metal’ type, 2 For use up to 400°C. For use from
sheathed 400°C to 1300 °C the same
immersion depth must always be used
(or a greater depth of immersion).
Homogeneity must be assessed as

July 2014 Page 11 of 15

 General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

Checking
Calibration
interval Procedures and
Item of equipment interval
(months) references
(years)
part of their recalibration.
‘Base metal’ type, wire 2 For use up to 300o C. Replace if used
above 300o C.
Stored reels 10 Reel of wire – 4 samples of wire from
end points and middle of reel.
‘Rare metal’ type 3 3 years or after 100 hours above 500o
C whichever is sooner.
Thermocyclers * 12 *Equipment calibration and/or
checking requirement will be
dependent on test method/kit.
When performing a verification,
measure temperature uniformity
across the block for a number of
cycles, logging time spent at
temperature using a measurement
frequency of at least 2 Hz; Check for
excessive overshoot and undershoot
(recovery rate) of temperature
between temperature point.
Perform verification of digital display
accuracy as required.
Thermometers
Liquid–in–glass 5

6 Check at ice point. NATA Technical

Note 19
or
against reference thermometer at 1
point in range
Resistance
-40°C to 250°C 5
6 Check at ice point.
<-40°C and >250°C 2
6 Check resistance at ice point.
Measuring instrument 5
AC Bridge type,
Reference and
Working
Measuring instrument 2
DC Bridge type
6 Check at ice point.

July 2014 Page 12 of 15

 General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

Checking
Calibration
interval Procedures and
Item of equipment interval
(months) references
(years)
Digital indicating 2
systems, with or
without a temperature
sensor, hand held or
bench type, single and
multichannel. (Includes
temperature loggers)

6 Check against a reference device at

the temperature of use. If used at
more than one temperature, choose
the most critical temperature. Check
at ice point if the facility does not
have a reference device. (For data
loggers the reference device can not
be another data logger of the same
type).
Timing devices
Stop watches, clocks 6 Check using Telephone Speaking
(mechanical and Clock or GPS signal
electrical devices)
Torque wrench and 1
transducers,
Screwdrivers
6 In house cross check of overlapping
ranges if possible.
Velocity transducers 3
24 Check frequency response and
sensitivity.
Volumetric glassware Initial (on AS 2162.1; BS 1797
commissioning
and subject to
nature of
intended use)

July 2014 Page 13 of 15

General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

REFERENCES
This section lists publications referenced in this document. The year of
publication is not included as it is expected that only current versions of the
references shall be used.

Australian Standards
AS 1152 Specification for test sieves
AS 1290.1 Linear measuring instruments used in construction - General
requirements
AS 1290.4 Linear measuring instruments used in construction -
Retractable steel pocket rules
AS 1349 Bourdon tube pressure and vacuum gauges
AS 1457 Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) - Length standards
- Gauge blocks
AS 1545 Methods for the calibration and grading of extensometers
AS/NZS 1665 Welding of aluminium structures
AS 1984 Vernier callipers (metric series)
AS 2001.1 Methods of test for textiles - Conditioning procedures
AS 2102- Micrometer callipers for external measurement
AS 2103 Dial gauges and dial test indicators (metric series
AS 2162. Verification and use of volumetric apparatus - General -
Volumetric glassware
AS 2190 Clinical maximum thermometers - Mercury-in-glass
AS 2193 Calibration and classification of force-measuring systems
AS/NZS 2243.8 Safety in laboratories - Fume cupboards
AS/NZS 2243.9 Safety in laboratories - Recirculating fume cabinets
AS 2252.1 Biological safety cabinets - Biological safety cabinets (Class I)
for personnel and environment protection
AS 2853 Enclosures - Temperature-controlled - Performance testing
and grading
AS IEC 60942 Electroacoustics - Sound calibrators

Other Standards
BS 410. Stainless steel test sieves
BS 1797 Schedule for tables for use in the calibration of volumetric
glassware
BS 4372 Specification for engineers' steel measuring rules
IEC 60068-1 Environmental testing. Part 1: General and guidance;
IEC 60068-2-38 Environmental testing - Part 2-38: Tests - Test Z/AD:
Composite temperature/humidity cyclic test;

July 2014 Page 14 of 15

General Equipment - Calibration and Checks

IEC 60068-2-39 Environmental testing - Part 2: Tests. Test Z/AMD: Combined

sequential cold, low air pressure, and damp heat test
ISO/IEC Guide 99 International vocabulary of metrology -- Basic and general
concepts and associated terms (VIM)
ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the competence of calibration and
testing laboratories

NATA Publications
NATA Policy Circular 11 Policy on Metrological Traceability
NATA Policy Circular 12 NATA Requirements for the Performance of
Calibrations In-house
NATA Technical Note 8 The in-situ calibration of Barometers
NATA Technical Note 13 User Checks of Balance Calibration
NATA Technical Note 19 Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers – Selection, Use and
Calibration Checks

Other Publications
The Calibration of Weights and Balances EC Morris and KMK Fen

Amendment Table
The table below provides a summary of changes made to the document with this issue.

Section Amendment
Equipment Fume cupboards 2 Suggested intervals for
table (cabinets) calibration and checking and
maintenance updated as
previous suggested interval
conflicted with the minimum
recommendations of the
Australian Standards referenced.

July 2014 Page 15 of 15