SEPS is synonymous with safety, quality and exceptional service within the scientific community for a reason. We maintain a steadfast passion for sharing our expertise throughout these industries with expert, unbeatable services for which we receive formal recognition. By providing these services to labs across the New York Tri-State area, we contribute to the efficiency, productivity and safety of each facility. Lab equipment calibration is one of our fundamental services, and a critical part of maintaining quality standards for countless labs.
When we calibrate certain devices, we’re essentially adjusting each unit in order to guarantee that it functions as it should. Calibration is one of the most important procedures for the labs that rely on specific equipment. And for any equipment that measures, stores or weighs, NIST Traceable Calibration is the gold standard which expert technicians adhere to. In this post, we’ll explore what NIST Traceable Calibration means, what it entails and why it’s so important for your lab.
First: Who Is the NIST?
The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) is a federal agency dating back to 1901. It began within the U.S. Commerce Department’s Technology Administration. Its original (and current) mission is to develop and promote measurement, standards and technologies which enhance productivity, facilitate trade and improve Americans’ quality of life.
What is NIST Traceable Calibration?
Basically, NIST Traceable Calibration is a nationwide assurance program. First and foremost, it certifies that the lab, manufacturer or service provider in question is capable of calibrating equipment to the standards of the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). Also, it verifies (for manufacturers) that their products match specific NIST calibration policies and measurement standards.
NIST Traceable Calibration also ensures that any measurement data collected with an NIST-certified instrument has an intact chain of measurement which ultimately leads back to NIST standards. Additionally, there are established, documented uncertainties regarding each step in the chain and quality assurance programs to address them.
Calibrating Lab Equipment to NIST Traceable Standards
So, how do we calibrate your equipment to NIST Traceable standards? First, our initial step would be to obtain certified measurement equipment. Specifically, devices which have already been calibrated by NIST as per the relevant standard.
Then, we’ll generate a legitimate, traceable calibration employing one of several potential methods. Basically, it depends on the specific equipment and what it requires. One method is to use the equipment to measure a physical property or process that has been well-characterized or defined. For example, we calibrate temperature sensors by measuring the melting points of several substances. Since these melting points are well-established, they represent a universally-acknowledged source of temperature calibration points.
Once complete, the equipment with NIST traceable calibration can, in turn, calibrate other devices in the future.
What Types of Lab Equipment Needs Calibration?
Of course, a natural part of managing a lab is maintaining the equipment. And few maintenance procedures are as essential as calibration. Without regular, NIST Traceable calibration, it’s likely your equipment will produce faulty, inaccurate data. Obviously, this can be positively catastrophic for your lab. Producing unreliable data is especially dangerous within medical settings. It can lead to patients receiving incorrect medical advice, unhappy clients, poor quality assurance and losses to revenue. Also, it’s very likely your lab will experience some damage to your reputation.
Fortunately, the simple process of calibrating your equipment will help you to avoid all of this. If you have any of these devices within your lab, you should absolutely schedule routine, NIST traceable calibration:
- CO2 Incubators
- Pipettes
- Centrifuges
- Scales/Balances
- Thermometers/Thermocouples
- Chambers/Furnaces
- Weather Stations
- Data Acquisition Systems
- Infrared Meters
Calibration Services from SEPS
Ultimately, at SEPS our mission is to elevate your lab’s ability to operate safely and efficiently. And calibration is easily one of the most essential procedures for countless labs worldwide. Like all of our services, we consistently refine our NIST Traceable Calibration techniques in order to guarantee you receive the absolute best services possible.
Do you still have questions about NIST Traceable Calibration and how it can benefit your lab? Contact SEPS today to discuss our calibration services in further detail!
