To properly address this question, we need understand the concepts of calibration, the crucial role played by calibration laboratories, and the significance of a scope of accreditation.
Calibration
The calibration of test and measurement devices enables customers and end users to make informed decisions, optimize processes, maintain compliance, and ensure safety. The calibration will provide accurate measurements, boost reliability, aid troubleshooting, and contribute to overall process efficiency and effectiveness.
A calibration laboratory plays a vital role in supporting end users by providing professional calibration services for their test devices.
Choosing the Right Laboratory
When choosing a calibration laboratory, it is crucial to evaluate their competence to carry out calibration activities. You need to ensure the laboratory has a quality system, has high level primary calibration standards, has appropriate operating procedures, has a training program and training records for their staff, can evaluate calibration uncertainty, and maintains traceability to national standards. You may carry that that evaluation yourself or choose an accredited laboratory.
Choosing an accredited laboratory means choosing a laboratory that has been evaluated by a formal third-party authority named Accreditation Body. The assessment criteria are based on the international standard ISO/IEC 17025 which is used for evaluating laboratories worldwide. In Canada, the accreditation of calibration laboratories is the shared responsibility of the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Calibration Laboratory Assessment Service (CLAS). The measurement experts from National Research Council of Canada will assess the technical capabilities of the laboratory.
The accreditation reduces risk for business and its customers alike by assuring that the accredited laboratory is competent to carry out the work they undertake within its scope of accreditation.
The Scope of Accreditation
The scope of accreditation of a calibration laboratory is the formal statement issued by an Accreditation Body. This statement describes the specific calibration activities which the laboratory is accredited for and hence competent to perform. Laboratory Accreditation Bodies publish the scopes of accreditation for their accredited laboratories.
The requirements for that statement are harmonized worldwide and set out in ILAC policy P14. ILAC is the global association for the accreditation of laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers and reference material producers, with a membership consisting of accreditation bodies and stakeholder organizations throughout the world.
According to ILAC-P14 9/2020 [4], “The scope of accreditation of an accredited calibration laboratory shall include the calibration and measurement capability (CMC) expressed in terms of:
a) measurand or reference material;
b) calibration or measurement method or procedure and type of instrument or material to be calibrated or measured;
c) measurement range and additional parameters where applicable, e.g.frequency of applied voltage;
d) measurement uncertainty.”
ILAC-P14 9/2020 [4] also states that “The uncertainty covered by the CMC is expressed as the expanded uncertainty having a coverage probability of approximately 95%.” and “The CMC quoted shall include the contribution from a best existing device to be calibrated such that the CMC claimed is demonstrably realizable.”
This definition of calibration measurement capability implies that within its accreditation, a laboratory is not entitled to claim a smaller uncertainty of measurement than the calibration measurement capability. The reported uncertainty of measurement is never smaller than the calibration measurement capability.
The SRP Control Systems Added Value
The laboratory of SRP control systems Ltd. is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada and certified by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Calibration Laboratory Assessment Service (CLAS).
With over 40 years of calibration experience, we use state of the art calibration standards, highly trained personnel, and internationally recognized calibration methods.
SRP control system is also an ISO 9001-2015 registered company. We’re proud to be representing many excellent manufacturers, equipping our customers with an extensive selection of quality products.
Extending the Scope of Accreditation at SRP Control Systems
A calibration scope exclusively lists the calibration areas for which the laboratory has obtained accreditation, and it is within these specified areas that the laboratory is authorized to provide accredited calibrations.
The scope extension allows our laboratory to offer a wider range of measurement capabilities. The laboratory can accommodate the evolving calibration requirements of our various customers.
Pressure Calibration Scope
Our pressure capabilities are unique. Our state-of-the-art primary reference standards includes piston gauges with multiple pistons like the Ruska 2465, pressure balances and digital deadweight testers. These are complemented by the inclusion of secondary standards like high accuracy pressure controllers and indicators.
The pressure calibration scope was extended by lowering the calibration and measurement capabilities uncertainties.
This has been achieved through a meticulous analysis of calibration data spanning over the past 18 years. Additionally, we have conducted rigorous proficiency testing to ensure our measurement systems perform consistently and accurately.
With CMC uncertainties now as low as 0.0025 % of Reading plus 0.7 Pa for specific ranges, our calibration services can accommodate even the most precise and sensitive pressure equipment.
Our comprehensive range of accredited calibration services extends to various types of pressure equipment such as air data and test sets, pressure controllers, pressure gauges, indicators and calibrators, transmitters, barometers etc.
Our range of capabilities spans from low pressure differential -30 to 30 inH2O to relative and absolute pressure reaching up 40000 psi.
Electrical Calibration Scope
We have significantly enhanced our electrical capabilities by incorporating the state-of-the-art Fluke 5730A high-performance multifunction calibrator. By using this calibrator in conjunction with our set of 8.5 digital reference multimeters, we can now calibrate multifunction field calibrators with unparalleled precision and better test uncertainty ratios. This substantial improvement instills greater confidence in our testing processes. The list of instruments our laboratory can calibrate also includes multimeters, dataloggers, loop calibrators and many more.
Temperature Calibration Scope
Our temperature calibration was extended to include the calibration of thermocouples up to 1200°C.
From temperature indicators and thermometers to Platinum Resistance Thermometers (PRTs), Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs), thermocouples, temperature baths and dry block, we can accurately calibrate instruments spanning over a temperature range of -40° to 1200°C
We now offer calibration service for thermocouple/RTD indicators and simulators using electrical simulation and measurement techniques.
The Benefits for SRP Customers
New test and measurement devices are developed by manufacturers, with ever-decreasing accuracy specifications. Additionally, an increasing number of features are continuously being incorporated into these devices. The new scope allows us to meet the requirements for the calibration of these instruments.
By partnering with our SRP calibration laboratory, our customers can rest assured that their devices are calibrated according to the latest standards, maximizing their accuracy and reliability.
By becoming a one-stop solution for calibration services, we can simplify the calibration process for our clients. Rather than dealing with multiple providers for different instrument types, our customers can rely on a single laboratory to calibrate a wide range of equipment.
By offering lower uncertainty pressure calibration services in Canada, we provide a quick turnaround. Our efficient calibration process ensures a prompt turnaround time, minimizing the downtime of the customer’s equipment.
We eliminate the need for long-distance international transportation. This reduces the risk of damage during transit while saving the client from potential repair or replacement costs in addition to saving on shipping costs.
Working with us ensures invoicing in local currency and simplifies the payment process, reducing administrative complexities.
Our scope of accreditation is public and published by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Calibration Laboratory Assessment Service (CLAS).
There are never any surprises as your instruments will return accurate, compliant, and with the proper documentation.
SRP control systems ltd. was founded in 1980 providing sales, service, calibration, and technical support in the field of temperature, pressure, electrical, humidity, fuel cells, and dewpoints. We offer a full range of services to a variety of industries including, aerospace, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, power, food industry, transportation, water, automotive, pulp and paper. Visit the SRP website at www.srpcontrol.com to learn about the company and book your next calibration. SRP can be reached at 1-800-268-2605 and is located at 19 – 5155 Spectrum way, Mississauga, ON, L4W 5A1.
