Frequently Asked Questions on Calibration Procedures

Where or how can I get Calibration Procedures?
NCSL, International
NCSLI Committee 176, Calibration/Certification Procedures has a database that is designed for NCSLI members to use as a resource for sharing information and calibration procedures.  Go to http://www.ncsli.org/, then click on Resources, then click on Procedures Database, and make your selection to find information and a contact.  You are encouraged to submit procedures (for review) and contact information (for posting in the database) to Dale Varner.

GIDEP (Government Industry Data Exchange Program)
The GIDEP metrology database contains calibration procedures, technical manuals, and other measurement science related documents.   The GIDEP metrology data is also available on DVDs.  Any U.S. or Canadian government agency and industrial organization that supplies items or services (directly or indirectly) to the U.S. Government or to the Canadian Department of Defence, may request participation in GIDEP.  GIDEP participants are not subject to any fees or assessments.  The only requirement to remain an active participant is that each GIDEP Representative from each participating organization must submit an annual Utilization Report.  For more information, please visit the GIDEP website at: http://www.gidep.org/.

 ASTM
ASTM standards, specifications, and procedures are copyrighted and a fee is charged for downloading or ordering the standards. A search engine on their web site allows you to search by standard number or by key words.
http://www.astm.org/

Does NIST have procedures?
Various laboratories at NIST may have procedures they are willing to share, but you will need to contact each laboratory independently for availability. There is not a central location at NIST for calibration procedures.  You can contact the NIST Calibration Program and search the User's Guide (SP 250) to find individual contacts in the various NIST laboratories.

Who certifies these procedures?
None of the procedures posted on the NCSLI or GIDEP sites are certified or approved.  The ASTM procedures are voted on by technical experts who are members of the ASTM Standards Committee.  All procedures should be considered "use at your own risk" and require method verification and validation prior to use to meet accreditation requirements, if applicable.  NIST procedures, when available, are generally published, but not certified.

Do the procedures deal with uncertainty analysis and reporting according to the GUM?
Most older procedures will NOT adequately deal with uncertainty analysis and reporting.  Some newer ones may.  As a part of your method verification and validation, evaluation of the approach to uncertainty analysis is the user's responsibility.

Does the NCSLI Committee 176, Calibration/Certification Procedures' database consist of calibration/certification procedures?

No, this database contains the contact information (company name, contact name, phone number, email address, etc.) of the owner of the procedures that were submitted to the NCSLI Committee 176 members.  NCSLI, as a service to their members, acts as a clearinghouse for information about available calibration procedures.  The committee does not actually possess any procedures.  The committee provides a listing of members who have agreed to provide procedures or information about instrument calibration upon request.  All procedures should be considered "use at your own risk" and require method verification and validation prior to use to meet accreditation requirements, when applicable.  Therefore, it is recommended that users of this service subject any information and procedures acquired through this committee to their own validation process before using.

To assist in the review, expansion, and management of this database, please contact Dale Varner to join the team.

Does the NCSLI Committee 176, Calibration/Certification Procedures' database information reflect Manual or Automated procedures?

Starting in August 2002, the contact information in the database will reflect both Manual and Automated Calibration/Certification Procedures.

Are Calibration/Certification Procedures submitted to NCSLI Committee 176 reviewed or approved?

No, the Calibration/Certification Procedures represented by the contact information in the database are not reviewed nor approved by the NCSLI Committee 176.  As valued and integrity-minded NCSLI members and associated organizations, NCSLI Committee 176 requests that any Calibration/ Certification Procedures submitted are verified or validated by the submitting organization prior to submission.  Using organizations should consider all procedures "use at your own risk" and require method verification and validation prior to use to meet accreditation requirements, when applicable.  Therefore, it is recommended that users of this service subject any information and procedures acquired through this committee to their own validation process before using.

 

How does Calibration/Certification Procedure information get into the database?

If your organization has calibration/certification procedures of which you are proud and consider of high caliber, please submit the procedure information (Manufacturer, Model, Description, Type of Procedure (manual/automated), Scope of Procedure (calibration, adjustment, etc.), Platform Type ( MS Word, Word Perfect, Adobe PDF, etc. for manual procedures; HP Basic, HT Basic, C++, MetCal, SureCAL, etc. for automated procedures) and your contact information (company name, contact name, phone number, email address) to Dale Varner to have them posted in the database.

Is the NCSLI Committee 176, Calibration/Certification Procedures involved with activities other than the database management?

Yes, NCSLI Committee 176 is responsible for reviewing, updating, and maintaining RP-3, the Recommended Practice for the preparation and content of Calibration Procedures.

Who prepared RP-3 and what is its purpose?

RP-3 was researched and prepared by NCSL members and industry volunteers with a goal of uniformity in the field of instrumentation and measurement.  

What is the difference between a "Recommended Practice" and a "Standard"?

A Recommended Practice can be used to provide guidance or assistance and its use and compliance are voluntary, whereas a Standard is a requirement and compliance is mandatory.  Recommended Practices, while offering flexibility, do not offer the uniformity that a Standard would.

What does the future hold for RP-3, Calibration Procedures?

Currently, RP-3 is exactly as its name implies: a recommended practice.  It recommends or seeks to provide guidance and assistance to anyone tasked with developing a calibration procedure.  Some people think it should be changed from a "recommended practice" to a "standard".  Please send your opinions or comments on whether RP-3 should remain a Recommended Practice or be changed to a Standard to Dale Varner.

Who makes up the NCSLI Committee 176 membership?

Nice, friendly people just like you.  People from all sectors of the measurement community are in the committee.  The more measurement diversity, the better the product.  And, we can always use your assistance and support.

When and where does NCSLI Committee 176 meet?

NCSLI Committee 176 meets officially twice a year, at the NCSLI Conference every summer and at the Measurement Science Conference every January.  Additionally, we interface all year long via emails and phone calls.

Last Update: 08/10/2002