Why Use a NVLAP-accredited Laboratory For Your Flowmeter Calibration?
Flow Dynamics, Inc., was the first independent flow calibration laboratory to obtain this prestigious NVLAP (Lab Code 200668) accreditation status. While many other calibration laboratories consider NIST traceability, or stated compliance to industry standards such as ISO 17025, as sufficient proof they meet customers' flowmeter verification requirements, only an accredited NVLAP facility has obtained the documented evidence.
The uncertainties of a NVLAP facility on each calibrator are stated in the NVLAP Directory of Accredited Laboratories website at http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/scopes/mecha.htm.
By using a NVLAP-accredited flowmeter calibration provider, calibration service customers gain a high confidence level from knowing their measurements have the closest possible correlation with NIST requirements. Indeed, accredited labs can be viewed as an extension of NIST itself and its accuracy standards.
While traceability provides an unbroken chain of comparison back to NIST, a NVLAP facility encompasses much more. First of all, the lab must be audited bi-annually to maintain its NVLAP accreditation. The audit is not only based on the calibrator documentation traceability, but also the process used to maintain the guaranteed accuracy. This requires that the facility meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025, ANSI Z540 and ISO 9001:2000.
In addition, NVLAP accreditation requires the use of correlation meter testing periodically to ensure that the calibrator is repeating from the time of system calibration certification. This is critical to make sure the calibrator not only produces repeatable results, but also provides statistical data as evidence that flowmeters were calibrated within the stated uncertainty of the system. Plus, it ensures that calibration uncertainties, as documented on the NVLAP Certificate of Accreditation, are well maintained.
Most importantly, if a calibration laboratory fulfills the requirements of Handbook 150, it meets both the technical competence requirements and management system requirements that are necessary for it to consistently deliver technically valid calibrations results. The management system requirements of Handbook 150 are aligned with and meet the principles of ISO 9001:2000, as well as with ISO/IEC 17025.