LABORATORY CALIBRATION MANUAL

The quality assurance plan as presented in the Quality Manual assures the
constant and consistent test conditions are met and verified and tailored to
the laboratory’s activities. As a minimum, the following items and associated
records (as applicable) are to be included.

EQUIPMENT

Analytical balance

1. Annually, analytical balances serviced by a qualified service organization

and calibrated using acceptable methods, over the entire range of use.

Record: List of balances including date of service and Certificate of Weight

Traceability. Service organization sticker with date of service fixed to each
balance.Calibration data.

2. Analytical balances should be checked in the working range daily. The

range selected should reflect the routine use of the balance and the actual
weights used should test the optical scale at mid-point.

Record: Date, target and actual readings and analyst's initials in a tabular
format were available in a notebook.

pH Meter
pH meters are to be calibrated using standard buffers daily or with each use
whichever is less frequent. Two point calibration/Three point calibration is
being followed with a slope adjustment. The slope is created using standard
pH buffers at the extremes of the working range (e.g. pH 4.0 and pH 9.2).
The slope is then checked using a standard buffer at the middle of the
working range (e.g. Ph 7.0). An acceptable actual reading is target value +
0.05 pH units.

Record: Date, pH buffer target values, set point(s), actual reading(s), and
analyst's
initials in a tabular format in a notebook.

Conductivity meter and cell

The conductivity determined by calibrating with a 0.01 M potassium chloride

solution daily or with each use whichever is less frequent
Record: Date, readings, analyst's initials in a tabular format in a bound
notebook.
be . An acceptable actual reading is within 20% of target value.
Record: Date, target value, actual reading, temperature and analyst's
initials in a
tabular format in a bound notebook.
Spectrophotometers

NIST traceable color standards, or their equivalent, were available to verify

wavelength settings on spectrophotometers. The settings should be checked
annually. A record of these checks is available for inspection.

Record: Date, target, and actual readings with analyst's initials in a tabular
form in a
bound notebook.

Turbidimeters

Turbidimeters calibrated once in month and checked daily or with each use
whichever is less frequent with Hach standard in the range(s) of interest.

Record: Date, target value(s) observed value(s), and analyst's initials in a

tabular
format in a bound notebook.

Thermometers

Annually certified thermometer by a qualified service organization and

calibrated using acceptable methods and correction factors adjusted
accordingly. Laboratory is having the access to an NIST traceable, certified
thermometer. Certification matching with the points of interest to the
laboratory.

Record: Date, adjustment to be made to the correction factors, new

correction factors and analyst's initials in a tabular format in a bound
notebook.

A sufficient number of working thermometers were also available. Each

working thermometer should be uniquely identified by number and
calibrated with the Master thermometer.

Record: Date, thermometer number, calibration temperatures, correction

factors,
and analyst's signature in a bound notebook.

Additionally, for equipment requiring temperature monitoring, including

refrigerators, bacteriological incubators, ovens and a digital thermometer is
also being used.
Refrigerators
Laboratory refrigerators maintained at a temperature of 0o to 6oC.
Refrigerator
Temperature is being monitored each day. Temperature readings are to be
taken
using a dedicated and calibrated thermometer, having its bulb immersed in a
liquid and
kept in the refrigerator. The thermometer should have graduations of no
greater than 1oC.
Record: Date, times, temperature readings and analyst's initials in a tabular
format
in a bound notebook.

Bacteriological Incubators

bacteriological incubators used for the determination of total coli orm and
standard maintained at a temperature of 35o + 0.5oC. The incubator
temperature monitored at the top and bottom shelves of the incubator
interior. Thus, each shelf should have a calibrated and dedicated
thermometer, having graduation no greater than 0.1oC, with the bulb
immersed in liquid. Temperature readings is being taken at least daily.

Record: For each thermometer record the date, times, temperature readings
and
analyst's initials in a tabular format in a bound notebook.

Water bath bacteriological incubators used for the determination of fecal

coliforms should maintain a temperature of 44.5o + 0.2oC. A calibrated and
dedicated thermometer having graduations no greater than 0.1oC should
have its bulb immersed in the water bath.

Record: Date, times, temperatures and analyst's initials in a tabular format

in a notebook.

Ovens
Ovens used for drying and/or sterilization should be maintained at the target
temperature of interest during use. Oven temperatures should be checked at
the beginning and at the end of each cycle. Temperatures are being
measured using a separate thermometer. The thermometer should have
graduations no greater than 1oC.

Record: Date, target temperature, time and temperature at the start and at
the end
of the cycle, oven use (e.g. "dried total suspended solids for sample nos. ...
or
sterilized pipets") and analyst's initials in a tabular format in a bound
notebook.

Volumetric Dispensing Devices

pipets being maintained in proper working order. pipet an appropriate
volume of high purity water into a tared vessel on an analytical balance.
Calculate the % accuracy and % error. See ASTM method E542. EXAMPLE: A
fixed delivery pipet of 100 microliters, (O.1 ml) yields a result of 0.097 gms
when weighed on an analytical balance. The expected v alue should be 0.1
gms. Thus : the accuracy is 0.097 / 0.1 x 100=97% , or 3 % error.
Record: Weights, volumes, calculations and % deviation