Verification of measuring instruments: organization and procedure

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

In Russia for a long period of time there was the following practice in the field of metrology: permissible norms were established only by the relevant government decrees. There was a need to adopt an appropriate law in this area. This was done in 1993. The Law "On Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements" was adopted.

Goals

Main objectives of this regulation:

• protection of legitimate interests and rights of citizens of the Russian Federation in accordance with the current legislation in the field of measurement results;
• promoting and providing support at the state level to economic and scientific and technological progress by introducing reference units, acting as a guarantor of the accuracy of the application of the received standards;
• creating a favorable climate for the development of international relations;
• formation of a unified system of standards forunhindered production, sale, operation, repair of measuring instruments manufactured in the Russian Federation and imported from abroad;
• gradually bringing the measuring structure used in Russia to world standards.

Verification of measuring instruments according to 44-FZ

Let's consider this concept in more detail. Verification of measuring instruments is a set of all actions that are performed by the State Metrological Service or other organizations of a similar profile. In order to carry out activities, these institutions must have special permission and powers. The activities of organizations are aimed at confirming the compliance of the measuring instrument with the requirements established by law. The main purpose of the activity is to determine the characteristics of the equipment under study, comparing them with the values established by the regulations. As a result of the assessment, a conclusion is made on the possibility / impossibility of using it for the purpose specified in the documentation. Verification of measuring instruments, performed by an authorized body or organization, is carried out using special metrological values. These parameters are determined experimentally. All new measuring instruments manufactured according to the relevant standards, which are in operation, as well as devices that have undergone repair effects, are subject to verification. The need to carry out this activity extends without fail to the provision of standards used in the field of state regulation (GROEI). Applicablein other areas, equipment is tested on a voluntary basis.

Competent authorities

Verification of measuring instruments is carried out by employees of special accredited metrological services. Personnel must undergo appropriate training, upon completion of which a special certificate is issued. Only then can employees perform such specialized work. Non-state enterprises, unlike state enterprises, have the right to independently and without restrictions choose the body that will carry out the verification of measuring instruments. The organization and procedure for the assessment is fixed at the legislative level. On the basis of the competition held, state and municipal institutions are obliged to conclude contracts for the implementation of the activity in question by authorized structures. In cases where the result of the assessment is positive, an appropriate certificate is issued or a special brand is applied (there are other ways provided by law).

Specifications

On the technical side, verification of measuring instruments is a procedure for comparing a physical quantity (in numerical terms) obtained using the equipment under test with a reference value. The parameters taken as the basis for comparison (standard) were obtained as a result of repeated assessments by high-precision serviceable devices. At the same time, there is a limitation: the error of the standard must be at least three times less than the error of the passingverification of the measuring instrument. In accordance with the current legislation, such devices may be subject to primary, scheduled, unscheduled and inspection assessments.

Primary comparison

Primary verification of measuring instruments is carried out for all instruments classified by type, shipped from production, repaired or imported from another state. There is a time limit on the validity of the assessment made. It is relevant only within the framework of the approved type certificate for each device. Two types of verification are used: selective and each instance. The most common is the second option. Exceptions that are not subject to primary verification may be funds imported from abroad within the framework of concluded international agreements. The contracts in this case impose an obligation to assess and award an international certificate for foreign manufacturers. The primary verification of measuring instruments is carried out at special control points organized by specialized institutions. Most of these items are located directly at the equipment manufacturers or repair shops for convenience and time saving. The results of such verification are valid for a certain time - the inter-verification period.

Scheduled evaluation

Such verification of measuring instruments (in operation or in storage) is carried out at strictly established time intervals. For each individual industrydeveloped their own special intervals within which it is necessary to conduct an assessment. For example, verification of measuring instruments for medical purposes is carried out more often than verification of tape measures in cartography. At the same time, unused devices that are in a state of long-term storage, subject to certain rules (integrity of seals, packaging, storage in one place, etc.), may not be evaluated. When comparing, the owner (user) of the tested means is obliged to provide it in working order with a full set of documents attached to it: a passport, instructions for use, documents on the last verification (if any) and all accessories provided by the manufacturer. Equipment appraisal bodies are required to keep a complete record of the results of all their activities. The conclusions may be the basis for adjusting the check interval.

However, this correction is possible only in exceptional cases and only with the consent of the State Metrological Service. In disputes arising from this situation, the final decision is made by the SSMC. In most cases, scheduled verification of measuring instruments is carried out on the territory of the owner (user) of the equipment of the authorized body. At the same time, the right to choose the place of assessment belongs to the user, taking into account his production and economic capabilities. In metropolitan areas, the transport of equipment to the location of the assessment can have a significant impact. Therefore, for example, verification of measuring instruments in Moscow in some cases can be carried out on the territory of the manufacturer or user.

Unscheduled evaluation

The frequency of such verifications has no clear time frame. The following cases may serve as indications for its implementation:

- brand damaged;

- verification certificate lost;

- commissioning after extended storage;

- re-adjustment or adjustment performed;

- the occurrence of errors in operation or due to impact.

Inspection verification

The purpose of this type of assessment is to identify the suitability of the tested instruments for the implementation of metrological control at the state level. Its results are reflected in the corresponding act. It is allowed to carry out such verification not in full, which is provided for by the verification procedure.