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Engineering Education, Resources and Standards
News Release from: UK Weighing Federation
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 26 July 2005
Code of practice defines calibration
procedures
A comprehensive code of practice for the calibration of weighing equipment used in concrete batching is helping to ensure quality levels are maintained throughout this important industry sector.
A comprehensive code of practice for the calibration of weighing equipment used in concrete batching is helping to ensure quality levels are maintained throughout this important industry sector The code, which has been introduced by the UK Weighing Federation (UKWF), lays down formal procedures for testing the equipment, together with guidelines on the representation of results in the calibration certificate and a suggested calibration frequency
Complying with the code of practice (officially entitled "The calibration code of practice for batch weighing machines used in batching plants for cementitious and cement bound materials") is mandatory for the federation's members and as their Technical Officer John Anthony explains: "This code has been produced by the UKWF as a means of demonstrating to all parties that our members operate to the highest standards of integrity and professional practice".
"There are thousands of weighing systems installed in batching plants across the UK and the code has evolved via a direct request from the UKWF members, who have expressed a clear need to standardise the testing and calibration procedures at these sites".
"The code has been prepared in close consultation with the QSRMC (Quality Scheme for Ready Mixed Concrete) and the QPA (Quarry Products Association)".
The federation already has an established code of practice for the calibration of nonautomatic weighing instruments, and this latest document further underlines the importance of the role the UKWF and its members play in the UK weighing market.
The documented procedure provides a calibration traceable to national/international standards, which will adequately provide the level of accuracy and traceability required by customers whose quality system is in accordance with the ISO9000 series of standards.
However it is not intended to provide an alternative for those users of weighing equipment whose quality system requires that their machines are calibrated by a UKAS accredited organisation.
In addition, if any weighing equipment is used for a legally controlled purpose then the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act 1985, and its subordinate legislation, are the primary control, and nothing in this code overrides that legislation.
UKWF members are expected to act in accordance with that legislation at all times and when weighing equipment is outside the tolerances specified in that legislation or does not comply with the legislation in some other way they are obligated to draw that fact to the attention of their customers.
Although the code is a formalised document, it endorses a pragmatic approach on testing procedures, taking into account how the equipment is used in practice.
As John Anthony concludes: "This is not us dictating to the industry how calibration should be carried out".
"Moreover the code engenders a working partnership with operators to ensure equipment is tested and calibrated in a harmonised way".
"The relationship between the customer and the calibrating organisation is a commercial one and therefore this code recognises that the customer may, where appropriate, instruct our members to use alternative methods to those specified in this code".
"In these cases the calibration certificate is endorsed with a statement pertaining to these instructions and who issued them".
"This code ensures customers will continue to have professional and consistent calibration procedures carried out at their plants provided they employ the services of a member of the UKWF".
"We review our codes of practice every two years, taking into account ongoing experience, changing customer needs and technological progress".
Copies of the calibration code of practice are available from members of the UKWF and details can be found by visiting the federation's website.
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