Understanding NIST Traceable Calibration
When producing gas products, it’s vital that you test the quality of your products against the highest standards. This refers to the official measurements that have been developed by federal agencies to ensure all instruments needing calibration will measure accurately to guarantee safety. NIST traceable calibration provides an unbroken chain of measurement reliability. Learn why understanding NIST traceable calibration is necessary by reading below.
What Is NIST?
To understand the concept of NIST traceable calibration, it’s important to understand what NIST is. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a non-regulatory federal agency that runs under the Department of Commerce. NIST is the United States National Measurement Institute, meaning that they are the institution completely in charge of the development and promotion of standards and technology nationwide. Their goal is to further productivity, enable trade, and improve the quality of life for all. When it comes to calibration, NIST comes up with the standard reference materials (SRM).
Use of Standard Reference Materials
Standard reference materials (SRM) refer to the measurement standards that are used to perform calibration for instruments. Calibrating instruments involves the ability to verify the accuracy of the specific measurements an instrument uses. SRMs are also utilized to support the development of new measurement methods. They also are vital for measurement traceability throughout the country. With every SRM, NIST provides a Certificate of Analysis along with a Material Safety Data Sheet.
Common Products Requiring NIST Certification
Certification by NIST means that a product has been tested by comparing the item’s measurements against the NIST SRM, ensuring the exacting requirements of that product have been met. Many products that will require certification and calibration from NIST are common everyday pieces of technology, such as calibration weights, timers, sound level meters, thermometers, pressure gauges, gas detectors, and pH meters. Any of these items will have a NIST SRM equivalent that the manufacturer can check and compare the item’s accuracy against. After the item has been certified, it will be sold with an NIST certificate that should include an expiration date that allows the user to know when their item will need to be recalibrated or retested for accurate readings.
The Importance of NIST Certification and Calibration
One of the most important elements of understanding NIST traceable calibration is to understand its importance. This type of calibration is designed specifically by NIST to ensure an instrument has been certified and will read accurately according to standards. Many of these instruments and tools’ accuracy calibration are vital for people’s safety and health. Manufacturers can rest easy knowing that their products have been officially certified and that the consumers purchasing them will get accurate readings from them.
If you’re looking for calibration gas of top-quality NIST certification, visit Mesa Gas. Here, you will find calibration gas products that follow NIST specifications designed for use in R&D, emissions analysis, and process analyzer applications.