US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs Office of Pesticide Programs Microbiology Laboratory Environmental Science Center, Ft. Meade, MD Standard Operating Procedure for Calibration and Maintenance of Timers SOP Number: EQ-05-06 Date Revised: 04-30-13 ------- SOP No. EQ-05-06 Date Revised 04-30-13 Page 1 of 4 SOP Number EQ-05-06 Title Calibration and Maintenance of Timers Scope Describes process for calibration and maintenance of timers, certified instruments that can display time in seconds. Application Timers are used for managing timed activities in test methods. Approval Date SOP Developer: Print Name: SOP Reviewer Print Name: Quality Assurance Unit Print Name: Branch Chief Print Name: Date SOP issued: Controlled copy number: Date SOP withdrawn: ------- SOP No. EQ-05-06 Date Revised 04-30-13 Page 2 of 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Page Number 1. DEFINITIONS 3 2. HEALTH AND SAFETY 3 3. PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING 3 4. INSTRUMENT CALIBRATION 3 5. SAMPLE HANDLING AND STORAGE 3 6. QUALITY CONTROL 3 7. INTERFERENCES 3 8. NON-CONFORMING DATA 3 9. DATA MANAGEMENT 3 10. CAUTIONS 3 11. SPECIAL APPARATUS AND MATERIALS 3 12. PROCEDURE AND ANALYSIS 4 13. DATA ANALYSIS/CALCULATIONS 4 14. FORMS AND DATA SHEETS 4 15. REFERENCES 4 ------- SOP No. EQ-05-06 Date Revised 04-30-13 Page 3 of 4 1. Definitions 1. ISO = International Organization for Standardization 2. Health and Safety None 3. Personnel Qualifications and Training Refer to SOP ADM-04, OPP Microbiology Laboratory Training. 4. Instrument Calibration 1. Calibration of the timers is performed every two years by an ISO 17025 accredited vendor. 5. Sample Handling and Storage Not applicable 6. Quality Control For quality control purposes, the required information is documented on the appropriate form(s) (see section 14). 7. Interferences None 8. Non- conforming Data 1. If the vendor determines that a timer is out of tolerance and cannot be properly calibrated, the timer will be replaced. 2. Procedures will be consistent with SOP ADM-07, Non-Conformance Reports. 9. Data Management 1. An inventory of timers requiring vendor calibration will be maintained electronically (Timer Certification Record; see section 14). After each addition to or deletion from the inventory, a hard copy of the inventory will be filed in the Timer Calibration Certificates notebook. 2. Data will be archived consistent with SOP ADM-03, Records and Archives. 10. Cautions Timers are removed from service when the calibration expires (two years from the date of calibration) and are returned to service when recalibration is completed. 11. Special Apparatus and Materials Timer Specifications: • Bench top timers • Single action • Time in/Time out • Cumulative and interval split • Reads in hours, minutes, seconds, and hundredths or in decimals • Individually serial numbered • Calibrated by ISO 17025 accredited vendor ------- SOP No. EQ-05-06 Date Revised 04-30-13 Page 4 of 4 12. Procedure and Analysis Calibration certificates must contain the stamp of the accrediting body (e.g., A2LA, NVLAP) and the calibration vendor certificate number. 12.1 Calibration a. Before the calibration expires, remove the timer from service. b. Consult ISO 17025 accredited vendor regarding quote for service, packing/shipping instructions, and completion of any required forms prior to shipping timers. c. Pack and ship timer to vendor. d. Once timer has been recalibrated and shipped back to the laboratory, complete the Timer Certification Record (section 14), file the certificate in the Timer Calibration Certificates notebook, and return the timer to service. e. Timers that fail calibration are replaced. 12.2 Operation Follow the instructions, provided by the manufacturer, for the operation of each timer. See section 15. 13. Data Analysis/ Calculations None 14. Forms and Data Sheets Form is stored separately from the SOP under the following file name: Timer Certification Record EQ-05-06 Fl.docx 15. References Operation manuals for timers located in file cabinet in D-wing. ------- |