3 Factors to Managing the Cal Lab Environment

A recent study by the Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) demonstrated a high number of deficiencies cited by assessors dealt with the failure to properly document environmental conditions in Calibration Laboratories.

Performing quality calibrations requires a closely monitored environment and accurate information. Full documentation is necessary to record and verify the history of the lab's temperature and humidity. For Quality Control, as well as accreditation and regulatory assessments, Cal Lab managers need ready access to and quick reporting on three different types of temperature and humidity data:

1. Easy to Access Data
2. Secure, Complete Records
3. Real-time Alarm Notifications

These are the keys to a well managed Calibration Lab environment. However, traditional monitoring equipment such as chart recorders are incapable of efficiently delivering the requisite data because of their relative inaccuracy, poor reporting capacity and lack of alarm capabilities.

Veriteq's Calibration Lab monitoring solution meets each of these needs with a system that is easier to deploy and use than any other. Our accuracy, especially in terms of humidity measurement, is unsurpassed. The data loggers, compact and easy to place, easily connect to your existing network. viewLinc software provides a simple browser-based interface to allow you to view and record real-time data. Alarm notifications are sent via flashing PC display, audible alerts, cell phone or text messaging. All levels of alarms are user selectable and a full record of events is automatically maintained.

Key 1: Easy to Access Data

Calibration professionals must be constantly aware of their lab conditions. Unfortunately, if the lab is equipped with chart recorders, this requires that staff go to all recorders to check them. Chart recorders are also difficult to read from a distance. Even when you are face to face with the chart, the recorders themselves are imprecise.

Veriteq's Calibration Lab Monitoring system provides several different displays:

• large, resizable, and easily readable desktop windows
• summary views to remotely monitor multiple areas on one screen
• user-selectable units of measurement (°F, °C, %RH, and Dewpoint)

Key 2: Secure, Complete Records

Historical data is a critical component of tracking lab conditions over time and is a necessity in supporting past calibrations and satisfying accreditation requirements. However, because chart recorders perform this task on paper, the information is far less accessible. Paper records are also harder to archive, retrieve and share.

Veriteq's Calibration Monitoring system records to the on-board memory of each data logger; data is then automatically backed up to the existing network and from there, reports can be quickly and easily retrieved and distributed.

Key 3: Real-time Alarm Notifications

Although real-time data is vitally important, it's of little use if no one is around to see and act on it. Because chart recorders are isolated devices, they can't disseminate information, notifying personnel of changes that might impair calibrations.

In addition, even subtle changes in temperature and humidity in the lab environment can cause costly downtime. Veriteq's system provides multiple levels of alarm notifications that can alert staff to problems before they do any costly damage. User-selectable alarm features include:

• Large flashing visual displays on multiple PC's
• Audible alarms with varying sounds, effects, and programmable messages
• Email, text messaging, and/or phone notifications

Performing quality calibrations requires a closely monitored environment and accurate information.

To find out how a Veriteq monitoring system will save time, money and reduce cost of ownership, request access to our free Chart Recorder Replacement ROI Calculator.

For more information on our Calibration Lab monitoring solution, please contact us at 1-800-683-8374.