One of the most used services is lab equipment calibration in San Francisco. While it’s one of our most used services, we still get asked why it’s essential and if it’s something my lab will benefit from. All labs, regardless of size or industry, need calibration of their lab equipment. Here at Biotechnical Services, Inc. (BTS), our calibrations are full-service ISO 17025 A2LA Accredited and ISO 9001:2015 AMS Certified.

What is calibration?

Calibration is the process of measuring an instrument to provide samples that sit within a range. The process minimizes excluding factors that cause inaccurate measurements of the fundamental design. BTS provides lab equipment calibration in San Francisco. Additionally, we offer this service in San Diego and Los Angeles. If you cannot reach one of these locations, we offer a lab depot service for those smaller labs using our environmentally controlled in-house calibration lab.

Should you complete lab equipment calibration in-house or outsource?

The answer to this depends on how you use your lab equipment. The process of lab equipment calibration is sensitive and takes conscious time and effort. Attempting to complete this in-house can lead to mistakes, thus leading to product failures or inaccurate formulas being created.

In addition, establishing and purchasing calibration equipment on top of a labs existing cost significantly impacts the company’s budget. While you could have your employees undergo training, various pieces of large calibration equipment are used for various lab equipment. BTS has all of this taken care of for you. We understand the overall cost of both money and time to train employees to know how each calibration equipment works and how to operate them effectively. 

When you outsource your lab equipment calibration to us, you’ll know it’s coming back to you with accurate results. We supply you with the correct documentation you need for audits after the calibration is completed to ensure you’re within the proper guidelines.

Why is it important?

Calibration is essential for all labs and industries. It ensures that lab equipment is maintained and accurate. Like all equipment, lab equipment wears down over time, making the accuracy lenient and showing a result of less or more than the correct result. The use of the material is also affected by this. For example, using measuring instruments in a hazardous environment can cause them to become eroded or degraded over time. Accurate measuring overall is key to creating any product and using tools correctly. Below are some of the most important reasons you should calibrate your lab equipment frequently.

Ensure you meet industry standards and compliance

We service a variety of industries and with each is a set of industry standards and compliance measures. These measures are put in place to ensure safety and regulation. If measuring instruments are not calibrated correctly, it can often lead to incorrect measurements affecting these regulations. Once we’ve completed your lab equipment calibration, we will provide you with complete documentation providing proof of the tests and also provide you with documents you need in the case of a company audit.

Cost

When you calibrate your lab equipment frequently, you avoid making expensive mistakes. The initial investment of lab equipment alone is costly, so we understand that cost is a factor when deciding where to calibrate your lab equipment. However, choosing a lower-cost provider may leave you with inaccurate results. Some businesses will operate purely based on creating a profit margin. The less time they spend calibrating a piece of equipment, the more they can churn.

In addition to this, when you’re going through the process of measuring ingredients out, everything should be accurate. If not, this can cause the need to create an entirely new batch, leaving you with a loss of usable ingredients.

We have over 31 years and only use comprehensive procedures to achieve calibration stands. Having your lab equipment frequently calibrated, while it is an initial investment, will save you money in the long run. Get in touch with us to evaluate costs for lab equipment calibration in San Francisco.

Safety of both those in the lab and customers

We service various industries by providing lab equipment calibration to the San Francisco area. These vary from medical to food. While some industries rely more heavily on data to ensure the safety of a final product, the majority must provide the correct measurements to protect the final product and employees working in the lab. These small changes can potentially have an adverse chemical reaction, putting lab employees in harm’s way.

Fix it before it breaks

Wear and tear will affect all lab material and equipment over time. Occasionally what happens is small breaks occur without users even noticing. Having your lab equipment calibrated frequently allows for a routine check of the equipment, ensuring no cracks or damages have gone unnoticed.

This also gives your lab equipment a chance for longevity. Routinely calibrating equipment allows you to fix any minor breaks, getting to fix the equipment before it gets to a breaking point. Some cracks in equipment are more minor than others, leaving the decision between replacing or repairing.

Data Integrity

As we mentioned, we work with clients in various fields, all of which need and rely on the accuracy of their lab equipment—ensuring that the number or quantity reflected on the piece of equipment is integral for accuracy. Calibration gives you and your lab peace of mind that the information being reflected is accurate.

Reduce downtime of equipment

Leaving your calibration of lab equipment to the last minute, or taking larger breaks in-between than you should, can lead to a lab with equipment that’s out of action or inaccurate. Having your lab equipment calibrated regularly in the San Francisco area allows for more time spent working on projects rather than sitting and waiting for equipment to be returned.

How frequently should you calibrate your measuring instruments?

This depends on a few variables, such as how frequently you use the equipment and what it’s used for. Depending on how the equipment is used, there can be events that affect the overall accuracy of the equipment, such as an electric shock. After an event such as an electric shock has taken place, the equipment involved should be calibrated immediately.

For equipment that isn’t affected by any significant events, we recommend getting your lab equipment calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions or if you’re using it regularly every 3 to 6 months. A spreadsheet or document is an excellent way to keep track of when your equipment needs to be calibrated. This way, you can have equipment calibrated at regular intervals and know when the equipment is due for its next calibration.  

Conclusion

Lab equipment calibration is integral for all labs and the use of lab equipment. It improves the equipment’s accuracy and ensures that it is in good working condition. Here at Biotechnical Services Inc., we calibrate your equipment and provide you with a full calibration report verifying the tests, ensuring you have all the correct documentation for needed audits. In addition to lab equipment calibration, we also offer thermometer calibration, lab equipment repair, validation, and much more. We offer precise and accurate lab equipment calibration, ensuring you and your lab get the correct results. If you have any questions about specialty equipment or how we can help to calibrate your lab equipment in San Francisco, get in touch.