What is In-house calibration? Also known as Internal calibration. Basically, it is a calibration system performed or established inside a company’s facility. This is to differentiate it from an external laboratory, which is a third-party laboratory.
A third-party laboratory also has an in-house calibration program, where most of the processes discussed here are also applicable to it. However, for simplicity, we will focus the discussion on the company-established calibration program or the in-house calibration.
The in-house calibration lab executes its own calibration system based on verified and accepted calibration procedures using traceable reference standards. This means that it is also aligned with the requirements of ISO 17025:2017.
If you have a lot of measuring equipment for calibration, you will save a significant amount of money (in terms of calibration from an outside source and logistics in the long run).
To verify whether you made the right choice in purchasing a standard, do a justification to compare how much you will spend with a single standard in comparison with how much you will pay for a calibration service with the related measurement equipment. See this link for a sample justification.
Here is a list of the benefits of establishing an In-house calibration lab:
You will save time in calibration downtime because of removing the need to send your instruments to an outside lab.
Customers have more trust in your performance in terms of monitoring the measurement process.
More capabilities in terms of measurement will be explored.
Calibration support is readily available when needs arise
The possibility of providing calibration support to other locations or departments.
Centralize execution of calibration and better monitoring. I observed that some companies have their equipment monitored as per department or by the person who utilizes the instruments; It is also their choice of whom they choose to provide calibration service.
Non-conforming calibration can be detected immediately, therefore, it can be isolated or the process affected can be informed immediately for proper assessment and disposition of the affected product.
An additional safety feature is observed because the transferring part is reduced or eliminated
Reduces the risk of vibrations or other environmental stress that it absorbs during transport thus, thus increasing assurance of stability.
You are implementing most, if not all the calibration requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Standards. See more explanation below.
