CCIL - Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories Laboratory Equipment Calibration Questions and Answers

Question 1

In the context of a CCIL certified laboratory's quality management system, what does the term 'metrological traceability' primarily signify?

Accepted Answer

The measurement results from an instrument can be related to a national or international standard through an unbroken chain of calibrations.

Answer

All laboratory test results can be traced back to the original sample submitted by the client.

Answer

The laboratory's financial records for equipment purchases are complete and auditable.

Answer

All technicians have a documented training record for each piece of equipment they operate.

Question 2

A technician is performing a two-point calibration check on a digital thermometer used for measuring fresh concrete temperature. Which two reference points are most commonly used for this procedure in a materials testing laboratory?

Accepted Answer

An ice bath (approximately 0°C) and the boiling point of water (approximately 100°C).

Answer

The boiling point of water and the ambient laboratory air temperature.

Answer

A certified reference thermometer at room temperature and body temperature.

Answer

The interior of a laboratory freezer and the temperature of hot tap water.

Question 3

According to general laboratory quality management principles (e.g., ISO 17025, CSA A283), which of the following is the LEAST important factor when establishing the calibration frequency for a concrete compression testing machine?

Accepted Answer

The manufacturer's original purchase price of the machine.

Answer

The frequency of use and the severity of service conditions.

Answer

The requirements of the relevant testing standard and project specifications.

Answer

The historical stability and maintenance records of the specific machine.

Question 4

During a routine internal verification of a 4.75 mm sieve, a technician discovers that several openings exceed the maximum permissible individual opening size specified in ASTM E11. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Remove the sieve from service, label it as 'out-of-tolerance,' and quarantine it.

Answer

Continue using the sieve but make a note in the test report.

Answer

Repair the sieve by soldering the oversized openings.

Answer

Average the opening sizes and use the sieve if the average is within tolerance.

Question 5

Which of the following elements is MOST essential for ensuring metrological traceability on a calibration certificate for a piece of laboratory equipment?

Accepted Answer

Identification of the reference standards used and evidence of their traceability.

Answer

The name of the technician who most frequently uses the equipment.

Answer

The date the equipment was first put into service by the laboratory.

Answer

The purchase order number for the calibration service.

Question 6

A laboratory's primary reference balance is returned from an external calibration service with a certificate indicating an 'As-Found: Out-of-Tolerance' condition. According to standard quality procedures, what is the laboratory's MOST critical next step?

Accepted Answer

Assess the impact of the out-of-tolerance condition on all tests performed since the last valid calibration.

Answer

Immediately send the balance back to the service provider for re-calibration.

Answer

File the certificate and place the newly calibrated balance back into service.

Answer

Shorten the calibration interval for all other balances in the laboratory as a precaution.