ASTM C1156-18

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C1156 − 03 (Reapproved 2011) C1156 − 18
Standard Guide for
Establishing Calibration for a Measurement Method Used to
Analyze Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1156; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides the basis for establishing calibration for a measurement method typically used in an analytical chemistry
laboratory analyzing nuclear materials. Guidance is included for such activities as preparing a calibration procedure, selecting a
calibration standard, controlling calibrated equipment, and documenting calibration. The guide is generic and any required
technical information specific for a given method must be obtained from other sources.
1.2 The guidance information is provided in the following sections:
Section
General Considerations 4
General Considerations 5
Calibration Procedure 5
Calibration Procedure 6
Calibration Standard 6
Calibration Standard 7
Control of Calibrated Equipment 7
Control of Calibrated Equipment 8
Documentation 8
Documentation 9
Keywords 9
Keywords 10
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C1009 Guide for Establishing and Maintaining a Quality Assurance Program for Analytical Laboratories Within the Nuclear
Industry
C1068 Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry
C1128 Guide for Preparation of Working Reference Materials for Use in Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
C1210 GuideC1210 Guide for Establishing a Measurement System Quality Control Program for Analytical Chemistry
Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry
C1215 GuideC1215 Guide for Preparing and Interpreting Precision and Bias Statements in Test Method Standards Used in the
Nuclear Industry
C1297 GuideC1297 Guide for Qualification of Laboratory Analysts for the Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.08 on Quality Assurance,
Statistical Applications, and Reference Materials
Current edition approved June 1, 2011Sept. 1, 2018. Published June 2011October 2018. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 20032011 as
C1156 – 03.C1156 – 03 (2011). DOI: 10.1520/C1156-03R11.10.1520/C1156-18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C1156 − 18
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISOISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of CalibrationTesting and TestingCalibration Laboratories
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this guide but not defined herein, refer to Terminology C859.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Calibration is a fundamental part of making measurements and its effect on the quality of measurement data is significant.
Thus, sufficient attention must be given to calibration when it is established for a measurement method so that the data produced
will be acceptable. The use of an inappropriate calibration standard, inadequate instructions for calibration, and poor
documentation of the calibration process are examples of circumstances that can adversely affect the validity of a calibration. Thus,
the calibration process must conform to criteria established to ensure the validity of calibration results. results and any associated
measurement data. Such criteria are given in Guide C1009, in which calibration is identified as a component of laboratory quality
assurance (see Fig. 1). This guide expands upon those criteria to provide more comprehensive guidance for establishing calibration.
4.2 The manner of calibration and other technical requirements for calibrating a measurement method are usually established
when a method is first introduced into a laboratory, which may be through validation and qualification as defined by Guide C1068
(see Fig. 1). However, calibration involves more than the technical aspects of the calibration process. The other dimension of the
process is the operational requirements that are necessary to ensure that calibration results are valid and that they are documented
and verifiable should their integrity be questioned. The provisions of this guide provide those operational requirements and should
be considered whenever calibration is planned and established.
5. General Considerations
5.1 The degree of attention and effort given to calibration should depend on how the measurement data are to be used. In the
analysis of nuclear materials, for example, measurement data produced for the control and accountability of nuclear material would
normally require more attention than data produced for process control during the processing of that material. The areas in which
the level of attention and effort could vary are: the calibration standard, number of calibration points, calibration acceptance
criteria, frequency of calibration, and frequency of calibration verification.
5.2 Many of the provisions of this guide would not apply to the calibration of certain instruments when their calibration is an
integral part of the analysis procedure involving a simple one- or two-step adjustment of a meter or gage. The pH meter is an
example when a buffer is used to adjustcalibrate the meter just before a pH reading is taken for a sample solution.
FIG. 1 Quality Assurance of Analytical Laboratory Data
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
C1156 − 18
5.3 There are generally two approaches regarding frequency of calibration. In one case, the method is calibrated each time it
is used. In the other, calibration is established for a specified period of time, and the method must be recalibrated before that time
period elapses to retain calibration. When a calibration period is used, calibration verification should be used. A calibration period
might be defined in terms of weeks or months, or defined as a run of a series of samples over a relatively short period of time.
In the latter case, calibration verification could involve analyzing a standard periodically during the sample run, for example, after
every fifth sample.
5.4 Under no circumstances it is justifiable to use the results of a calibration verification to adjust a pre-existing calibration.
More information regarding measurement control may be found in Guide C1210.
5.5 When calibration is being planned and established, a statistician should be consulted regarding the treatment of calibration
data, the frequency of calibration, the frequency of calibration checks, and the criteria that determine when calibration has been
achieved (see Guide C1215 GuideC1215). This is to ensure that the calibration procedure is appropriate for the method and that
the uncertainty estimate for the method (as determined during validation or qualification) remains valid.
5.6 The organizational responsibility and authority for calibration should be defined and documented. Normally, responsibility
for calibrating an individual method rests with the analyst using the method. If the responsibility for calibrating an instrument or
class of instruments is contracted to a
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