**7.0 Laboratory Facilities and Environment**

7.1 Facilities and Conditions

> 7.1.1 The laboratory facilities are maintained, where applicable, in
> accordance with NCSL Recommended Practice No. 7. The design of the
> laboratory does not adversely affect the measurement integrity and
> supports good laboratory practices. See Appendix D for a diagram of
> the laboratory facilities.
>
> 7.1.2 The laboratory facilities, calibration and test areas, energy
> sources, lighting, heating, and ventilation facilitate proper
> performance of calibrations and tests. The laboratory ensures that
> dust, electromagnetic interference, humidity, line voltage,
> temperature, sound and vibration levels (i.e., limit use of computer
> types which cause vibration or temperature changes that adversely
> affect the measurement) are appropriate for specific measurement
> results and associated uncertainties.
>
> 7.1.3 Environmental conditions maintained by the laboratory, listed in
> Appendix E, are within the limits recommended in NIST HB 143. The
> environment in the laboratory where testing is performed does not
> invalidate results nor adversely affect the accuracy or uncertainty of
> the measurement. Measurements are not made if environmental conditions
> deviate from those stated. Laboratory staff ensure adequate conditions
> in the facility by items listed below:
>
> 7.1.3.1 Verify that air conditioning, lighting, heating, and
> ventilation are controlled and monitored, to the level needed for each
> type of test.
>
> 7.1.3.2 Maintain good housekeeping practices to promote a clean,
> uncluttered laboratory according to procedures listed in Appendix H,
> AP No. 11.
>
> 7.1.3.3 Have sufficient space to minimize the risk of injury to staff
> and/or damage to standards or equipment due to activities around test
> setup.
>
> 7.1.3.4 Maintain a convenient and efficient work environment with
> effective separation of incompatible activities.
>
> 7.1.3.5 Limit the amount of paper products used or stored in sensitive
> and/or clean areas to prevent dust contamination.

7.2 Environmental Records

7.2.1 Small Mass Calibration Laboratory:

> 7.2.1.1 Environmental conditions are recorded continuously with the
> use of a strip chart recording device which monitors the temperature
> and humidity of the laboratory.
>
> 7.2.2 Mass Tolerance, Volume, Length, Temperature, Frequency, and
> Density Testing Laboratory:
>
> 7.2.2.1 Environmental conditions are recorded continuously with the
> use of a strip chart recording device which monitors the temperature
> and humidity of the laboratory, or
>
> 7.2.2.2 The laboratory maintains a log of environmental conditions
> completed during all testing periods (see Appendix O, Environmental
> Log form), or
>
> 7.2.2.3 Environmental conditions are recorded on all data sheets
> whenever appropriate. Procedures state exceptions to this requirement.
>
> 7.2.3 The laboratory documents deviations and corrective actions when
> environmental conditions are not within conditions specified by the
> laboratory in Appendix E. (See Appendix O, Complaints/ Corrective
> Actions form.)

NOTE: Monitoring devices are periodically verified against accurate and
traceable standards, but are not used to apply corrections that affect
the quality of measurements. Devices which do affect the quality of
measurement are addressed in Section 9.3.3.

**17025**

**5.3 Accommodation and environmental conditions**

**5.3.1** Laboratory facilities for testing and/or calibration,
including but not limited to energy sources, lighting and environmental
conditions, shall be such as to facilitate correct performance of tests
and/or calibrations.

The laboratory shall ensure that the environmental conditions do not
invalidate the results or adversely affect the required quality of any
measurement. Particular care shall be taken when sampling, tests and/or
calibrations are undertaken at sites other than a permanent laboratory
facility. The technical requirements for accommodation and environmental
conditions that can affect the results of tests and calibrations, shall
be documented.

**5.3.2** The laboratory shall monitor, control and record environmental
conditions as required by relevant specifications, methods and
procedures or where they influence the quality of the results. Due
attention shall be paid, for example, to biological sterility, dust,
electromagnetic disturbances, radiation, humidity, electrical supply,
temperature, and sound and vibration levels, as appropriate to the
technical activities concerned. Tests and calibrations shall be stopped
when the environmental conditions jeopardize the results of the tests
and/or calibrations.

**5.3.3** There shall be effective separation between neighbouring areas
in which there are incompatible activities. Measures shall be taken to
prevent cross-contamination.

**5.3.4** Access to and use of areas affecting the quality of the tests
and/or calibrations shall be controlled. The laboratory shall determine
the extent of control based on its particular circumstances.

**5.3.5** Measures shall be taken to ensure good housekeeping in the
laboratory. Special procedures shall be prepared where necessary.