Tom and Thom, Shelby Jones = Any relation to Shirley....are they calibrated on a multi-color bus?
Tommy D. - Glc woulda bet money that you would have responded to this one before morning. I am currently checking with the place we bought the gauges (Ametek [US Gauge} Model #1980s) to verify we can get them calibrated. We just bought probably 15 of these things. We mostly have the 0-60psi for the hose monsters, but we do have quite a few 0-160s and 0-200s and obviously the classic 300. And who could forget the -30 - 150 suction gauge. One thing to keep in mind is that we use ours as much as we can, but I would bet not near as much as the FGOLs. But...for instance in the case of the pump acceptance test... If you are comparing plotting the test points on the "bench test" curve, wouldn't it become obvious if there was an issue with a bad gauge? Also.....is it possible that after the first use (without pegging the gauge) that the calibration is off? Gauge rep I talked to awhile back said yes. So how particular does one get when there is no guidance given as what the standard is? One other thing.....Tom D. prior to the 2007 edition of NFPA 20, what was the standard/tolerance you used to calibrate the gauges? I don't recall seeing it in 291 either(not the most recent....the older one). Is +/-1% a pretty standard thing in gauge world? As for hiding the keys to George's toy....no way. That means he will spend more time running all over the office looking for them. I like it when he stays in his corner and I stay in mine. Part of my stress reduction program. :) I am getting a strange feeling that I am about to learn more about gauges by weeks end than I ever wanted to know. Didn't think I would be chatting about this when I started the week. Thanks for the help gentlemen. You know...this is kinda reminiscent of the how accurate is a flow test REALLY thread from a few years back. Always appreciated and thanks to da boat-da-yas for the pointers. Ken Holsopple Design Manager & Gauge Calibration Coordinator & Backflow Preventer Test Equipment Checker Dude & Car Key Counselor Rowe Sprinkler Systems "Go Picksburg Stillers!" - yes it's almost that time of year again!!!!!! -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tom Duross Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 7:15 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Gauge Calibration Ken- I use Shelby Jones (http://instrumentation.com/offline.aspx) and Gage-It (http://www.gageitinc.com/). You could prob. send glc there by car. Generally around $45/point with no repair. If you're using properly ranged gauges, you only need 2 points. I have around 25 different gauges, everything from -30/30 to 0/1000, mostly permacal or ashcroft, and most are dry now. The use cleanable (soak in bleach/water) snubbers now so the need for the dampening glycerin isn't really necessary. Besides, water can get in and I've had them freeze and broken a couple. What a mess. I've got 6 out currently and will probably send another 6 out this Fall. I just popped one last week, it's in the outbox. I always just did it but it is now required. They put a small calibration tag on the case with a date of calibration and a date for re-calibration. The paperwork will show the drop weight pressure and what the gauge read, if it's off the rating of the gauge (grade of the gauge), they'll usually call me and ask if I want it repaired. Some I do and some I just say to label it and return it and I'll get another if I need it. As you probably know and use, there are probably one compound suction and two discharge gauges you regularly use, like me. Get two of each so you have one to use while the other is getting calibrated. It's not really a big deal. I really like the permacal 121T's, 1-1/2-1, 5# divisions, white face with a black pointer, dry. Hide the keys to George's little 'vert till he gives you a PO for some new ones and don't forget a good pelican case. Tom Duross Know anyone who needs a bunch of used woods elastomer couplings? I've got a drum full and it's growing. No luck on ebay (yet). (Thanks for the hanger plug btw, I needed a laugh that day) Go Red (w/o Manny!!!) Sox Ok guys and gals.....here's one for ya. Just did a pump acceptance test under 2003 edition of NFPA 20. The inspector shows up on site and asks for calibrated gauges. Even though we pulled out a gauge that came from the factory 3 months ago, he wanted to see the paperwork. (I guess he didn't like the dirt that was on the gauge either from a previous diesel pump flow test. Turns out things get muddy when you do those) After reviewing NFPA 20 (03) I see that there is not a requirement for gauge calibration except in the appendix, to which no tolerance for the gauges is given. I questioned the inspector on the requirement and asked for a code reference. What I got back was the re-write that appears in the 2007 edition of the acceptance procedure that does note that gauges must be calibrated and within +/- 1%. I'm fine with that, except for the fact that here in Pennsyltucky and in his jurisdiction, the 2003 is the applicable standard. Now to take it one step further, the new NFPA 20 (07) mentions that the gauges must be calibrated annually (depending on use...kinda open ended don't ya think?). In speaking with some folks that supplied our shiny 4 1/2" Glycerine filled gauges, they mentioned that we could get them calibrated, but "what are you gonna do, get them calibrated after every use?" They do mention in the literature for our gauges (that I sent to the AHJ) that they are calibrated at the factory. Keeping in mind that scientists are probably using their "top of the line" gauges to measure the force of an atom bouncing of a cow's butt. I mentioned to the AHJ that in the meantime (till the 2007 ed comes around), the township could purchase a calibrated gauge and use that as a benchmark and throw the contractor's gauge(s) on a static point of the system if they think something was tampered with. I would be curious to see how others would handle this. AHJs especially. You'ins keep my life interesting. Getting calibrated gauge paperwork isn't a big deal (well it is if they spring this on you at the time of test), but trying to enforce rules that haven't been adopted yet kinda crosses the line in my book. By the way, I did check out NFPA 291 (forgot the edition), there was mention of calibration, but no mention of tolerance. I have a headache from bouncing my head off the soapbox. Ken Holsopple Design Manager & Gauge Calibration Coordinator Rowe Sprinkler Systems _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
