Calibrated/certificated pressure gauges play a pivotal role across numerous industries, providing precise measurements critical for safety and quality assurance. They are intended to accurately measure, against traceable standards, the fluid pressure within a system, ensuring performance and mitigating potential risks. In a fire sprinkler, dry- or wet-riser system, the main purposes are to ensure the system pressure is known and accurate when testing for leaks, setting and commissioning.
There are several key benefits associated with calibrated/certificated pressure gauges:
- Precision: gauges are checked against ‘traceable standards’ to ensure accuracy – crucial where even a minor deviation can lead to adverse results or compromised safety.
- Compliance: in industries where accurate pressure is paramount (and fire sprinklers would certainly be one), such gauges are indispensable, as they help ensure compliance with regulations and standards; also required for regulatory purposes, such as sprinkler system or dry riser system testing.
- Maintenance: valuable tools for preventive maintenance, where pressure monitoring can help identify potential issues such as leaks, blockages, or malfunctions before they escalate into major problems. A proactive approach minimizes downtime, extends equipment lifespan, and reduces repair costs.
- Energy Efficiency: efficient energy usage is a priority for many industries seeking to minimize operational costs and environmental impact. Calibrated gauges help optimize energy consumption by ensuring that systems operate at the appropriate pressure levels. Over-pressurization wastes energy and strains systems and equipment, while under-pressurization compromises performance.
- Decision Making: calibrated pressure gauges provide valuable data that can inform strategic decision-making processes. By tracking pressure trends over time, users can identify patterns, predict potential issues, and implement pre-emptive measures.
- Quality Assurance: in industries where product quality is paramount, calibrated pressure gauges are instrumental in ensuring consistency and reliability, and detecting unwanted deviations. We ourselves used calibrated pressure gauges at various stages of our production and testing processes.
How can SEP help?
- We can supply any pressure gauge with a COC (Certificate of Conformity). This is a low-cost but generic certificate which confirms production to EN837-1, along with the gauge’s manufactured target accuracy level. It does not warrant the accuracy of any particular gauge, just that the production processes involved are managed to a certain quality standard.
- We offer individually tested & certificated pressure gauges across our range – each one is measured against our own UKAS-calibrated high-accuracy digital gauge (up to 70 bar, accuracy to 1/30th bar), and the rare failures are rejected. You can be sure that your gauge was close to perfect when it left us. This service is more expensive than a COC, but warrants an individual gauge’s accuracy.
- We can also arrange test/certification by a UKAS-approved laboratory, which is more expensive again, but the most accurate testing available.
- All gauges are only calibrated to order, so you know you will always get a freshly-certified product.
- Alongside the gauge and certificate, we also offer a foam-lined plastic protective box for safe-keeping. A calibrated gauge is no good at all if it’s left rattling around in a toolbox or the back of a van!
- No-loss connectors and adaptors to and from ½”, 3/8” and ¼” are available from our stock.
We are often asked – how long do they last, or how long can I use them for? Unfortunately, that’s a question we simply cannot answer, as it depends on usage and storage – for instance a gauge used at the top of its range and not stored safely will not maintain accuracy for long, whereas a gauge which is used around the middle-third of its range, installed and removed carefully and stored safely in temperate conditions could maintain accuracy for several years. One year is a benchmark, but clearly we are unable to warrant this because we have no control over how the gauge is used or stored once it has left us.
Can we re-test old gauges? Yes, of course. You will need to send it to us for testing. If it passes, only the testing fee is payable; however, if it fails, the testing fee is still payable and you may then decide if you wish to purchase a new gauge with testing/certification. Given the cost of an actual gauge, it’s a gamble, but some customers do use this service.
What if we need something special, really special? We can help, just tell us what you need! We have significant buying power in the arena, and contacts with expert knowledge on all types of gauges. Recently we sourced some very special gauges for a key customer – all-stainless 28 bar dry gauge, 0.6% accuracy (~1/6th bar), knife-edge pointer, 0.2 bar increments, customer logo, UKAS lab calibration…in just 3 days, and for just under £400 per gauge!