Calibration is a comparison between measurements – one of known magnitude or correctness made or set with one device and another measurement made in as similar a way as possible with a second device.
The device with the known or assigned correctness is called the standard. The second device is the unit under test, test instrument, or any of several other names for the device being calibrated.
Normal and unusual wear and tear can bring about changes in your instrument which can affect the efficiency and accuracy. In order to minimise the damaging results of inaccurate equipment regular calibration is required.
A backflow prevention valve is used to protect potable water supplies from contamination or pollution due to backflow.
In water supply systems, water is normally maintained at a significant pressure to enable water to flow from the tap, shower etc. When pressure fails or is reduced, as may happen if a water main bursts or there is unexpectedly high demand on the water system, then such reduced pressure in the pipe may allow contaminated water from the ground, from storage or from other sources to be drawn up into the system. Local councils require backflow prevention valves to be tested regularly to ensure the purity of water supply, backflow test kits also require regular ‘check ups’ and calibration to maintain effiiciency.