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Home My WebLink About#5542 08-Final INSPECTION REPORT ROUTING SHEET To be attached to all inspection reports in-house only. Laboratory Cert. #: 5542 Laboratory Name: Normandeau Associates Inspection Type: Initial Field Inspection Inspector Name(s): Mr. Ramon Cook Inspection Date: September 17, 2008 Date Report Completed: September 22, 2008 Date Forwarded to Reviewer: September 22, 2008 Reviewed by: David Livingston Date Review Completed: October 14, 2008 Cover Letter to use: X Insp. Initial Insp. Reg. Insp. No Finding Insp. CP Unit Supervisor: Dana Satterwhite Date Received: 10/17/2008 Date Forwarded to Alberta: 10/30/2008 Date Mailed: _____________________________________________________________________ On-Site Inspection Report LABORATORY NAME: Normandeau Associates ADDRESS: 1019B Cherokee Avenue Aiken, SC 29801 CERTIFICATE #: 5542 DATE OF INSPECTION: September 17, 2008 TYPE OF INSPECTION: Field Initial AUDITOR(S): Ramon Cook LOCAL PERSON(S) CONTACTED: Jeff Wollis I. INTRODUCTION: This laboratory was inspected to verify its compliance with the requirements of 15A NCAC 2H .0800 for the analysis of environmental samples. II. GENERAL COMMENTS: The laboratory is spacious and well equipped. All facilities and instrumentation are well maintained. III. FINDINGS, REQUIREMENTS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Temperature – Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 2550 B Dissolved Oxygen – Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500-O G Conductivity – Standard methods, 18th Edition, 2510B pH – Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500 H+ B A. Finding: The Temperature correction factors were not documented on any of the thermometers/meters in use. Requirement: All thermometers and temperature sensing devices on meters must be calibrated against a NIST certified or NIST traceable thermometer annually (every 12 months) and proper corrections made and documented. The thermometer/meter reading must be less than or equal to 1ºC from the NIST certified or NIST traceable thermometer reading to be acceptable. Document the serial number and manufacturer of the NIST thermometer that was used in the comparison. Document any correction that applies (even if zero) on both the thermometer/meter and on a separate sheet to be filed. Ref: Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of Dissolved Oxygen, Rev. 07/2008. Ref: Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of Conductivity, Rev. 09/2007. Ref: Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of pH, Rev. 10/2008. Ref: Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of Temperature, Rev. 07/2008. Conductivity- Standard methods, 18th Edition, 2510 B B. Finding: The Automatic Temperature Compensator (ATC) has not been verified. Page 2 # 5542 Normandeau Associates Requirement: The ATC must be verified annually (i.e., every twelve months) by analyzing a buffer at 25°C (the temperature that conductivity values are compensated to) and a temperature(s) that bracket the temperature ranges of the samples to be analyzed. This may require the analysis of a third temperature reading that is > 25°C. Ref: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC) Policy, 02/2006. C. Finding: The meter calibration time is not documented each day of use as required. Requirement: The following criteria must be documented whenever sample analysis is performed: date and time of sample collection, date and time of sample analysis, collector/analyst’s name, sample site/sample identification, value of standard used for calibration, instrument calibration time, concentration and obtained value of the check standard, reported values for all samples in μmhos/cm at 25ºC or corrected to 25ºC, The temperature correction (even if it is zero) must be posted on the meter as well as in hard copy format (to be retained for 5 years). Ref: NC WW/GW LC Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of Conductivity Samples, Rev. 09/2007. D. Finding: The meter calibration is not verified each analysis day. Requirement: Analyze and document a calibration check standard. (It is recommended that this standard be at a lower range). The value obtained from the calibration check standard must read within ± 10% of the true value of the check standard. If the value is outside of the ± 10% range, corrective action must be taken. Ref: Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of Conductivity Samples, Rev. 09/07 pH – Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 4500 H+ B E. Finding: The Automatic Temperature Compensator (ATC) has not been verified. Requirement: The ATC must be verified annually (i.e., every twelve months) by analyzing a buffer at 25°C (the temperature that pH values are compensated to) and a temperature(s) that bracket the temperature ranges of the samples to be analyzed. This may require the analysis of a third temperature reading that is > 25°C. Ref: North Carolina Wastewater/Groundwater Laboratory Certification (NC WW/GW LC) Policy Statement 09/2007. F. Finding: The lab is not analyzing a third buffer to verify pH instrument calibration. Requirement: The laboratory must calibrate the pH meter with at least two buffers and read a third buffer below pH 10, approximately 3 pH units different from the second buffer and the reading should be within 0.1 pH units from the third buffer. If the meter response shows a difference greater than 0.1 pH unit from expected value, look for trouble with the electrodes or potentiometer. Ref: Standard Methods 18th Edition 4500-H+ B. (4) (a). G. Finding: The time of sample analysis is not documented. Requirement: Data pertinent to each analysis must be maintained for five years. Certified Data must consist of date collected, time collected, samples site, sample collector, and sample analysis time. The field bench sheets must provide a space for the signature of the analyst, and proper units of measure for all analyses. Ref: 15A NCAC 2H .0805 (g) (1). Page 3 # 5542 Normandeau Associates Temperature – Standard Methods, 18th Edition, 2550 B H. Finding: The NIST traceable thermometer that was used to check the temperature sensor was expired. The recalibration date was March 2001. Requirement: NIST traceable thermometers used for temperature measurements must be recalibrated in accordance with the manufacturer’s recalibration date. If no recalibration date is given, the NIST traceable thermometer must be recalibrated annually Ref: Technical Assistance for Field Analysis of Temperature, Rev. 07/2008. Please submit a copy of the temperature sensor check performed with an appropriately calibrated NIST thermometer and the NIST thermometer calibration documentation along with the report reply. IV. PAPER TRAIL INVESTIGATION: A review of data was conducted. This consisted of comparing benchsheets to field logs and data submitted to clients. No transcription errors were detected. The facility appears to be doing a good job of accurately transcribing data. V. CONCLUSIONS: Correcting the above-cited findings and implementing the recommendations will help this lab to produce quality data and meet certification requirements. The inspector would like to thank the staff for its assistance during the inspection and data review process. Please respond to all findings. Report prepared by: Ramon L. Cook Date: September 22, 2008 Report reviewed by: David Livingston Date: October 14, 2008