Under what condition is the XRF unit required to be calibrated?

The XRF (X-ray fluorescence) unit must be calibrated prior to an inspection to ensure accurate measurements of lead concentrations in paint and other materials. Calibration is essential because it aligns the instrument's readings with known standards, allowing for reliable data collection. This process accounts for any variations due to environmental factors or the device's performance over time, thus ensuring that the results you obtain reflect the actual condition of the surfaces being tested. By calibrating before an inspection, you guarantee that the readings are trustworthy, which is crucial for risk assessment activities.

While calibration frequency may be governed by the manufacturer's guidelines or regulatory standards, and malfunctions can obviously necessitate recalibration, the primary requirement is that calibration be performed prior to conducting an inspection. Thus, this ensures that every inspection starts with a reliable baseline.