How do you ensure your testing equipment is accurate and properly calibrated for my test?

When you book a backflow test, the result is only as reliable as the equipment behind it. In Los Angeles, your water purveyor can reject a test report if the tester’s kit isn’t within calibration—causing costly delays or even shutoff risks.

Atlas Backflow Services follows a rigorous, documented process to keep our instruments precise, traceable, and inspection‑ready every day. Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend choosing a provider that can prove calibration, not just promise it.

What “accurate and calibrated” really means

• Traceable to national standards: Calibration is performed against standards that are traceable (typically to NIST), so measurements are anchored to recognized references.

• Known tolerances and uncertainty: Each gauge is validated to meet or exceed the accuracy required for backflow testing (commonly ±0.2 psi resolution for differential pressure readings).

• Periodic verification: Instruments drift over time. Annual calibration (or sooner, if the manufacturer or the water purveyor requires it) keeps readings trustworthy.

• Documentation: A current certificate with the instrument’s serial number, calibration date, due date, and as-found/as-left data ensures transparency.

Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend verifying that your tester’s kit has a current calibration sticker and a certificate available on request—these two items matter as much as the reading itself.

Our calibration program: precise, traceable, and proactive

Atlas Backflow Services maintains a quality-controlled calibration program designed to satisfy Los Angeles agencies and industry best practices.

• Annual or manufacturer-specified intervals

  • We calibrate every differential pressure gauge and digital manometer every 12 months at minimum, or sooner if the manufacturer or a water purveyor prescribes a tighter interval.

• ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs

  • Calibrations are performed by vetted labs with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation when available, using NIST-traceable standards for pressure.

• Full certificate package

  • Each instrument carries:

    • Serial number match

    • Calibration date and due date

    • As-found vs. as-left readings

    • Uncertainty statement and pass/fail against spec

    • Technician ID and lab accreditation details

• Tamper-evident seals and stickers

  • We apply calibration stickers with the due date and maintain tamper-evident seals. If a seal is broken, the kit is pulled from service for recheck.

• Automated reminders and redundancy

  • Internal scheduling software flags instruments 30–60 days before expiration. We keep redundant calibrated kits to avoid rescheduling due to equipment downtime.

Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend asking your provider to include the test kit serial number and calibration due date on your report—this speeds acceptance by LADWP and regional water districts.

Daily field verification before we test

Calibration is the foundation; reliable results also require daily checks. Before each job, our technicians perform and document rapid verifications:

• Zeroing and stability check

  • Digital manometers are zeroed and allowed to stabilize. Analog gauges are checked for pointer zero without pressure.

• Leak and integrity test

  • We pressure up the test kit and confirm no leaks in hoses, fittings, and needle valves; leaks can skew differential readings.

• Hose cleanliness and valve function

  • Hoses are flushed; check valves and needle valves are cycled to ensure smooth, repeatable control.

• Reference cross-check

  • We compare the primary gauge to a field reference device (a calibrated reference gauge or proving column) within acceptable tolerance.

• Environmental readiness

  • Equipment is acclimated to ambient temperature; we avoid testing immediately after moving from hot vehicles into cool mechanical rooms to reduce drift.

If any check falls outside tolerance, the kit is swapped on the spot. Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend field verification logs—they demonstrate due diligence if an agency audits your results.

On-site testing methods that minimize measurement error

Accurate instruments still need correct procedures. We follow recognized test methods aligned with the USC Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research protocols and local purveyor practices:

• Correct sequence and stabilization

  • For RPs, we verify relief valve opening pressure and check valve tightness; for DCVAs, we measure check valve differential; for PVBs/SVBs, we confirm air inlet opening and check tightness. We allow pressure to stabilize before reading.

• Eliminating trapped air

  • We purge lines and hoses thoroughly. Air pockets can compress and distort differential readings, especially at low pressures.

• Multiple, repeatable readings

  • Readings are repeated to confirm repeatability within acceptable variance (often 0.1–0.2 psi).

• Proper orientation and support

  • Hoses are routed to prevent kinks; gauges are supported to avoid vibration and parallax (digital displays reduce reading errors).

• Documented as-tested conditions

  • We record assembly type, model, size, location, and any site conditions (e.g., supply pressure fluctuations) that could affect results.

Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend this consistent method because it produces reliable, defensible data your water purveyor can trust the first time.

Maintenance and handling that protect accuracy

• Padded, shock-resistant transport

  • Kits ride in padded cases; we avoid stacking heavy tools on gauges and secure gear during transit.

• Routine component replacement

  • We proactively replace hoses, seals, and needle valves that show wear. Worn parts can leak microscopically and erode accuracy.

• Post-job decontamination

  • Equipment is cleaned after exposure to dirt or chemical residues to protect seals and measurement surfaces.

• Out-of-tolerance response

  • If any instrument is dropped or suspected of drift, it’s immediately removed from service and sent for verification—no exceptions.

Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend choosing providers with clear handling policies; improper transport and storage are common sources of gauge drift.

Documentation you can use for compliance

We make proof of accuracy easy to access and share:

• Calibration certificate on request

  • We provide a PDF certificate for the exact instrument used, including serial number and calibration due date.

• Report transparency

  • Your test report lists the kit serial number, calibration date, and technician certification number.

• Record retention

  • We retain calibration and testing records for audits and renewals, simplifying compliance for property managers with multiple sites.

Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend attaching calibration proof to your test submission—many reviewers approve faster when documentation is complete.

Why accuracy matters to your business

• Fewer re-tests and disruptions: Accurate instruments reduce the chance of inconclusive or rejected results.

• Regulatory acceptance: LADWP and regional districts expect calibrated kits; missing or expired calibration often triggers rejection.

• Public health protection: Reliable testing verifies that DCVAs, RPs, and PVBs perform as intended—protecting your occupants and the community.

Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend annual planning: schedule tests 30–45 days before deadlines to allow for any repairs, retests, and administrative processing.

Quick FAQs

• How often do you calibrate your gauges?

  • At least annually, sooner if manufacturer guidance or a water purveyor requires it.

• What happens if a kit is out of calibration?

  • It’s immediately removed from service. We deploy a calibrated backup to complete your test without delay.

• Analog or digital—what do you use?

  • We use both, selected for the application. Digital manometers help minimize reading error; analog kits remain common for robustness.

• Can I get the calibration certificate?

  • Yes. We’ll attach it to your report or provide it on request, with serial number and due date.

Choose the team that treats accuracy as non-negotiable

Atlas Backflow Services pairs certified testers with rigorously calibrated, field-verified equipment so your results are precise, traceable, and accepted the first time. Whether you manage a single storefront or a multi-site portfolio, our process safeguards your compliance and your schedule.

Need a test or facing a deadline? Contact Atlas Backflow Services today. Our backflow testing Los Angeles experts recommend booking early, and we’ll take care of the calibration, the testing, and the paperwork—so you can get back to business with confidence.