Chapter 4 Technical Administration

CHAPTER 4

TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

Recognize the procedure to follow for requesting

Describe the system used for equipment cal-

calibration of equipment.

ibration.

Describe the different calibration statuses of

Identify the calibration echelons established for

equipment.

calibrating equipment.

Describe the procedures in updating equipment

calibration schedules.

Describe the Metrology Automated System for

Recognize the procedures used to instruct IC

Uniform Recall and Reporting (MEASURE)

watch standers.

program.

success of our Navy depends on the use of accurate and

As an IC Electrician Second Class, your admin-

reliable measuring instruments, and the best way to

istrative responsibilities will include updating various

forms and schedules concerning equipment calibration.

assure continued accuracy is by periodic calibration

You will also be responsible for instructing your person-

performed by skilled technicians.

nel on IC watch standing. This will include ensuring that

The increased complexity of ship systems

your personnel are informed of safety precautions and

(especially weapons, propulsion, and navigation) has

procedures to follow when they are standing the various

made it necessary to improve the quality and accuracy

IC watches. Therefore, this chapter will give you some

of measurements. Problems existed in measurements

background on the Navy Metrology and Calibration

because the measurements of one activity did not agree

(METCAL) program, the Metrology Automated System

with those of another activity even though identical

for Uniform Recall and Reporting (MEASURE) pro-

items were being measured. In such cases, there was a

gram, and IC watch standing, which will include

tendency to "write off" the discrepancies as variations

electrical safety.

in the measuring instrument. But, in fact, most of any

discrepancy was due to the lack of standardized

THE NAVY METROLOGY AND

measurements. It was the purpose of standardizing

CALIBRATION PROGRAM

instrument measurements that the Navy METCAL

program was established. This program emphasizes the

Metrology is the science and art of measurement for

need to complete measurement standardization

the determination of conformance to technical require-

throughout the Navy.

ments. It includes the development of standards and

systems for absolute and relative measurements. Al-

The Navy has established the METCAL program to

though measurement methods have changed con-

ensure traceability and accuracy of instrument

siderably since ancient times, the basic concept of using

calibration to the National Institute of Standards and

calibration to maintain the accuracy of tools and

Technology (NIST). To operating personnel, this means

measuring devices to manufacture quality products and

that any instrument used aboard ship for quantitative

maintain quality performance has not changed.

measurement must be calibrated and that the standards

used are more accurate than the shipboard instruments.

Calibration assures us that our weapon systems are

The accuracy of a standard must be traceable, through

working right and that the parts obtained from different

manufacturers will fit together as they should. The

documentation by each higher calibration activity, to the

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