Hydrometer for HMRC records

[Jim]

I've never been audited by HMRC, but whenever QA auditors have asked me how I verify measurements I've made having a calibration certificate does the job. I don't think saccharometers would need to be re-calibrated either. Surely once they're made they won't change?

Years ago part of my job was calibrating instruments in a factory. Anything that was used for 'test/acceptance' measurements had to be calibrated at regular intervals against standard instruments that were themselves calibrated externally by companies that could trace their own instruments back to national standards.

I've calibrated thermometers, electrical instruments, mechanical gauges etc etc.

I can't imagine HMRC being gung ho about it to be honest.

Hmmm...electronic things I've worked with have needed at least annual calibration to keep QA happy, but i know we used a calibrated set of weights for the scales and the weights themselves didn't have to be calibrated again.

Weights should be regularly calibrated really - any mechanical item can be damaged or get bits of them worn away and change their measurements. Mind, it depends on what you're measuring with the weights and who you're trying to satisfy. I did actually work in QA when I was doing calibration and any weights used for acceptance measurements on the product would have to be regularly checked against standards.

[boingy]

It will need an up-to-date calibration certificate and it's a very easy thing for an inspector/auditor to ask for. With a hydrometer you might find it cheaper to buy a new certificated one each year rather than pay for calibration. The alcohol calculations are critical in determining how much revenue you pay so I can't see HMRC letting you cut corners there.

My place recently stopped calibrating most of the test kit in the engineering lab because it was costing thousands. We now have one traceable reference set and everything else has a red "not calibrated" sticker, which is fine as our our QA manual allows it!

[Dave S]

It will need an up-to-date calibration certificate and it's a very easy thing for an inspector/auditor to ask for. With a hydrometer you might find it cheaper to buy a new certificated one each year rather than pay for calibration. The alcohol calculations are critical in determining how much revenue you pay so I can't see HMRC letting you cut corners there.

My place recently stopped calibrating most of the test kit in the engineering lab because it was costing thousands. We now have one traceable reference set and everything else has a red "not calibrated" sticker, which is fine as our our QA manual allows it!

That's the thing with QA policies, make sure you don't paint yourself into a corner. I have two instruments that I get calibrated to UKAS certification once every 2 years. The other 6 or so instruments I calibrate to those 2. Our auditor is fine with that.

[Horatio]

I was recommended to buy B3030/000 and B3030/030 by Stevenson Reeves for my size of brews. They say these are certified to HMRC requirements? Haven't ordered them as yet but this is the PDF that lists them
http://www.stevenson-reeves.co.uk/reeve ... alogue.pdf

[Cazamodo]

I was recommended to buy B3030/000 and B3030/030 by Stevenson Reeves for my size of brews. They say these are certified to HMRC requirements? Haven't ordered them as yet but this is the PDF that lists them
http://www.stevenson-reeves.co.uk/reeve ... alogue.pdf

They are the exact ones I have, but I ordered them from Vigo, as I had a large order coming from them, and didn't come with any certificates, but are definitely those two, as they have the model numbers on them.

[Horatio]

I was recommended to buy B3030/000 and B3030/030 by Stevenson Reeves for my size of brews. They say these are certified to HMRC requirements? Haven't ordered them as yet but this is the PDF that lists them
http://www.stevenson-reeves.co.uk/reeve ... alogue.pdf

They are the exact ones I have, but I ordered them from Vigo, as I had a large order coming from them, and didn't come with any certificates, but are definitely those two, as they have the model numbers on them.

Stevenson Reeves said you have to ask for them to be certificated at time of order or they will not be! They also cannot be certificated after purchase but can be calibrated and then certificated at extra costs. Ive just got to remember to ask for certification when I order them!

[Cazamodo]

Oh dear. Maybe my best bet will be to get a 1000-1060 range, with calibration certificate. And calibrate these ones from it.

[WishboneBrewery]

From what I recall from a conversation at work to David Smith (Brewery Consultant) I think he said you should be able to measure to 0.1 of a degree.
Though thats not to mention the allowed 0.5% ABV either-way Tolerance.
I think as someone already stated, its Important to get samples independently tested about once a year to check for Alcohol, this corroborates your brew data collection.
Further, NONE of our Saccharometers have ever been sent for calibration, if one breaks we buy a new one from http://www.stevenson-reeves.co.uk/reeves/sacc.htm thats it.

[critch]

we buy em from stevenson reeve with a calibration cert.however ive never been asked for calibration certs for any equipment by hmrc!

my main advice on sacharometer /hydrometers?


BUY SPARES!