ASTM_D_3614_-_07_2013.pdf

Designation:D361407(Reapproved 2013)Standard Guide forLaboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis ofAtmospheres and Emissions1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3614;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThe utilization of well tested and uniform laboratory practices is essential to the production ofreliable and defensible environmental data whose validity can be demonstrated at a later date throughthe use of written field and laboratory records.This document is intended to provide general guidelinesfor the elements of laboratory practices that are considered to be basic to the performance oflaboratories that provide services in the sampling and analysis of atmospheres and emissions.Thisdocument is intended to stimulate an awareness of good laboratory and field practices.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers criteria to be used by those respon-sible for the selection,evaluation,operation,and control oflaboratory organizations engaged in sampling and analysis ofenvironmental atmospheres,including ambient,work space,and source emissions,as well as atmospheric depositionsamples.For details specific to stack gases,see PracticeD7036,which covers administrative issues in full;severalspecifics in this guide regarding laboratory operations may yetbe helpful and do not overlap with Practice D7036.1.2 This guide presents features of organizations,facilities,resources,and operations which by their selection and controlaffect the reliability and credibility of the data generated.1.3 This guide presents the criteria for the selection andcontrol of the features listed in 1.2 so that acceptable perfor-mance may be attained and sustained.Also,this guide presentsrecommendations for the correction of unacceptable perfor-mance.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis ofAtmospheresD1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the AmbientAtmosphereD3249 Practice for General Ambient Air Analyzer Proce-duresD3670 Guide for Determination of Precision and Bias ofMethods of Committee D22D7036 Practice for Competence of Air Emission TestingBodies3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this guide,see Terminology D1356.3.2 Other terms are defined as follows:3.3 accrediting authoritya body that evaluates the capa-bility of a testing agency,or an inspection agency,or both,incertain specific fields of activity.3.4 agencyan organization or part of an organization,engaged in the activities of testing or inspection,or both.3.5 generic criteriacommon characteristics pertaining toorganization,human resources,material resources,and quality1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on AirQuality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.01on QualityControl.Current edition approved April 1,2013.Published April 2013.Originallyapproved in 1977.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D3614-07.DOI:10.1520/D3614-07R13.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 systems which provide a basis for assessing the qualificationsof testing or inspection agencies.3.6 human resourcesthose elements of support or capabil-ity that are provided by humans using their mental and physicalcapabilities.3.7 inspectionthe process of measuring,examining,testing,gaging,or otherwise evaluating materials,products,services,systems,or environments.3.8 organizational componenta portion of an organizationwith specific tasks and activities that constitutes a part of thetotal effort and accomplishment of the organization.3.9 qualitythe totality of features and characteristics of aproduct or service that bear on its ability to satisfy a givenneed.3.10 quality assurancea system of activities whose pur-pose is to provide assurance that the overall quality control jobis in fact being done effectively.The system involves acontinuing evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of theoverall quality control program(see quality control)with aview to having corrective measures initiated where necessary.For a specific product or service,this involves verifications,audits,and the evaluation of the quality factors that affect thespecification,produ