ASTM E2335-04

Standard Guide for Laboratory Monitors

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These guidelines are intended to enable a laboratory monitor to perform onsite assessments of laboratory facilities. Accepted facilities will then participate in an interlaboratory test protocol to establish precision and bias for a particular ASTM standard.
This assessment is intended to determine that all of the participants have the necessary equipment, an understanding of the test method, and the minimum level of skill necessary to gather data which are to be used to establish precision and bias for the particular standard.
This guide is not intended to be used as a tool to qualify or accredit laboratories to perform any tests. Refer to the Referenced Documents for further guidance on accreditation requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides a general outline, for use by a laboratory monitor, to assess the qualifications of a laboratory which has requested to participate in a specific ASTM interlaboratory test.
1.2 The preliminary assessment is based on observations made before initiation of any interlaboratory tests.
1.3 The subcommittee, which appoints the laboratory monitor, specifies the minimum requirements which an organization should meet to qualify as a participant for the interlaboratory test. If a pretest is to be included, see details in Section .
1.4 This fire standard can not be used to provide quantitative measures.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2003
• ICS: 71.040.10 - Chemical laboratories. Laboratory equipment
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.15 - Furnishings and Contents

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E2335-08 - Standard Guide for Laboratory Monitors
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2653-23 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine Precision Estimates for a Test Method with Fewer Than Six Participating Laboratories
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2004
• Referred By: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2004

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation:E2335–04
Standard Guide for
Laboratory Monitors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2335; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This guide is for use by laboratory monitors who observe interlaboratory testing performed by
participatingorganizationsthatvalidatethelegitimacyoftestmethodsandalsoestablishabaseofdata
fromwhichprecisionandbiasstatementsaretobewritten.Interlaboratorytestingisdonetodetermine
the validity of a test standard. Such testing requires diligence by adhering to the protocol established
for performing the test in order to minimize variability which often exists between laboratories.
Because laboratories differ in size, organization, management, personnel, facilities and environment
there is always a potential for introducing variability in test results.
Laboratory monitors confirm that the participating facilities adhere to the test protocol as closely as
possible, thereby improving the chances of a successful interlaboratory study. The laboratory monitor
observes and assesses but does not perform the functions of an auditor or trainer; the laboratory
monitor does not provide accreditation of a laboratory. Laboratory monitors should demonstrate
expertise in both the content and the intent of the test method. The laboratory monitor is responsible
to render a report to the appointing subcommittee. It is incumbent upon the laboratory monitor to
maintain objectivity when working with participating laboratories.
Full-scale product fire tests are expensive, especially full-scale tests of bedding and home
furnishings. The development of this standard is intended to ensure that the precision and bias
developed for E5 standards demonstrates a high level of statistical validity.
Using a laboratory monitor as part of an interlaboratory test program is optional. However, if a
monitor is used, all of the laboratories in the project are to be included.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide provides a general outline, for use by a 2.1 ASTM Standards:
laboratory monitor, to assess the qualifications of a laboratory E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
which has requested to participate in a specific ASTM inter- E 1537 Test Method for Fire Testing of Upholstered Furni-
laboratory test. ture
1.2 The preliminary assessment is based on observations E 1822 Test Method for Fire Testing of Stacked Chairs
made before initiation of any interlaboratory tests. 2.2 ISO Standards:
1.3 The subcommittee, which appoints the laboratory moni- ISO 13943 Fire Safety-Vocabulary
tor, specifies the minimum requirements which an organization ISO/IEC 17025:1999(E) General Requirements for the
should meet to qualify as a participant for the interlaboratory Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
2.3 Other Standard:
test. If a pretest is to be included, see details in Section 13.
1.4 Thisfirestandardcannotbeusedtoprovidequantitative AmericanAssociation for LaboratoryAccreditation General
measures. Requirements for Accreditation of Laboratories, January
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the 1997
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
1 3
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E05 on Fire Standards Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1 rue de
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.15 on Furnishings and Varembé, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland.
Contents. American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, 5301 Buckeytown Pike,
Current edition approved Jan 1, 2004. Published February 2004. Frederick, MD 21704.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2335–04
3. Terminology 7. Checklist
7.1 The laboratory monitor’s checklist is to be made avail-
3.1 Fordefinitionsoftermsusedinthisguideandassociated
able to participating laboratories, in advance of the preliminary
with fire issues refer to the terminology contained in Termi-
assessment visit so that a self-evaluation is an option for the
nology E 176 and ISO 13943. In case of conflict, the definition
participating laboratory.
given in Terminology E 176 shall prevail.
7.1.1 The checklist is a one-time, test specific document
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
used as a guide by the laboratory monitor in assessing the
3.2.1 laboratory monitor, n—a representative of a subcom-
following:
mittee who is appointed to determine if the qualifications,
7.1.1.1 Management of the laboratory,
equipment, personnel, and level of skill at a test facility meet
7.1.1.2 Test operator skill level,
the criteria necessary to participate in an interlaboratory test
7.1.1.3 Condition and calibration of the laboratory facilities
protocol.
and equipment,
7.1.1.4 Environmental conditions and facilities for condi-
4. Significance and Use
tioning specimens,
4.1 These guidelines are intended to enable a laboratory
7.1.1.5 Handling and storage of the test materials and any
monitor to perform onsite assessments of laboratory facilities.
reference materials, and
Accepted facilities will then participate in an interlaboratory
7.1.1.6 Appropriate handling of data to ensure that the
test protocol to establish precision and bias for a particular
validity of the data is not compromised.
ASTM standard.
7.2 Each test method and associated interlaboratory test
4.2 This assessment is intended to determine that all of the
requires development of a specific checklist. SeeAppendix X1
participantshavethenecessaryequipment,anunderstandingof
for an example of a checklist used in an ASTM E5.15
the test method, and the minimum level of skill necessary to
Interlaboratory Study.
gather data which are to be used to establish precision and bias
8. Management, Supervisor, and Operators
for the particular standard.
8.1 The environment established by management of the
4.3 This guide is not intended to be used as a tool to qualify
laboratoryisexpectedtodemonstratesupportfortheobjectives
or accredit laboratories to perform any tests. Refer to the
of the interlaboratory test. The following demonstrate this type
Referenced Documents for further guidance on accreditation
of support:
requirements.
8.1.1 Have managerial staff that understands the purpose of
the test, are supportive of the testing, and also have the
5. Qualifications of a Laboratory Monitor
authority and resources needed to see that the interlaboratory
5.1 The laboratory monitor should demonstrate a level of
test is conducted as agreed, and in accordance with the
expertise about the test method for which the interlaboratory
established timetable.
test will be done.
8.1.2 Specify and document the responsibility, authority,
5.2 Technicalunderstandingofthetestmethodisimperative
and interrelations of all personnel who manage, perform or
in order to understand the principles of the measurements to be
verify work affecting the quality of tests (chain of manage-
made during the test procedure.
ment).
5.3 The laboratory monitor should demonstrate objectivity.
8.1.3 Provide supervision by persons who have a functional
This includes not deriving any profit, commissions, or divi-
knowledge of the test method, the apparatus, the objective of
dends from any commercial entity which performs the same or
the test and the assessment of the results.
similar type test evaluations.
8.1.4 Have a quality sys
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