Specifications Performance tests

When selecting a performance testing system, issues that could affect the practicality, accuracy, and general utility of the system include the specific performance tests that are included in the system, the availability of norms upon which performance can be evaluated (and upon which decisions regarding readiness to perform are based), the reliability and validity of the measures, the accuracy of the measurement, the user interface, and the administrative interface. The relevance of each of these issues is discussed, as are some of the specific questions that merit some consideration when evaluating performance testing systems. 

The System of accreditation is a mechanism that ensures official recognition that calibration or testing laboratory has right to perform testing of measuring devices, specific testing or specific types of testing. 

Analytical and control methods for acetic anhydride are fully discussed in reference 55. Performance tests are customarily used where the quality of the product is cmcial, as in food or pharmaceutical products. Typical specifications are ... 

The adhesives are routinely tested for specific performance and compliance to many user specifications with different requirements. Government purchases are covered in the Mil Standard A-46050C (12). 

The most effective specification is that which accomplishes the desired result with the fewest requirements. Properties and performance should be emphasized rather than how the objectives ate to be achieved. Excessive demonstration of emdition on the part of the writer or failure to recognize the usually considerable processing expertise held by the vendor results in a lengthy and overly detailed document that generally is counterproductive. Redundancy may lead to technical inconsistency. A requirement that cannot be assessed by a prescribed test method or quantitative inspection technique never should be included in the specifications. Wherever possible, tests should be easy to perform and highly correctable with service performance. Tests that indicate service life are especially useful. Standard test references, eg, ASTM methods, ate the most desirable, and those that ate needed should be selected carefully and the numbers of such references should be minimized. To eliminate unnecessary review activity by the would-be complier, the description of a standard test should not be paraphrased or condensed unless the original test is referenced. 

The instrumental analyzer procedure, EPA Method 3A, is commonly used for the determination of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in emissions from stationary sources. An integrated continuous gas sample is extracted from the test location and a portion of the sample is conveyed to one or more instrumental analyzers for determination of O9 and CO9 gas concentrations (see Fig. 25-30). The sample gas is conditioned prior to introduction to the gas analyzer by removing particulate matter and moisture. Sampling is conducted at a constant rate for the entire test run. Performance specifications and test procedures are provided in the method to ensure reliable data. 

Arrester Testing and Standards Regulatory and approval agencies and insurers impose acceptance testing requirements, sometimes as part of certification standards. The user may also request testing to demonstrate specific performance needs, just as the manufacturer can help develop standards. These interrelationships have resulted in several new and updated performance test procedures. Listing of an arrester by a testing laboratoiy refers only to performance under a defined set of test conditions. The flame arrester user should develop specific application requirements based on the service involved and the safety and risk criteria adopted. 

Guidance on specifications is divided into universal tests/criteria which are considered generally applicable to all new substances/products and specific tests/criteria which may need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis when they have an impact on the quality for batch control. Tests are expected to follow the ICH guideline on analytical validation (Section 13.5.4). Identification of the drug substance is included in the universal category, and such a test must be able discriminate between compounds of closely related structure which are likely to be present. It is acknowledged here that optically active substances may need specific identification testing or performance of a chiral assay in addition to this requirement. 

Comite des Constructeurs d Automobiles du Marche Commun represents joint industry opinion on factors such as lubricant specifications, emissions, vehicle design and safety standards. With regard to crankcase lubricants, CCMC defines sequences of engine tests, and the tests themselves are defined by CEC (Coordinating European Committee for the Development of Performance Tests for Lubricants and Engine Euels a joint body of the oil and motor industries). 

This is a performance test for explosives. In this respect it only meets specific requirements related to the use of so-called intentional explosives. 

One of the unique issues in the development of advanced-performance materials is that they are very product-specific, and their development requires expensive prototype iteration and performance testing. The product development is people- and design-intensive and usually results in a niche market for the material that is, the specific product slate for which the material has been designed and tested. Many of the applications are in high-tech industrial products like aerospace components, so the total volume of material used will be small. Thus, attractive commercialization schemes require that the material have intrinsic value that will justify a high margin, or there must be a product application for which the value can be captured in the end product. 

There are also two notable research institutes offering information that may assist the engineer in making out the specification sheets. One of these is the Heat Transfer Research Institute (HTRI). Its staff performs tests to optimize the design of heat-transfer equipment. This information is then encoded in computer programs, which are distributed to the companies that support the research. This means that the engineer s company must purchase a membership to obtain these data. The Fractionation Research Institute (FRI) is a similar institution that deals with the separation processes. 

Future needs in support of model validation and performance testing must continue to be in the area of coordinated, well-designed field data collection programs supplemented with directed research on specific topics. The FAT workshop produced a listing of the field data collection and research needs for the air, streams/lakes/estuaries, and runoff/unsaturated/saturated soil media categories, as follows ... 

The ability of a system to meet its requirements and specifications must be demonstrated and documented before it can be accepted and fielded as a military system. Performance tests of a military detector system typically are performed by the contractor (Contractor Tests) and by the government (Government Tests). The former often are witnessed by government personnel who independently report on the methodology and results. Contractor testing is conducted at contractor facilities and at government facilities (but... 

Use only chemical protective clothing that has undergone material and construction performance testing against the specific agent that has been released. Reported permeation rates may be affected by solvents, components, or impurities in munition grade agents. 

Approved IVD tests are required to have standard product labeling. The current labeling requirements include provisions dealing with intended use(s), summary and explanation of test, information on specimen collection and preparation, procedures, results, limitations of the procedure, expected values, and specific performance characteristics. 

ISO (2003) Standard 15839 Water quality on-line sensors/analysing equipment for water specifications and performance tests... 

The following is a listing of specific U.S. industry standards for fire performance testing for specific fire exposures that may be applied in the petroleum industry. 

In the operant performance test (Ritchie et al. 2001), groups of four rats were exposed separately for four successive test sessions to each test concentration. Performance was measured by the number of food rewards earned in a specific time. The exposures to HFC-134a were for approximately 15 min and were either preceded or followed by a 15-min exposure to room air. Atmospheres were measured with infrared spectrometry. Compared with the air exposures, there were no significant differences in any performance measures during exposures at 40,000 to 100,000 ppm. At 140,000 ppm, food rewards earned were significantly reduced, although the error-to-reward ratios were significantly increased. 

Testing and Other Risk Data.(17) TSCA 5(d)(1)(B) (C) required each PMN to contain any (i.e. all) health and environmental effects data that the notice submitter has in his "possession or control," as well as a "description" of other data that are "known to or reasonably ascertainable" by him. Thus, a company must provide EPA all test data that it has developed or otherwise obtained concerning its new chemical, and must inform the Agency concerning any other similar data of which it is aware. However, TSCA does not require companies to perform tests or otherwise develop specific data, as a prerequisite to the submission of PMN s. (J 8 )... 

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