Gas detectors and gas leak alarms are safety devices that prevent accidents by sensing hazardous or combustible gases. Over time their readings drift, causing missed hazards or false alarms. Calibration corrects that drift against a reference standard, and the calibration cycle is how often it should be done. This guide, prepared by a KOLAS-accredited calibration laboratory (accreditation no. KC23-416), covers the legal basis, recommended intervals, and how to adjust them for your site.
What is a calibration cycle?
A calibration interval is the period during which a once-calibrated instrument can be trusted until its next calibration. The traceability secured through calibration gradually weakens with usage frequency, environment, and component aging — so re-calibrating on a defined cycle is what keeps the readings trustworthy.
Because a gas detector's reading is itself the basis for a safety decision, managing its calibration cycle matters even more than for ordinary instruments.
Is the calibration cycle fixed by law?
In short, no single legal interval applies uniformly to every gas detector. Instead, two principles govern:
- Framework Act on National Standards, Article 14 — those who own or use measuring instruments must calibrate them periodically to ensure traceability to national measurement standards.
- Operational Guidelines for the Designation of National Calibration Laboratories, Article 40 — the calibration targets and scope (including the interval) may be defined and operated by the user through their own management rules.
In other words, the user defines the interval through their own rules, set reasonably so that traceability is maintained.
How do we set our own interval?
When defining the interval in your management rules, weigh the following factors together:
- The interval recommended by the manufacturer
- Operating environment — temperature, humidity, dust, corrosive gases, vibration
- Measurement frequency and operating hours
- The drift trend seen in past calibration records
- Any separate safety regulations for your industry or facility
| Condition | Recommended interval (general) |
|---|---|
| Standard indoor, continuous monitoring | 12 months |
| High heat/humidity/dust/corrosion, outdoor | 6–12 months (shorter advised) |
| Highly safety-critical processes | Consider 6 months or less |
※ The table is a general reference; the actual interval is determined by your management rules and site conditions.
What are the risks of skipping calibration?
- Errors accumulate, leading to missed leaks or false alarms — both of which directly hit safety and productivity.
- Traceability is lost, making it hard to prove measurement reliability during quality/safety audits or incident investigations.
Calibrated by the manufacturer, KOLAS-accredited
Ace Electronics both manufactures gas detectors and operates as a KOLAS-accredited national calibration laboratory (accreditation no. KC23-416; scope 901 Chemical Analysis / 90103 Gas Analyzers; ISO/IEC 17025:2017). Because the manufacturer that knows the product best performs the calibration, it is accurate and fast. We offer inbound, courier, and on-site calibration. See the calibration process and our scope of accreditation.
