Management of vacuum leak-detection processes, standards and calibration

Vacuum leak detection requires integrated management action to ensure the successful production of apparatus with required leak tightness. Implementation of properly planned, scheduled, and engineering procedures and test arrangements are a necessity to prevent unexpected, impractical, technically inadequate, or unnecessarily costly incidents in leak testing operations. The use of standard procedures, leak standards appropriate to the task, and accurate calibration systems or devices is necessary to validate the integrity of any leak test procedure. The need for implementing these practices is discussed using case histories of typical examples of large complex vacuum systems. Aggressive management practices are of primary importance throughout a project's life cycle to ensure the lowest cost; this includes successful leak testing of components.