OIML R 148-1: Nternational Ecommendation
OIML R 148-1: Nternational Ecommendation
OIML R 148-1: Nternational Ecommendation
ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE
DE MÉTROLOGIE LÉGALE
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
OF LEGAL METROLOGY
OIML R 148-1:2020 (E)
Contents
Foreword................................................................................................................................................ 4
1 Scope ............................................................................................................................................ 5
2 Terminology ................................................................................................................................ 5
2.1 auscultatory method ...................................................................................................... 5
2.2 bladder ........................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 cuff ................................................................................................................................ 5
2.4 deflation valve ............................................................................................................... 5
2.5 diastolic blood pressure (value)..................................................................................... 5
2.6 manometer ..................................................................................................................... 5
2.7 non-invasive non-automated sphygmomanometer ........................................................ 6
2.8 non-invasive blood pressure measurement.................................................................... 6
2.9 pneumatic system .......................................................................................................... 6
2.10 rapid exhaust valve ........................................................................................................ 6
2.11 sleeve ............................................................................................................................. 6
2.12 systolic blood pressure (value) ...................................................................................... 6
2.13 tamper proofing ............................................................................................................. 6
3 Description of the category of instrument ................................................................................ 6
4 Units of measurement ................................................................................................................. 6
5 Metrological requirements ......................................................................................................... 7
5.1 Maximum permissible errors of the cuff pressure indication under
ambient conditions ........................................................................................................ 7
5.2 Maximum permissible errors of the cuff pressure indication under
storage conditions.......................................................................................................... 7
5.3 Maximum permissible errors of the cuff pressure indication under
varying temperature conditions ..................................................................................... 7
6 Technical requirements .............................................................................................................. 7
6.1 Technical requirements for the cuff and bladder........................................................... 7
6.2 Technical requirements for the pneumatic system ........................................................ 7
6.3 Technical requirements for the pressure indicating devices.......................................... 8
6.4 Additional technical requirements for mercury manometers ........................................ 9
6.5 Additional technical requirements for aneroid manometers ....................................... 10
6.6 Safety requirements ..................................................................................................... 11
6.7 Durability of markings ................................................................................................ 12
7 Metrological controls ................................................................................................................ 12
7.1 Type approval.............................................................................................................. 12
7.2 Verification ................................................................................................................. 12
7.3 Sealing ......................................................................................................................... 13
7.4 Marking of the device ................................................................................................. 13
7.5 Manufacturer’s information ........................................................................................ 13
Annex A Advice to be included in the instructions accompanying a sphygmomanometer
using a mercury manometer ........................................................................................ 15
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OIML R 148-1:2020 (E)
Foreword
The International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) is a worldwide, intergovernmental
organisation whose primary aim is to harmonise the regulations and metrological controls applied by
the national metrological services, or related organisations, of its Member States.
The main categories of OIML publications are:
• International Recommendations (OIML R), which are model regulations that establish the
metrological characteristics required of certain measuring instruments and which specify
methods and equipment for checking their conformity. OIML Member States shall implement
these Recommendations to the greatest possible extent;
• International Documents (OIML D), which are informative in nature and which are intended
to harmonise and improve work in the field of legal metrology;
• International Guides (OIML G), which are also informative in nature and which are intended
to give guidelines for the application of certain requirements to legal metrology; and
• International Basic Publications (OIML B), which define the operating rules of the various
OIML structures and systems.
OIML Draft Recommendations, Documents and Guides are developed by Project Groups linked to
Technical Committees or Subcommittees which comprise representatives from the Member States.
Certain international and regional institutions also participate on a consultation basis. Cooperative
agreements have been established between the OIML and certain institutions, such as ISO and the IEC,
with the objective of avoiding contradictory requirements. Consequently, manufacturers and users of
measuring instruments, test laboratories, etc. may simultaneously apply OIML publications and those
of other institutions.
International Recommendations, Documents, Guides and Basic Publications are published in English
(E) and translated into French (F) and are subject to periodic revision.
Additionally, the OIML participates in Joint Committees with other Institutions for the development of
Vocabularies (OIML V) and Joint Guides (G) and periodically commissions legal metrology experts
to write Expert Reports (OIML E). Expert Reports are intended to provide information and advice,
and are written solely from the viewpoint of their author, without the involvement of a Technical
Committee or Subcommittee, nor that of the CIML. Thus, they do not necessarily represent the views
of the OIML.
This publication - reference OIML R 148-1, edition 2020 (E) - was developed by OIML Technical
Subcommittee TC 18/SC 1 Blood pressure instruments. It was approved for final publication by the
International Committee of Legal Metrology in 2020 and supersedes OIML R 16-1:2002 (E).
OIML Publications may be downloaded from the OIML website in the form of PDF files. Additional
information on OIML Publications may be obtained from the Organisation’s headquarters:
Bureau International de Métrologie Légale
11, rue Turgot - 75009 Paris – France
Telephone: 33 (0)1 48 78 12 82
Fax: 33 (0)1 42 82 17 27
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.oiml.org
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OIML R 148-1:2020 (E)
1 Scope
This Recommendation specifies general, performance, efficiency and mechanical safety requirements,
including test methods for type approval, for non-invasive non-automated sphygmomanometers and
their accessories which, by means of an inflatable cuff, are used for the non-invasive measurement of
arterial blood pressure.
Included within the scope of this Recommendation are non-invasive non-automated
sphygmomanometers with a mechanical or integrated electro-mechanical pressure sensing element and
display, used in conjunction with a stethoscope or other manual methods for detecting Korotkoff sounds
and for cuff inflation.
2 Terminology
2.2 bladder
inflatable component of the cuff
2.3 cuff
component of the non-invasive non-automated sphygmomanometer, comprising a bladder and a sleeve,
which is wrapped around the limb of the patient
Note: A cuff might comprise a bladder and an inelastic part that encloses the bladder, or have an
integral bladder (i.e. the cuff including the bladder are fixed together or are one piece).
2.6 manometer
instrument used to measure and display pressure
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OIML R 148-1:2020 (E)
2.11 sleeve
essentially inelastic part of the cuff that encloses the bladder
4 Units of measurement
The units used to indicate blood pressure shall be either the kilopascal (kPa) or the millimetre of mercury
(mmHg).
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5 Metrological requirements
5.1 Maximum permissible errors of the cuff pressure indication under ambient
conditions
For any set of conditions within an ambient temperature range from 15 ℃ to 25 ℃ and a relative
humidity range from 15 % to 85 % for decreasing pressure, the maximum permissible error for the
measurement of the cuff pressure at any point of the scale range shall be ±0.4 kPa (±3 mmHg) for
sphygmomanometers.
5.2 Maximum permissible errors of the cuff pressure indication under storage
conditions
Sphygmomanometers without electronic components shall maintain the maximum permissible error
requirements for the measurement of the cuff pressure specified in 5.1 after storage for 24 h at a low
temperature of −20 ℃, followed by additional storage for 24 h at a high temperature of 70 ℃ and at a
relative humidity of 85 % (non-condensing).
Sphygmomanometers with electronic components shall maintain the maximum permissible error
requirements for the measurement of the cuff pressure specified in 5.1 after storage for 24 h at a low
temperature of −5 °C, followed by additional storage for 24 h at a high temperature of 50 °C and at a
relative humidity of 85 % (non-condensing).
The storage shall occur with the sphygmomanometers unpacked.
5.3 Maximum permissible errors of the cuff pressure indication under varying
temperature conditions
For an ambient temperature range from 10 ℃ to 40 ℃ and a relative humidity of 85 % (non-
condensing), the difference between the indicated pressure of the manometer of the device to be tested
and the corresponding readings of the reference manometer at the relevant temperature value shall not
exceed ±0.4 kPa (±3 mmHg) or ±2 % of the reading, whichever is greater.
Note: The requirement of this subclause does not apply to mercury manometers.
6 Technical requirements
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OIML R 148-1:2020 (E)
6.3.2.1 Scale
The scale shall be designed and arranged so that the measuring values can be read clearly and are easily
recognised.
Testing shall be carried out by visual inspection.
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6.4.2 Devices to prevent mercury from being spilled during use and transport
A device shall be placed in the tube to prevent mercury from being spilled during use and transport (for
example: stopping device, locking device, etc.). This device shall be such that when the pressure in the
system drops rapidly from 26.6 kPa to 0 kPa (from 200 mmHg to 0 mmHg), the time taken for the
mercury column to fall from 26.6 kPa to 5.3 kPa (from 200 mmHg to 40 mmHg) shall not exceed 1.5 s.
This time is known as the “exhaust time”.
6.5.2 Zero
The movement of the elastic sensing element including the pointer shall not be obstructed within 0.8 kPa
(6 mmHg) below zero.
Neither the dial nor the pointer shall be adjustable by the user.
Testing shall be carried out by visual inspection.
6.5.3 Pointer
The pointer shall cover between 1/3 and 2/3 of the length of the shortest scale mark of the scale. At the
place of indication, it shall be not thicker than the scale mark. The distance between the pointer and the
dial shall not exceed 2 mm.
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OIML R 148-1:2020 (E)
7 Metrological controls
Regional or national regulations may prescribe type approval, initial and/or subsequent verification for
sphygmomanometers. These metrological controls shall meet the conditions in 7.1–7.5.
7.2 Verification
After type approval has been granted, verification shall be carried out before the sphygmomanometer
is put into use and during its lifetime. At verification, testing can be conducted at any set of climatic
conditions within the temperature range from 15 ℃ to 25 ℃ and the relative humidity range from 15 %
to 85 %. A climatic chamber is not required.
Each instrument of an approved type of sphygmomanometer shall be verified periodically in accordance
with applicable metrological laws and regulations of a member state, or after repair. At least the
requirements of 5.1 and 6.2.1 shall be fulfilled.
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7.3 Sealing
7.3.1 Control marks shall be put on seals for which corresponding punched screws shall be
attached whenever necessary. These seals shall prevent, without destruction of the control
marks, the following:
in the case of mercury manometers: the separation of reservoir and scale;
in the case of all other manometers: the opening of the casing.
7.3.2 If the construction of the instrument guarantees security against any interference, the
metrological control marks or the security marks may be attached in form of labels.
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if the bladder is removable, the method for ensuring the correct repositioning of the bladder in
the cuff;
nature and frequency of the maintenance required to ensure that the device operates correctly
and safely at all times;
disclosure that applicable national or regional metrological laws and regulations shall be
considered;
detailed instructions for the safe handling of mercury (see Annex A);
list of all components belonging to the pressure measuring system, including accessories;
remarks on the environmental or operational factors which may affect the performance (e.g.
electromagnetic fields, arrythmia);
specification of the rated voltage, if applicable;
specification of the intended power source, if applicable;
measurement range;
operating and storage temperature, and humidity ranges;
warm-up time, if applicable;
description of all symbols, abbreviations and error codes used on the instrument; and
name and address of manufacturer.
Testing shall be carried out by visual inspection.
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Annex A
Advice to be included in the instructions accompanying a
sphygmomanometer using a mercury manometer
(Informative)
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