Maintaining Medical Scales: 5 Ways to Care for Your Scale

4. Ensure the Scale Is Stored Properly

Health scales should be stored upright and in dry places away from water and chemicals. If the scale is to be stored for an extended period of time, batteries should be removed. Some scales feature specially designed fold-up platforms to enable easier, compact storage. Items shouldn’t be stored on a scale platform to prevent damage to scale components.

5. Calibrate the Scale

Calibration should be performed at least once per year by a certified technician or if measurements are incorrect. The scale should be regularly checked for accuracy to ensure it’s within acceptable tolerances.

All scales should be calibrated and verified using certified calibration weights, not body weight or consumer barbell weights. These weights lack certified accuracy, meaning their true weight may deviate from the stated value. Health scales require precise, certified weights to ensure accuracy.

Prior to calibration, refer to the scale manufacturer’s manual to determine the recommended test weight percentage for your scale’s capacity. Typically, scales should be calibrated with 10% of the capacity. Weights should be placed carefully and in the center of the scale’s platform.