ISO 15839-2003 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 15839:2003 — Water quality — On-line sensors/analysing equipment for water — Specifications and performance tests. The standard defines on-line sensors and analysing equipment for water-quality measurements and sets out terminology, specification elements and performance test procedures for laboratory and field evaluation.

Abstract

ISO 15839:2003 describes performance testing for on-line sensors and analysing equipment used in water-quality monitoring. It (1) defines on-line sensor/analysing equipment for water quality measurements, (2) sets terminology for performance characteristics, and (3) specifies laboratory and field test procedures to evaluate those characteristics; it also notes that some tests may not be applicable to every sensor type.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed through periodic review).
• Publication date: October 2003 (catalog records commonly show 22 October 2003).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.060.01; 13.060.45 (water quality; water testing).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2003).
• Number of pages: 30 (typical published length recorded in ISO catalog and national repositories).

Scope

Applies to most on-line sensors and analysers used to measure water quality, providing definitions, performance-characteristic terminology and specified laboratory and field test procedures to assess sensor performance. The standard recognises that for certain sensor designs some tests may not be applicable and therefore allows for limited applicability of particular test methods.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and classification of on-line sensors / analysing equipment for water-quality measurements.
• Terminology describing performance characteristics (e.g., accuracy, precision, response time, stability, drift, detection limits, operating range).
• Specified laboratory test procedures to evaluate performance under controlled conditions.
• Specified field test procedures to assess performance under in-service conditions, including guidance on installation, calibration and maintenance during trials.
• Notes on applicability and limitations — acknowledgement that some performance tests may not apply to all sensor types.

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers of on-line water-quality sensors and analysers to design and validate products; by water utilities and treatment operators to evaluate and select monitoring equipment; by environmental and contract laboratories conducting sensor performance assessments; and by regulators and researchers who define or verify monitoring programmes.

Related standards

ISO 15839 is commonly adopted into regional/national collections (examples: SS-EN ISO 15839 / DIN EN ISO 15839 adoptions). Related water-quality standards that are often used alongside ISO 15839 include the ISO 5667 series (sampling guidance) and measurement-specific standards such as ISO 7027 (turbidity determination); these provide complementary guidance on sampling, QA/QC and specific parameter measurement methods.

Keywords

on-line sensor, analysing equipment, water quality, sensor performance, field testing, laboratory testing, performance characteristics, ISO 15839, water monitoring.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 15839:2003 is an international standard that specifies definitions, terminology and test procedures for the performance evaluation of on-line sensors and analysing equipment used in water-quality monitoring.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the definition of on-line sensors/analysing equipment for water, terminology for performance characteristics, and laboratory and field test procedures to evaluate characteristics such as accuracy, precision, response time, stability and detection limits. It also notes that some tests may not be applicable to all sensor types.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Sensor and analyser manufacturers, water and wastewater utilities, environmental laboratories, regulatory bodies and research organizations involved in instrument evaluation and monitoring programme design.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 15839 was published in 2003 (Edition 1) and remains a published ISO document; it has been subject to periodic five‑year reviews and has been adopted in national/regional collections (e.g., EN adoptions). Users should verify the current status with their national standards body before procurement or compliance work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within ISO work on water quality (ISO/TC 147) and is commonly used alongside related ISO series such as ISO 5667 (sampling) and measurement-specific standards (for example ISO 7027 for turbidity).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: On-line sensor, analyser, water quality, performance test, laboratory test, field test, accuracy, precision, response time, stability, ISO 15839.