What is the first kind of quality control used to assess device precision?

In the context of assessing device precision for radon measurement, duplicates serve as a critical first step in quality control. Utilizing duplicate measurements involves collecting two samples from the same location and analyzing them in parallel. By comparing the results from these duplicates, technicians can evaluate consistency, precision, and reliability of the measurements. This method quickly identifies any anomalies in the device's performance or ensures that measurements are repeatable.

While calibration checks, annual audits, and single testing are also essential components of a thorough quality control process, duplicates specifically focus on immediate precision checks and are thus foundational in establishing confidence in initial measurements. Calibration checks tend to come after initial precision assessments to ensure that devices are functioning according to established standards, while annual audits and single testing serve other purposes in overall quality assurance.