Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel by Road Tanker) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984

Made: 3rd April 1984

Coming into operation in accordance with Regulation 1

The Department of Economic Development, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 9(1) and (3), 10(6) and 13(1) of the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981[^f00001] and now vested in it[^f00002], and of every other power enabling it in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:—

PART I — GENERAL

Citation, commencement and revocation

1

• (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel by Road Tanker) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984 and shall come into operation as follows—

• (a) all Regulations except Regulations 4, 5, 6, 14(1) and 36, on 7th May 1984;

• (b) Regulations 4, 5, 14(1) and 36, on 1st July 1984; and

• (c) Regulation 6, on 1st July 1987.

• (2) The Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel by Road Tanker) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1980[^f00003] and the Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel by Road Tanker) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1983[^f00004] are hereby revoked.

Interpretation

2

• (1) In these Regulations—

• “approved” in the expressions “approved maximum”, “approved minimum” and “approved working conditions” means approved in accordance with a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval is in force or, if the measuring equipment is not made in accordance with such a pattern, approved in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations;

• “certificate of approval” means a certificate of approval of a pattern of measuring equipment granted or renewed by the Department of Economic Development under Article 10 of the Order or a certificate of approval of a pattern of measuring equipment deemed under Article 10(8) of the Order to have been granted and published under the provisions of the said Article 10;

• “compartment” means a single container with which a dipstick forming part of a dipstick measuring system may be associated to measure quantities of liquid fuel or a container associated with a contents gauging system, but does not include associated pipework between the foot valve and the outlet valve unless specifically stated on a conspicuous notice adjacent to the outlet valve;

• “compartment number” means, in the case of a multi-compartment tank, the position of the compartment relative to the front of the vehicle, numbered sequentially from the front of the vehicle;

• “contents gauging system” means any measuring equipment, not being a dipstick measuring system or a meter measuring system, which determines the quantity of liquid fuel delivered from an associated compartment by measuring the height of the free surface of the liquid fuel from a reference point;

• “datum face” means the flat surface of the crosspiece of a dipstick at right angles to the axis of the dipstick formed by the lower face of the crosspiece;

• “datum point” means a point or area on the road tanker from which the relative height of the datum surface can readily be checked;

• “datum surface” means the surface at the top of the dipstick guide tube, on which the datum face of the crosspiece rests when a measurement of liquid fuel is being made;

• “dipstick measuring system” means any measuring equipment comprising a compartment with a datum surface, and an associated dipstick with a datum face;

• “foot valve” means a mechanical device fitted at the junction of a compartment and its outlet pipe by means of which the contents of the compartment may be isolated from any associated pipework;

• “mark of EEC initial verification” means the mark described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1980[^f00005];

• “meter measuring system” means any measuring equipment which incorporates a mechanical flowmeter device to determine the quantity of liquid fuel delivered, and comprises all parts and devices from the source, including any anti-swirl device, from which the liquid is drawn to the point of discharge and all associated mechanical, optical, electrical or pneumatic equipment;

• “minimum delivery” means the smallest quantity of liquid fuel which the measuring equipment is designed to measure;

• “the Order” means the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981;

• “pattern” means the particular pattern in accordance with which any particular measuring equipment is made;

• “prescribed limits of error” relating to a contents gauging system or a meter measuring system has the meaning set out in Regulation 56(1) and relating to a dipstick measuring system has the meaning set out in Regulation 56(2);

• “reference meter” means a meter for use in testing measuring equipment to which these Regulations apply provided pursuant to Article 4(1) of the Order for use by inspectors;

• “registration mark” in relation to a vehicle means the registration mark assigned to it under the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971[^f00006] or the Vehicles (Excise) Act (Northern Ireland) 1972[^f00007];

• “replacement dipstick” means a dipstick which is tested, passed as fit for use for trade and stamped to replace a dipstick which has been broken, lost or destroyed or is otherwise unserviceable;

• “road tanker” means any vehicle or trailer which carries liquid fuel in a tank forming part of the vehicle or trailer other than that containing the fuel which is used to propel the vehicle, and also includes any tank with a capacity exceeding 3 m³ carried on a vehicle;

• “spare dipstick” means an additional dipstick which is tested, passed as fit for use for trade and stamped at the same time as an original or replacement dipstick;

• “the stamp” means the stamp prescribed by the Weights and Measures (Prescribed Stamp) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1969[^f00008];

• “tank” means a single or multiple container comprising one or more compartments; and

• “tank number” means, in the case of a trailer part of a vehicle, the tank manufacturer's serial number and in the case of a rigid vehicle, either the tank manufacturer's serial number or the vehicle registration mark.

• (2) In these Regulations, a “calibration chart” in relation to any tank means a table of figures which relates the volume of liquid fuel, for each of the tank's compartments, to the linear distance between the surface of the liquid and the datum surface, and which has been—

• (a) prepared by inserting into, or withdrawing from, each compartment known volumes of liquid and determining the linear distance between the surface of the liquid and the datum surface when the road tanker is on a level surface; and

• (b) certified as accurate by an inspector, including a chief or other inspector of weights and measures within the meaning of section 41 of the Weights and Measures Act 1963[^f00009].

• (3) The abbreviations of, and symbols for, units of measurement used in these Regulations refer to the relevant units as follows:

cubic metre	m³
millimetre	mm
square centimetre	cm²
degree celsius	°C

Application

3

• (1) Subject to paragraph (2), these Regulations shall apply to all measuring equipment on road tankers for use for trade in the making of any measurement of liquid fuel in a quantity dispensed from the tanker exceeding 20 gallons if the equipment is constructed to measure in imperial units, or 100 litres if it is constructed in metric units.

• (2) These Regulations shall not apply to—

• (a) measuring equipment for use only for the delivery of liquefied gas, lubricating oils, or fuels dispensed at other than ambient temperature; or

• (b) measuring equipment for use only for the fuelling of aircraft, ships or hovercraft.

Prescription of equipment

4

Measuring equipment to which these Regulations apply is hereby prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(1) of the Order.

Use for trade of contents gauging system or meter measuring system

5

• (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a contents gauging system or a meter measuring system shall be used for trade only for the purpose of measuring delivered quantities of liquid fuel of not less than the minimum delivery marked on or adjacent to the indicator of the system.

• (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply where a measurement is made only for the purpose of payments in respect of any customs or excise duty.

Use for trade of dipstick measuring system

6

• (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a dipstick measuring system shall be used for trade only for the purpose of measuring delivered quantities of liquid fuel of not less than 30% of the marked nominal capacity of the compartment with which the dipstick is associated.

• (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply where a measurement is made only for the purpose of payments in respect of any customs or excise duty.

PART II — PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION AND MARKING OF MEASURING EQUIPMENT

Types of measuring equipment

7

Measuring equipment to which these Regulations apply shall consist of a contents gauging system, a dipstick measuring system or a meter measuring system.

Provisions applicable to contents gauging systems

8

Regulations 9 to 12 shall apply to contents gauging systems.

Approved patterns of construction and identification marks

9

• (1) Every contents gauging system shall be made in accordance with a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval is in force.

• (2) Every contents gauging system shall be legibly and durably marked with the number of the certificate of approval, preceded by the words "Certification No.“or ”Cert. No.“or ”DED Certification No.“or ”DED Cert. No." as the case may be.

Markings for minimum delivery and liquid fuel of use

10

The minimum delivery and the liquid fuel which a contents gauging system is designed to measure shall be marked legibly, permanently and conspicuously in a suitable position on or adjacent to the sales indicator.

Sales indicators

11

Every contents gauging system shall be fitted with a sales indicator reading in litres or gallons and so arranged that:

• (a) the indicator reading is capable of being set to zero before a delivery commences; and

• (b) the indicator reading cannot be advanced by any means other than by the discharge of liquid fuel from the system.

Ticket printing mechanism

12

Every contents gauging system shall incorporate a ticket printing mechanism to enable a ticket to be issued indicating the quantity of liquid fuel delivered in each transaction.

Provisions applicable to meter measuring systems

13

Regulations 14 to 17 shall apply to meter measuring systems.

Approved patterns of construction and identification marks

14

• (1) Every meter measuring system shall be made in accordance with a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval is in force.

• (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a meter measuring system which does not comply with that paragraph at 1st July 1984 may continue to be tested and stamped and used for trade until 1st July 1987 if it has before 1st July 1984 been passed as fit for use for trade in accordance with these Regulations.

• (3) Every meter measuring system made in accordance with a pattern as mentioned in paragraph (1) shall be legibly and durably marked with the number of the certificate of approval, preceded by the words "Certification No.“or ”Cert. No.“or ”DED Certification No.“or ”DED Cert. No." as the case may be.

Markings for minimum delivery, liquid fuel of use and rate of flow

15

The minimum delivery, the liquid fuel which a meter measuring system is designed to measure and the minimum and maximum rates of flow shall be marked legibly, permanently and conspicuously in a suitable position on or adjacent to the meter.

Sales indicators

16

Every meter measuring system shall be fitted with a sales indicator reading in litres or gallons and so arranged that—

• (a) the indicator reading is capable of being set to zero before a delivery commences; and

• (b) the indicator reading cannot be advanced by any means other than by the discharge of liquid fuel from the system.

Ticket printing mechanism

17

Every meter measuring system shall incorporate a ticket printing mechanism to enable a ticket to be issued indicating either the quantity of liquid fuel delivered in each transaction or two numbers from which the quantity delivered may readily be calculated.

Provisions applicable to dipstick measuring systems

18

Regulations 19 to 35 shall apply to dipstick measuring systems.

Separate dipsticks

19

Every dipstick shall relate to, and be used for measuring the quantity of liquid fuel in, one compartment only.

Construction of dipsticks

20

• (1) Every dipstick shall consist of a blade and a crosspiece.

• (2) The blade shall be made of hard wood treated to reduce absorption, glass-reinforced plastic or other suitable material.

• (3) The blade shall be free from flaws and sufficiently straight to be satisfactory for measurement.

• (4)

• (a) Subject to sub-paragraph (b) and paragraph (6), the blade shall extend to within 20 mm of the bottom of the compartment beneath the dipstick but not so as to touch the bottom.

• (b) For compartments the use of which commenced before 1st July 1980, sub-paragraph (a) shall have effect as if for “20 mm” there were substituted “25 mm”.

• (5) Subject to paragraph (6), the blade shall be sufficiently long so that it will indicate when the compartment contains liquid fuel equal to 0.5% of the nominal capacity of the compartment.

• (6) For compartments the use of which commenced before 1st July 1983—

• (a) the blade shall only have to comply with either the requirements of paragraph (4) or those of paragraph (5);

• (b) if the blade does not comply with the requirements of both paragraphs (4) and (5), the dipstick measuring system shall not be used for trade after 31st December 1993.

Cross-sectional area of dipstick

21

The cross-sectional area of a dipstick shall not exceed 5 cm².

Blades not practicable to stamp

22

Every dipstick blade made from glass-reinforced plastic or other materials which it is not practicable to stamp shall have a metal rivet suitable for receiving the stamp rivetted into the blade adjacent to the line 50 mm below the datum face referred to in Regulation 27.

Construction of crosspieces

23

• (1) The crosspiece of every dipstick shall be made of metal or other suitable material and shall be positively located and securely fixed to the blade to withstand fair wear and tear in ordinary use for trade.

• (2) If the crosspiece is made in two parts they shall be spigotted together.

• (3) The datum face shall be flat and at right angles to the axis of the blade.

Unit of measurement

24

• (1) The unit of measurement to be used in marking a dipstick shall be either the litre or the gallon.

• (2) The unit shall be marked on the dipstick at each end of the scale referred to in Regulation 28, beneath the crosspiece on the graduated face of the blade in letters and figures not less than 6 mm high.

• (3) Where the unit of measurement is the litre, if the number of digits on any marking would exceed four (9999) the marking may read “litres x 10” or “litres x 100”.

Marking of related compartment numbers

25

The related compartment number shall be marked on the graduated face of every dipstick at each end of the blade in figures not less than 10 mm high.

Marking of related tank numbers

26

The related tank number shall be marked at the crosspiece end of the blade of every dipstick in figures not less than 6 mm high.

Line markings

27

Every dipstick shall have a line marked on its graduated face, at right angles to the axis of its blade, 50 mm from the datum face measured to the further edge of that line.

Graduation of dipsticks

28

Every dipstick used to measure deliveries of less than a full compartment shall be marked and graduated in accordance with the following provisions of this Regulation:—

• (a) the graduation shall be in a reasonable and convenient scale;

• (b) all scale marks, letters and figures shall be legibly and permanently marked;

• (c) each scale shall be at right angles to the axis of the blade of the dipstick and shall extend across the full width of the dipstick;

• (d) each scale mark shall be not less than 1 mm deep and not less than I mm nor more than 1.5 mm wide;

• (e) the lower edge of each scale mark (the further edge from the datum face) shall indicate the quantity of liquid fuel being measured;

• (f) each scale mark shall be numbered by figures not less than 6 mm high, the figures consisting of lines not less than 1 mm deep and not less than 1 mm nor more than 1.5 mm wide;

• (g) the figures shall be placed immediately above the scale mark to which they relate and shall not extend above half way between the lower edges of two adjacent scale marks;

• (h) the distance between the lower edges of two adjacent scale marks shall be not less than 18 mm and not more than 150 mm;

• (i) major scale divisions shall be of equal value although for compartments the use of which commenced before 1st January 1981 one additional scale mark may be included to indicate the nominal capacity of the compartment; and

• (j) the bottom two and top three major scale divisions may be subdivided with subdivisions of equal value.

Dipstick guide tubes

29

• (1) Every compartment shall be fitted with a fixed vertical dipstick guide tube.

• (2) Subject to paragraph (3), the tube shall be positioned so that the dipstick shall pass as nearly as practicable through the longitudinal and transverse centre lines of the compartment.

• (3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply in the case of compartments the use of which commenced before 1st July 1983 but if the tube is not so positioned, the dipstick measuring system shall not be used for trade after 31st December 1993.

Dimensions of dipstick guide tubes

30