The Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel delivered from Road Tankers) Regulations 1983

Dipstick measuring systems

51.  Regulations 52 to 55 below apply to dipstick measuring systems.

52.—(1) (a) Except in the case of a dipstick tested by reference to a calibration chart as mentioned in paragraph (2) below, a dipstick associated with a compartment shall be tested by inserting into, or withdrawing from, the compartment known volumes of liquid and determining the position of the scale mark on the dipstick when the road tanker is on a level surface

(b) The known volumes in paragraph (a) above shall be determined using—

(i) local standards of capacity; or

(ii) a reference meter; or

(iii) other equipment, being measures of capacity forming part of a fixed installation or being mounted on a vehicle or trailer, which has been tested in a manner which the inspector considers suitable, and adjusted, within the last twelve months, so as not to have any apparent error.

(2) A dipstick associated with a compartment may be tested by comparing the distance of every scale mark from the datum surface with that given on the calibration chart in respect of the compartment, unless any alteration, addition, damage or repair has been effected to the compartment which in the opinion of the inspector has invalidated the calibration chart, in which case the inspector shall not use a calibration chart to test a dipstick until a new calibration chart has been prepared.

(3) On testing a dipstick associated with a compartment an inspector shall inspect the compartment unless the calibration chart was prepared not more than 42 days before testing, in which case testing may be carried out with the dipstick and calibration chart only being present.

(4) Not more than two dipsticks relating to a compartment forming part of a dipstick measuring system may be passed as fit for use for trade on any one occasion.

53.  For the purposes of the performance by an inspector of his functions under the Act or these Regulations relating to inspection, testing, passing as fit for use for trade and stamping of a dipstick measuring system a person submitting such a system to an inspector or who an inspector has reasonable cause to believe has possession of such a system for use for trade shall, if requested, provide for the inspector's use such products as the inspector may reasonably require, and any products so provided shall be returned to the person in question.

54.  An inspector shall use, in testing any dimensional measurement in a dipstick measuring system—

(a) a rigid local standard of length; or

(b) a material measure of length to which Council DirectiveNo73/362/EEC(1) applies bearing the mark of EEC initial verification and an indication that it is of accuracy class I which—

(i) is divided into 1 mm intervals throughout, and

(ii) has been tested in a manner which the inspector considers suitable within the previous 10 years and found not to have errors exceeding those permitted by item 7.4 of the Annex to the said Directive; or

(c) a rigid linear measure of appropriate length which—

(i) is divided into 1 mm intervals throughout, and

(ii) has been tested in a manner which the inspector considers suitable within the previous 10 years and found not to have errors in excess or in deficiency of 0.25 mm per whole metre or part of a metre; or

(d) other equipment for measuring length of suitable form and durability which has been tested in a manner which the inspector considers suitable and found not to have any error in excess or in deficiency of 0.25 mm per whole metre or part of a metre.

55.  Tanks submitted for testing shall be clean.

(1)

as amended by Council Directive No. 78/629/EEC.