The Weighing Equipment (Automatic Rail-weighbridges) Regulations 2003

regulation 2(1)

SCHEDULE 1 (Composition of automatic rail-weighbridge – components)

• One or more load receptors

• Aprons being the parts of the weigh zone that are not the load receptor nor part of the load receptor.

• Vehicle-type identification devices which identify the axle configuration(s) of the wagon(s) or which establish wagon identity information.

• Indicating device being the part of the automatic rail-weighbridge that displays the value of a weighing result in units of mass.

• Printer being a device to print the weight values of wagons weighed on the automatic rail-weighbridge and/or a summation of those wagon weights.

• Control unit being the device which controls the weighing operation of the automatic rail-weighbridge.

regulation 5(a)

SCHEDULE 2 (Manner of erection and installation)

Cleaning and testing

Every automatic rail-weighbridge shall be so positioned as to facilitate cleaning and testing.

Installation (Clause 3.5 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

Ease of static testing

3.5.1.  The automatic rail-weighbridge shall be accessible to vehicles for moving test weights if it is to be used as the control instrument.

Drainage

3.5.2.  If the weighing mechanism is contained in a pit, there shall be a provision for drainage to ensure that no portion of the automatic rail-weighbridge becomes submerged or partially submerged in water or any other liquid.

Extract from Clause 5.2.1 of Part 1 of OIML R 106

The automatic rail-weighbridge shall be installed so that an automatic weighing operation will be virtually the same for testing as it is for a transaction.

regulation 5(b)

SCHEDULE 3 (Requirements relating to use)

An automatic rail-weighbridge with an accuracy class of 2 shall only be used for the weighing of a wagon loaded with waste; for the purposes of this provision, “waste” shall be construed in accordance with section 75 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990(1), provided that “waste” shall include any waste disposed of for reprocessing or recycling purposes but shall not include any radioactive waste as defined in section 2 of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993(2);

Single axle or bogie weights (Clause 2.6 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

Single axle or bogie weights shall not be indicated or printed without an associated warning that these weighing results cannot be verified.

Static temperatures (Clause 2.9.1 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

Automatic rail-weighbridges shall comply with the appropriate metrological and technical requirements at temperatures from −10 °C to +40 °C.

For special applications, however, the limits of the temperature range may differ provided that this range shall not be less than 30 °C and shall be specified in the descriptive markings as set out in Schedule 4.

Where an automatic rail-weighbridge is marked with a temperature range, it shall not be used for trade in temperatures outside that range.

Scale interval for stationary load (Clause 2.10.2 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

If the scale interval for stationary load is not equal to the scale interval (d), it shall be automatically out of service when the automatic rail-weighbridge is in use for weighing-in-motion. In addition, if the weighbridge is not verified for use as a non-automatic weighing instrument, the scale interval for stationary load shall not be readily accessible and shall only be used for static testing.

Suitability for use (Clause 3.2 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

Automatic rail-weighbridges shall be designed to suit the vehicles, site and method of operation for which they are intended.

Weighbridges constructed only for partial weighing shall not be used to weigh liquid loads or any other load that may be subjected to fluctuations in its gravity centre, unless there is a possibility to anticipate and compensate for such fluctuations.

Security of operation (Extract from Clause 3.3 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

Interlocks

3.3.2.  Interlocks shall prevent the use of any control device that may alter a weighing operation.

Uncoupled wagon weighing

3.3.3.  Automatic rail-weighbridges used for uncoupled wagon weighing shall recognise and indicate the following situations:

(a) the passage of two or more coupled wagons;

(b) the passage of two or more uncoupled wagons that is sufficiently close to cause either a malfunction of the instrument or errors exceeding the appropriate maximum permissible errors.

Indicating and printing devices (Extract from Clause 3.4 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

Quality of indication

3.4.1.  The weight indication shall be the self-indicating type. Indicating and printing devices shall allow reliable, simple and unambiguous reading of the results by simple juxtaposition and shall bear the name or symbol of the appropriate unit of mass.

Printing

3.4.2.  The minimum printout resulting from each normal weighing operation shall be each wagon weight in the case of wagon weighing and total train weight in the case of train weighing.

Operating speed

3.4.4.  The printer shall not print the weight of any wagon that has travelled over the load receptor at a speed outside the range of operating speeds. An appropriate indication shall be included on the printout for any wagon weight not printed and a subtotal may be printed exclusive of unweighed wagons provided that an indication clearly specifies that it is not the total train weight.

Roll back

3.4.5.  The weight indication and printout shall not be altered due to any part of any wagon travelling over the load receptor more than once.

Switch-on procedure (Clause 4.3.2 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

Upon switch-on (in the case of electronic automatic rail-weighbridges permanently connected to the mains at switch-on of indication), a special procedure shall be performed that indicates all the relevant signs of the indicator in their active and non-active states for a sufficient time to be easily observed by the operator.

Weight range

An automatic rail-weighbridge shall only be used for trade for the purpose of weighing material the values of which, expressed in units of measurement of mass, are within the weight range specified in the certificate of approval relating to that weighbridge.

Minimum capacity (Clause 2.4 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

The minimum capacity shall not be less than 1t, and not greater than the value of the result of the minimum wagon weight divided by the number of partial weighings.

Minimum wagon weight (Clause 2.5 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

The minimum wagon weight shall not be less than 50d.

regulation 6(b)

SCHEDULE 4 (Descriptive markings and verification markings: Extract from Part 1 of OIML R 106 and additional marking)

Descriptive markings

3.6.  Automatic rail-weighbridges shall bear the following basic markings at each location having a weight indicating or printing device.

Markings shown in full

3.6.1.  

•	identification mark of the manufacturer
•	identification mark of the importer (if applicable)
•	designation of the instrument
•	serial number of the instrument (on each load receptor, if applicable)
•	weighing method (for example, full draught weighing or partial weighing; uncoupled wagon, coupled wagon or train weighing; weighing-in-motion or static)
•	maximum wagon weight	... ... ... ...kg or t
•	minimum wagon weight	... ... ... ...kg or t
•	not to be used to weigh liquid products (if applicable)
•	full draught or number of partial weighings per wagon
•	maximum transit speed	... ... ... ...km/h
•	direction of weighing (if applicable)
•	wagons pushed/pulled (whichever is applicable)
•	scale interval for stationary load (if applicable)	... ... ... ...kg or t
•	electric power supply voltage	... ... ... ...V
•	electric power supply frequency	... ... ... ...Hz

Markings shown in code

For all instruments

3.6.2.1.  

•	pattern approval sign in accordance with national requirements
•	accuracy class (for each weighing method, if applicable)	0.2, 0.5, 1 or 2
•	maximum capacity	Max = ... ... ... ...kg or t
•	minimum capacity	Min = ... ... ... ...kg or t
•	scale interval	d = ... ... ... ...kg or t
•	maximum operating speed	vmax = ... ... ... ...km/h
•	minimum operating speed	vmin = ... ... ... ...km/h

For coupled wagon and train weighing

3.6.2.2.  Markings required for each weighing method applicable:

•	maximum number of wagons per train	nmax = ... ... ... ...
•	minimum number of wagons per train	nmin = ... ... ... ...

Supplementary markings

3.6.3.  Depending upon the particular use of the automatic rail-weighbridge, one or more supplementary markings may be required on pattern approval by the metrological authority issuing the pattern approval certificate.

Other markings

3.6.4.  The designation of the liquid(s) which the automatic rail-weighbridge is designed to weigh (if applicable).

Presentation of descriptive markings

3.6.5.  Descriptive markings shall be indelible and of a size, shape and clarity that permit legibility under normal conditions of use of the weighbridge.

• Markings shall be grouped together in a clearly visible place on the weighbridge, either on a descriptive plate fixed near the indicating device or on the indicating device itself.

• It shall be possible to seal the plate bearing the markings, unless it cannot be removed without being destroyed.

Verification marks

Position

3.7.1.  Automatic rail-weighbridges shall have a place for the application of verification marks. The following applies for this place:

• the part on which the marks are located cannot be removed from the weighbridge without damaging the marks;

• the place shall permit the easy application of the marks without changing the metrological qualities of the weighbridge;

• the marks shall be visible when the weighbridge is in service.

Mounting

3.7.2.  Automatic rail-weighbridges required to bear verification marks shall have a verification mark support located as specified above, which shall ensure the conservation of the marks as follows:

• when the mark is made with a stamp, the support may consist of a strip of lead or any other material with similar qualities inserted into a plate fixed to the weighbridge or a cavity bored into the weighbridge.

Additional descriptive marking

Automatic rail-weighbridges shall bear the additional descriptive marking “R 106” which shall be presented in accordance with the provisions of clause 3.6.5 of Part 1 of OIML R 106.

regulation 7(5)

SCHEDULE 5 (Requirements relating to control instruments)

Separate control instrument (Clause 2.8.3.1 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

A control instrument capable of being used to determine the mass of each reference wagon when stationary and uncoupled shall be available for in-motion tests. The error of that instrument shall not be greater than either of the following values:

(a) one third of the appropriate maximum permissible error for in-motion weighing in clause 2.8.2 and Table 1 (set out in Schedule 6) if the control instrument is verified immediately prior to the in-motion tests;

(b) one-fifth of the maximum permissible error if the control instrument is verified at any other time.

An automatic rail-weighbridge constructed only for partial weighing of two-axle wagons may be used as the control instrument provided that the alignment calibration in Annex B (of Part 1 of OIML R 106) has been successfully applied.

Integral control instrument (Clause 2.8.3.2 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

An automatic rail-weighbridge under test may be used as the control instrument provided that it meets the following requirements:

• it shall have an appropriate scale interval or scale interval for stationary load in accordance with the requirements of clause 2.3 or clause 2.10.2 of Part 1 of OIML R 106, as the case may be, which are respectively set out in Schedule 6 and Schedule 3.

• it shall comply with the requirements in clauses 2.8.1.1 to 2.8.1.6 of Part 1 of OIML R 106.

• it shall comply with the requirements in clause 2.8.3.1 of Part 1 of OIML R 106 relating to separate control instruments.

An automatic rail-weighbridge constructed only for partial weighing of two-axle wagons may be used as the control instrument provided that the alignment calibration in Annex B (of Part 1 of OIML R 106) has been successfully applied.

In the case of both a separate control instrument and an integral control instrument, the maximum permissible errors shall comply with the requirements of clause 2.2.2 of Part 1 of OIML R 106 which is set out in Schedule 6.

regulation 9(3)

SCHEDULE 6 (Prescribed limits of error)

Maximum permissible error (Clause 2.2.1 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

The maximum permissible errors for weighing-in-motion shall be as specified in Table 1.

Table 1

Accuracy class	Percentage of mass of single wagon or total train, as appropriate
	Initial verification	In-service
On initial verification of an automatic rail-weighbridge weighing coupled wagons, the errors of not more than 10% of the weighing results taken from one or more passes of the test train may exceed the appropriate maximum permissible error given in Table 1 but shall not exceed two times that value.
0.2	±0.10%	±0.2%
0.5	±0.25%	±0.5%
1	±0.50%	±1.0%
2	±1.00%	±2.0%

Application of maximum permissible errors (weighing-in-motion)

Wagon weighing (Clause 2.8.2.1 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

The maximum permissible error for coupled or uncoupled wagon weighing, shall be one of the following values, whichever is greater:

• the value calculated according to Table 1, rounded to the nearest scale interval;

• the value calculated according to Table 1, rounded to the nearest scale interval for the weight of a single wagon equal to 35% of the maximum wagon weight (as inscribed on the descriptive markings), or

• 1 d.

Train weighing (Clause 2.8.2.2 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

The maximum permissible error for train weighing shall be one of the following values, whichever is greater:

• the value calculated according to Table 1, rounded to the nearest scale interval;

• the value calculated according to Table 1, for the weight of a single wagon equal to 35% of the maximum wagon weight (as inscribed on the descriptive markings) multiplied by the number of reference wagons in the train (not exceeding 10 wagons) and rounded to the nearest scale interval, or

• 1 d for each wagon in the train but not exceeding 10 d.

Static weighing (Clause 2.2.2 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

The maximum permissible errors on static weighing for increasing or decreasing loads shall be the appropriate values in Table 2.

Table 2

Maximum permissible errors	Load (m) expressed in numbers of scale intervals
±0.5d	0 ≤ m ≤ 500
±1.0d	500 < m ≤ 2 000
±1.5d	2 000 < m ≤ 10 000

Scale interval (d) (Clause 2.3 of Part 1 of OIML R 106)

For a particular method of weighing-in-motion and combination of load receptors, all weight indicating and printing devices on an automatic rail-weighbridge shall have the same scale interval.

The relationship between the accuracy class, the scale interval and the maximum wagon weight divided by the scale interval shall be as specified in Table 3.

Table 3

Accuracy class	D (kg)	(maximum wagon weight)/d
		minimum	maximum
The scale intervals of the indicating or printing devices shall be in the form of 1 × 10k, 2 × 10k or 5 × 10k, “k” being a positive or a negative whole number or zero.
0.2	≤ 50	1 000	5 000
0.5	≤ 100	500	2 500
1	≤ 200	250	1 250
2	≤ 500	100	600

(1)

1990 c. 43.

(2)

1993 c. 12.