The Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016

PART 8 AUTOMATIC RAIL WEIGHBRIDGES

Requirements for use for trade

30.  No person shall use for trade an automatic rail-weighbridge unless—

(a) it is compliant with the essential requirements other than the provisions relating to maximum permissible errors;

(b) it is erected and installed in accordance with paragraph 31;

(c) it operates within the maximum permissible errors in paragraph 32;

(d) the requirements of paragraph 33 are complied with.

Manner of erection and installation

31.—(1) Every automatic rail-weighbridge must be—

(a) so positioned as to facilitate cleaning and testing; and

(b) installed so that the weighing operation is the same for testing as it is for a transaction.

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

Maximum permissible error and accuracy class

32.—(1) Where an automatic rail-weighbridge falls within an accuracy class in column 1 of the following Table, the rail-weighbridge must operate within the maximum permissible error specified for that class in column 2 of that Table—

Column 1	Column 2
Accuracy class	Maximum permissible error as a percentage of the mass of a single wagon or total train
0.2	± 0.2%
0.5	± 0.5%
1	± 1.0%
2	± 2.0%

(2) Where an automatic rail-weighbridge falls within an accuracy class 2, it shall only be used for trade for the weighing of a wagon loaded with—

(a) any of the materials to which the expression “ballast” applies in Schedule 4 of the 1985 Act;

(b) any material the disposal of which constitutes a landfill disposal as defined in section 70(2) of the Finance Act 1996(1), whether or not the disposal amounts to a taxable disposal as defined in section 40 of that Act; or

(c) waste.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(c), “waste” means any substance that its holder discards, or intends or is required to discard, including any waste disposed of for reprocessing or recycling purposes.

Manner of use

33.—(1) Where an automatic rail-weighbridge is marked with—

(a) a temperature range, it must not be used for trade in temperatures outside that range;

(b) a weight measurement range, it must not be used for trade in a manner or for a purpose that does not accord with that marking.

(2) Where an automatic rail-weighbridge bears a mark which signifies the manner and purpose of use, it must not be used for trade in a manner or for a purpose which does not accord with that marking.

(3) An automatic rail-weighbridge must not be used for trade—

(a) unless it is properly balanced or set to zero immediately prior to use; or

(b) in circumstances—

(i) in which it may be prevented from operating consistently or accurately; or

(ii) which are likely prematurely to degrade its metrological characteristics.

(4) Where an automatic rail-weighbridge is fitted with a printing device, the rail-weighbridge must not be used for trade unless the printing device produces a printout which—

(a) indicates the weight or each wagon weighed or, in the case of a total train, the weight of that total train;

(b) indicates which wagon, if any, has travelled over the load receptor at a speed outside the range of operating speeds; and

(c) is not altered due to any wagon travelling over the load receptor more than once.

(1)

1996 c.8.