The Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016

PART 3 U.K. LIQUID FUEL AND LUBRICANTS

Requirements for use for trade U.K.

5.  In this Part of this Schedule, “ measuring system” means a measuring system which is used for the continuous and dynamic measurement in a quantity not exceeding 100 litres or 100 kilograms of a liquid fuel, lubricant or a mixture of fuel and lubricant other than—

(a) liquefied petroleum gas; or

(b) liquefied natural gas.

6.  No person may use for trade a measuring system unless— U.K.

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

(b) it is so positioned as to facilitate testing;

(c) it operates within the maximum permissible errors in paragraph 7; and

(d) the requirements of paragraph 8 are complied with.

Maximum permissible error U.K.

7.—(1) In the case of a measuring system used to measure a quantity of liquid fuel—

(a) above the minimum measured quantity of the measuring system, the maximum permissible error shall be determined in accordance with the following Table.

	Accuracy class of measuring system
	0.3	0.5	1.0	1.5	2.5
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5	Column 6
Quantity	MPE	MPE	MPE	MPE	MPE
Less than 0.1L	+ 4.8mL -2.4mL	+8mL -4mL	+16mL -8mL	+24mL -12mL	+40mL -20mL
From 0.1L to ˂ 0.2L	+ 4.8% -2.4%	+ 8% -4%	+16% -8%	+ 24% -12%	+ 40% -20%
From 0.2L to ˂ 0.4L	+ 4.8mL -2.4mL	+ 8mL -4mL	+ 16mL -8mL	+ 24mL -12mL	+ 40mL -20mL
From 0.4L to ˂ 1L	+ 1.2% -0.6%	+ 2% -1%	+ 4% -2%	+ 6% -3%	+ 10% -5%
From 1L to ˂ 2L	+12mL -6mL	+20mL -10mL	+40mL -20mL	+60mL -30mL	+100mL -50mL
2L or more	+0.6% -0.3%	+1% -0.5%	+2% -1%	+3% -1.5%	+5% -2.5%

(b) equal to the minimum measured quantity of the measuring system, the maximum permissible error shall be determined in accordance with the following Table.

	Accuracy class of measuring system
	0.3	0.5	1.0	1.5	2.5
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5	Column 6
Quantity	MPE	MPE	MPE	MPE	MPE
Less than 0.1L	+4.8mL -2.4mL	+8mL -4mL	+16mL -8mL	+24mL -12mL	+40mL -20mL
From 0.1L to ˂ 0.2L	+ 4.8% -2.4%	+8% -4%	+ 16% -8%	+24% -12%	+40% -20%
From 0.2L to ˂ 0.4L	+ 9.6mL -4.8mL	+ 16mL -8mL	+ 32mL -16mL	+ 48mL -24mL	+ 80mL -40mL
From 0.4L to ˂ 1L	+ 2.4% -1.2%	+ 4% -2%	+8% -4%	+ 12% -6%	+ 20% -10%
From 1L to ˂ 2L	+24mL -12mL	+40mL -20mL	+80mL -40mL	+120mL -60mL	+200mL -100mL
2L or more	+1.2% -0.6%	+2% -1%	+4% -2%	+6% -3%	+10% -5%

(2) But the maximum permissible error for a quantity above the minimum measured quantity of the measuring system shall not be less than the maximum permissible error for a quantity equal to the minimum measured quantity.

(3) Where the measuring system falls within an accuracy class of 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.5, it shall, for a quantity set out in column 1 of the relevant Table, operate within the maximum permissible error set out in column 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 of that Table for that class and that quantity.

Manner of use U.K.

8.—(1) Where a measuring system is marked with—

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

(b) a flowrate range, it must not be used for trade at a flowrate outside that range.

(2) A measuring system must not be used for trade unless it is marked in a manner which is sufficiently clear to enable the buyer to identify the product which that measuring system delivers but this paragraph does not apply where the measuring system is used in the absence of the buyer.

(3) A measuring system must not be used for trade in circumstances which are likely prematurely to degrade its metrological characteristics.

(4) A measuring system must not be used for trade unless the sales indicator—

(a) is set to zero before measurement of the liquid fuel commences;

(b) remains at zero until that fuel starts to emerge from the system;

(c) is not reset to zero during measurement of that fuel; and

(d) cannot be advanced by any means other than by the discharge of that fuel from the system and the proper operation of the system.

(5) If a measuring system is adjusted, it must not be used for trade unless the calibration of the system is set as close to zero error as is practicable.

(6) Where a measuring system used for trade bears a mark (other than a mark referred to in paragraph (1)) which signifies the manner and purpose of use, that system must not be used in a manner or for a purpose which does not accord with that marking.

(7) A measuring system must not be used in circumstances in which it may be prevented from operating consistently or accurately.

(8) Nothing in paragraphs (6) or (7) shall prevent the use for trade of a measuring system where a buyer chooses to take a delivery which is less than the minimum measured quantity.