PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

PO BOX 2511

 

PAWM TECH ALERT

 

Subject:  Illegal Kerosene/Naphtha Fuel Dispensers

To:          State and Local Inspectors of Weights & Measures

From:      Gerald Buckley, President, PAWM

 

This past spring a local sealer of weights and measures was notified of the sale and installation of a used/rebuilt analog fuel dispenser at a local rural hardware store.  When the sealer arrived to inspect, he found that this modified device was to be utilized for the sale of “naphtha” which according to sources, is used by Amish farmers for lighting purposes.  Naphtha currently sells for about $3.39 a gallon. We have since learned that there are perhaps dozens of these modified devices in service throughout central PA.

 

A thorough examination of the device revealed that it had been modified to be powered pneumatically, rather than by electricity.  This in and of itself may not be a problem because the air driven motor simply powers the suction pump via a v-belt, so as long as the rpm’s or gallons per minute are not significantly altered, the device should perform within specs.

 

What makes these devices illegal and unsuitable for commercial use is their inability to require a re-zero prior to a new transaction.  Whoever modified these devices, removed the dispensers ability to require a re-zero prior to initiating a new sale.

 

Tests conducted in the field have shown that new deliveries can be initiated without re-zeroing the money or gallons.  This is a clear violation of NIST Handbook-44, Section S.2.5. in the Liquid Measuring Device Code and Act #155 of 1996, Section 4142, (a) (1).

 

This also raises the issue of NTEP Type Approval.  Have these clearly illegal modifications to a previously type approved device nullified the original Certificate of Conformance?  These questions need to be addressed and definitive answers provided.

 

What has complicated the issue is the fact that some field inspectors have approved and sealed these illegal devices.  The approval of these illegal devices could set a precedent for making regrettable exceptions to PA law and regulation that would be a threat to equity and fairness in the marketplace for years to come.

 

If you find these illegal devices in your jurisdiction, by all means, do not approve them.  If you confirm the Zero-Setback violation is still present, please contact PAWM at 570-275-4747 or the state bureau at 717-787-9089.

 

PAWM:  SERVING EQUITY IN THE MARKETPLACE