New fuel Regs
Page 16
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DIP-STICKS and meter fuel measuring systems for tankers must be properly tested and stamped by July 1 to comply with new EEC Regulations. They follow a five year lead-in period.
The Regulations are aimed at stamping out unfair practices such as measuring air through the flow meter instead of liquid so that the customer thinks he is getting more than he does.
Other anomalies include putting branches at the bottom of a tanker to create a false bottom. The driver then rests the dipstick on the branches and gets an empty reading, when in fact there are still a few inches or more of liquid resting in the tank.
Operators using the meter measuring system will not need to comply with EEC Regulations until 1987, but they must be stamped by July by the Department of Trade.
Commenting on the new regulations, principal metrology officer of the West Midlands Consumer Services Department (WMCS) Les Baker said that most operators were well prepared for the changes.
But those using dip-sticks who are likely to be caught out by them and cannot be tested by their local consumer services department should contact the WMCS.
Mr Baker said that the Department had two bays and ample manpower to calibrate dip-sticks for operators from outside the county.
• More on WMCS, p19