UTP01 Driveway flow meters

Scope

Driveway Flow Meters (DFM's) are Class 0.5 measuring instruments and conform to the requirements of Regulation 68(1)(b)(v):

“measuring systems in fuel dispensers (other than LPG dispensers) for motor vehicles (also known as fixed liquid fuel measuring instruments)“ where the maximum achievable flowrate is ≤ 60 lpm"

DFM’s that have a higher flowrate and are used at marine sites, truck stops and for aviation refuelling are included in the scope of this UTP. The same test procedures are applied with due regard given to the size of the working standards required as specified in TS-005. Refer to table 3 in the appendix.

Each test is described as a discreet test. However, there are tests that can be combined to expedite the testing without compromising the test results. Where this is possible, a note has been included in the test procedures.

Reference documents

General

OIML recommendation R117(external link) - International Organisation of Legal Metrology

Weights and Measures Act 1987(external link) - New Zealand Legislation

Weights and Measures Regulations 1999(external link) - New Zealand Legislation

Trading Standards

Trading Standards operations manual; Trade Measurement - Enforcement

Technical policies:

TS–002 Information required on an Accredited Persons test sheet

TS–003 Auxiliary devices connected to driveway flowmeters for printing and storing information

TS–004 Printed and stored information generated from measuring instruments

TS–005 Capacity of volume measures for testing liquid measuring instruments at maximum flowrate

TS–011 General sealing requirements for weighing and measuring instruments

Accredited Persons

Accredited Person Quality Management System and associated documentation; test procedures and test sheets

Technical policies: TS-002, TS-003, TS-004, TS-005, TS-011 refer to the links above.

Health and safety requirements

General

Requirements of the site where work is to be completed

Trading Standards

Trading Standards - Hazard and risk register

Safe Working Practices; SWP01, SWP02, SWP14

iAuditor risk assessment template

Accredited Persons

Health and Safety at Work Act - shared duties and expectations

Accredited Person Quality Management System and associated documentation; test procedures and test sheets

Conformance with Certificate of Approval

1. Confirm that the instrument is marked with its Certificate of Approval number
2. Confirm that the instrument complies with any conditions specified in the Certificate of Approval, as per Regulation 9(3) of the Regulations:
   1. This will include items such as, construction specifications, configurations, flowmeter type, make, model, sealing requirements, labelling and marking requirements.

Visual inspection

Conduct a visual inspection of the instrument to confirm that the requirements of Regulation 69(1) of the Regulations are complied with.

An instrument must have indelibly marked on it, in a prominent place:

1. The type of liquid fuel dispensed by the instrument,
2. The minimum delivery of the instrument, and
3. The units of volume in which the instrument measures the liquid fuel dispensed.

In addition to Regulation 69(1) of the Regulations, there may be additional marking requirements, as specified in the Certificate of Approval, these may include:

1. Make or manufacturers name/symbol
2. Model
3. Serial number
4. Class of the instrument
5. Qmax; the maximum flowrate
6. Qmin; the minimum flowrate.

General requirements of Regulation 69

The fixed liquid fuel measuring instrument must:

1. Be adequately secured to its base
2. Have its protecting panels or covers so fitted as to allow easy access to the instrument for inspection, sealing, and stamping
3. Show no leakage at any valve, joint, hose connection or elsewhere,
4. When fitted with a price indicator, indicate: 
   1. The price per unit volume of the liquid fuel dispensed and is within the maximum permissible error (MPE) specified in Schedule 3, Table 11 of the Regulations, the correct price of the liquid fuel dispensed in each delivery,
5. Be fitted with a continuous, non-resettable totaliser,
6. When fitted with more than 1 indicator of price or quantity, show no difference between those indicators where they relate to the same delivery,
7. When fitted with a dial indicator have on that indicator a pointer or index that:
   1. Reaches the graduation line, and
   2. Is not more than 2mm from the dial
8. Have interlocks to prevent the delivery of liquid fuel by the instrument during the operation of the re-set mechanism,
9. Be fitted with a flexible discharge hose:
   1. The dilation of which will not cause the instrument, at any measured quantity, to exceed the MPE for that instrument by regulation 73 or, if the hose is stored on a hose reel, twice the MPE after being uncoiled and pressurised by switching on the delivery system, and
   2. That is able to be stored to protect it from damage,
10. Operate with the discharge hose full at all times, and be fitted with an anti drain valve in the delivery nozzle,
11. Except as otherwise approved have only one outlet, and
12. Be provided with a means of sealing: 
    1. The calibrator, and
    2. Such other parts as the Secretary requires.

Gas separator

If the instrument is fitted with a gas separator, then it must be fitted with a gas separator test valve.

Remove the instruments panels;

1. Inspect the instrument for leaks, if leaks are detected, this is a safety issue and the testing should be abandoned, and
2. Inspect the instruments metering system to verify that it is sealed in accordance with the requirements of the Certificate of Approval, Regulation 9 of the Regulations and Technical Policy TS-011.

Additional examinations

Confirmation that the instrument is:

1. Secured to a solid base
2. Fitted with a continuous non-resettable totaliser, and
3. Constructed with the components, as specified in the Certificate of Approval.

Performance tests

Maximum permissible error (MPE)

Table 1 specifying the MPE allowed for all the performance tests is in the appendix.

Zero setting test

This test is performed to confirm that the instrument will return to and maintain a zero indication until a delivery is taken and to check that all segments of the indicating device function.

Procedure:

Observe the instruments indicating device, while removing the nozzle from its holder;

• The instruments indicating device must perform a segment check of the digits, indicate zero, and the >0< indication remain until a delivery is taken.

Anti-drain valve test

This test is performed to confirm that the delivery hose remains full before and after a delivery is taken.

Procedure:

• Hold the starting switch down, or insert a dummy nozzle  i.e. prevent the dispenser from starting
• Remove the nozzle from its holder
• Open the nozzle into the 5 L measure
• There should be no product dispensed, if product flows from the nozzle perform the following;
• Return the nozzle to its holder
• Remove the nozzle from its holder, do not open the nozzle, observe the indicator for any increase
• If the instrument has a minimum delivery of 2 L, then the MPE = 20 ml
• If the Instrument has a minimum delivery of 5 L, then the MPE = 50 ml

Hose dilation test

This test is performed to determine if the pumping pressure in the dispenser causes the delivery hose to expand causing the meter to advance before a delivery is taken.

Procedure:

• Perform the anti-drain valve test first (this is done to reduce the hydraulic pressure in the hose)
• Reset the indicating device to display a zero reading
• Hold the starting device down or insert a dummy nozzle to stop the pump from starting
• Remove the nozzle and extend the hose to its full length
• Start the pump, do not open the nozzle
• Allow the pump to run  for 30 seconds
• Observe the indicator for any increase
• If the instrument has a minimum delivery of 2 L, then the MPE = 20 ml
• If the Instrument has a minimum delivery of 5 L, then the MPE =  50 ml
• If the hose is stored on a hose reel then the MPE is doubled, as per Regulation 69(2)(i)(i)

Price pre-set test

This test is performed only on instruments that have the facility for entering a pre-set dollar quantity. The test determines if the instrument will deliver and stop at the precise pre-set amount.

Procedure:

• On the price pre-set keypad enter an amount that can be accommodated in the test measure and is above the minimum delivery of the instrument
• Make the delivery
• Confirm that the instrument stops precisely at the pre-set dollar value.

Zero interlock test

This test is performed to confirm that the instrument will not start to deliver product until it has reset the indicator to zero.

Procedure:

• Hold the starting switch down, or insert a dummy nozzle, i.e. prevent the dispenser from starting
• Remove the nozzle from the holder and open it into the measure
• Release the starting switch
• The instrument must not deliver any product until the indication resets to zero.

Price computation test

This test is performed to confirm that the total price to pay is computed correctly within the errors specified in Table 11 of the Regulations.

Procedure:

• After taking a delivery, multiply the indicated litres delivered x the indicated $/litre.
• The displayed $value must be within the MPE specified in Table 11 of the Regulations when compared to the total price to pay displayed on the indicator. (Table 11 in the appendix)

Remote indicating device

If the instrument is fitted with a remote or secondary indicating device, this test is performed to confirm that it replicates exactly the primary indicator on the instrument under test.

Procedure:

• Once any delivery has been completed , compare the instrument under test indicator to any remote indicating device linked to that instrument
• The values displayed on any remote indicating device must replicate exactly the indicated values displayed on the instrument under test.

Tests for measurement errors

These tests are performed to confirm that the instrument will deliver quantities with the MPE allowed in Table 12 of the Regulations.

If the instrument has a device that allows the operator to manually increase the flowrate then the fast deliveries are performed at the higher flowrate using a measure as prescribed in Table 3 in the appendix.

These tests are performed above the minimum delivery and consist of:

• Gas separator device test
• 1 test of 5 L at the fast flowrate
• 2 tests of 20 L at the fast flowrate
• 1 test of 20 L at the slow flowrate

Gas separator device test

This test is performed to confirm that if air is introduced into the suction side of the meters hydraulic system it will not be measured as part of the delivered quantity. If the gas separator test valve is sealed, remove the seal.

Procedure:

• Ensure the instrument is on zero before starting the delivery
• Start delivery into a 20 L measure, during the delivery, open the test valve on the gas separator to allow;
• The instruments pump to lose its prime or the flowrate to drop below 15 litres per minute
• Close the test valve and complete the delivery
• Determine the error, MPE = ± 100 ml
• Once the test is completed on the gas separator, the gas separator test valve must be sealed with an approved seal to prevent it being interfered with during normal operation.

5 L fast flow rate error test

• Ensure the instrument is on zero before starting the delivery
• Deliver 5 L of product at the maximum flowrate into the 5 L working standard
• Determine the error, MPE = ± 25 ml

20 fast flowrate error test #1

• Ensure the instrument is on zero before starting the delivery
• Deliver 20 L of product at the maximum flowrate into the 20 L working standard
• Determine the error,  MPE = ± 100 ml

20 fast flowrate error test #2

• Ensure the instrument is on zero before starting the delivery
• Deliver 20 L of product at the maximum flowrate into the 20 L working standard
• Determine the error,  MPE = ± 100 ml

Determine the repeatability error

The variation between the two successive 20 L fast flowrate tests, #1 and #2, must not be greater than 40 ml (two-fifths of the MPE allowed)

20 L slow flowrate error test

• Ensure the instrument is on zero before starting the delivery
• Deliver 20 L of product at the slow flowrate into the 20 L working standard
• Determine the error, MPE = ± 100 ml

Conformity of printed information

This test is performed to confirm that any information on a printed receipt replicates exactly the information on the instruments indicator. Verify the printed information meets the requirements of TS-003.

Procedure:

• At the completion of any delivery, confirm that the printed information for that delivery replicates exactly the information displayed on the instrument under tests indicator.