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Legal Metrology Act, 2014 (Act No. 9 of 2014)

Regulations

Legal Metrology Regulations, 2017

Part XI : Measuring instruments and containers used for prescribed purposes

98. Conventional measures of volume

 

(1) A conventional measure of volume of any of the following classes or kinds must conform to regulations 44, 45, 46, 48, 52, 53, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67 consistent with the design of the measure and, in particular, to regulations 99 to 104 relative to each class or kind, and any such measure which so conforms may be verified without requiring to be of a model approved in terms of section 22 of the Act—
(a) any measure of volume of conventional design;
(b) dipping measures used for the measurement of milk;
(c) vehicle tanks calibrated to hold a fixed quantity;
(d) graduated glass measures for pharmaceutical dispensing and comparable measurement;
(e) measuring flasks;
(f) pipettes; and
(g) burettes.

 

(2)
(a) Any measure may be made of any durable material approved by the National Regulator e.g. glass, tin, tin alloy, pewter, brass, bronze, copper, tin plate, white metal, aluminium, aluminium alloy, nickel, nickel-plated steel, chromium-plated steel, stainless steel or galvanised sheet iron.
(b) Any measure made of brass, bronze or copper must be well tinned all over on the inside.
(c) The coating of tin, nickel or chromium on a plated measure must be uniform and must show no sign of peeling.
(d) Where the National Regulator has approved iron or mild steel which is not plated or galvanised as the material of which a measure for a special purpose may be made, such measure must, where necessary with regard to the material to be measured, be coated all over on the inside with a protective coating to prevent deterioration of the measure.

 

(3)

(a) A measure must be constructed as not to be easily damaged, dented, lose its shape.
(b) Where a measure has strengthening ribs or bands, such ribs or bands must not be of such form as to show, by indentation or otherwise, divisions inside the measure which might be mistaken for quantity indications.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in any regulation of this Part, a single value metal measure having a capacity of 200 mL or more, except a dipping measure for milk, must be provided with a lip or other suitable retainer to prevent spilling:

Provided that—

(i) such lip or retainer must not increase the size of the measure by more than 10% of the nominal capacity;
(ii) such lip or retainer must extend from the brim of the measure at an angle of not less than 30° from the vertical;
(iii) such retainer may incorporate a bonnet or funnel;

Provided further that the retainer must extend from the brim at an angle of not less than 30° from the vertical for not less than one third of its circumference.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in any regulation of this Part, a measure must be of such shape that it is completely emptied when tilted to an angle of 120° from the vertical.
(e) A measure provided with a discharge tap must be of such shape and the tap must be so positioned that the measure can be completely emptied without tilting.
(f) A metal measure may be provided with a bottom rim, provided that the depth of such rim is not greater than is required to protect the bottom of the measure.
(g) A measure must not have a false bottom.

 

(4)
(a) The denomination of a measure, other than a vehicle tank or a graduated glass measure for pharmaceutical dispensing and comparable measurement, must be in accordance Table 14:

 

 

1

2

3

TABLE 14

(i) Single value measures

Denominations

Any multiple of 10 L above 500 L

500 L

2 L

20 mL

200 L

1 L

10 mL

100 L

750 mL

5 mL

50 L

500 mL

2 mL

25 L

375 mL

1 mL

20 L

200 mL


10 L

100 mL


5 L

50 mL


and for the sale of potable spirits only - 25  mL

(ii) Subdivided or graduated glass measures, other than graduated glass measures, measuring flasks, pipettes and burettes for  pharmaceutical dispensing and comparable measurement:

Total denominations

5 L and under, as in section (i) of this table

Value of graduations

0,2 mL or 0,5 mL or 1 x 10n, 2 x 10n  or 5 x 10n of 1 mL or of 1 L, where the exponent "n" is a positive whole number or zero

(iii)        Subdivided or graduated non-transparent measures provided with gauge glasses

Total denominations

5L and above, as in section (i) of this table, provided that graduations may extend to not more than 10% above the total value

Value of graduations

0,05 L; 0,1 L; 0,2 L; 0,5 L or 1 x 10n, 2 x 10n or 5 x 10n of 1 L, where the exponent "n" is a positive whole number or zero

 

 

(b) Every measure must have its denomination clearly and indelibly marked on the outside of the body thereof and not on any handle, bottom, rim or lid.

 

(5) Except as otherwise provided in any regulation of this Part, the datum level or levels, respectively, defining the capacity of values of—
(a) a single value metal measure must be the brim which, in the case of such measure provided with a lip or retainer, is the bottom of the lip or retainer;
(b) a single value glass measure having a capacity of less than 200 mL must be the brim and a glass measure having a capacity of 200 mL or more, where the datum level is the brim must not be permitted;
(c) a single value glass measure of which the datum level is not the brim must be an indelible, horizontal line not less than 25 mm in length, placed not less than 10 mm or more than 35 mm from the brim;
(d) a graduated glass measure, having a total capacity of 5 L or under, other than a measure for pharmaceutical dispensing and comparable measurement, must be the respective graduations defined by indelible horizontal lines not less than 25 mm in length, and not less than 2,5 mm apart.

 

(6) Except as otherwise provided in any regulation of this Part, a non-transparent measure must not be subdivided unless the measure is fixed in position and is provided with a graduated gauge.

 

(7)
(a) Every measure of volume must be tested for accuracy, by means of water, against a corresponding measurement standard measure, pipette or burette that complies with the requirements in Part III.
(b) A containing measure must be tested for accuracy by transferring the water from a measurement standard delivering measure, which complies with the requirements of Part III of the regulations, to the measure being tested.
(c) A delivering measure must, where practicable, be tested by transferring the water from the delivering measure being tested to a measurement standard containing measure, that complies with the requirements in Part III of these Regulations, or, where this is not practicable, the inside of the delivering measure must be thoroughly wetted and drained before the water is transferred from a measurement standard delivery measure, that complies with the requirements in Part III of the regulations, to the delivering measure being tested.
(d) When testing a graduated glass measure or other glass measure of which the datum level is a line, the level of the water must be taken at the bottom of the meniscus and readings must be taken at the top of the lines.
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), (b) and (c), where any factor precludes the method of direct comparison with a measure of volume, the net mass of the liquid contained in or delivered by a measure may be determined by means of a suitable weighing instrument, that complies with the requirements in Part III of these Regulations, such mass being converted to measure of volume on the basis of the density of the liquid.

 

(8)
(i) The errors permitted on vehicle tanks or compartments thereof are prescribed in regulation 104(6).
(ii) The errors permitted on measures other than vehicle tanks are prescribed in Table VIII; Table IX; Table X; I and Table XI in the Annexure.

 

(9)
(a) The verification mark on a glass measure must be etched or sandblasted beneath or near the denomination mark.
(b) The verification mark on a metal measure other than one provided with a lip or retainer must be placed on a solder stud, or other similar means, near the denomination mark.
(c) The verification mark on a metal measure provided with a lip or retainer must, wherever practicable, be placed on a solder stud or other similar means, at a convenient point on the inside of the lip or retainer.