The Weights & Measures program is highlighting the new Large Capacity Scale Truck which arrived several weeks ago. This new vehicle will be used to test and inspect large capacity scales used in industry and service applications. Inspectors test and inspect these devices located at mines, feed plants, transfer stations, asphalt plants, recycling locations, and scrap metal yards. The scales tested are designed to weigh trucks and the capacities may reach 200,000 lbs. The new testing vehicle is a state of the art unit which contains a calibrated 4,000 lb. weight cart which can hold 20,000 lbs. of certified weight. It is designed to meet all testing specifications and requirements as adopted by The National Conference on Weights & Measures as well as test procedures contained in Vermont adopted regulations published by The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). The testing unit has a hoist and the ability to carry and unload the weight cart and certified weights for each inspection. The Weights and Measures Metrology Laboratory has also expanded its scope of operation to include the calibration of weight carts giving the program total integration and traceability of all standards as well as test procedures.
In addition to the calibration of weight carts, the Weights and Measures Metrology Laboratory staff maintain the state standards, conduct calibrations on weighing and measuring artifacts, provide calibration traceability, and smit annual audits for laboratory certification. Each year the laboratory tests thousands of hydrometers utilized by the maple industry, weights ranging in size from 1,000 lbs. to 0.001 lb. and numerous test measures used in the inspection and calibration of thousands of fuel pumps.
Weights & Measures Inspectors work to ensure accurate and correct devices are used for sales of goods and services to consumers, work toward improving pricing accuracy in retail stores, and address many consumer concerns that are brought to the office’s attention.