Calibration/Weights & Measures
I run a fishing club. At the end of competitions fish are weighed to determine the weight. How can I check the weighing machine we use is accurate?
After finishing fuelling my car at a filling station, the price display clicked up a penny. Is the fuel pump faulty?
The price of petrol and diesel seems to get higher and higher. How do I know I am getting what I pay for?
I put diesel into my petrol car. It cost me over £200 to have the incorrect fuel drained and the problem rectified. Why aren’t fuel pumps colour coded?
When I bought a pint of bitter last night I noticed there was no crown marked on the side of my glass. Did I get a short measure?
I want to check the weight of my caravan. How can I do this?
I run a fishing club. At the end of competitions fish are weighed to determine the weight. How can I check the weighing machine we use is accurate?
Trading Standards can check your weighing machine and provide a statement of errors. We are not able to adjust the machine. A fee is payable dependant on the capacity of the machine.
After finishing fuelling my car at a filling station, the price display clicked up a penny. Is the fuel pump faulty?
Once the nozzle has been replaced in its storage point it is impossible for the price to pay or volume indication to change. However, there may be occasions when the price advances between you closing the nozzle and returning it to storage. This is sometimes caused by a faulty nozzle or worn hose. A fractional amount of fuel passes through the meter after you have closed the nozzle causing this effect. It becomes worse as the price of fuel increases since a progressively smaller volume equates to the penny. If the price clicks up by more than one penny please let us know..
The price of petrol and diesel seems to get higher and higher. How do I know I am getting what I pay for?
There is a programme of inspection of all retail fuel pumps in Hampshire. When officers check equipment they make sure the measures are within legal tolerances (that is between - 0.5% and + 1%) and all adjustable parts are sealed. This protects the public and honest traders from unfair competition. Before commencing to re-fuel ensure all indications are at zero. If you believe a pump you have used is incorrect we would like to hear from you.
I put diesel into my petrol car. It cost me over £200 to have the incorrect fuel drained and the problem rectified. Why aren’t fuel pumps colour coded?
There is legislation requiring all pumps to be clearly marked with the fuel they dispense. However, there is no requirement to use any colour coding. Diesel nozzle spouts have a larger diameter so it is difficult to fit them in a petrol filler on a car. Many oil companies now sell different grades of petrol and diesel. Before starting delivery check the grade selection indicator on the pump and/or that the unit price displayed corresponds to the fuel you want.
When I bought a pint of bitter last night I noticed there was no crown marked on the side of my glass. Did I get a short measure?
In October 2006 new legislation allowed glasses to be marked with a “CE” mark. They still contain one pint, or half a pint. Gradually the crown marked glasses will disappear. This does not affect the quantity you receive. And remember, if you feel there is too much head on your pint you are entitled to request a top up.
I want to check the weight of my caravan. How can I do this?
You can take your caravan to a public weighbridge. A list of these is available by area on the website. http://www.hants.gov.uk/regulatory/tradingstandards/publicweighbridges.html The operator will charge a fee for weighing and it is best to phone to confirm opening times.