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S.I. No. 67/1973 - European Communities (Measuring Instruments) Regulations, 1973.
Table of Provisions (11)
Statutory Text (11 Articles)
1. FIELD OF APPLICATION
The present Chapter applies, together with the provision of Chapter I, to
1.1. Rotary piston gas meters
—in which the measurement of gas passed is effected by means of measuring chambers with rotary walls.
1.2. Turbine gas meters
—in which the axial flow of gas rotates a turbine wheel and the number of revolutions of the wheel represents the volume of gas passed.
2. RANGE OF CAPACITIES
2.1. Gas meters shall have only the ranges shown in the following table which correspond to their designation (G)
Designation
G
Qmax
m
3
/h
Range
Small
Medium
Large
Q
min
m
3
/h
40
65
13
6
3
65
100
20
10
5
100
160
32
16
8
160
250
50
25
13
250
400
80
40
20
400
650
130
65
32
650
1 000
200
100
50
1 000
1 600
320
160
80
and decimal multiples of the last five lines.
3. DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION
3.1. Rotary Piston Meters
3.1.1. Meters should include upstream and downstream static pressure tappings of 3 to 5 millimetre diameter to permit measurement of the pressure drop:the pressure measured upstream will constitute the reference pressure.
3.1.2. The meters may incorporate a manual arrangement for turning the pistons provided that it cannot be used in such a way as to interfere with the correct operation of the meter.
3.1.3. The bearings of the shafts of the rotary pistons of meters of sizes G160 and above may be constructed in such a way as to provide access to them without breaking the protective seals.
3.2. Turbine Meters
3.2.1. The meters must incorporate a pressure tapping permitting, if necessary indirectly, the determination of the pressure immediately upstream of the turbine wheel as a reference pressure.
3.2.1.1. If there is a device for throttling the gas flow upstream of the rotor, the meter may incorporate, as well as the pressure tapping required by item 3.2.1. of this Chapter, another pressure tapping immediately before the throttle to permit determination of the pressure drop across the throttling device.
3.3. Pressure Tappings
3.3.1. These pressure tappings must be provided with means for closing them.
3.3.2. The pressure tappings for the reference pressure must be clearly and indelibly marked "pr" and the pressure tapping should be indicated as "p".
4. TEST ELEMENT
4.1. In applying the provisions of item 5.1.1.2. (
a
) and (
b
) of Chapter I B, the maximum value of the scale unit of the test element must be
for G40 and G65
0·002m
3
for G100 and G650 and intermediate sizes
0·02m
3
for G1 000 and G6 500 and intermediate sizes
0·2m
3
for G10 000 and above
2·0m
3
4.2 The scale of the test element must be numbered
for G40 and G65, every
0·01m
3
for G100 and G650 and intermediate sizes, every
0·1m
3
for G1 000 and G6 500 and intermediate sizes, every
1·0m
3
for G10 000 and above, every
10·0m
3
5. MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE ERRORS
5.1. The maximum permissible errors, positive and negative, are given in the following table
Flow Q m
3
/h
Maximum permissible error in EEC initial verification.
Q
min ≤ Q < 0·2
Q
max
2%
0·
2Q
max ≤ Q ≤
Q
max
1%
5.2. The errors must not all exceed half the maximum permissible error if they are all of the same sign.
6. EEC INITIAL VERIFICATION
6.1. Accuracy tests
A meter is considered to satisfy the requirements concerning the maximum permissible errors if the requirements are met at the following flow rates
(
a
) For rotary piston meters
—
Q
min,
1.5Q
min,
0.25Q
max,
0.5Q
max and
Q
max;
(
b
) for turbine meters
Q
min,
1.5Q
min,
2.5Q
min,
0.25Q
max,
0.5Q
max, and
Q
max.
If the test is effected in other conditions, these must guarantee a result identical to the verifications mentioned above.
If the examination is conducted under different conditions, the guarantees must be at least equal to those obtained by the tests mentioned above.
6.2. The values specified in item 6·1 of this Chapter may be varied by x 5 %.
GIVEN under my Official Seal this 21st day of March, 1973.
JUSTIN KEATING,
Minister for Industry and Commerce.
EXPLANATORY NOTE.
These regulations are made to give effect, so far as necessary, to Council Directive No. 71/316/EEC, as amended by the Act annexed to the Treaty of Accession, 22nd January, 1972, at Annex 1. X (Technical Barriers), item 12, and Council Directives Nos. 71/317/EEC, 71/318/EEC, and 71/319/EEC, on the approximation of the Laws of the Member States relating to measuring instruments and methods of metrological control for medium accuracy weights, liquid meters and gas volume meters.
7. EEC INITIAL VERIFICATION
7.1. Accuracy tests
A meter is considered to satisfy the requirements concerning maximum permissible errors if these requirements are met at the following flow rates
(
a
) at a flow rate between
Q
min and
2Q
min;
(
b
) at a flow rate of the order of
1/5Q
max;
(
c
) at a flow rate of
Q
max;
(
d
) at a flow rate
0.5Q
max for meters for which the operating pressure is greater than 0·1MN/m (1 bar).
If the examination is conducted under different conditions, the guarantees must be at least equal to those obtained by the tests mentioned above.
CHAPTER III.
PROVISIONS CONCERNING GAS METERS WITH ROTARY PISTONS OR TURBINES.
8. APPLICATION OF VERIFICATION MARKS AND SEALS
8.1. Purpose
The application of EEC verification marks and seals on a gas meter certifies solely that the meter meets the requirements of this schedule.
8.2.1. Location
The locations of the marks must be chosen in such a way that dismantling of the part sealed will involve destruction of the marks.
8.2.2. When the inscriptions mentioned in item 4.1 of Chapter I B are on a special badge plate, one of the marks should be fixed in such a manner that it is damaged if the special plate is removed.
8.2.3. Other locations.
Locations should be provided for verification marks or sealing
(
a
) on all plates carrying an inscription required by the present schedule;
(
b
) on all parts of the casing which cannot otherwise be protected against interference liable to affect the accuracy of measurement.
9. INITIAL VERIFICATION
Meters submitted for the EEC initial verification shall be in working order. If the meters are to be used with additional devices operated by output drives, these accessories must have been connected during the examination unless a later connection has been expressly authorised.
10. VERIFICATION MARKS AND SEALS
Meters having undergone successfully the verification tests
—shall be provided with a verification mark;
—shall receive seals in the locations provided for the protection of certain components against interference liable to affect the meter characteristics.
CHAPTER II.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO GAS VOLUME METERS WITH DEFORMABLE WALLS.
I, JUSTIN KEATING, Minister for Industry and Commerce, in exercise of the powers conferred, on me by
section 3
of the
European Communities Act, 1972
(No. 27 of 1972), hereby make the following Regulations
1
Citation
1.
These Regulations may be cited as the European Communities (Measuring Instruments) Regulations, 1973.
2 Application
2.
These Regulations apply to the following instruments
(
a
)
medium accuracy weights
of the following nominal values
(i) rectangular bar weights of 5, 10, 20 and 50 kg
(ii) cylindrical weights of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500g and 1, 2, 5 and 10 kg;
(
b
)
liquid meters
, being volumetric meters for liquids other than water in which the liquid causes the movement of mobile walls of measuring chambers and which permit the measurement of any volumes;
(
c
)
gas volume meters
of the following types
(i) volumetric meters
—meters with deformable walls,
—meters with rotary pistons
(ii) non-volumetric meters
—turbine meters.
3 Construction
3.
The Sale of Gas Act, 1859, as amended, the
Gas Regulation Act, 1920
, and the
Gas Regulation Act, 1928
(in these Regulations referred to as the Gas Acts) and these Regulations shall be construed as one so far as the Regulations relate to gas volume meters and the Weights and Measures Acts, 1878 to 1961, and these Regulations shall be construed as one so far as the Regulations relate to other instruments.
4 Inspectors
4.
For the purposes of these Regulations—
(
a
) every inspector (including a special inspector) under the Gas Acts shall be an inspector so far as the Regulations relate to gas volume meters, and
(
b
) every inspector (including an ex-officio inspector) under the Weights and Measures Acts, 1878 to 1961, shall be an inspector so far as these Regulations relate to other instruments.
5 Initial Verification Marks and Pattern Approval Symbols
5.
(1) The EEC initial verification marks referred to in these Regulations are those described in and conforming with Schedule 1, which have been inscribed by the competent authority of a member State.
(2) The EEC pattern approval symbols referred to in these Regulations are those described in and conforming with Schedule 2.
6 ..
6.
(1) Any medium accuracy weight may be used for trade if it bears the final EEC verification mark and the mark has not been cancelled by an inspector under these Regulations.
(2) Any liquid meter or gas volume meter may be used for trade if it bears the EEC pattern approval symbol and the final EEC verification mark and the mark has not been cancelled by an inspector under these Regulations.
7 ..
7.
(1) Where any instrument is submitted to an inspector for EEC initial verification he shall examine the instrument in accordance with Schedule 3 and the special provisions applicable to an instrument of its category under these Regulations.
(2) If the inspector is satisfied after examination that the instrument meets the requirements prescribed he shall affix on the instrument the appropriate EEC initial verification mark.
8 ..
8.
The medium accuracy weights which may receive the EEC initial verification marks are described in Schedule 4. They are exempt from EEC pattern approval.
9 ..
9.
The liquid meters which may receive the EEC initial verification marks are described in Schedule 5. Only meters of a pattern that has received EEC pattern approval may be admitted to EEC initial verification and these meters shall be accepted as satisfying the construction requirements in Schedule 5.
10 ..
10.
The gas volume meters which may receive the EEC initial verification marks are described in Schedule 6. Only meters of a pattern that has received EEC pattern approval may be admitted to EEC initial verification and these meters shall be accepted as satisfying the construction requirements in Schedule 6.
11 Inspection of Instruments in Service
11.
(1) When an inspector inspects instruments in service which bear the EEC marks of initial verification he shall apply the tests and the required level of tolerances where they are prescribed in the Weights and Measures (General) Regulations, 1928 (S.R. & O., No. 71 of 1928), provided that the maximum errors permitted for these instruments on inspection shall bear the same ratio between inspection and initial verification as the ratio for other instruments not covered by the present Regulations.
(2) If the instrument does not satisfy the tests and level of tolerances applicable under this Regulation the inspector shall cancel the EEC initial verification mark.
12 Offences
12.
(1) Any person who forges or counterfeits any stamp used for stamping under these Regulations or wilfully makes an alteration in an instrument so as to affect its accuracy shall on summary conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding œ200 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.
(2) Any person who knowingly uses, sells, utters, disposes of or exposes for sale any instrument with such forged or counterfeit stamp or an instrument so altered or an instrument bearing marks or inscriptions liable to be confused with EEC marks or symbols shall on, summary conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding œ100.
13 Prosecution of Offences
13.
An offence under these Regulations may be prosecuted by the Minister for Industry and Commerce or an inspector.
SCHEDULE 1.
EEC INITIAL VERIFICATION MARKS(
1
).
(
1
)Council Directive No. 71/316/EEC, Annex II, 3.1.1., 3.3, amended by Act of Accession, 22 January, 1972, Annex I.X (Technical Barriers), 12.
1.
Description of EEC initial verification marks
1.1. EEC initial verification marks which are affixed shall be as follows
1.1.1. The final EEC verification mark shall be composed of two stamps
(
a
) the first consists of a letter "e" containing
—in the upper half, the distinguishing capital letter of the State where the original check is carried out (B for Belgium, DK for Denmark, D for the Federal Republic of Germany, F for France, IR for Ireland, I for Italy, L for Luxembourg, NL for the Netherlands and UK for the United Kingdom) together where necessary, with one or two numbers identifying a territorial or administrative subdivision
—in the lower half, the identification number of the verifying agent or office;
(
b
) the second stamp shall consist of the last two digits of the year of the verification, in a hexagon.
1.1.2. The mark of EEC partial verification shall consist solely of the first stamp. It shall also serve as a seal.
2.
Affixing the marks
2.1. The final EEC verification mark shall be affixed at the appointed location on the instrument when the latter has been completely verified and is recognised to conform to EEC requirements.
2.2. The partial EEC verification mark shall be affixed
2.2.1. When verification is made in several stages on the instrument or part of an instrument which fulfils the conditions laid down for operations other than those at the place of installation, at the place where the stamp-date is affixed or in any other place specified in the special provisions.
2.2.2. In all cases as a seal, in the places specified in the separate schedule for that category of instrument.