Specifications Relating to Non-automatic Weighing Devices (1998) (SI/98-81)

50 Where a weighing device or module is exempt, pursuant to paragraph 13(3)(a) of the Weights and Measures Regulations, from the application of any or all of the provisions of these Specifications, the device or module shall be marked with information sufficient to identify any restrictions placed on its use as set out in the notice of approval for that device or module, in a conspicuous and permanent manner.

51 All markings shall meet the following criteria:

• (a) they shall be distinct, easily readable and of such nature that they will not become obliterated or illegible;

• (b) they shall be of a height appropriate to the size of the device; and

• (c) any capital letters in the markings shall be at least 2 mm high.

52 All markings shall be located

• (a) in a clearly visible place on a part of the weighing device or on a descriptive plate fixed to it; and

• (b) near the weight display, in the case of the marking for

  • (i) the maximum capacity,

  • (ii) the verification scale interval, and

  • (iii) if it is different from the verification scale interval, the actual scale interval.

53 Descriptive plates shall be made of durable material and shall be permanently affixed to the weighing device.

54 Every weighing device shall have an area suitable for the application of the verification markings.

Installation and Use

General

• 55 (1) A weighing device and any equipment and accessories attached to or used in conjunction with the device shall be installed and used in a manner that

  • (a) ensures accurate measurement;

  • (b) does not facilitate the perpetration of fraud;

  • (c) is in accordance with the manufacturer or importer’s instructions; and

  • (d) respects the parameters, restrictions and limitations set out in the notice of approval issued in respect of the device under section 3 of the Weights and Measures Act.

• (2) The equipment and accessories described in subsection (1) shall be installed and used in such a manner that they do not detrimentally affect the performance of the device.

Supports and Foundations

56 A weighing device shall be installed on a level and stable supporting surface that has sufficient strength and rigidity to maintain the device’s accuracy and durability required by these Specifications under normal conditions of use.

Protection from Environmental Factors

57 A weighing device shall be adequately protected from environmental factors, such as wind, extremes of temperature, vibration and electromagnetic or electrostatic fields, that may adversely affect the device’s performance or durability.

Single Draft Weighing

• 58 (1) A weighing device shall be used in such a manner that the commodities or objects that are being weighed are fully supported by the weighing and load-receiving element when their weight is observed or recorded.

• (2) If a weighing device is operating in static mode, the commodities or objects that are being weighed shall be stationary when their weight is observed or recorded.

Weighing Devices Used for Direct Sales

59 A weighing device that is used for direct sales shall be positioned so that the indication relating to the measurement and the transaction can be easily read and the weighing operation observed from the normal location of the customer.

Visibility of Weighing and Load-receiving Element

60 A weighing device shall be installed in a manner that permits the operator of the device to observe the weighing and load-receiving element from the position of the operator reading the weight indications.

Suitability

61 A weighing device shall be suitable for its intended use with respect to elements of its design, including its maximum capacity, verification scale interval, number of the verification scale intervals, minimum net load that can be weighed and computing capability.

• 62 (1) A weighing device that is used in an application described in column 1 of the table to this section shall be from the accuracy class set out in column 2 for that device, or from a higher accuracy class, and shall be used to weigh a load that is not less than the amount obtained by multiplying the verification scale interval by the corresponding multiplying factor set out in column 3, and the device’s smallest verification scale interval shall not exceed that set out in column 4.

• (2) A weighing device described in subsection 2(2) that is used or intended to be used in an application described in column 1 of the table to this section and that is not marked with an accuracy class designation shall, for the purpose of applying these Specifications, be considered to be of the corresponding accuracy class set out in column 2 of that table.

• (3) In this section, primary elevator, terminal elevator and transfer elevator have the meaning given to them in section 2 of the Canada Grain Act.

  Item	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3		Column 4
  			Minimum net load expressed as a number of verification scale intervals
  	Application	Accuracy class	Verification scale interval	Multiplying factor	Maximum verification scale interval permitted
  1	Weighing precious metals and commodities of comparable value
  	(a) at the retail level		– – –	– – –	10 mg
  	(b) at the wholesale or industrial level		e ≤ 10 mg	– – –	– – –
  			e ≥ 20 mg	2 000	– – –
  2	Weighing diamonds or other gemstones		– – –	– – –	1 mg or 0.005 carat
  3	Weighing to determine postal, transportation or shipping charges, except when determined by means of a weighing device with a maximum capacity of 4 000 kg (10 000 pounds) or more		e ≤ 50 g (2 ounces)	10	– – –
  			e > 50 g (2 ounces)	20	– – –
  4	Weighing gravel, land fill and other raw material for road construction		e	50	– – –
  5	Weighing waste material other than scrap metal		e	10	– – –
  6	Weighing scrap metal (ferrous)		e	20	– – –
  7	Weighing scrap metal (non-ferrous)		e	100	– – –
  8	Weighing grain at a primary, transfer or terminal elevator, or alcohol, by means of a weighing device with a maximum capacity of 4 000 kg (10 000 pounds) ormore		e	200	– – –
  9	Weighing bulk commodities, other than the commodities referred to in items 1 to 8, by means of a weighing device with a maximum capacity of 4 000 kg (10 000 pounds) or more		e	100	– – –
  10	Any other application		0.1 g ≤ e ≤ 2 g	20	– – –
  			e = 5 g	20	– – –
  			5 g < e < 50 g	50	– – –
  			e ≥50 g	100	– – –

  • Note: See table to section 3 for equivalent Canadian units.

Approaches for Vehicle Scales

• 63 (1) Approach and exit ramps to and from a permanently installed vehicle scale shall

  • (a) be straight for a distance of at least 3 m adjacent to the weighbridge;

  • (b) be as wide as, and in the same plane as, the weighbridge;

  • (c) be constructed, for a distance of at least 3 m adjacent to the weighbridge, of concrete or similar durable material to ensure that they remain smooth, level and in the same plane as the weighbridge; and

  • (d) beyond the 3 m distance set out in paragraphs (a) and (c), be constructed so as to permit

    • (i) easy access by the vehicle being weighed,

    • (ii) ready access for testing purposes, and

    • (iii) any water to drain away from the scale.

• (2) Where approach and exit ramps to and from a permanently installed vehicle scale include grating, the grating shall be of sufficient strength to withstand all loads that are intended to be supported by the scale.