The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) which is empowered under the National Weights and Measures Act of 1981 has been mandated to check and verify the accuracy of bulk meters and fuel pumps at filling stations countrywide, to ensure that fuel dispensed at the pump is within the acceptable tolerance so that vehicle owners and other consumers continually receive the correct quantity of fuel they requested.
For many years now, Inspectors of the GNBS have been routinely conducting verification at all petrol stations. Verification is done at stations owned and operated by Sol, TEXACO, GUYOIL, and privately owned stations throughout the country for the first and second half of the year. In addition, verification exercises are conducted at bulk terminal on bulk meters, wagon compartments and storage tanks to ensure the accuracy of these devices.
During the verification of Petrol pumps, a 20 litre and a 5 litre test measure are used to test the accuracy of the pumps. If the fuel dispensed into the test measures is less than the 20 or 5 litre test measure, the pump is under-delivering. On the other hand, if the fuel dispensed is more, the pump is over-delivering. For pumps that are over or under-delivering, the necessary adjustments are made and a protective seal is affixed to the adjusting mechanism. This is to maintain the integrity of the process.
If a subsequent check is conducted by Inspectors of the GNBS and the affixed seal is found to be tampered with or removed, the operators or owners can face prosecution.
Further, if for one reason or another, a fuel pump is not functioning properly, and cannot be calibrated immediately, the Inspector would seal the dispensing nuzzle to prevent further usage of the pump until its accuracy can be verified.
The entire verification process is intended to protect both the suppliers and the consumers. When a pump is over delivering fuel, the station is selling at a financial loss. If a pump is under delivering, the drivers are being short-changed.
The Bureau of Standards, therefore, serves as an effective interface between sellers and consumers, thus ensuring fair trade and business practices and ultimately, protection for all. Consumers are advised to make purchases in metric quantities and check the fuel pumps for the GNBS approval seals which indicate that the pump they are purchasing from was checked for the corresponding period.
For further information on this subject, call the GNBS on Telephone number: 219-0065 or 219-0069 or visit the Bureau’s website: http://www.gnbsgy.org
