Legal Metrology Act, 2014 (Act No. 9 of 2014)RegulationsLegal Metrology Regulations, 2017Part XI : Measuring instruments and containers used for prescribed purposes95. Conventional length measuring instruments |
| (1) |
| (a) | A measure of length must comply with regulations 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 52, 53, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 65 and 66 consistent with its design and any such measure which so conforms may be verified without having to be of a model approved in terms of section 22 of the Act. |
| (b) | A measure of length of a novel design or which is made of a material that may facilitate fraud must not be verified. |
| (2) |
| (a) | A measure of length must be made of stainless steel, steel, brass, ivory, hard wood, woven tape, reinforced fibreglass or other material of similar durability. |
| (b) | The principal qualities of the material of which a measure of length is made must be such that— |
| (i) | an increase or decrease in temperature of 8°C above or below the reference temperature does not result in a variation in its measuring length exceeding the allowance of error; |
| (ii) | in the case of a measure of length which is required to be used under a specified tension or in respect of which a tension is specified in subregulation (8)(d), an increase or decrease of 10% in tension does not result in a variation in its measuring length exceeding the allowance of error; and |
| (iii) | the measure cannot become permanently distorted with normal use or with changes in environmental conditions. |
| (3) |
| (a) | A measure of length must be straight, the material free from flaws and of sufficient strength and durability to withstand wear and tear in their operational state. |
| (b) | A new measure of length made of wood or of another material of similar durability and rigidity must have both ends capped or tipped with metal, which must be permanently secured in position. |
| (c) | Any sliding or calliper arm of a measure of length must have no more play than is required for easy movement and when moved, the measuring surface of such arm must remain perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the measure. |
| (d) | A measure of length made of wood or of another material of similar durability and rigidity and constructed as a T-square must have the free end of the measuring blade capped or tipped with metal permanently secured in position and must have the measuring edge of the crosspiece provided with a securely fixed edging of metal, extra hard wood or similarly durable substance. |
| (e) | A measure of length made of any material other than brass or wood must be provided with a suitable means, near the beginning of the measuring scale, for receiving the certifying stamp. |
| (4) |
| (a) | The nominal lengths must be in accordance with Table 11: |
1 |
2 |
3 |
TABLE 11 |
||
200 m |
10 m |
1 m |
100 m |
5 m |
0,5 m or 50 cm |
50 m |
3 m |
0,3 m or 30 cm |
30 m |
2 m |
0,2 m or 20 cm |
20 m |
1,5 m |
0,1 m or 10 cm |
| (b) | Partial nominal values - nominal values of graduations 1 m or 1 x 10n, 2 x 10n or 5 x 10n of 1 m where the exponent "n" is a negative whole number, provided that major graduations of the measure may be subdivided. |
| (5) |
| (a) | The surfaces forming the principal end scale marks of a measure of length must be flat, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the measure. |
| (b) | The graduation lines of a measure of length must be clear, distinct, of equal width, parallel to each other and must extend to and be perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the measure: Provided that, in the case of a measure of length made of round section, one end of such lines must be on a straight line running along the length of the measure and in the case of a measure of length provided with sliding or calliper arms the lines need not extend to an edge. |
| (c) | The width of graduation lines of a graduated measure of length must be such that it cannot cause any inaccuracy in the results of measuring, provided that the width of any such line must not be more than 1 mm. |
| (d) | Figured graduation lines of a graduated measure of length must be distinguished by their being longer than the nearest four intermediate lines on either side. |
| (e) | Where every graduation line of a measure of length is figured all such lines may be of equal length or where every second graduation line of a measure of length is figured all such figured lines may be of the same length and all intermediate graduation lines must be of the same length but shorter than the figured lines. |
| (f) | Measures of length not figured nor marked in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (e), must bear figuring and marking in accordance the following diagram: |
| (g) | On a tape measure provided with a link at the zero end, which forms a part of the measuring length, the link section need not be graduated. |
| (h) | On a tape measure, the zero mark must be either at the end of the link or at the inside of a fixed hook where one is provided, or at any point on the tape: Provided that— |
| (i) | where the zero mark is on the tape, there must be no scale marks or graduations in advance of the zero, but this part of the tape may bear the marking of the nominal length of the measure and other marking required; |
| (ii) | where a sliding or hinged hook is provided, the zero mark must be on the inside of the hook when this is extended (for outside measurement) and on the outside of the hook when this is retracted (for inside measurement); |
| (iii) | where both a link and a hook are provided, the zero mark must be at the hook, as required in accordance with proviso in subparagraph (ii), or on the tape; and |
| (iv) | a tape measure which is wound in a case or frame when not in use may be graduated beyond its nominal length for a distance equal to not more than 0,05 m of its nominal length or 0,5 m, whichever is the lesser. |
| (6) |
| (a) | A rigid measure of length must be marked with the denomination denoting its nominal length near the extreme end of the measure: Provided that the letters of the denomination must be of a size compatible with that of the figures denoting numerical values, but in no case less than one half of the size of such figures. |
| (b) | A tape measure of length must be marked with the denomination denoting its nominal length near the beginning of the measuring scale, or on the case or frame. |
| (c) | Figures on a measure of length denoting values in decimal submultiples of the metre or in mm or, where permitted, in cm, do not required to be followed by the relevant symbol of the measurement unit: Provided that, where the figures denote mm or cm rather than decimal submultiples of the metre, the figure denoting each metre must be followed by the symbol m and these figures and symbols must be larger than, or of a contrasting colour to, the intermediate figures. |
| (7) | Where a measure of length is calibrated at a temperature other than 20°C or under a tension greater than that specified in subregulation (8)(d), such other temperature or tension must be marked on the measure near the beginning of the measuring scale. |
| (8) |
| (a) | The allowances of error on measures of length are prescribed in Table VIII of the Annexure. |
| (b) | A measure of length must be tested for accuracy at its principal scale marks and at as many graduations as the market surveillance inspector or verification officer considers necessary, by comparison with a measurement standards that comply with the requirements in Part III of these Regulations. |
| (c) | During testing, a measure of length must, as far as is practicable, be supported through its whole length on a plane and even base. |
| (d) | A tape or linked measure of length must be subjected, during testing, to the tension marked on the measure, or if this is not marked, to the following tension: |
| (i) | A tape measure made of a material other than metal: 10 N; |
| (ii) | A metal tape measure: 50 N; and |
| (iii) | A linked measure: 70 N. |
| (9) | A measure of length must have the verification mark placed near the beginning of the measuring scale on each graduated side, provided that, in the case of a linked measure or a tape measure in a protective case, the verification mark must be indelibly marked on a sticker that cannot be removed without damaging the sticker or on a disc permanently secured to such measure. |