Metrology & Calibration
Weights and Measures
Weights and measures is one of the traditional foundation stones of the work of the Office of Fair Trading. Officers test the accuracy of equipment used for sales by weight or measure and pose as customers to make “test purchases” of goods to check that the equipment is being used fairly. Inspections are carried out regularly at trade premises such as petrol stations and supermarkets to ensure that both consumers and traders can be confident of dealing fairly.
Traditionally the Weights and Measures Inspector would do very little other than test weights and measures.
 19th and 20th Century 'bell' weights |  Beam scale |
The modern day Trading Standards Officer still does those tests but also has a much wider and very varied range of tasks to do. Weighing and measuring has developed into a highly specialised branch of science known as metrology (not to be confused with meteorology, the study of weather, which we leave to the weatherman!).
Laboratory balance
Our Metrology Laboratory houses the Manx Standards of weight, capacity and length - the very accurate reference standards to which all measurement in the Island can be traced. The Laboratory provides a fast and accurate service for the calibration of weights, capacity and length measures. Equipment calibrated in our laboratory is traceable back to the United Kingdom’s National Standards or to natural standards which never change (the wavelength of light). We can also supply accurately calibrated weights to businesses for calibration purposes.
The laboratory offers an accurate and impartial measurement service which is used by industry for many purposes including the evaluation of goods against specification.
Being Island based we can offer a rapid turnaround time without the delays and risks associated with sending valuable and delicate equipment away for calibration. The services offered and prices charged are listed below:
CALIBRATION FEES
Charges from 1st April 2008 for the calibration of equipment submitted to our metrology laboratory and provision of a calibration certificate traceable to UK National Standards. These charges are reviewed from time to time, please check with the office to find the up to date costs - telephone 686520 or e-mail us.
| Fee per item | |
|---|---|
| 1. Mass (1 mg to 25 kg at the M1 level) | |
| 1 mg to 5 kg | £16.00 |
| 10 kg to 25 kg | £20.00 |
| 2. Length | |
|---|---|
| Gauge blocks, (metric only) to BS4311 | |
| a) Single point calibration | £ 1.35 |
| b) Test for flatness | £ 0.60 |
| Micrometers to BS870 * | £16.00 |
| Vernier calipers to BS887 * | £15.00 |
| Dial gauges to BS907 | £14.00 |
| * Charge shown is for calibration of one scale only. If an additional scale, eg a digital display, is to be calibrated then a 15% surcharge will be payable. | |
| 3. Surface plates to BS817 | |
|---|---|
| Up to 3' by 3' (900 mm by 900 mm) | £47.00 |
| Over 3' by 3' | £60.00 |
| 4. Volume | |
|---|---|
| One-mark pipettes to BS1583 | £12.50 |
| One-mark flasks to BS1792 | £12.50 |
| Measuring cylinders to BS604 | £21.00 |
| Burettes to BS846 | £29.75 |
| 5. Torque Tools (to 1000 lbf ft/1350 Nm) | |
|---|---|
| Calibration following the requirements of EN ISO 6789 | £22.00 |
| 6. Tyre Pressure Gauges (to 130 p.s.i./9 bar) | |
|---|---|
| Airline type | £15.00 |
| 7. Other Equipment | |
|---|---|
| Equipment not listed above is charged at an hourly rate of £60.00. |
Discounts may be available for submission of a number of similar items.
All fees are subject to VAT.
On-site calibration can be carried out at your premises - please request quotation.
On-site Calibration of Bulk Milk Tanks:-
In all cases using calibration vessel:
£60.00 for travelling & set-up plus £40.00 for each 500 litres (or part) of nominal capacity.
Where master meter proving is possible:
Hourly rate of £60.00 will be charged. This will include actual travelling time to and from site.
Hire of weights:-
| Standing Charge | Daily Charge | Weekly Charge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 kg test weights black (uncertified) | £20 | £14/tonne | £61 |
20 kg QA weights red (accurate to +/- 1 gram) | £20 | £27/tonne | n/a |
500 kg QA block weight (for weighbridge testing only) | £31 | £27/tonne | n/a |
Hire charges are calculated per calendar day inclusive of the day of collection and return. No charge will be made for the final day if weights are returned before 10.30am.
Certificates of traceability to UK National Standards are available for QA weights.
All charges are subject to VAT.
| DisabledGo Information |  | Terms & Conditions | ©2008 Isle of Man Government |