Fuel samples are randomly obtained from gas station and loading racks in Kansas and sent to the petroleum laboratory for analysis. They are tested for octane, distillation, water content, oxygenate content, vapor pressure, flash point, cetane index, cloud point, pour point, sulfur and gravity. Both gasoline and diesel fuel samples must meet American Society for Testing and Materials specifications. Diesel fuel can “jell or wax” during cold winter months and our test results can provide the station owner important information if they need to blend or add additives to the diesel.

All gasoline/diesel dispensing devices must have the price posted on the pump. The only exception is when devices are used for fleet sales or contract sales. The price per gallon X the total gallons must = the total sale on the device. Road side posting or street sign posting that indicate the price per gallon shall also be the same price posted on the dispensing device. If the dispensing device has the capability of dispensing at more than one price then the road side posting shall indicate if the price is “cash, credit card, full serve, etc.”

Dispensing devices must be labeled indicating the product name such as Unleaded, Mid-Grade, Premium, and Diesel. Gas pumps must be labeled with the Anti-Knock Index or Octane rating. The yellow and black sticker on the pump that indicates 87, 89 or 91 is the octane rating. Diesel fuel is also required to be labeled as #1 Diesel or #2 Diesel.

Kerosene shall be labeled as #1K, Kerosene or #2K, Kerosene. If #2K, Kerosene is sold there must be a warning sign that indicated the Kerosene shall only be used in a heating device where its emissions are vented to the atmosphere. #1K, Kerosene is a low sulfur Kerosene and can be used where the emissions are vented into the room.

Vehicle Tank Meters are meters that are mounted on a truck and used to deliver petroleum products in bulk deliveries to farmers and construction sites but are also used to fuel locomotives and deliver lube oils. In some parts of the United States they are used to deliver home heating fuel to homes. Vehicle tank meters are tested annually by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures to ensure the consumer is receiving the correct amount. Test provers range in size from a 100 gallons to a 1,000 gallons when testing these devices.

Liquid Propane Meters are tested annually by Licensed Service Company’s, licensed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures. Liquid Propane Meters are used to fill “bottle cylinders” and are also truck mounted meters used in delivering propane in bulk.

Mass Flow Meters are used to measure agriculture commodities such as liquid fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia and pesticides but are also used in other industries such as meat packing plants to measure liquid fat, liquid soaps and the amount of flavoring that is put onto a potato chip. Mass Flow Meters not only record the amount in weigh but the amount in volume. Mass Flow Meters are tested annually by the Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures. These meters are tested gravimetrically where the product is weighed on a scale and the scale reading in weight is compared to the weight indicated on the meter. Mass Flow Meters do not have a measuring chamber like other meters they measure the mass or density of the liquid or vapor.

Service companies are licensed annually by the Kansas Weights and Measures Office. Service Company Technicians must attend four hours of training every year and pass a test before their license is issued. Their test equipment must also be certified annually by a NIST certified laboratory. Once a service company is licensed they can install, repair and place back into service dispensing devices that have been rejected for failing accuracy requirements.

• A list of Licensed Service Companies