National Conference on Weights and Measures / National Type Evaluation Program
Form 15: Proposal to Amend NIST Handbooks,
NCWM Bylaws or NTEP Administrative Policy
General Information (See Instructions)
2. Regional Association(s): (Not applicable for proposals to the Board of Directors or NTEP Committee)
1. Date:
X Central (CWMA)
Sept. 8, 2015
X Northeastern (NEWMA)
X Southern (SWMA)
X
Western (WWMA)
3. Standing Committee:
__Laws & Regulations
_X_ Specifications & Tolerances
__Professional Development
__Board of Directors
__NTEP Committee
4. Submitter Name:
NIST Office of Weights and Measures (Rick Harshman)
5. Street Address:
100 Bureau Drive Stop 2600
6. City:
Gaithersburg
7. State:
Md
10. Phone Number:
301 975-4004
11. Fax Number:
301 975-8091
8. Zip Code:
20899-2600
9. Country:
USA
12. Email Address:
Richard.harshman@nist.gov
Proposal Information (See Instructions)
13. Purpose:
Eliminate inconsistencies in the shift test procedures for two-section livestock scales in the Scales Code of NIST Handbook 44.
14. Handbook to be Amended:
x NIST Handbook 44
NIST Handbook 130
Section: 2.20 Scales
NIST Handbook 133 __ NCWM Bylaws __NTEP Administrative Policy
Paragraphs: N.1.3.3.2. Prescribed Test Pattern and Test Loads for Livestock Scales with More Than Two Sections and
Combination Vehicle/Livestock Scales and N.1.3.3.3. Prescribed Test Patterns and Test Loads for Two-Section
Livestock Scales.
15. Proposal:
Amend NIST Handbook 44 Scales Code as follows:
There are two changes proposed as follows:
1. Delete the following sentence from paragraph N.1.3.3.2. Prescribed Test Pattern and Test Loads for Livestock Scales with More
Than Two Sections and Combination Vehicle/Livestock Scales:
(Two-section livestock scales shall be tested consistent with N.1.3.7. All Other Scales Except Crane Scales,
Hanging Scales, Hopper Scales, Wheel-Load Weighers, and Portable Axle-Load Weighers.); and
2. Amend paragraph N.1.3.3.3. Prescribed Test Patterns and Test Loads for Two-Section Livestock Scales as follows:
N.1.3.3.3. Prescribed Test Patterns and Test Loads for Two-Section Livestock Scales. – A shift test shall be
conducted using the following prescribed test loads and test patterns provided:, A single field standard weight
used as the prescribed test load shall be applied centrally in the prescribed test pattern. When multiple
field standard weights are used as the prescribed test load, the load shall be applied in a consistent pattern
in the shift test positions throughout the test and applied in a manner that does not concentrate the load in
a test pattern that is less than when that same load is a single field standard weight on the load-receiving
element. tThe shift test load does shall not exceed one-half the rated section capacity or one-half the rated
concentrated load capacity whichever is applicable, using either:
(a) A one-half nominal capacity test load centered as nearly as possible, successively at the center of each
quarter of the load-receiving element as shown in N.1.3.7. All Other Scales Except Crane Scales, Hanging
Scales, Hopper Scales, Wheel-Load Weighers, and Portable Axle-Load Weighers Figure 1; or
(b) A one-quarter nominal capacity test load centered as nearly as possible, successively over each main load
support as shown in N.1.3.7. All Other Scales Except Crane Scales, Hanging Scales, Hopper Scales, WheelSubmit Form Via Email To: don.onwiler@ncwm.net
1135 M Street, Suite 110 / Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
P. 402.434.4880 F. 402.434.4878 E. info@ncwm.net
W. www.ncwm.net
Revised: May 2015
Page 1 of 2
National Conference on Weights and Measures / National Type Evaluation Program
Form 15: Proposal to Amend NIST Handbooks,
NCWM Bylaws or NTEP Administrative Policy
Load Weighers, and Portable Axle-Load Weighers Figure 2.
(Added 2007) (Amended 20XX)
16. Justification:
The prescribed test patterns and test loads for conducting a shift test on two section livestock scales are specified in paragraph
N.1.3.3.3.; yet, the last sentence (appearing in parenthesis) of paragraph N.1.3.3.2. specifies that two-section livestock scales are
to be tested consistent with N.1.3.7. All Other Scales Except Crane Scales, Hanging Scales, Hopper Scales, Wheel-Load
Weighers, and Portable Axle-Load Weighers. The test loads and test procedures specified in N.1.3.7. are not consistent with
those specified in paragraph N.1.3.3.3. OWM believes that the test patterns and test loads specified in paragraph N.1.3.3.3. are
correct and for this reason the last sentence appearing in N.1.3.3.2. should be deleted.
OWM notes that Paragraph N.1.3.3.3. was first added to HB 44 in 2008 (adopted by the NCWM in 2007) to address the test
patterns and test loads that apply to shift tests conducted on two-section livestock scales. Previous to this paragraph being
added, the test patterns and test loads that applied to section tests of two-section livestock scales were specified in paragraph
N.1.3.8. All Other Scales Except Crane Scales, Hanging Scales, Hopper Scales, Wheel-Load Weighers, and Portable Axle-Load
Weighers, which is now paragraph N.1.3.7. OWM also notes that the sentence proposed for deletion in paragraph N.1.3.3.2.
already existed in the handbook prior to 2008 (e.g., in the 2007 version of HB 44, it appeared in paragraph N.1.3.4.2.,
Prescribed Test Pattern and Test Loads for Livestock Scales with More Than Two Sections and Combination Vehicle/Livestock
Scales, which is now paragraph N.1.3.3.2.).
OWM believes it is likely that the sentence proposed for deletion in existing paragraph N.1.3.3.2. was purposely left remaining
by the 2007 S&T Committee to capture that part of N.1.3.7. intended to eliminate instances where test weights are concentrated
in a pattern that overload the load-bearing points, e.g., when multiple test weights are stacked resulting in the test load being
concentrated in a small area of the platform. In support of this notion, OWM notes that in the 2007 S&T Committee Final
Report, the Committee includes example illustrations showing acceptable and unacceptable applications of test weight to a
livestock scale with a section capacity of 1 000 lb. The changes OWM is proposing to paragraph N.1.3.3.3. are to include that
portion of N.1.3.7. into N.1.3.3.3. that OWM believes the 2007 S&T Committee wanted captured in the shift test procedures
applicable to two-section livestock scales.
17. Other Contacts:
USDA Grain Inspection Packers & Stockyards (GIPSA)
18. Other Reasons For:
The sentence proposed for deletion in paragraph N.1.3.3.2. conflicts with the title of the paragraph. That is, the title of
paragraph N.1.3.3.2. specifies the paragraph applies to livestock scales with more than two sections.
19. Other Reasons Against:
None have emerged
20. Evidence:
USDA Publication: Instructions for Testing Livestock and Animal Scales (Subject to the Packers and Stockyards Act)
Refer to the procedures for testing two-section livestock scales.
21. Additional Considerations
Purpose of proposal is to clarify the correct shift test procedures.
22. Suggested Action:
x Recommend NCWM Voting Item
Developing Item
Informational Item
Other (Please Describe):
23. List of Attachments: None provided
Submit Form Via Email To: don.onwiler@ncwm.net
1135 M Street, Suite 110 / Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
P. 402.434.4880 F. 402.434.4878 E. info@ncwm.net
W. www.ncwm.net
Revised: May 2015
Page 2 of 2