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Heavy Weights & Measures

The Heavy Weights and Measures Inspectors operate heavy-duty weight trucks used to test large capacity scales such as platform scales, stockyard scales, hopper scales, monorail scales, and vehicle scales. They check proposed sites for new scale installations to ensure that the site will meet state requirements. Each year, Heavy Weights inspectors test approximately 5,200 measuring devices. Approximate figures for the devices tested are: approved 4000, condemned 1,000, and taken out of service 200. They also checked and approved 100 proposed scale sites.

Each year the Heavy Weights and Measures division issues, approximately 3,200 Weighmaster Certificates to qualified weighers, they then issue certified weight tickets.

To receive a Weighmaster Certificate, an applicant must complete an application, pay a fee of $20.00 and submit a $1,000.00 surety bond from an insurance co of their choice to the Heavy Weights & Measures office. When illegal or inaccurate devices are found, the Weights and Measures officials (light and heavy) ensure that the equipment is repaired or replaced by condemning the device and placing a red tag on it. The device cannot be used again until the device is repaired and a registered serviceman removes the red tag.

Under the registered serviceman regulation of the department, approximately 650 scale and gasoline pump servicemen are registered each year. This registration allows licensed and certified servicemen to place a condemned device back in service provided the error is corrected to legal specifications and tolerances.

Contact Us

Department of Agriculture and Industries
Heavy Weights & Measures Division
P. O. Box 3336
Montgomery 36107
Ph: 334-240-7133
Fax: 334-240-7175
Toll Free: 1-800-642-7761, Ext.7133
Randy Fulmer, Director of Heavy Weight & Measures

Metrology Laboratory

Metrology is the engineering function devoted solely to the science of precision measurement and the related calibration of measurement standards. The metrology laboratory has the responsibility to use metrology to oversee the use of the state's physical standards of mass and volume, which are traceable and related directly to the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland (near Washington D.C.).

The standards are maintained according to state laws, and the laboratory conducts all metrology activities involving the use of these standards. The laboratory uses these standards to test and calibrate the weights and test measures used by industries, businesses, and weights and measures inspectors (light and heavy) to test scales, pumps, and other devices used for the sale of goods based on weight, measure, or count.

A breakdown of the number of items tested per year is shown below - (Note: These are approximate values)

Test Measures	320 / year
Kit Weights	5600 / year
Loose Weights	3100 / year
Portable Wheel Load Weighers	460 / year
Provers	30 / year

David Morse, Metrologist Engineer
Wes Seals, Laboratory Supervisor

Contact Us:
David Morse Ph: (334) 240-7135 Fax: (334) 240-7175
Wes Seals Ph: (334) 240-7136

Useful Links

Code of Alabama
NIST Handbook 44 - Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices
NIST Handbook 112 - Examination Procedure Outlines for Commercial Weighing and Measuring Devices: A Manual for Weights and Measures Officials
NIST Handbook 130 - Uniform Laws and Regulations in the Areas of Legal Metrology and Engine Fuel Quality

Please click here for heavy weights and measures forms.

Randy Fulmer, Director Heavy Weights & Measures

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