GNBS ENSURES DRIVERS GET VALUE FOR THEIR MONEY AT THE PUMPS

Measuring instruments should be verified as accurate to be permitted for use in any commercial transaction, and petrol pumps or fuel dispensing pumps are no exception Petrol pumps are measuring instruments used at gas stations for effecting the delivery of fuel by specified volumes into primarily motor vehicles Their accuracy provides drivers withvalueformoney

Over the last two decades, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been ensuring that accuracy is maintained throughout the petroleumsectoratalltimes, to satisfy both consumers and suppliers through verification(checking)ofall petrol pumps, bulk meters used at fuel terminals, and morerecently,metersonfuel boats and the compartments of road tank wagons transporting fuel on our roadways.

Regarding petrol pumps, to ensure that both drivers andownersofgasstationsdo notbenefitfromorbeplaced at a disadvantage due to inaccurate measurements, the verification of these fuel dispensingmetersisacrucial function conducted by GNBS twice yearly (every six months) This legal function improves the confidence of both parties involved in the sale transaction and satisfies the regulatory requirements of the Weights and Measures Act.

Sofar,forthefirstquarter of 2023, a total of 715 fuel pumps were verified by the GNBS at gas-stations countrywide. The Bureau’s Legal Metrology team is aiming to complete the verification of all pumps by theendofMarch.

For a petrol pump to be suitable for trade, it must operate within the limits of error permitted and must be patternapproved.Duringthe verification process, a five litre (5L) and twenty litre (20L)volumetricproversare used to determine whether thesemeasuringinstruments are under delivering, over delivering or are within the acceptabletolerance.

F o r i n a c c u r a t e instruments, the necessary adjustments are made and security seals are affixed to the adjusting mechanisms to prevent tampering If a subsequent check is conducted by Inspectors of the GNBS and seals are foundtobetamperedwithor removed, gas station operatorsorownerscanface prosecution This is to maintain the integrity of the verificationprocess.

Further,ifforonereason or another, a verified petrol pump is not functioning properly, and cannot be verifiedimmediately,GNBS Inspectors would seal the dispensingnuzzletoprevent further usage until its accuracycanbeverified.

Once verified, GNBS approvalsealsindicatingthe date of verification and the signature of the Inspector who conducted the verificationareplacedonthe pumps.

Drivers, you can play a major role in helping the GNBS protect you by checking to ensure that you aresoldtherightquantityof fuel. To do so, multiply the price per litre that is displayed by the quantity of fuel in litres dispensed to you. If the result does not correspond to the total sale indicated on the pump, something is amiss. Do not hesitatetoinformtheGNBS.

F o r f u r t h e r information or to contact the GNBS, call Telephone number: 219-0065 or 2190069 or WhatsApp: 6924627 or visit the Bureau’s website:www.gnbsgy.org