Maintenance and Calibration Services: Why Should Petrol Stations Undergo Calibration Services?

02 June 2023

Fuel dispensers in petrol stations should undergo calibration services to prevent unnecessary downtimes, expenses, and violations that could affect operations and revenues.

After all, the operations of these facilities are subject to strict regulations to ensure safety and quality. One of these regulations must deal with their accurate measurement of fuel and other products. One way to achieve this is by maximising fuel dispensers that should be calibrated regularly. Fuel dispensers often utilise a metering system to measure the amount of fuel or product dispensed. Through calibration, it can easily verify and adjust the accuracy of the metering system so it can comply with the standards set by regulatory bodies.

Steps Involved in Calibration Services

Calibration, as mentioned earlier, is the process of adjusting and verifying the accuracy of the metering systems used by petrol stations, particularly by their fuel dispensers. The main goal of this service is to comply with the standards set by the authorities.

The calibration process for fuel dispensers often involves the following steps:

1. Preparation: The first step is to ensure that the equipment is in good working condition and has been cleaned thoroughly. Doing these things removes any contaminants that may interfere with the calibration process.
2. Verification: The next step is to verify that the equipment is operating within the acceptable range of accuracy. It is done by testing the equipment with a known quantity of fuel or product and comparing the measured quantity to the actual quantity. If the measured quantity is within an acceptable range, the equipment is considered accurate.
3. Adjustment: But, if the equipment is found to be outside the acceptable range of accuracy, adjustments must be carried out to bring the equipment back into compliance. The adjustment involves making changes to the metering system or the dispensing mechanism to improve accuracy. The flow rate of the pump, for instance, may be adjusted. The calibration settings of the metering system may likewise be changed.
4. Final Verification: After adjustments have been made, the equipment must be tested again to ensure it is now operating within the acceptable range of accuracy.
5. Documentation: Finally, the calibration results are documented. It is done by issuing a calibration certificate to show that the equipment has been calibrated and is operating within the acceptable range of accuracy.

Trained and certified technicians must be hired to perform the calibration services. These services should be done at least once a year.

Major Benefits of Calibration Services

Petrol stations should undergo calibration services to effectively gain the following benefits.

• Compliance with Regulations: Petrol stations are subject to regulations including requirements for accurate measurement of fuel and other products. Failure to comply with regulations can result in penalties, business loss, and reputation damage.
• Accuracy in Fuel Dispensing: Accurate measurement ensures that customers will receive the right amount of fuel they pay for. Inaccurate measurement can lead to under-filling or over-filling of tanks, resulting in financial losses for customers and the petrol station.
• Increased Safety: Inaccurate measurement of fuel can also pose safety risks. Overfilling the tanks can result in spillage, which can be hazardous to customers and the environment. Calibration services can identify and correct errors in fuel dispensers, which minimises the risk of spills and other safety hazards.
• Equipment Longevity: Regular calibration services can ultimately prolong the lifespan of fuel dispensers and other measuring instruments. Calibration ensures that the equipment will operate within safe limits, reducing the risk of breakdowns and other failures.

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