Section 4.41. Liquid Measures

# A. Application

**A.1.** This code applies to liquid measures; that is, to rigid
measures of capacity designed for general and repeated use in the
measurement of liquids.

**A.2.** The code does not apply to test measures or other volumetric
standards.

**A.3.** See also Section 1.10. General Code requirements.

# S. Specifications

**S.1. Units.**

> \(a\) The capacity of a liquid measure shall be 0.1 L, 0.2 L, 0.5 L,
> 1 L, 2 L, 5 L, or a multiple of 5 L, and the measure shall not be
> subdivided.
>
> \(b\) The capacity of a liquid measure shall be 1 gill, ½ liq pt,
> 1 liq pt, 1 liq qt, ½ gal, 1¼ gal, 1½ gal, or a multiple of 1 gal, and
> the measure shall not be subdivided. However, 3 pt and 5 pt brick
> molds and 2½ gal (10‑qt) cans shall be permitted when used exclusively
> for ice cream.

**S.2. Material.** -- Measures shall be made of metal, glass,
earthenware, enameled ware, composition, or similar and suitable
material. If made of metal, the thickness of the metal shall not be less
than the appropriate value given in Table 1. Minimum Thickness of Metal
for Liquid Measures.

+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| **Table 1.**       |                        |                        |
|                    |                        |                        |
| **Minimum          |                        |                        |
| Thickness of Metal |                        |                        |
| for Liquid         |                        |                        |
| Measures**         |                        |                        |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| **Nominal          | **Minimum Thickness**  |                        |
| Capacity**         |                        |                        |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
|                    | **For Iron or Steel,   | **For Copper or        |
|                    | Plated or Unplated**   | Aluminum**             |
|                    |                        |                        |
|                    | **(inch)**             | **(inch)**             |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 1 pint or less     | 0.010                  | 0.020                  |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 1 quart, ½ gallon, | 0.014                  | 0.028                  |
| 1 gallon           |                        |                        |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| Over 1 gallon      | 0.016                  | 0.032                  |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+

**S.3. Capacity Point.** -- The capacity of a measure shall be
determined to a definite edge, or to the lowest portion of a plate, bar,
or wire, at or near the top of the measure, and shall not include the
capacity of any lip or rim that may be provided.

**S.4. Reinforcing Rings.** -- Reinforcing rings, if used, shall be
attached to the outside of the measure and shall show no divisions or
lines on the inside surface of the measure.

**S.5. Discharge.** -- A measure equipped with a discharge faucet or
valve shall be susceptible to complete discharge through the faucet or
valve when the measure is standing on a level surface.

**S.6. Marking Requirements.** -- A measure shall be marked on its side
with a statement of its capacity. If the capacity is stated in terms of
the pint or quart, the word "Liquid" or the abbreviation "Liq" shall be
included.

# T. Tolerances

**T.1.** -- Maintenance tolerances in excess and in deficiency shall be
as shown in Table 2. Maintenance Tolerances, in Excess and in
Deficiency, for Liquid Measures. Acceptance tolerances shall be one-half
the maintenance tolerances.

+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| **Table 2.**      |           |           |           |              |
|                   |           |           |           |              |
| **Maintenance     |           |           |           |              |
| Tolerances, in    |           |           |           |              |
| Excess and in     |           |           |           |              |
| Deficiency, for   |           |           |           |              |
| Liquid Measures** |           |           |           |              |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| **Nominal         | **To      |           |           |              |
| Capacity**        | lerance** |           |           |              |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
|                   | **In      |           | **In      |              |
|                   | Excess**  |           | Def       |              |
|                   |           |           | iciency** |              |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
|                   | **fluid   | **cubic   | **fluid   | **cubic      |
|                   | drams**   | inches**  | drams**   | inches**     |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| ½ pt or less      | 2.0       | 0.4       | 1.0       | 0.2          |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| 1 pt              | 3.0       | 0.7       | 1.5       | 0.3          |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| 1 qt              | 4.0       | 0.9       | 2.0       | 0.5          |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| ½ gal             | 6.0       | 1.4       | 3.0       | 0.7          |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
|                   | **fluid   | **cubic   | **fluid   | **cubic      |
|                   | ounces**  | inches**  | drams**   | inches**     |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| 1 and 1¼ gal      | 1.0       | 1.8       | 4.0       | 0.9          |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| 1½ gal            | 1.5       | 2.7       | 6.0       | 1.4          |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
|                   | **fluid   | **cubic   | **fluid   | **cubic      |
|                   | ounces**  | inches**  | ounces**  | inches**     |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| 2 gal             | 2.0       | 3.5       | 1.0       | 1.8          |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| 3 and 4 gal       | 4.0       | 7.0       | 2.0       | 3.6          |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| 5 gal             | 6.0       | 11.0      | 3.0       | 5.4          |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+
| 10 gal            | 10.0      | 18.0      | 5.0       | 9.0          |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+--------------+