Handbook 44 – 2020 Section 4 

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Section 4

Table of Contents

Page 

4.40. Vehicle Tanks Used as Measures .................................................................................... 4-3 

4.41. Liquid Measures............................................................................................................... 4-9

4.42. Farm Milk Tanks............................................................................................................ 4-13 

4.43. Measure-Containers ....................................................................................................... 4-21 

4.44. Graduates ....................................................................................................................... 4-27 

4.45. Dry Measures................................................................................................................. 4-33 

4.46. Berry Baskets and Boxes............................................................................................... 4-39 
Section 4 Handbook 44 – 2020

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Handbook 44 – 2020 4.40. Vehicle Tanks Used as Measures

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Table of Contents

Page

Section 4.40. Vehicle Tanks Used as Measures ........................................................................................... 4-5

A. Application .................................................................................................................................................... 4-5

A.1. General..................................................................................................................................................4-5

A.2. Exceptions.............................................................................................................................................4-5

A.3. Additional Code Requirements.............................................................................................................4-5

S. Specifications................................................................................................................................................. 4-5

S.1. Design of Compartments. .....................................................................................................................4-5

S.1.1. Compartment Distortion. ........................................................................................................4-5

S.1.2. Venting. ..................................................................................................................................4-5

S.1.3. Completeness of Delivery.......................................................................................................4-5

S.1.4. Fill or Inspection Opening. .....................................................................................................4-5

S.1.5. Dome Flange and Baffle Plates...............................................................................................4-5

S.1.6. Compartment and Piping Capacities and Emergency Valve...................................................4-5

S.1.7. Expansion Space. ....................................................................................................................4-6

S.2. Design of Compartment Indicators.......................................................................................................4-6

S.2.1. General....................................................................................................................................4-6

S.2.2. Number of Indicators. .............................................................................................................4-6

S.2.3. Identification of Multiple Indicators. ......................................................................................4-6

S.2.4. Location. .................................................................................................................................4-6

S.2.5. Permanence.............................................................................................................................4-6

S.2.6. Adjustable Indicators. .............................................................................................................4-6

S.2.7. Sensitiveness...........................................................................................................................4-7

S.3. Design of Compartment Discharge Manifold. ......................................................................................4-7

S.4. Marking of Compartments....................................................................................................................4-7

S.4.1. Compartment Identification. ...................................................................................................4-7

S.4.2. Compartment Capacity, Single Indicator................................................................................4-7

S.4.3. Compartment Capacity, Multiple Indicators...........................................................................4-7

N. Notes............................................................................................................................................................... 4-7

N.1. Test Liquid............................................................................................................................................4-7

N.2. Evaporation and Volume Change. ........................................................................................................4-7

N.3. To Deliver.............................................................................................................................................4-7

N.4. Gauging of Compartments....................................................................................................................4-7

N.5. Adjustment and Remarking. .................................................................................................................4-7

T. Tolerances...................................................................................................................................................... 4-8

T.1. Application............................................................................................................................................4-8

T.1.1. To Excess and to Deficiency...................................................................................................4-8

T.2. Tolerance Values. .................................................................................................................................4-8

UR. User Requirements ....................................................................................................................................... 4-8

UR.1. Conditions of Use. ................................................................................................................................4-8

UR.1.1. Filling......................................................................................................................................4-8

UR.1.2. Delivering. ..............................................................................................................................4-8
4.40. Vehicle Tanks Used as Measures Handbook 44 – 2020

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Handbook 44 – 2020 4.40. Vehicle Tanks Used as Measures

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Section 4.40. Vehicle Tanks Used as Measures

A. Application

A.1. General. – This code applies to vehicle tanks when these are used as commercial measures.

A.2. Exceptions. – This code does not apply to the following devices:

(a) Devices used solely for dispensing a product in connection with operations in which the amount dispensed 

does not affect customer charges.

(b) Meters mounted on vehicle tanks (for which see Section 3.31. Code for Vehicle-Tank Meters).

A.3. Additional Code Requirements. – In addition to the requirements of this code, Vehicle Tanks Used as 

Measures shall meet the requirements of Section 1.10. General Code.

S. Specifications

S.1. Design of Compartments.

S.1.1. Compartment Distortion. – The shell and bulkheads of a vehicle tank shall be so constructed that under 

any condition of liquid lading they will not become distorted sufficiently to caus-e a change in the capacity of any 

compartment (as determined by volumetric test) equal to more than 0.25 L per 750 L (0.5 pt per 200 gal), or 

fraction thereof, of the nominal compartment capacity, or to more than 0.5 L (1 pt), whichever is greater. (This 

specification prescribes a limit on permissible distortion only, and is not to be construed as setting up a secondary 

tolerance on compartment capacities to be added to the values given in tolerance paragraph T.2. Tolerance 

Values.)

S.1.2. Venting. – During filling operations, effective venting of a compartment shall be provided to permit air 

to escape from all spaces designed to be filled with liquid and to permit the influx of air to the compartment during 

the discharge of liquid therefrom. Venting shall prevent any formation of air pockets.

S.1.3. Completeness of Delivery. – A tank shall be so constructed that, when it is standing on a level surface, 

complete delivery can be made from any compartment through its delivery faucet or valve whether other 

compartments are full or empty, and whether or not the delivery is through a manifold.

S.1.4. Fill or Inspection Opening. – The fill or inspection opening of a compartment shall be of such size and 

location that it can readily be determined by visual inspection that the compartment has been properly filled or 

completely emptied and shall be so positioned with respect to the ends of the compartment that the indicator may 

be positioned as required. In no case shall the opening, if circular, have a diameter of less than 20 cm (75

/8 in), 

or, if other than circular, have an effective area of less than 290 cm2 (45 in2

).

S.1.5. Dome Flange and Baffle Plates. – Any dome flange extending into a compartment shall be provided 

with sufficient perforations or openings flush with the compartment shell to prevent any trapping of air. All baffle 

plates in a compartment shall be so cut away at top and bottom, and elsewhere as necessary, as to facilitate loading 

and unloading.

S.1.6. Compartment and Piping Capacities and Emergency Valve. – If a compartment is equipped with an 

emergency (or safety) valve, this shall be positioned at the lowest point of outlet from the compartment, and the 

compartment capacity or capacities shall be construed as excluding the capacity of the piping leading therefrom. 

However, the capacity of the piping leading from such a compartment shall be separately determined and reported 

and may be separately marked as specified in S.4. Marking of Compartments.
4.40. Vehicle Tanks Used as Measures Handbook 44 – 2020

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S.1.6.1. On Vehicle Tanks Equipped for Bottom Loading. – On equipment designed for bottom 

loading, the compartment capacity shall include the piping of a compartment to the valve located on the 

upstream side of the manifold and immediately adjacent thereto or, if not manifolded, to the outlet valve, 

provided that on or immediately adjacent to the marking as specified in S.4. Marking of Compartments the 

following words or a statement of similar meaning shall be affixed: “Warning: Emergency valves must be 

opened before checking measurement.”

S.1.7. Expansion Space. – When a compartment is filled to the level of the highest indicator in the 

compartment, there shall remain an expansion space of at least 0.75 % of the nominal compartment capacity as 

defined by that indicator.

S.2. Design of Compartment Indicators.

S.2.1. General. – An indicator shall be so designed that it will distinctly and unmistakably define a capacity 

point of its compartment when liquid is in contact with the lowest portion of the indicator.

S.2.2. Number of Indicators. – In no case shall a compartment be provided with more than five indicators.

(Amended 1972)

S.2.3. Identification of Multiple Indicators. – If a compartment is provided with multiple indicators, each 

such indicator shall be conspicuously marked with an identifying letter or number.

S.2.4. Location. – An indicator shall be located:

(a) midway between the sides of its compartment;

(b) as nearly as practicable midway between the ends of its compartment, and in no case offset by more than 

10 % of the compartment space or 15 cm (6 in), whichever is less;

(Amended 1972)

(c) so that it does not extend into, nor more than 15 cm (6 in) from that section of the compartment defined 

by a vertical projection of the fill opening;

(Amended 1974)

(d) at a depth, measuring from the top of the dome opening, not lower than 46 cm (18 in) for fill openings 

of less than 38 cm (15 in) in diameter, or, if other than circular, an effective area of less than 1130 cm2

(175 in2

), and not lower than 61 cm (24 in) for larger fill openings; and

(e) to provide a clearance of not less than 5 cm (2 in) between indicators.

S.2.5. Permanence. – Any indicator that is not intended to remain adjustable and all brackets or supports shall 

be securely welded in position.

S.2.6. Adjustable Indicators. – Adequate provision shall be made for conveniently affixing a security seal or 

seals:

(a) to any indicator intended to remain adjustable, so that no adjustment of the indicator can be made without 

mutilating or destroying the seal; and

(b) to any removable part to which an indicator may be attached, so that the part cannot be removed without 

mutilating or destroying the seal.
Handbook 44 – 2020 4.40. Vehicle Tanks Used as Measures

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S.2.7. Sensitiveness. – The position of any indicator in its compartment shall be such that at the level of the 

indicator a change of 1.0 mm (0.04 in) in the height of the liquid surface will represent a volume change of not 

more than the value of the tolerance for the nominal compartment capacity as defined by that indicator.

S.3. Design of Compartment Discharge Manifold. – When two or more compartments discharge through a 

common manifold or other single outlet, effective means shall be provided to ensure that:

(a) liquid can flow through the delivery line leading from only one compartment at one time and that flow of 

liquid from one compartment to any other is automatically prevented; or

(b) all compartments will discharge simultaneously.

If the discharge valves from two or more compartments are automatically controlled so that they can only be operated 

together, thus effectively connecting these compartments to one another, such compartments shall, for purposes of 

this paragraph, be construed to be one compartment.

S.4. Marking of Compartments.

S.4.1. Compartment Identification. – Each compartment of a multiple-compartment tank shall be 

conspicuously identified by a letter or number marked on the dome or immediately below the fill opening. Such 

letters or numbers shall be in regular sequence from front to rear, and the delivery faucets or valves shall be 

marked to correspond with their respective compartments.

S.4.2. Compartment Capacity, Single Indicator. – A compartment provided with a single indicator shall be 

clearly, permanently, and conspicuously marked with a statement of its capacity as defined by its indicator.

S.4.3. Compartment Capacity, Multiple Indicators. – A compartment provided with two or more indicators 

shall be clearly, permanently, and conspicuously marked with a statement identifying:

(a) each indicator by a letter or number; and

(b) immediately adjacent to each letter or number, the capacity of the compartment as defined by the 

particular indicator.

N. Notes

N.1. Test Liquid. – Water or light fuel oil shall be used as the test liquid for a vehicle-tank compartment.

N.2. Evaporation and Volume Change. – Care shall be exercised to reduce to a minimum, evaporation losses and 

volume changes resulting from changes in temperature of the test liquid.

N.3. To Deliver. – A vehicle-tank compartment shall be gauged “to deliver.” If the compartment is gauged by 

measuring the test liquid into the tank, the inside tank walls shall first be thoroughly wetted.

N.4. Gauging of Compartments. – When a compartment is gauged to determine the proper position for an indicator 

or to determine what a capacity marking should be, whether on a new vehicle tank or following repairs or modifications 

that might affect compartment capacities, tolerances are not applicable, and the indicator shall be set and the 

compartment capacity shall be marked as accurately as practicable.

N.5. Adjustment and Remarking. – When a compartment is found upon test to have an error in excess of the 

applicable tolerance, the capacity of the compartment shall be adjusted to agree with its marked capacity, or its marked 

capacity shall be changed to agree with its capacity as determined by the test.
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T. Tolerances

T.1. Application.

T.1.1. To Excess and to Deficiency. – The tolerances hereinafter prescribed shall be applied to errors in excess 

and in deficiency.

T.2. Tolerance Values. – Maintenance and acceptance tolerances shall be as shown in Table 1. Maintenance and 

Acceptance Tolerances on Vehicle-Tank Compartments.

Table 1.

Maintenance and Acceptance Tolerances on Vehicle-Tank Compartments

Nominal Capacity of Compartment Maintenance and Acceptance Tolerances

Gallons Expressed in Quarts Expressed in Gallons

200 or less 2 0.5

201 to 400, inclusive 3 0.75

401 to 600, inclusive 4 1.0

601 to 800, inclusive 5 1.25

801 to 1000, inclusive 6 1.50

over 1000 Add 1 quart per 200 gallons or 

fraction thereof

Add 0.25 gallon per 200 gallons or 

fraction thereof

UR. User Requirements

UR.1. Conditions of Use.

UR.1.1. Filling. – A vehicle shall stand upon a level surface during the filling of a compartment.

UR.1.2. Delivering. – During a delivery, a vehicle shall be so positioned as to assure complete emptying of a 

compartment. Each compartment shall be used for an individual delivery only; that is, an individual delivery 

shall consist of the entire contents of a compartment or compartments.

(Amended 1976)