Inside this Issue

Educational Outreach Highlights

Folly Quarter STEM Night 1

Laboratory Metrology News

Laboratory Metrology Updates 2

Calendar 2

This Month in 

History

July 1, 1862 - Happy Birthday Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS was established

by an Act of Congress on this day, and President Lincoln signed the first income tax bill.

July 2, 1788 - The United States Constitutionwas ratified by the required nine states. A

committee was appointed to make way for

the new American government. The first

public reading of the Declaration took place

on July 8, 1776, in Philadelphia.

July 4, 1776 - This day, considered the Unitied

States of America’s birthday marks the approval of the Declaration of Independence by

the Continental Congress. 

July 6, 1747 - This day marks the birth of Revoluntary War Naval Officer John Paul Jones

(1747-1792) born in Kirkibean, Scotland. He

is most famous for his words shouted at

British soldiers, “I have not yet begun to

fight!” 

July 30, 1863 - This day marks the birth of

Henry Ford (1863-1947) in Dearborn Township, Michigan. Ford was considered a prioneer in the automotive industry and

introducted the assembly-line production

system for automotive manufacturing.

1

Volume 4 Issue 4

July 11, 2013

Educational Outreach Highlights

Folly Quarter STEM Night

Byline: Elizabeth Gentry

Several Office of Weights and Measures staff members volunteered to participate in the Folly Quarter Middle School Science, Technology, Engineering,

and Mathematics (STEM) Night in Ellicott City on March 16, 2013. Carol Hockert, Marc Buttler, and Elizabeth Gentry staffed an exhibit booth.

The event was the first of its kind

at Folly Quarter to promote careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,

which was organized by Sherri

Capurso. Ms. Capurso learned

about the Office of Weights and

Measures (OWM) measurement

science education outreach efforts when she attended the NIST

Summer Institute for Middle

School Science Teachers several

years ago. 

(http://www.nist.gov/iaao/teachlearn/).

The OWM exhibit hosted three activities and was visited by at about 50 parents and students. The theme was Measurements in the Marketplace, focusing on career opportunities such as becoming a Weights and Measures

inspector and laboratory metrologist. The first activity, hosted by Carol Hockert, examined the measurement process that is used to ensure the accuracy

of gasoline fuel purchases and the cost of tolerance. The second activity,

hosted by Marc Buttler, explained the benefits of unit pricing and how consumers can use this tool to make value comparisons when shopping. The

third station, hosted by Elizabeth Gentry, created a Happy World Metrology

Day poster where students listed their favorite every day measurement, unit,

or measuring tool. In addition, NIST SI publications and study aids were distributed (http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/metric/education.cfm).

Additional pictures on page 4
W&M Connection 2 Volume 4 Issue 4

Laboratory Metrology

News

Calendar 2013

Registration for training in the NIST Office of

Weights and Measures is handled by Yvonne

Branden at yvonne.branden@nist.gov.

Course descriptions can be viewed on the Office of Weights and Measures website by

clicking on the name of the course. 

http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/calendar.cfm

July 14 - 18 (5 days)

NCWM Annual Conference

The Seelbach Hilton Lousiville

Louisville, KY

Contact: info@ncwm.net

July 14 - 18 (5 days)

NCSLI

Nashville, TN

Contact: www.ncsli.org

August 8

Webinar - Contract Review

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5246

August 12 - 16 (5 days)

Fundamentals of Metrology

Class No. 5270

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

August 12 - 16 (5 days)

Handbook 133, Checking the Net Contents

of Packaged Goods

Class No. 5261

Scramento, CA

August 15

Webinar - Document Control and Recordkeeping

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5247

August 19 - 23 (5 days)

Fundamentals of Metrology

Class No. 5248

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

August 21 - 22 (2 days)

NTEP Grain Analyzer Sector Meeting

Chase Suites

Kansas City, MO

Contact: NCWM at info@ncwm.net

August 27 - 28 (2 days)

NTEP Weighing Sector Meeting

Albany, NY

Contact: NCWM at info@ncwm.net

August 29

Webinar - Calibration Certificate Evaluation

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5245

(continued on pg 3)

LABORATORY METROLOGY UPDATES

Handbook 105-1, Specifications and Tolerances for Field Standard Weights 

An updated draft of NIST Handbook 105-1 for field mass standards is now

posted for review in the OWM Contacts System (described later). One day

of training at each of the 2013 Regional Measurement Assurance Program

(RMAP) events will cover the proposed updates and training on several of the

concepts that are now being proposed. One key aspect to consider is that

the 1990 version of Handbook 105-1 only covers one class of weights

(Class F) and they are not suitable for all weights and measures applications.

For example, Class I and II balances and scales require mass standards with

tolerances that are tighter than the 1990 Class F tolerances. The United

States is moving toward harmonization with OIML R 111 in this version as

well, with the additions needed to support U.S. Customary units and the “3s”

(i.e., 3 lb, 300 g, and so on). We expect work to proceed on a second draft of

this handbook AFTER all 2013 RMAPs are held.

Handbook 105-7, Specifications and Tolerances for Dynamic

Small Volume Provers

An updated draft of NIST Handbook 105-7 for small volume provers (SVP) is

posted for review. There are two aspects of this update to consider. One aspect is that a number of updates are being proposed for the traditional SVPs

that were originally addressed in this handbook, based on laboratory experience in performing calibrations (which was not the case when the handbook

was first published) and the use of SVPs in field testing. 

The second aspect that is being proposed in this draft is the inclusion of specifications and requirements (or exceptions) as suggested for the newer technology often called Closed Loop Provers (CLP). The Alternative Test Methods

working group and laboratory subgroup have been discussing these topics

for some time now. A question is proposed on the cover page of the draft

document which provides an opportunity to provide input on whether you

think this new technology should be included in this handbook or whether a

separate addendum or completely new handbook should be developed for

alternative technologies. 

We expect work to proceed on this project after field testing comparisons

have evaluated and demonstrated suitability and acceptability of alternative

test methods.

PROCESS FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS ON NIST 105-X HANDBOOKS

1. Obtain a user account and log-in password for the OWM Contacts

System (if you don’t already have one):

https://tsapps.nist.gov/WMD/default.aspx
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

IN THE NEWS

Lube Report

Bulk Oil Draw Regulators’ Gaze

http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article002728866.cfm

Kansas - cjonline.com The Topeka Capital-Journal

Scale technicians revolt against new state policy: Licensed technicians

say competitors reviewing installations will not help meet goal of increased accuracy

http://cjonline.com/news/2013-06-26/scale-technicians-revolt-againstnew-state-policy

W&M Connection 3 Volume 4 Issue 4

August 27 - 28* (2 days) (full)

Handbook 130, Price Verification

Orlando, FL

Class No. 5273

August 29 - 30* (2 days) (full)

Handbook 130, Price Verification

Miami, FL

Class No. 5272

September 9 - 13 (5 days)

NEMAP*

Class No. 5218

Harrisburg, PA

September 10 - 12 (3 days)

Vehicle and Axle-Load Scales

Class No. 5274

Augusta, ME

September 16 - 20 (5 days)

MidMAP*

Class No. 5219

Springfield, IL

September 18 - 19 (2 days) (full)

Handbook 130, Price Verification*

Marlboro, MA

Class No. 5271

September 22 - 26 (5 days)

Western Weights and Measures Association

(WWMA)

Kalispell, MT

Contact: Tim Lloyd at tlloyd@mt.gov

September 23 - 27 (5 days)

SWAP*

Class No. 5220

Phoenix, AZ

October 4 - 5 (2 days)

NTEP Measuring Sector Meeting

Embassy Suites Charleston

Charleston, WV

Contact: NCWM at info@ncwm.net

October 7 - 9 (3 days)

Southern Weights and Measures Association

(SWMA)

Embassy Suites Charleston

Charleston, WV

Contact: Richard McComas at 

rich.d.mccomas@wv.gov

October 16 - 17 (2 days)

Northeastern Weights and Measures Association (NEWMA) Interim Meeting 

Holiday Inn Norwich

Norwich, CT

Contact: James Cassidy at 

jcassidy@cambridgema.gov

(continued on pg 4)

2. Process to Download and review the draft documents:

To get the Draft HB 105-1 and 105-7 documents, login to the OWM

Contacts System and:

– Select My Items (top menu)

– Scroll down to the document and press REQUEST

– Press SUBMIT

– Press DOWNLOAD

3. Process to Submit comments:

To comment on the document, login to the OWM Contact System and

select: 

– My Comments (top menu)

– Submit a Comment (above list; in the middle of the screen)

– Select the document (button on left next to Documents in list)

– Enter Section, Page, Comment and Press CONTINUE (at bottom)

– Either EDIT or SUBMIT (at bottom)

SOP 18 Podcast and SOP Job Aids

Val Miller recently produced a training podcast for the calibration of a fivegallon graduated neck test measure using a slicker-plate type standard and

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 18. It is posted as a “job aid” with

SOP 18 on the Calibration Procedures area of the OWM website. The video

instructs you to read SOP 18 and 19 prior to watching the video. See:

http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/labmetrology/sops.cfm. While you are

checking out the podcast, you can also review the updated spreadsheets from

OWM (as used in our seminars) and from Dan Wright (Washington) that are

posted with the other SOPs for calibrations . Be sure to validate any of these

spreadsheets prior to use in your laboratory! And of course, be sure to provide us with your feedback.

Requests for additional information regarding these items can be address to

Georgia Harris at gharris@nist.gov or Val Miller at val.miller@nist.gov.

Wishing you a wonderful summer!
W&M Connection 4 Volume 4 Issue 4

October 17

Webinar - State Laboratory Annual Submission Process**

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5249

October 21 - October 25 (5 days)

Packaging and Labeling 

Glendale, AZ

Class No. 5269

October 21 - November 1 (2 weeks)

Mass Metrology Seminar

Class No. 5250

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

October 31 

Webinar - Internal Auditing Best Practices

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5251

November 18 - 22 (5 days)

Volume Metrology Seminar

Class No. 5252

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

2014

January 13 - 17 (5 days)

Fundamentals of Metrology Seminar

Class No. 5276

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

January 19 - 22 (4 days)

National Conference on Weights and Measures

(NCWM) Interim Meeting

Albuquerque, NM

info@ncwm.net

February 6

Webinar - Conducting an Effective Management

Review

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5255

February 20

Webinar - Internal Auditing Best Practices

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5256

March 3 - 14 (2 weeks)

Mass Metrology Seminar

Class No. not available

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

March 31 - April 4 (5 days)

Fundamental of Metrology

Class No. 5275

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

*Invitation Only

**Limited to State Laboratory Program Participants

In the Field

Is there a W&M topic that you would like to have appear in the Weights

and Measures Connection?

How can we better serve our W&M community?

Do you have a safety tidbit to share?

Do you have a W&M event that you wish to post in the Connection’s calendar?

Submissions can be sent to the Editor, Linda Crown at

Linda.Crown@nist.gov

OWM Office Staff Pictured: Carol Hockert and Marc Buttler