Gas station attendants have many ways of tricking unsuspecting customers. How NIST Helps The National Institute of Standards and Technology helps control gas fraud by assisting federal, state, and local governments to achieve uniformity in weights and measures standards, laws, and practices. If they aren't fixed within a specified amount of time, then the station owners will not be able to turn the pumps back on. NIST helps to train state employees in the weight and measures offices to inspect gas pumps using standard measures. Measuring Gas Seen here is a modern, stainless steel Five Gallon Prover with gauge and graduate.
Inspectors pump gasoline into the opening on top of the container.
The amount of gasoline measured is then compared against the amount charged on the pump's display panel. The handle on top of the Prover makes it easier to lift and carry when filled with gasoline. This measuring device is on virtual loan from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures Section. There are many ways to confuse consumers and to make them pay more at the pump. One of the ways consumers can be cheated out of their money is in a method used in self serve.