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ODA Weights and Measures

Motor fuel unit price computing
Introduction
In some cases, the price of fuel is over $4.00 per gallon yet there are fuel dispensers in Oregon that do not have the capability of computing unit prices (price per gallon) over $3.99 9/10 per gallon.

All motor fuel computing dispensers are required to be upgraded to compute the price of the fuel being sold. This might mean getting a retrofit kit, a complete replacement of the computer(s), or replacement of the entire dispenser.
 
When the dispenser no longer has the capability of computing the price per gallon, the owner/operator needs to take corrective action.
 
If we discover a fuel dispenser with an obsolete computer, our inspector will issue a Repair Order. In most cases replacement parts are on back order. If a business has documentation that they are awaiting parts to upgrade their dispenser, we may allow them to temporarily use the dispenser following one of the methods listed below.
 
Important points:
  • The dispenser must be returned to its correct computing capability if the unit price of the fuel drops back below $4.00 per gallon.
  • If the fuel dispenser is replaced or the computer needs to be repaired, then it must be upgraded to a full range computing dispenser that complies with all NTEP and NIST Handbook 44 requirements.
  • The following options are temporary only while awaiting replacement parts or replacement dispensers.

Option 1
Turn the fuel dispenser into a non-computing dispenser.
  1. Cover the unit price (price per gallon) and the total sales price, and leave the quantity (gallons) delivered visible.
  2. Post the full unit price (price per gallon) clearly in lettering at least 1 inch in height on the fuel dispenser with a pump topper or on the face of the dispenser.
  3. Manually calculate the total sale price.
  4. On an analog computing dispenser, the operator must stop delivery on a whole graduation. For example, stop delivery at 8.6 gallons, not somewhere between 8.6 and 8.7 gallons. Otherwise, the manual calculation will not be correct.

Option 2
Price by the 1/2 gallon.

  1. Set the unit price on the dispenser to the 1/2 gallon price.
  2. Clearly label the unit price on the dispenser as the 1/2 gallon price in lettering at least 1 inch in height.
  3. Clearly label the total sale price on the dispenser as times two (e.g., Total Sales x 2) in lettering at least 1 inch in height.
  4. Post the full unit price (price per gallon) clearly on the dispenser with a pump topper or on the face of the dispenser in lettering at least 1 inch in height.
  5. The whole gallon price MUST be divisible by 2. For example, the whole gallon price may be $4.14 4/10 per gallon which is $2.07 2/10 per 1/2 gallon. The tenth cent digit on the whole gallon price must be an even number such as 2, 4, 6, or 8. Another choice is the whole gallon price might be $4.14 (no 1/10 cent), so the 1/2 gallon price would be $2.07. But the price cannot be set at 4.14 9/10 per gallon because the 1/2 gallon price would then be $2.0745 and the dispenser cannot display that figure.


Option 3
Upgrade the fuel dispenser.
Upgrade the fuel dispenser to a full range computing device that complies with all NTEP and NIST Handbook 44 requirements.