May 19, 2004
Albany- Fuels and Measures inspector Tony Davis puts on his working gloves to check what we've all been wondering. "Getting more complaints because it's so high." says Davis about the recent hikes in gas prices.
"What I do is check all the hoses, make sure there's no leaks or anything because that's going to be a violation if it is," explains Davis. He inspects up to six fuel stations in a day. He pumps five gallons of regular unleaded gasoline. He says "Should be eight dollars for five gallons when we get through."
Davis checks the meter. "This is reading minus one," he says about the measurement. Davis explains, "You're allowed a tolerance of minus six to plus six. This is a minus one so this one is going to be approved. If it's anything in between seven to fifteen, I just write a violation. I give them five days to get it correct." If it's anything over fifteen cubic centimeters, "I make them lock the pump up," says Davis.
He checks the pump meters, then he measures water levels in the gasoline. Davis says "I've got water finding paste that I put on my stick right here and it changes color if there's any water in the bottom of the tank. The water is going to go to the bottom so we'll allow one inch of water in the tank. If it gets over one inch, we red tag the tank and they can't have any more gas put into the tank until that get it pumped out.
Davis pumps the gasoline back into the station pumps, pours the diesel back in and finishes up on a good note. He says, "Most of the time when I go by and check one, I don't find much wrong."
Davis says it's not likely owners manipulate their pumps in any way. He says high or low measurements in gasoline and water usually come from years of wear and tear.
Posted by jennifer.hulsey@walb.com at 6:17 PM.
Fuels and Measures inspectorTony Davis
A state gas pump meter
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