Do you need annual scale inspections?

Some propane marketers have asked us whether their LPG scales must be inspected every year. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), the answer is no.

Here’s what the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) clarified:

·     Hopper scales (used to weigh bulk ag products) must be inspected by a TDA inspector once every four years.

·     Small scales used at propane facilities do not fall under this four-year calibration interval.

·     Propane facility scales only need to be calibrated by a licensed service company if:

·     It’s a new installation before being put into service.

·     A TDA inspector tags it out of service.

·     It is not operating according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

In short, for propane facilities, once your scale is initially inspected and put into service, you’re covered—unless TDA later inspects and removes it from service.

Referrals

We often get calls asking, “Who do we recommend for meter and scale calibration?”

If you have a trusted licensed service technician that does your meter and scale inspection, you recommend, please share their contact information with us at jmason@txpropane.com so we can update our referral list for members.