NCWM Acts on LPG Proposals

The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) met recently and acted on three proposals that would impact the propane industry.

LPG-23.1, a proposal that would exempt analog/mechanical meters used to measure the volume of product dispensed into a propane vehicle was not approved. Concerns were expressed by a California delegate and the National Institute on Standards and Technology that the basis of the proposal was the implementation of the K15 connection, yet there was no plan to require retrofitting of vehicles with the K15 filler valve. However, NPGA did receive approval for its proposal to extend the timeout provision for bobtail meters from 3 minutes to 5 minutes.

In addition, a longtime objective of NPGA to utilize master meters to certify meters to the NCWM standards as an alternative to volumetric provers has finally been approved.

The last proposal will affect LPG dispensers and will require temperature compensation for meters with rated capacity of 20 gallons per minute or less to have temperature compensation when those meters are placed into service beginning in January 2026. As of January 2030, all meters must have temperature compensation capability, even those already in service. NIST maintained that temperature compensation was always required for all meters and this change is only intended to clarify that point.

For more information, please contact Bruce Swiecicki.