Measuring oil deliveries

NedS

Hi all,

I've been trying to make an accurate measuring stick for my new oil tank, and have a question about oil deliveries. Previously, my local oil supplier would always write the before and after readings from the dispensing delivery tanker on my invoice showing exactly how many litres had been delivered. My recent deliveries have been from Boiler Juice, and the supplier does not do this - is there a legal requirement to do so?

The reason I'm asking is that my last 500L delivery measured more like 450L on my stick, and I'm now wondering if my stick is inaccurate by 10% (quite possible) or if they have under-measured me. I don't have enough data yet to get an accurate idea how accurate my stick is, and the assumption for each delivery is of course that the supplier has delivered what they say they have. To be absolutely clear, I'm not accusing anyone of under-delivering and it is completely possible for there to be a 10% inaccuracy in my protocols, but just wondering if there is any legal requirements about providing the meter readings on customer invoices. Once I've had 10 plus deliveries and am able to average the measurements, I will no doubt be able to more accurately calibrate my measuring stick, but for now I have very little data for my new tank.

lohr500

Not sure if there is a legal requirement or not. I've had deliveries from several different companies in the past, ordered directly and through Boilerjuice and I've always received a delivery note with either hand written before and after numbers, or a printed document from the truck's onboard meter.

Is your tank rectangular? If a horizontal cylinder or complex shape, could it be inaccuracy in your measuring stick which is not accurately allowing for the difference in volume at given depths due to the shape of the tank. 

NedS

Thank you. My tank is rectangular but does have side protrusions to increase strength, however these are regular (I think) over the height of the tank. Without doubt there are inaccuracies in my measuring protocols - I was mainly "surprised" at how far out I was on my last delivery assuming 500L was genuinely delivered, hence my question.I think next time they deliver, I will ask for the numbers from the tanker's onboard meter to be written on the invoice so I have an accurate note for my records.

lohr500

How long ago was it filled? Was it filled to the top on the last delivery and have you received any paperwork since?
I was just wondering if they couldn't add the full 500 litres you ordered as they are supposed to leave some space at the top of the tank. If they did this though, you should have received an adjustment to your payment from Boilerjuice.

No harm in asking for the before and after readings next time. 

NedS

The tank was half full, I dipped it and took a measurement before filling. I ordered 500L and dipped again after delivery. There was room in the tank for the full 500L. I queried with the driver if there was sufficient space for the delivery and he said there was plently of room, maybe for another 100L (this was before I dipped it which I did after he left).

As I said, I don't have enough measurement data to make an accurate assessment - if I have another 10 deliveries and they all measure the same, then I will know my assumptions are out and can adjust them accordingly, but there was enough of a doubt in my mind compounded by the fact they haven't written the tanker meter readings on the invoice that I was left wondering if they've pulled a fast one on me and under delivered by 10% (as we are largely operating on trust that they actually deliver what we've ordered as we have no real easy way to measure it). What's to stop the driver under delivering by 10% on some/every order then using the excess to top up his own tank (or that of an accomplice) on the way back to the depot.

With my local company (which I no longer use due to their higher prices), we have the option to say fill the tank, and they will meter the delivery and charge you for what is delivered, but that is not an option with online orders where one must order an exact amount.

dunstonh

Previously, my local oil supplier would always write the before and after readings from the dispensing delivery tanker on my invoice showing exactly how many litres had been delivered. 

The ticket should show the litres delivered and you can watch the numbers move on the side of the tank if you want to personally check.  There is no requirement for them to write them down for you.

The reason I'm asking is that my last 500L delivery measured more like 450L on my stick, and I'm now wondering if my stick is inaccurate by 10% (quite possible) or if they have under-measured me.

Oil contracts and expands and after the tank has been filled, it will slop around for quite a while. Our tank can take many hours to settle.  By which time the temperature can affect the level.  Last fill up had our apollo go to 10 bars after a couple of hours but later in the day it dropped to 8 bars as it got colder before going back to between 9/10 

NedS

dunstonh said:

Previously, my local oil supplier would always write the before and after readings from the dispensing delivery tanker on my invoice showing exactly how many litres had been delivered. 

The ticket should show the litres delivered and you can watch the numbers move on the side of the tank if you want to personally check.  There is no requirement for them to write them down for you.

Thank you for the confirmation. I never thought of standing out in the road and checking the meter for myself!

Qyburn

dunstonh said:

Oil contracts and expands and after the tank has been filled, it will slop around for quite a while. Our tank can take many hours to settle.  By which time the temperature can affect the level.  Last fill up had our apollo go to 10 bars after a couple of hours but later in the day it dropped to 8 bars as it got colder before going back to between 9/10 

I'm surprised it changed that much. Figures given suggest about 1% for a 10 degree change. Our meter is so coarse it's not going to pick that up.

Apodemus

dunstonh said:

Previously, my local oil supplier would always write the before and after readings from the dispensing delivery tanker on my invoice showing exactly how many litres had been delivered. 

The ticket should show the litres delivered and you can watch the numbers move on the side of the tank if you want to personally check.  There is no requirement for them to write them down for you.

Dunstonh, are you sure there is no requirement? Although I am rarely at home when the delivery is made, the drivers have always put the print-out from the meter through the door.

dunstonh

Qyburn said:

dunstonh said:

Oil contracts and expands and after the tank has been filled, it will slop around for quite a while. Our tank can take many hours to settle.  By which time the temperature can affect the level.  Last fill up had our apollo go to 10 bars after a couple of hours but later in the day it dropped to 8 bars as it got colder before going back to between 9/10 

I'm surprised it changed that much. Figures given suggest about 1% for a 10 degree change. Our meter is so coarse it's not going to pick that up.

I have never seen it swing between 8 and 10 before that.  But the coldest point was sufficient for the battery warning light to come on (about -5.9 degrees - we have a thermometer near the tank).  Normally, movements due to temperature tend to be one bar.  Since that cold spell it hasn't moved from 9.

Dunstonh, are you sure there is no requirement? Although I am rarely at home when the delivery is made, the drivers have always put the print-out from the meter through the door.

No. I cannot be confident of that. It was my understanding.   I thought the legal was it being visible and checked regularly by trading standards and available if you asked for it.    However, unless someone beats me to it, I will ask my delivery man on his next fil up (around March going by historic use).

NedS

Thanks. Next delivery, I'll take a photo of the meter before and after fill on my phone whilst he's sorting out the hose, then there can be no doubt.