Truck scales are used all over the world. Small and large businesses, as well as transportation agencies, weigh trucks carrying everything from corn and coffee to durable goods and solid waste.
Once your scale is installed, operational and certified to use, you may consider your truck scale project a success. However, taking the time to develop a scheduled truck scale maintenance program is equally important to ensure the truck scale’s optimal performance and to increase its longevity.
When it comes to choosing a truck scale service provider for services such as installation, repair and calibration, what you should be looking for? First off, we always recommend choosing a Measurement Canada Authorized Service Provider.
What is a Measurement Canada Authorized Service Provider?
Strict standards are to be followed when it comes to weighing scales in Canada. An Authorized Service Provider (ASP) is an organization that has been recognized by Measurement Canada.
Truck scale service providers must meet either the Accreditation Program or the Registration Program to be able to inspect and certify devices.
To ensure that the work done by Authorized Service Providers is adequate, audits, evaluations of technicians and follow-up inspections are performed by Measurement Canada.
Why Should You Work with An Authorized Service Provider?
Trucks scales are the muscle of the weighing system. However, while the weigh scale itself is crucial, it’s important to have a regular truck scale maintenance program in place.
By law, Measurement Canada can periodically inspect devices and certain packages of commodities to ensure that you’re fulfilling your legal responsibility of maintaining the accuracy of all weighing and measuring devices.
Because of the legal requirements, it is extremely crucial to choose an Authorized Service Provider as well as a certified truck scale technician for all your truck scale installation, repair and calibration needs.
Working with an ASP will certify your weighing scales to keep up with the standards set by Measurement Canada and keep your business on the road.
How Can I Identify an Authorized Truck Scale Service Provider?
The first thing you need to do is research. If you are a business that purchases or sells products based on a specific weight or quantity, it is vital to hire an ASP to inspect and certify your truck scale.
Measurement Canada launched their “Spot the Sticker” initiative (as shown in the image below) to help businesses and consumers decide on a truck scale service provider.
Since it’s not mandatory to display this sticker, you can always ask a company if they have obtained proper accreditations from Measurement Canada.
Here are some of the more common questions that you should ask when looking to book your next truck scale service appointment.
1.How many times a year should I maintain my truck scale?
Due to the nature of scales and the environments they operate in, scales require re-calibration on a regular basis, in most cases a minimum of once a year. In some instances where there is a high-cost commodity being weighed, a case can be made for re-calibration on a monthly basis.
2. What types and models of truck scales be serviced?
Most weighing scales will require repairs to be performed in order to increase its longevity and accuracy.
At Active Scale, we have expert truck scale technicians experienced in servicing all types and models of truck scales. Older truck scales can be updated by retro-fitting the load sensing element of the scale. On the other hand, existing mechanical or undesirable electronic systems can be replaced with modern load cell designs with superior environmental protection and lower maintenance costs.
3.How often should calibration be done?
Calibrating at shorter intervals will help you with better accuracy.
Depending on the usage of your weigh scales, you may have to calibrate your truck scale on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis.
—
If you are looking for an expert team of truck scale technicians, then you should know that Active Scale is Ontario’s authorized truck scale service provider since 2007.
With approximately 6,000 installations throughout Canada, United States, South America, and the Caribbean, we have conducted thousands of inspections for certifications on truck scales.
We have locations all over Southern Ontario and over 20 truck scale technicians to solve your weighing problems and provide you with impeccable customer service.
Contact Active Scale today and our expert truck scale technicians will perform a complete inspection and certification of your weigh scales as per the standards laid out by Measurement Canada
