Current through August 26, 2024
(1) VEHICLE SCALE;
PERMIT REQUIRED.
(a) No person may install or
relocate a vehicle scale without a permit from the department.
(b) A person shall apply for a permit under
par. (a) in writing, on a form provided by the department. The application
shall include all of the following:
1. A
nonrefundable application fee of $65, if the application pertains to a vehicle
scale.
2. A construction plan for
the vehicle scale.
(c)
An application under par. (b) shall document that the vehicle scale complies
with the construction standards in sub. (3).
(d) The department shall grant or deny a
permit application under par. (b) within 20 business days after the department
receives a complete application. The department may deny an application if the
applicant begins to install or relocate the vehicle scale while the permit
application is still pending approval.
Note: A permit application form under sub. (1)
(b) may be obtained at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/WeightsAndMeasures.aspx
or by writing to:
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection
Division of Trade and Consumer Protection
Weights & Measures Program
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911.
(2) MASTER CONSTRUCTION PLAN. Instead of
filing a separate construction plan with each permit application under sub. (1), an applicant may file a master construction plan which applies to 2 or more
applications, and may refer to that master plan in each individual application.
If a proposed installation or relocation entails any deviation from the master
plan, the individual permit application shall clearly describe every deviation.
(3) VEHICLE AND LIVESTOCK SCALES;
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS. Except as provided under sub. (6) or (9), every vehicle
scale and every livestock scale shall comply with the following construction
standards:
(a)
Load-bearing
piers. The main load-bearing piers supporting a scale shall be
constructed of reinforced concrete. The main load-bearing piers shall be poured
so that they are monolithic with the scale walls, or shall be tied to the walls
with 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) reinforcing rods.
(b)
Scale walls.
1. The walls of every scale shall be
constructed of reinforced concrete. The side walls of every scale, other than a
livestock scale constructed prior to January 1, 1992, shall be not less than 12
inches (30 cm) thick. The end walls of every scale shall be not less than 16
inches (40 cm) thick, except that end walls of a livestock scale or
above-ground scale shall be not less than 12 inches thick.
2. Throughout every scale wall, 1/2 inch (1.2
cm) reinforcing rods shall be placed vertically on no more than 12 inch (30 cm)
centers, and horizontally on no more than 18 inch (45 cm) centers.
3. A vehicle scale end wall, if poured with
seams or joints, shall be constructed with a step at the outer edge to provide
support for the vehicle approach slab unless the approach slab consists of
reinforced concrete which is poured monolithically with the end wall and joined
to the end wall with reinforcing rods. The step shall extend for the entire
length of the end wall, and shall be at least 6 inches (15 cm) wide and 6
inches (15 cm) deep.
(c)
Foundations.
1. Load-bearing
piers and scale walls shall rest on reinforced concrete footings which extend
at least 12 inches (30 cm) below the frost line, or on a reinforced concrete
base slab not less than 12 inches (30 cm) thick. Footings and slabs which
support load-bearing piers or scale walls shall be constructed according to the
manufacturer's engineering drawings, and shall be constructed to prevent frost
heaving.
2. Scale pit floors and
surfaces underlying above-ground vehicle scales shall be constructed of
concrete, and shall be constructed so that they are well drained. The concrete
floor or surface shall extend the full length and width of the scale. This
subdivision does not apply to above-ground scales constructed prior to January
1, 1992.
3. A load-bearing concrete
surface underlying an above-ground vehicle scale shall rest on a bed of
compacted aggregate which is at least 6 inches (15 cm) thick under every
portion of the load-bearing concrete surface, or on an alternative foundation
constructed according to the manufacturer's engineering drawings. This
subdivision does not apply to above-ground scales installed prior to January 1,
1992.
(d)
Top
edge of scale wall. The top inside edge of every scale wall shall be
framed, for its entire length, with a structural steel angle iron coping. The
angle iron shall be at least 2 inches (5 cm) by 2 inches (5 cm) by 1/4 inch (.6
cm), and shall be constructed with welded projections so that it can be
anchored in the concrete at approximately 4 foot (1.2 meter)
intervals.
(e)
Clearances
around scales.1. In every scale pit,
there shall be a clearance of not less than 6 feet (1.8 meters) between the
finished floor line of the scale pit and the top edge of the pit coping, or a
clearance of not less than 48 inches (1.2 meters) between the finished floor
line of the scale pit and the bottom of the load receiving element, the bottom
of the beam supporting the load receiving element, or the top of the fully
electronic load receiving element. The clearance between the load receiving
element and the coping of every scale pit wall shall be not less than 1/2 inch
(1.2 cm) and not more than 3/4 inch (1.8 cm).
2. In every above-ground vehicle scale, there
shall be a clearance of not less than 6 inches (15 cm) between the top surface
of the base slab and the bottom of the load receiving element. This subdivision
does not apply to above-ground scales constructed prior to January 1,
1992.
3. In a scale pit containing
a lever-type weighing element, there shall be a clearance of at least 27 inches
(70 cm) on one side of the transverse lever between the transverse lever and
the pit neck wall.
(f)
Mechanical indicating elements; support. Mechanical indicating
elements, including weigh beams and dials, shall be placed on reinforced
concrete footings or metal structural members which are sufficiently strong to
prevent deflection.
(g)
Scale pit entrance. Every scale pit shall include an entrance
through which persons may enter the scale pit. The entrance shall take one of
the following forms:
1. In a scale pit
containing a lever-type weighing element, a square opening in the pit neck,
with dimensions of at least 22 inches (58 cm) by 22 inches (58 cm).
2. An opening, at least 24 inches (60 cm) in
diameter, in the scale platform.
3.
An opening in the pit wall, not less than 36 inches (90 cm) wide. The top of
the opening shall be no lower than the bottom of the weigh bridge, and the
bottom of the opening shall be approximately even with the pit floor.
(h)
Approach
surfaces. Entry and exit approaches to a vehicle scale shall be at
least as wide as the scale platform and at least 1/2 the length of the scale
platform. Where it meets the end wall of a scale, each approach shall be
supported on a step in the top of the end wall as provided under par. (b).
Extending for the first 10 feet from the scale, each approach surface shall be
on the same plane with the scale platform and shall be constructed of
reinforced concrete, compacted asphaltic materials, steel grating, or
structural steel plate of sufficient strength to withstand all loads equal to
the concentrated load capacity of the scale. The remainder of the approach
surface shall be constructed of a durable material and shall have a slope of
not more than 1:12 (vertical rise/horizontal run). The approach shall be
constructed and maintained to drain away from the scale, to provide easy
vehicle access to the scale, and to provide easy access by the department or a
scale service company to test compliance with s.
ATCP 92.02(1).
(i)
Livestock scales; test weight
unloading platform. A concrete test weight unloading platform shall be
constructed and maintained next to every livestock scale. The test weight
unloading platform shall be at least 10 feet (3 meters) long and 8 feet (2.4
meters) wide. The test weight unloading platform shall be on the same level and
plane as the scale platform. The test weight unloading platform shall be
situated so that a test truck can easily lower test weights onto the test
weight unloading platform, and so that test weights can easily be moved from
the test weight unloading platform to the scale platform.
(4) VEHICLE AND LIVESTOCK SCALES; TOLERANCES.
Vehicle and livestock scales installed or relocated under sub. (1) shall comply
with acceptance tolerances under s.
ATCP 92.02 throughout the period starting with the first
date of use and ending 90 days after the department first receives notice under
sub. (5) that the scale is in use. After that initial period, the scale shall
comply with applicable tolerances under s.
ATCP 92.02.
(5) VEHICLE AND LIVESTOCK SCALES;
INSTALLATION REPORT. If a person installs or relocates a vehicle or livestock
scale, that person shall report the completed installation or relocation to the
department within 5 days after the installation or relocation is completed. The
report shall be filed in writing and shall include all of the following:
(a) The number of the permit under sub. (1)
that authorized the scale installation or relocation, if the scale is a vehicle
scale.
(b) The date of
installation or relocation, and the location at which the scale was installed
or to which the scale was relocated.
(c) The name of the scale manufacturer, the
brand name of the scale, and the model or serial number of the scale.
(d) The capacity of the scale.
(e) The sectional capacity of the scale if
the scale was constructed before January 1, 1989, or the concentrated load
capacity of the scale if the scale was manufactured on or after January 1,
1989.
(f) A scale test report
showing that the scale was tested and correct before it was put into use. The
scale test shall comply with sub. (7).
(g) A statement indicating whether the scale
was sold in connection with the installation or relocation. If the scale was
sold, the report shall include the name and address of the buyer and seller,
and shall indicate the date of sale.
(6) VEHICLE SCALES; CONSTRUCTION VARIANCES.
(a) The department may grant a variance from
a construction requirement under sub. (3) if the department determines that the
variance is justified by special circumstances and will not compromise the
structural integrity or accuracy of the scale. The department may impose any
conditions on the variance, including alternative construction requirements,
which it considers necessary.
(b) A
person applying for a variance under par. (a) shall submit the application in
writing, on a form provided by the department. The application shall include
all of the following:
1. A detailed written
justification for the variance. The justification shall demonstrate that the
proposed variance is justified by special circumstances and will not compromise
the structural integrity or accuracy of the scale.
2. A nonrefundable variance application fee
of $150.
(c) The
department may deny a variance application under par. (b) if the requester
begins construction in violation of any requirement under sub. (3) before the
department grants a variance from that requirement.
Note: A variance application form under sub.
(6) (b) may be obtained at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/WeightsAndMeasures.aspx
or by writing to:
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection
Division of Trade and Consumer Protection
Weights & Measures Program
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911.
(7) VEHICLE AND LIVESTOCK SCALES; ANNUAL
TESTING.
(a) The owner or operator of a
vehicle or livestock scale with a weighing capacity of 5,000 pounds or more
that is used for the commercial weighing of commodities or livestock shall at
least annually cause the scale to be inspected and tested for accuracy by a
person licensed under s.
ATCP 92.20(1). The person performing the
inspection and test shall prepare a written inspection and test report for the
scale owner or operator.
(b) If a
report under par. (a) shows that a scale is inaccurate, the scale may not be
used until a person licensed under s.
ATCP 92.20(1) re-inspects and retests the
scale and delivers a written report to the scale owner or operator confirming
that the inaccuracy has been corrected.
(c) The owner or operator of a vehicle or
livestock scale shall file with the department a copy of each report prepared
in connection with the inspection or testing of that scale, including any
report required under par. (a) or (b), not more than 15 days after the owner or
operator receives the test report and not more than 30 days after the reported
inspection or test occurred.
(d)
If the department finds that a vehicle scale operator who is required to be
licensed under s.
ATCP 92.31(1) has failed to file a vehicle
scale inspection or test report as required by par. (c), the department shall
assess against that operator a license surcharge of $200. The department may
not issue or renew an annual license under s.
ATCP 92.31(1) if the operator fails to
include the amount of any unpaid surcharge assessed under this paragraph with
the operator's annual license application. The department may suspend or revoke
an annual license if the license holder fails to pay a surcharge assessed under
this paragraph within 120 days after the department assesses the surcharge. A
surcharge payment under this paragraph does not relieve a vehicle scale
operator of any other civil or criminal liability for violating sub. (1), but
is not evidence of a violation.
Note: The testing and reporting requirements
under sub. (7) (a) to (c) apply to all vehicle scales and livestock scales.
However the license surcharge under par. (d) applies only to vehicles scales
whose operators are required to be licensed under s.
ATCP 92.31(1). See surcharge authorization
in s.
98.16(3m) (c), Stats. Violations by vehicle scale or
livestock scale operators are also subject to penalties under s.
98.26,
Stats.
(8)
REJECTION NOTICE. A department weights and measures inspector or a municipal
weights and measures sealer may issue a rejection notice under s.
98.05(2),
Stats., prohibiting the commercial use of a vehicle or livestock scale which
does not comply with this section.
(9) EXEMPTIONS. Subsections (1) to (6) do not
apply to any of the following:
(a) A vehicle
scale that is used for less than one year at the same location.
(b) Portable vehicle scales installed with
all of the following:
1. Durable load bearing
foundations that comply with the vehicle scale manufacturer's engineering
drawings and specifications.
2.
Durable vehicle approaches that provide adequate drainage away from the scale
and easy access for the department or a scale service company to test
compliance with s.
ATCP 92.02(1).
3. Durable approach bulkheads that provide a
barrier between the scale's weighing element, approach material, and run
off.
(c) A vehicle scale
used exclusively for highway construction if that use is supervised by the
state of Wisconsin department of transportation.
Scales identified under sub. (9) are not exempt from s.
ATCP 92.02, from licensing requirements under s.
98.16,
Stats., or from the testing requirement under s.
98.16(3m),
Stats.
