Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Search

Specifications Relating to Timber Dimension Measuring Devices (SI/2024-48)

Regulations are current to 2024-10-30

Specifications Relating to Timber Dimension Measuring Devices

SI/2024-48

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT

Registration 2024-10-23

Specifications Relating to Timber Dimension Measuring Devices

The Minister of Industry establishes the annexed Specifications Relating to Timber Dimension Measuring Devices under sections 13Footnote a and 27Footnote b of the Weights and Measures RegulationsFootnote c.

Ottawa, March 19, 2024

Le ministre de l’Industrie,
blank line
François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Industry

Definitions

Marginal note:Definitions

 The following definitions apply in these Specifications.

auxiliary equipment

auxiliary equipment means equipment that is connected to, or used in conjunction with, a timber dimension measuring device. (matériel auxiliaire)

default temperature range

default temperature range means, in respect of a timber dimension measuring device, a temperature range of -10°C to +40°C. (plage de températures par défaut)

diameter

diameter means, in respect of a log, its theoretical diameter, in centimetres or metres, calculated by measuring its actual circumference and dividing that value by pi (π). (diamètre)

disturbance

disturbance means a phenomenon or event — such as a short time power reduction or an electrostatic discharge, electrical burst or electromagnetic or electrostatic field — to which a timber dimension measuring device may be exposed and the characteristics of which are inconsistent with the operating parameters of the device. (perturbation)

indicator

indicator means a digital device that is an integral part of, or is connected to, a measuring element and that displays measurement registrations. (indicateur)

influence factor

influence factor means a phenomenon or event to which a timber dimension measuring device or any of its auxiliary equipment may be exposed and that may affect the performance of the device. (facteur d’influence)

interval

interval or d means the value, expressed in units of length, of the difference between two consecutively indicated values for any axis of measurement of a timber dimension measuring device. (échelon ou d)

length

length means, in respect of a log, the maximum distance of a straight line, in centimetres or metres, that

  • (a) is measured as closely as possible along the longitudinal axis of the log; and

  • (b) is between two planes that are perpendicular to that axis and located at each end of the log. (longueur)

measurement registration

measurement registration means a displayed, printed or recorded representation of the measurement information for a log that has been measured by a timber dimension measuring device, including the dimension measured, the measurement value and the unit of measurement. (enregistrement d’une mesure)

measuring element

measuring element means the parts of a timber dimension measuring device, other than the indicator, that together produce the measurement of a log. (élément mesureur)

metrological function

metrological function means a function of a timber dimension measuring device that is necessary for the measurement process and that may affect measurement registrations or the validity of transactions, including the sensing of the measured object, the transmission, processing, storage, correction or adjustment of measurement signals or values and the display or printing of measurement values. (fonction métrologique)

ready condition

ready condition means, in respect of a timber dimension measuring device, the condition in which it is ready to take a measurement. (état prêt)

timber dimension measuring device

timber dimension measuring device means a measuring machine that measures the length and diameter of logs. (appareil de mesure des dimensions du bois)

General

Marginal note:Specifications prevail

 In the event of a conflict between these Specifications and an instruction issued by the manufacturer or importer, these Specifications prevail to the extent of the conflict.

Performance

Marginal note:Limits of error

 The acceptance limits of error and the in-service limits of error that apply to a timber dimension measuring device are ±1 d for the axis and measuring range in use.

Marginal note:Influence factors

 A timber dimension measuring device must perform within the applicable limits of error referred to in section 3 when, under controlled conditions, the device is tested while it is exposed to an influence factor, such as:

  • (a) if the device is powered by alternating current, a voltage that is within the range of -15% to +10% of the nominal voltage of the device;

  • (b) if the device is powered by direct current,

    • (i) a voltage that is less than the nominal voltage of the device and at which voltage the device can produce a measurement registration, and

    • (ii) a voltage that is up to 10% greater than the nominal voltage of the device;

  • (c) a temperature that is

    • (i) in the case where the temperature range specified for the device by the manufacturer is a range that spans at least 30°C and is entirely within the default temperature range, that specified temperature range, and

    • (ii) in any other case, the default temperature range;

  • (d) a humidity level of up to 85% relative humidity and a temperature that is

    • (i) in the case where the temperature range specified for the device by the manufacturer is a range that spans at least 30°C and is entirely within the default temperature range, that specified temperature range, and

    • (ii) in any other case, the default temperature range;

  • (e) if the device measures using optical principles, an ambient light level that is within the range of 100 lx to 100 000 lx; and

  • (f) if the device measures using acoustic principles, an acoustic interference of up to 100 dB at the nominal centre frequency of the device’s ultrasonic transducers.

Marginal note:Eccentric measurements

 A timber dimension measuring device must perform within the applicable limits of error referred to in section 3 when, under controlled conditions, the device is tested while it measures a log in an off-center position.

Marginal note:Disturbances

 When a timber dimension measuring device is exposed to a disturbance, it must

  • (a) provide a measurement registration that is ±1 d from the measurement registration that would be provided without the disturbance;

  • (b) provide a blank measurement registration and prevent the measurement information from being displayed, transmitted, printed or stored;

  • (c) provide an error message and prevent the measurement information from being displayed, transmitted, printed or stored; or

  • (d) provide a measurement registration that is so unstable that it cannot be interpreted as representing the correct measurement values.

Design, Composition and Construction

Marginal note:Accuracy and fraud prevention

 A timber dimension measuring device must be designed, composed and constructed in a manner that, under normal conditions of use, enables it to measure accurately and does not facilitate the perpetration of fraud.

Marginal note:Examination and testing

 A timber dimension measuring device must be designed, composed and constructed in a manner that enables it to be examined and enables physical test standards or test objects to be applied to it and recovered before they are processed by any other device.

Marginal note:Intervals

 Each interval of a timber dimension measuring device must be

  • (a) displayed or printed in decimal form, with the decimal submultiple of the unit of length being set apart by a decimal point or comma; and

  • (b) equal to 1 × 10n, 2 × 10n or 5 × 10n units of length, where “n” is an integer.

Marginal note:Rounding measurement values

 If a measurement value for a log falls between successive intervals, the timber dimension measuring device must round the value to the nearest interval or, if the value is equidistant between successive intervals, round it up to the nearest interval.

Marginal note:Software identification

 A timber dimension measuring device must be equipped with a feature that identifies the name and version of the software that it uses.

Marginal note:Indicator

 A timber dimension measuring device must be equipped with

  • (a) an indicator that has digits, letters or symbols that are of a consistent design, number and size and that permit measurement registrations to be clearly displayed; and

  • (b) if the indicator displays information provided by the device and any other source, a feature that displays measurement registrations separately from the information provided by the other source.

Marginal note:Portable second indicator

  •  (1) A timber dimension measuring device must be equipped with a portable second indicator if the device is installed such that, during an examination of the device by an inspector, the indicator required under section 12 cannot be readily observed by the inspector when they are at the measuring element.

  • Marginal note:Requirements

    (2) The portable second indicator must

    • (a) be readily connectable to all of the measuring elements without affecting their performance;

    • (b) be configured to display the same information as the indicator required under section 12; and

    • (c) display information that is in exact agreement with the information displayed by the indicator required under section 12.

Marginal note:Error handling

 A timber dimension measuring device must be equipped with a mechanism or feature, or be connected to auxiliary equipment that is equipped with a mechanism or feature, that prevents a log from being processed after the device provides an error message or blank measurement registration.

Marginal note:Devices with multiple measuring elements

 A timber dimension measuring device that is installed such that multiple measuring elements are connected to one indicator or printer must be equipped with

  • (a) a feature that automatically identifies the measuring element that is in use and is providing information to the indicator or printer; and

  • (b) a feature that prevents a measuring element from being used while another measuring element is in use and is providing information to the indicator or printer.

Marginal note:Test mode for display

 A timber dimension measuring device must have a test mode that shows the functional status of all display elements and segments of its indicator if failure of any single element or segment will result in the display of incorrect information.

Marginal note:Automatic ready condition

 A timber dimension measuring device must automatically enter a ready condition when an object is not on or in the measuring element and, when the device is in that condition, that fact must be displayed on its indicator.

Marginal note:Ready condition before measurement registration

 A timber dimension measuring device must not display, transmit, print or store a measurement registration if it was not in a ready condition before taking the measurement.

Marginal note:Tare function prohibited

 A timber dimension measuring device must not use a process, mechanism or feature that reduces or adjusts the gross measured value of a log by a tare value, including a process, mechanism or feature that permits bark or other undesirable material to be subtracted from the measurement.

Marginal note:Measurement registration elements

  •  (1) All words, names, symbols and abbreviations that are part of a measurement registration must be displayed or marked on the timber dimension measuring device in a location in which they will not be obliterated or rendered illegible under the normal conditions of use of the device and that is clearly visible to the device’s operator and any customer who is present when a measurement is taken.

  • Marginal note:Displayed or printed measurement registrations

    (2) A measurement registration that is displayed or printed by a timber dimension measuring device must

    • (a) be clear and unambiguous; and

    • (b) if the measurement registration is printed, be indelible.

Marginal note:Measurement registrations — auxiliary equipment

 A measurement registration that is displayed or printed by auxiliary equipment must

  • (a) agree exactly with the measurement registration provided by the timber dimension measuring device;

  • (b) be clear and unambiguous; and

  • (c) if the measurement registration is printed, be indelible.

Marginal note:Prohibitions — measurements and measurement registrations

 A timber dimension measuring device must not

  • (a) measure or calculate a log’s area or volume or take any other measurement that is calculated from the log’s length or diameter;

  • (b) provide a measurement registration for a measurement or calculation referred to in paragraph (a);

  • (c) provide a measurement registration that has a negative measurement value; or

  • (d) provide a measurement registration for a log that has a length or diameter that is less than 10 d for the measuring range in use.

Marginal note:Measuring range — minimum measurable value

  •  (1) The minimum measurable value for each measuring range of a timber dimension measuring device must not be less than 10 d.

  • Marginal note:Intervals for measuring ranges

    (2) If a timber dimension measuring device has more than one measuring range,

    • (a) the measuring ranges must be consecutive; and

    • (b) the interval of each measuring range must be smaller than the interval of the immediately superior measuring range.

Marginal note:Error message or blank measurement registration

 A timber dimension measuring device must provide an error message or a blank measurement registration if

  • (a) it measures a log that is not within the limits of the dimensions marked on the device or on a plate that is affixed to the device;

  • (b) it measures a log that is not within the detection limits of the device’s sensing component and the measurement value is not within the in-service limits of error referred to in section 3; or

  • (c) its sensing component is obstructed when a measurement is taken and the measurement value is not within the in-service limits of error referred to in section 3.

Marginal note:Information to be recorded and stored

  •  (1) A timber dimension measuring device must record and store the following information, or be connected to auxiliary equipment that records and stores that information, when a customer is not present at the time their logs are measured:

    • (a) for each log measured, its length and each measurement of its diameter; and

    • (b) if the logs are separated into lots, the lot identifier for, and number of logs in, each lot.

  • Marginal note:Information provided to customer

    (2) The information referred to in subsection (1) must

    • (a) be recorded and stored in a manner that allows it to be provided to the customer; and

    • (b) be stored for a period of 90 days after the day on which it was recorded.

Marginal note:Auxiliary equipment interface

 A timber dimension measuring device that is equipped with an interface that permits the connection of auxiliary equipment must be designed in a manner that prevents the metrological functions of the device from being adversely affected if the connected auxiliary equipment is exposed to an influence factor or a disturbance.

Marginal note:Adjustable components

 A component of a timber dimension measuring device that is physically or electronically adjusted must maintain that adjustment until any further adjustment is made to that component.

Marginal note:Seals

 The metrological functions and adjustable components of a timber dimension measuring device must be protected by

  • (a) physical seals that are readily accessible and observable and that make any access to those functions or components apparent; or

  • (b) electronic seals that make any access to those functions or components apparent, such as an audit trail that counts the number of changes made to the calibration or configuration parameters of the device or records the values related to these changes.

Marginal note:Marking — general

  •  (1) The following information must be permanently marked in a clearly visible location on a timber dimension measuring device or on a descriptive plate that is affixed to the device:

    • (a) the approval number assigned to the class, type or design of the device in accordance with paragraph 17(c) of the Weights and Measures Regulations;

    • (b) the name of the device’s manufacturer;

    • (c) the device’s model designation;

    • (d) the device’s serial number;

    • (e) for each axis of measurement that the device is capable of measuring in the location where it is installed,

      • (i) the minimum and maximum dimensions for each measuring range on that axis, and

      • (ii) the interval for each measuring range on that axis;

    • (f) the number of scan heads installed on the device;

    • (g) the device’s minimum and maximum operating speeds as installed;

    • (h) the minimum distance, in centimetres or metres, between each log measured; and

    • (i) the temperature range specified for the device by the manufacturer, if any.

  • Marginal note:Marking — temperature range

    (2) Despite paragraph (1)(i), a temperature range specified for the device by the manufacturer must not be marked on it or the descriptive plate unless the range spans at least 30°C and is entirely within the default temperature range.

Marginal note:Marking — other

 The following information must be permanently marked on a timber dimension measuring device, or be posted near the device, in a location where the information is clearly visible to the device’s operator and any customer who is present when a measurement is taken:

  • (a) all restrictions, limitations or conditions on the use of the device; and

  • (b) all special applications or uses of the device.

Installation and Use

Marginal note:Requirements

  •  (1) A timber dimension measuring device must be installed and used in a manner that

    • (a) ensures accurate measurement;

    • (b) respects the parameters, restrictions and limitations set out in the notice of approval issued in respect of the device under section 3 of the Weights and Measures Act;

    • (c) subject to section 2, is in accordance with the instructions issued by its manufacturer or importer;

    • (d) does not adversely affect the performance of the device;

    • (e) does not facilitate the perpetration of fraud; and

    • (f) ensures that any auxiliary equipment will not prevent the device from meeting the requirements of paragraphs (a) to (e).

  • Marginal note:Examination and testing

    (2) A timber dimension measuring device must be installed in a manner that enables it to be examined and enables physical test standards or test objects to be applied to it and recovered before they are processed by any other device.

Marginal note:Use — general

 A timber dimension measuring device must only be used

  • (a) in a manner that is consistent with its design, composition and construction; and

  • (b) to measure logs that have a naturally occurring cross-section.

Marginal note:Use — mobile equipment

 A timber dimension measuring device that is an integral part of, or is attached or secured to, the frame, chassis, lifting mechanism or bed of mobile equipment — such as a truck, tractor, trailer or forklift — must not be supported by the wheels or treads of that equipment when the device is making a measurement.

Marginal note:Visibility of measurement registrations

 A timber dimension measuring device must be installed in a manner that permits the operator, and any customer who is present when a measurement is taken, to observe the taking of the measurement and easily read the device’s indicator.

Coming into Force

Marginal note:Publication

 These Specifications come into force on the day on which they are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.


Date modified: