The Minister of Industry establishes the annexed Specifications Relating to Timber Dimension Measuring Devices under sections 13 a and 27 b of the Weights and Measures Regulations c. SOR/2005-297, s. 3 SOR/93-234 C.R.C., c. 1605; SOR/2017-198, s. 1
Ottawa, March 19, 2024 Le ministre de l’Industrie, François-Philippe Champagne Minister of Industry
Definitions
The following definitions apply in these Specifications.
auxiliary equipment means equipment that is connected to, or used in conjunction with, a timber dimension measuring device. (matériel auxiliaire)
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 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 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 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 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 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 means, in respect of a log, the maximum distance of a straight line, in centimetres or metres, that
is measured as closely as possible along the longitudinal axis of the log; and
is between two planes that are perpendicular to that axis and located at each end of the log. (longueur)
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 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 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 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 means a measuring machine that measures the length and diameter of logs. (appareil de mesure des dimensions du bois)
General
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
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.
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:
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;
if the device is powered by direct current,
a voltage that is less than the nominal voltage of the device and at which voltage the device can produce a measurement registration, and
a voltage that is up to 10% greater than the nominal voltage of the device;
a temperature that is
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
in any other case, the default temperature range;
a humidity level of up to 85% relative humidity and a temperature that is
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
in any other case, the default temperature range;
if the device measures using optical principles, an ambient light level that is within the range of 100 lx to 100 000 lx; and
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.
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.
When a timber dimension measuring device is exposed to a disturbance, it must
provide a measurement registration that is ±1 d from the measurement registration that would be provided without the disturbance;
provide a blank measurement registration and prevent the measurement information from being displayed, transmitted, printed or stored;
provide an error message and prevent the measurement information from being displayed, transmitted, printed or stored; or
provide a measurement registration that is so unstable that it cannot be interpreted as representing the correct measurement values.
Design, Composition and Construction
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.
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.
Each interval of a timber dimension measuring device must be
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
equal to 1 × 10 n, 2 × 10 n or 5 × 10 n units of length, where “n” is an integer.
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.
A timber dimension measuring device must be equipped with a feature that identifies the name and version of the software that it uses.
A timber dimension measuring device must be equipped with
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
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.
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.
The portable second indicator must
be readily connectable to all of the measuring elements without affecting their performance;
be configured to display the same information as the indicator required under section 12; and
display information that is in exact agreement with the information displayed by the indicator required under section 12.
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.
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 feature that automatically identifies the measuring element that is in use and is providing information to the indicator or printer; and
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A measurement registration that is displayed or printed by a timber dimension measuring device must
be clear and unambiguous; and
if the measurement registration is printed, be indelible.
A measurement registration that is displayed or printed by auxiliary equipment must
agree exactly with the measurement registration provided by the timber dimension measuring device;
be clear and unambiguous; and
if the measurement registration is printed, be indelible.
A timber dimension measuring device must not
measure or calculate a log’s area or volume or take any other measurement that is calculated from the log’s length or diameter;
provide a measurement registration for a measurement or calculation referred to in paragraph (a);
provide a measurement registration that has a negative measurement value; or
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.
The minimum measurable value for each measuring range of a timber dimension measuring device must not be less than 10 d.
If a timber dimension measuring device has more than one measuring range,
the measuring ranges must be consecutive; and
the interval of each measuring range must be smaller than the interval of the immediately superior measuring range.
A timber dimension measuring device must provide an error message or a blank measurement registration if
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;
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
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.
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:
for each log measured, its length and each measurement of its diameter; and
if the logs are separated into lots, the lot identifier for, and number of logs in, each lot.
The information referred to in subsection (1) must
be recorded and stored in a manner that allows it to be provided to the customer; and
be stored for a period of 90 days after the day on which it was recorded.
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.
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.
The metrological functions and adjustable components of a timber dimension measuring device must be protected by
physical seals that are readily accessible and observable and that make any access to those functions or components apparent; or
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.
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:
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;
the name of the device’s manufacturer;
the device’s model designation;
the device’s serial number;
for each axis of measurement that the device is capable of measuring in the location where it is installed,
the minimum and maximum dimensions for each measuring range on that axis, and
the interval for each measuring range on that axis;
the number of scan heads installed on the device;
the device’s minimum and maximum operating speeds as installed;
the minimum distance, in centimetres or metres, between each log measured; and
the temperature range specified for the device by the manufacturer, if any.
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.
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:
all restrictions, limitations or conditions on the use of the device; and
all special applications or uses of the device.
Installation and Use
A timber dimension measuring device must be installed and used in a manner that
ensures accurate measurement;
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;
subject to section 2, is in accordance with the instructions issued by its manufacturer or importer;
does not adversely affect the performance of the device;
does not facilitate the perpetration of fraud; and
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.
A timber dimension measuring device must only be used
in a manner that is consistent with its design, composition and construction; and
to measure logs that have a naturally occurring cross-section.
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.
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
These Specifications come into force on the day on which they are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.