Standards and Technical Services
The Standards and Technical Services Section provides the technical assistance and traceablity of standards that make the enforcement of measurement standards laws possible. The branch is made up a metrology laboratory and a petroleum analysis laboratory.
Metrology is the science of measures and weights, and metrologists are the technical experts in this field. The metrology lab has accreditation from National Institute of Standards and Technology which indicates that it has the necessary quality system, facilities, equipment, standards and staff to provide accurate and traceable measurement services. The metrology laboratory has two areas of responsibility:
- to maintain standards for enforcement of weights and measures laws and promotion of uniform measurement standards; and
- to provide measurement services for businesses, industry, educational and other government agencies.
Some of the agencies that the metrology lab services are:
- American Samoa Government
- Blood Bank of Hawaii
- Chevron USA, Inc.
- Federal Express
- Honolulu Police Department
- IBM Corporation
- Navy Calibration Center
- Queen’s Medical Center
- Hawaii Department of Health
- University of Hawaii
The chemist of the petroleum analysis laboratory is responsible for monitoring gasoline sold and used in Hawaii. He performs regular octane testing and analyzes gasoline to determine whether the levels of certain components are acceptable according to national standards developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Some of the components the chemist checks for are certain oxygenates, water, sediments and benzene.