Assessment of legal metrological control of type inflation pressure gauges in Dar es salaam the case of Kinondoni District

Inadequate legal metrological control of type pressure gauge may lead to the persistent use of inaccurate and substandard type pressure gauges. This report is about the research conducted in Dar es Salaam region between December 2016 and May 2017 with the objective of assessing the legal metrological control of the type pressure gauges in garages and type service stations. Literature review, interviews, observational surveys and gauge comparison tests were used to collect information. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling were used in this study. A total of 424 interviewees participated in the study. Further, a total 159 pressure gauges were observed and tested in comparison with calibrated gauge. Gathered data was then analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel programs. The study revealed that dial gauges were being used by most garages and type service centres. It was further revealed that gauges were below standard as they did not conform to various metrological aspects. The results of gauge comparison tests indicated that only 18.2% of surveyed type pressure gauge had correct reading while the rest had negative deviation up to 30% and positive deviation up to 40%. It is concluded that most of type pressure gauges used in garages and type service centres are not reliable for correct measurement of pressure to vehicle types, as they lack regular calibration and repair due to inadequate legal metrological control. Therefore, there is need for executing the mandatory metrological control of type pressure gauges as recommended in this study, similar to other equipment of weights and measures. It is recommended that further studies with regard to the performance of type pressure gauges used in Tanzania should be undertaken.