Metrology Laboratory

South Dakota's Metrology Laboratory is located at located 1500 Garfield Avenue in Pierre. The mailing address, however, is:

SD Department of Public Safety
Weights and Measures/ Metrology Laboratory
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, South Dakota 57501

The Lab is manned part-time by the State Metrologist who is assigned other inspection duties in addition to the lab work. When the lab is occupied, the Metrologist can be accessed by phone at (605) 773-3170. If the lab is unoccupied, the phone will roll over to the main number in the Weights and Measures Office.

The Laboratory operates under a conditional Certificate of Measurement Traceability from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In addition to maintaining the reference standards provided by the Federal government, The Laboratory provides tolerance testing of Echelon III, Class F field standard weights including:

• Test weights ranging from 1 mg to 1000 lbs.
• Weight carts ranging from 1000 lbs. to 4000 lbs.

The Laboratory also provides tolerance testing for small volume field standards (5 gallon test measures). These services are provided for State and out-of-state businesses.

Because the Laboratory is not occupied full-time, it is imperative that those requiring services call ahead for an appointment. When an appointment is made, it is also important to notify either the Laboratory or the Office of Weights and Measures if it is necessary to reschedule to another day or time.

Cast Iron weights brought to the Metrology Lab for testing must be cleaned and painted following the requirements in NIST Handbook 105-1 sec. 2. Five gallon test measures brought into the Metrology Lab for testing must be cleaned inside and out, including the sight glass, and contain no hydrocarbon residue or other pollutants. Delays associated with improperly prepared weights or volumetric test measures or missed appointments may result in additional costs. As of July 1, 2009, the fee for Laboratory services is $96 per hour.