Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 15B-14.002 - Requirements for Type Acceptance

(1) Light transmittance measuring devices shall be provided with a standardized reference sample and procedure for taking readings utilizing the reference sample. The device light source shall be mid-range in the visible spectrum (560 nanometers plus or minus 20 nanometers) and shall exclude the ultraviolet and infrared portions of the spectrum. The accuracy of reference samples shall be verifiable with instrumentation calibrated to standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), whose standards applicable to this rule are hereby incorporated by reference. A copy of National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 250-6, "NBS Measurement Services: Regular Spectral Transmittance" may be ordered from the National Technical Information Services (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161, 1(800)553-6847.

(2) Light transmittance measuring devices shall comply with the following criteria:

(a) Single unit light transmittance measuring devices shall be compact and designed to be operated by one person on vehicle glass with up to 1/4 inch glass thickness.

(b) Two-piece unit light transmittance measuring devices shall be designed to be operated by one person on front windows, side windows and rear windows up to 3/8 inch glass thickness. The two-piece unit shall have a digital readout to the nearest percent and an alignment aide feature to maintain stable alignment throughout the period of measurement. Activation may be manual or automatic.

(c) Measuring devices shall maintain unit accuracy within plus or minus three percentage points of reference samples and shall have a repeatability within plus or minus one percentage point from reading to reading. If the supply voltage is outside of the device's operating range, the device shall either produce a low battery signal or shall not produce an output reading, or both.

(d) Measuring devices affected by outside "stray" or "ambient" light sources of 2% or greater shall not be acceptable.

(e) Measuring device readings that are affected by temperature and humidity changes shall not be acceptable. Operating humidity range shall be 0 to 85 percent and operating temperature range shall be 20 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Acceptable units shall be capable of demonstrating both published accuracy and repeatability of transmittance readings throughout the operating temperature and humidity ranges.

(f) Reference samples shall be either glass or plastic based with a thickness of 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch and stable for at least one year. Reference samples shall provide a uniform surface reading with a variation not to exceed 1.0 percentage point as measured by a calibrated Spectrophotometer. Reference samples shall be permanently labeled or inscribed with the manufacturer's name and address, specific identification number, percent of light transmittance and preparation date. Reference samples shall be recalibrated at least once per year by a qualified laboratory.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 15B-14.002

Rulemaking Authority 316.2955 FS. Law Implemented 316.2951 - 316.2956 FS.

New 1-2-96.

New 1-2-96.