5.52.
Linear Measures
Sec. 5.52. Linear Measures
A. Application S.4. Design.
A.1. - This code applies to any linear measure or measure of S.4.1. Rigid Measure. - A rigid measure shall be
length, whether flexible or inflexible, permanently installed straight.
or portable.
S.4.2. Folding Measure. - A folding measure shall open
A.2. - See also Sec. 1.10; General Code requirements. to a definite stop, and when so opened shall be straight.
S. Specifications S.5. Graduations.
S.1.M. Units. - A linear measure may be in total length, and S.5.1. General. - Graduations shall be perpendicular to
the total length may be subdivided in any or all of the the edge of the measure.
following:
S.5.2. Width. - The width of the graduations on any
(a) centimeters and tenths of the centimeter; measure shall not exceed one-half the width of the
(b) meters; and smallest graduated interval on the measure, and in no
(c) multiples of meters case shall be wider than 0.75 mm (0.03 in).
(Amended 1982)
A 1-m measure may be graduated, in addition, to show 0.1-
m and multiples of 0.1-m subdivisions. T. Tolerances
S.1. Units. - A linear measure may be in total length, and T.1. For Measures Except Metal Tapes. - Maintenance
the total length may be subdivided in any or all of the tolerances in excess and in deficiency for measures except
following: metal tapes shall be as shown in Table 1. Acceptance
tolerances shall be one-half the maintenance tolerances.
(a) inches and binary submultiples of the inch;
(b) feet;
(c) yards and multiples of yards.
Table 1.
A 1-yd measure may be graduated, in addition, to show Maintenance Tolerances, in Excess
1/3-yd and 2/3-yd subdivisions. A flexible tape may be and in Deficiency, for Linear Measures Except
graduated in tenths or hundredths of a foot, or both tenths Metal Tapes
and hundredths of a foot. (Any other subdivisions are
Nominal interval
allowable only on measures of special purposes and when Tolerance
from zero
required for such purposes.)
feet inch
S.2. Material.
1/2 or less 1/64
S.2.1. Flexible Tape. - A flexible tape shall be made of 1 1/32
metal. 2 1/16
3 3/32
S.2.2. End Measure. - If an end measure is made of 4 1/8
material softer than brass, the ends of the measure shall 5 5/32
be protected by brass (or other metal at least equally 6 3/16
hard) securely attached.
S.3. Finish. - Measures shall be smoothly finished. T.2. For Metal Tapes. - Maintenance and acceptance
tolerances in excess and in deficiency for metal tapes shall
5.52. Linear Measures
be as shown in Table 2. Tapes of 10 m (25 ft) or over shall
be tested at a tension resulting from a load of 5 kg (10 lb).
Tapes less than 10 m (25 ft) shall be tested at a tension
resulting from a load of 2.5 kg (5 lb). However, flexible
metal tapes of 10 m (25 ft) or less that are not normally
used under tension shall be tested with no tension applied.
All tapes shall be supported throughout on a horizontal flat
surface whenever tested.
(Amended 1972)
Table 2.
Maintenance and Acceptance Tolerances,
in Excess and in Deficiency, for Metal Tapes
Nominal interval Tolerance
from zero
feet inch
6 or less 1/32
7 to 30, inclusive 1/16
31 to 55, inclusive 1/8
56 to 80, inclusive 3/16
81 to 100, inclusive 1/4