State Metrology Lab up and running at its new location in Sturgis

STURGIS, S.D. – Thanks to a $1.6 million dollar appropriation from the South Dakota Legislature, the South Dakota State Metrology Lab is up and running in Sturgis.

The lab, which used to be in Pierre, found a perfect location in a shop that used to belong to the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

Because the lab contains very sensitive equipment, some modifications had to be done, but as Tyler Steen, Director of the Office of Weights, Measures and Inspections explains, it was a helpful step.

“Having it located here in Sturgis, the highway patrol was gracious enough to provide the building to us. We didn’t have to go look for land, or start from scratch. We made some modifications, like with the H-VAC to ensure out humidity and temperature are constantly maintained.”

Temperature and humidity are very important when it comes to weights and measures. For example, the lab makes sure when you purchase a gallon of gas, you get a gallon of gas. Or, if you’re buying a 16-ounce sirloin – you want to make sure it’s a 16 ounce sirloin.

“You know, equity is a big piece in the marketplace. We here are not trying to favor a customer or establishment, but when you think about tolerances and you’re on the higher or lower end and how that has a trickle down effect to the customer and the on down to the marketplace as well too. Like fuel, we talk about cubic inches and one cubic inch can equate to ten and then twenty and eventually a million over time, so we want to be as accurate as we can be.”

Because the lab contains equipment that must be accurate, the building must maintain a steady temperature and humidity level. In fact, Steen says each room has its own H-VAC system.

He says moving to Sturgis gave them room to grow, and the availability to give each piece of equipment their own room.

Area media got a tour of the State Metrology Lab on Tuesday. It is led by State Metrologist Ron Peterson.