BRITISH STANDARD BS 6571-1:

1989

Vehicle parking control

equipment —
Part 1: Specification for coin operated
clockwork parking meters

UDC 62 – 189.2:62 – 527.3:625.712.63:625.746.53:656.053.6 + 681.118.1:656.835.34:001.4:620.1

BS 6571-1:1989

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Road

Engineering Standards Policy Committee (RDB/-) to Technical Committee
RDB/29, upon which the following bodies were represented:

Association of London Authorities

Association of Metropolitan Authorities
Automobile Association
British Parking Association
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
Department of Transport
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Highways and Transportation
Joint Committee on Mobility for the Disabled
London Boroughs Association
Metropolitan Police
Royal Automobile Club
Coopted members

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Road
Engineering Standards Policy
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Board of BSI and comes
into effect on
30 June 1989

© BSI 08-1999 Amendments issued since publication

First published February 1985
First revision June 1989 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference RDB/29
Draft for comment 88/10734 DC

ISBN 0 580 17539 1

 BS 6571-1:1989

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 General requirements 1
4 Colour of equipment 2
5 Marking 2
6 Information and instruction plates 2
7 General construction 2
8 Environmental conditions 3
9 Visibility of time display and indicators 4
10 Winding of automatic meters 5
11 Operational accuracy 5
12 Excess and penalty indicators 5
13 Type test 5
Appendix A Type test for coin operated clockwork parking meters 6
Figure 1 — Typical layout for single coin operated clockwork
parking meter 3
Figure 2 — Typical examples of instruction and information plates
for on-street use 4
Publications referred to Inside back cover

© BSI 08-1999 i
BS 6571-1:1989

Foreword

This Part of BS 6571 has been prepared under the direction of the Road
Engineering Standards Policy Committee and is a revision of BS 6571-1:1985
which is withdrawn.
In this revision amendments have been made throughout the standard with the
aim of improving the accuracy and performance of the meters. Amendments have
also been necessary to accord with changes in legislation.
Other Parts of this standard are as follows:
— Part 2: Specification for electrically powered parking meters;
— Part 3: Specification for pay and display parking equipment;
— Part 4: Specification for barrier type parking control equipment1);
— Part 5: Guide to the requirements for non-coin operated apparatus for use
with parking control equipment1).
Further Parts are under consideration.
Whilst it is not within the scope of this standard attention is drawn to the
guidance of the Design Council on the aesthetic qualities of street furniture.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

1)
In preparation.

ii © BSI 08-1999

1 Scope
This Part of BS 6571 specifies requirements for the
design, construction and accuracy of coin operated
clockwork parking meters of the automatic or
manual type driven by clockwork mechanisms. It
does not specify the construction material for the
case, nor does it include requirements for corrosion
resistance or vandal resistance.
This standard covers the following types of meter:
a) single, comprising one meter head;
b) double, comprising two separate meter heads
on a common mounting plate;
c) twin, comprising two independent mechanisms
contained in one common housing or case;
d) multiple-head, comprising a number of meter
heads on a common mounting plate.
NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this standard
are listed on the inside back cover.
2 Definitions
For the purposes of this Part of BS 6571, the
following definitions apply.
2.1
accuracy of meter
the relative magnitude of the accumulated
variations in time and mechanical performance of
the parking meter affecting the time and/or flag
indications
2.2
temperature range
the upper and lower limit of temperature, in degrees
Celsius, within which the meter will operate
without exceeding the stated accuracy of meter
2.3
basic period
the period extending from the maximum time point
of the time scale to zero, excluding any portion of the
time scale that may be used for excess or penalty
purposes
2.4
total period
the basic period plus the time periods used for
excess and penalty purposes, as appropriate
2.5
coin acceptance
a function involving the correct operation of the
meter as a result of the insertion of a valid coin or
coins
© BSI 08-1999
BS 6571-1:1989
2.6
valid coin
any coin issued by the Royal Mint for use in the
United Kingdom of a denomination approved by the
operator
NOTE The permissible degree of wear can be up to 0.2 mm
below the minimum minted diameter of the coin.
2.7
automatic type
a meter that is actuated by the insertion of a valid
coin
2.8
manual type
a meter that, upon insertion of a valid coin, requires
additional energy via a lever or handle before
actuation is completed
3 General requirements
3.1 Types
The parking meter shall be of the automatic or
manual type and shall be driven by a clockwork
mechanism.
3.2 Mechanism
The parking meter shall contain a mechanism that,
after the insertion in the meter of a valid coin or
coins for the amount of the initial charge, shall, in
conjunction with the time scale and pointer indicate
that the charge has been paid.
Any unexpired time within the basic period shall be
indicated on a graduated time scale to a resolution
of at least 10 min. Any accumulated time within the
excess or penalty periods shall be indicated on a
graduated time scale to a resolution of at
least 20 min. The meter shall be capable of being set
to indicate at least 1 h excess time and at least 1 h
penalty time.
Each mechanism shall bear a serial number for
identification.
3.3 Mounting
The parking meter shall be so constructed that it is
capable of being mounted on the uppermost part of
a post, the mounting details of which are circular in
section, constructed of a material of not less
than 4.5 mm wall thickness and having an inside
diameter of 51+1–0
mm.
3.4 Mounting height
The meter shall be arranged so that the coin entry
slot(s) is (are) located 1 200 ± 100 mm above the
surrounding ground level.
1
BS 6571-1:1989

4 Colour of equipment j) statement of conditions constituting an offence

with regard to expiry of excess period and
The external casing of the equipment and the
irregular insertion of coins.
mounting pole shall be the same colour.
In all cases where a cluster of meter mechanisms,
The colour shall comply with one of the following
e.g. two meter units in one common case or two or
standard colours of BS 381C: more meters on one pole, serves more than one
631 Light grey parking bay, a large arrow shall be marked in a
226 Middle Brunswick green prominent position to indicate without confusion
106 Royal blue the appropriate coin slot for each meter bay. This
arrow shall have associated with it the words
210 Sky
“Parking this side pay here” and/or a bold symbol of
388 Beige a car, coach or other vehicle as appropriate.
436 Dark camouflage brown 6.3 Figuring and lettering
320 Light brown
Figuring and upper case lettering shall be not less
109 Middle blue than 3 mm X height. Lower case lettering shall be
217 Sea green not less than 2 mm x height. The colour of the
627 Light aircraft grey (or anodized aluminium figuring and lettering shall be in contrast to the
approximately to this colour). background colour of the plate carrying the
information.
5 Marking The maximum stay period figure shall be not less
than 30 mm in height.
The parking meter shall be clearly and indelibly
marked externally with the following information: NOTE The height of the letter “x” or “X” defines the height of
the other characters excluding ascenders and descenders of lower
a) the manufacturer’s name or trade mark; case characters.
b) the number and date of this British Standard, 6.4 Cleaning, resistance to solvents
i.e. BS 6571-1:19892). When tested as described in clause 12 of
BS 873-1:1983, allowing 5 min for drying, no part of
6 Information and instruction plates an instruction or information plate shall show
6.1 Instructions evidence of softening or dissolving of the surface or
any other deleterious effect.
Instructions shall be provided on the meter to
facilitate its correct operation. The lettering shall still be legible at the conclusion
of the test.
6.2 Information
NOTE A typical panel layout is shown in Figure 1 and typical
The following information shall be provided on the examples of instruction and information plates are shown
meter: in Figure 2.

a) maximum parking period; 7 General construction

b) charging rates;
c) types of coin that may be used;
d) charges for, and length of, excess period;
e) the days and times of controlled parking;
f) whether charges are made on Saturdays,
Sundays and Public Holidays, etc.;
g) information as to the use of unexpired time;
h) reference to any other conditions which may
relate to the use of the meter or its associated
parking bay;
i) the name of the operating authority of the
device;
NOTE There are no requirements in this standard for the
construction material of the case, for corrosion resistance or for
vandal resistance, but these factors will generally need to be
considered before the meters are purchased.
7.1 Fixing
The meter shall be capable of being secured on to the
supporting pole from within the meter case so as to
deter tampering.
7.2 Keys, locks and security
Locks shall provide a system of security not less
than that obtained from a multi-tumbler type of
lock.
The key used to operate the mechanism door shall
not allow entry into the coin compartment.

2) Marking BS 6571-1:1989 on or in relation to a product represents a manufacturer’s declaration of conformity, i.e. a claim by or
on behalf of the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of the claim is therefore
solely the responsibility of the person making the claim. Such a declaration is not to be confused with third party certification of
conformity, which may also be desirable.

2 © BSI 08-1999
 BS 6571-1:1989

A type of lock shall be used where keys and blanks

can only be obtained from the manufacturer.
NOTE The precise system of locking is not specified in this
standard but should be agreed between the purchaser and the
manufacturer. In this connection, attention is drawn to the
possible use of selected key systems.
7.3 Windows
Windows shall be manufactured either from
toughened safety glass complying with BS 857 or
from plastics safety glazing material complying
with the properties of categories C or G in clause 4
of BS AU 182:1982.
NOTE The provision of windows allowing the last coin inserted
to be visible may be provided.
7.4 Coin box capacity and slot size
The meter coin box, when fitted into the meter case
and filled via a meter mechanism
with 5p or 10p coins or with these coins in any
combination, shall hold not less than £5 sterling.
NOTE 1 A slave meter mechanism may be used to test this
requirement.
NOTE 2 It is permissible for the size of slot to be set so as to
preclude the entry of undesirable coins.

8 Environmental conditions
8.1 Weathering
The meter shall comply with the requirements for
IPX3 when classified in accordance with
BS 5490:1977.
NOTE This classification relates to the degree of protection
provided by the case and requires that water falling as a spray at
an angle of up to 60° from the vertical has no harmful effect on
the mechanism.
8.2 Temperature
The meter shall comply with this standard over a
temperature range of – 10 °C to + 45 °C
(see clause 13).
8.3 Damp heat
The meter shall comply with this standard at a
relative humidity of 80 % at an ambient
temperature of 45 °C (see clause 13).
8.4 Vibration
The meter shall continue to comply with this
standard after being vibrated over a frequency
range of 10 Hz to 150 Hz at a constant 0.5gn
(see clause 13).
Figure 1 — Typical layout for single coin
operated clockwork parking meter

© BSI 08-1999 3
BS 6571-1:1989

NOTE Precise requirements are to be consistent with parking order regulations.

Figure 2 — Typical examples of instruction and information plates for on-street use

9 Visibility of time display and These requirements shall be assessed from a

indicators
9.1 Visibility of time display
The time display shall be capable of being read with
normal or corrected vision at all light intensities,
measured at the immediately exterior surface of the
meter, between 5 lx and 100 000 lx.
vertical/horizontal sighting position 1.0 m wide and
located between 0.4 m and 1.0 m normal to the
vertical centre line of the display face of the meter
and varying in height from 1.40 m to 1.75 m above
the horizontal ground level.

4 © BSI 08-1999

9.2 Visibility of excess and penalty indicators
The excess and penalty indicators shall be capable
of being read with normal or corrected vision at all
light intensities, measured at the immediately
exterior face of the meter, between 5 lx
and 100 000 lx.
These requirements shall be assessed from a
vertical/horizontal sighting position 8 m wide and
located between 6 m and 10 m normal to the
vertical centre line of the display face of the meter
and varying in height from 1.40 m to 1.75 m above
the horizontal ground level.
10 Winding of automatic meters
The clockwork mechanism shall be capable of
accepting not less than 100 coin insertions or
running for 7 days, whichever occurs sooner,
without the necessity for rewinding.
The winding mechanism shall be constructed so
that, when the meter is being wound, no
instantaneous reversal (lashback) of the mechanism
occurs that is dangerous to personnel.
11 Operational accuracy
11.1 The meter shall be so designed and constructed
that it shall operate accurately for the period
purchased, the excess period and the penalty period
to a tolerance of +3
– 0 %, treating the excess period
and the penalty period as if they were additions to
the basic period.
11.2 The accuracy of the equipment shall be capable
of being checked using an electronic measuring
device to indicate the beat of the escapement by a
digital or paper readout.
11.3 The insertion of any valid coin into the meter
designated on the information plate shall cause not
less than the period of time attributable to the
denomination of that coin to be registered on the
time scale. The full scale up to and including the
amount registered shall be visible. Thereafter the
full unexpired period shall be visible until such
period has expired.
© BSI 08-1999
BS 6571-1:1989
11.4 Whenever the time scale is indicating some
period that is unexpired, the actual time taken for
the indication to become zero shall be neither less
than the period indicated, nor exceed the period by
more than 2 min for each hour of the total period.
11.5 Where free use of unexpired time is permitted,
the time paid for shall be added to the time
remaining on the display unless by so doing the
purchased time aggregate would exceed the
maximum permitted stay, in which case the
maximum stay shall be displayed.
12 Excess and penalty indicators
12.1 The indicators shall appear at the expiry of the
period purchased and at the expiry of the excess
period.
The indicator showing that paid for time has expired
shall be coloured yellow, with the word “EXCESS” in
black.
The indicator showing that the excess period has
expired shall be coloured red, with the word
“PENALTY” in white.
12.2 The full appearance of the relevant indicating
devices shall occur in not less than 30 s, or not more
than 90 s, after the pointer indicates on the
graduated scale the expiry of the respective periods.
13 Type test
The meter shall function correctly and remain
within the limits specified in this Part of BS 6571
when tested as described in Appendix A.
5
BS 6571-1:1989
Appendix A Type test for coin
operated clockwork parking meters
A.1 Performance check
Performance is checked over a period purchased
of 1 h, followed by a 1 h excess period, followed by
a 1 h penalty period.
A performance check verifies the following.
a) The meter will accept payment and display the
correct paid for time.
b) The meter will perform to the timing accuracy
specified in clause 11.
c) The meter will then display excess and penalty
periods as specified in clause 12.
A.2 Order of testing
The meter is tested as follows.
a) Carry out a performance check at ambient
temperature.
6 © BSI 08-1999
b) Place the meter in a chamber and increase the
temperature to 50 °C over a period of not less
than 1 h. Leave at 50 °C for between 20 h
and 24 h. Carry out a performance check
at 50 °C.
c) Subject the meter to damp heat at 40 °C
and 95 % r.h. for 4 h, and immediately carry out
a performance check.
d) Reduce the temperature of the meter to 20 °C
over a period of not more than 1 h. Leave at 20 °C
for a duration of 2 h and then carry out a
performance check.
e) Reduce the temperature of the meter to – 10 °C
over a period of not less than 1 h. Leave at – 10 °C
for between 20 h and 24 h, and then carry out a
performance check at that temperature.
f) Raise the meter to ambient temperature.
g) Vibrate the meter at a constant 0.5gn in three
axes over a frequency range of 10 Hz to 150 Hz at
a sweep rate of 17.5 Hz/min, pausing at major
resonances for 5 min. Carry out a performance
check at the end of the test.
 BS 6571-1:1989

Publications referred to

BS 381C, Specification for colours for identification, coding and special purposes.
BS 857, Specification for safety glass for land transport.
BS 873, Road traffic signs and internally illuminated bollards.
BS 873-1, Methods of test.
BS 5490, Specification for classification of degrees of protection provided by enclosures.
BS 6571, Vehicle parking control equipment.
BS 6571-2, Specification for electrically powered parking meters3).
BS 6571-3, Specification for pay and display equipment3).
BS 6571-4, Specification for barrier type parking control equipment3)4).
BS 6571-5, Guide to the requirements for non-coin operated apparatus for use with parking control
equipment3)4).
BS AU 182, Specification for plastics safety glazing materials for use in road vehicles.

3) Referred to in the foreword only.

4) In preparation.

© BSI 08-1999
BS 6571-1:
1989
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