The proprietor of a distilled spirits plant must ensure that all tanks on the premises used to hold spirits, denatured spirits, or wines are:

(a) Used for the purpose listed on the application and plant registration;

(b) Equipped with accurate means for measuring their contents. If the means for measurement is not a permanent fixture on the tank, the proprietor must equip the tank with a fixed device for measuring the contents. However, tanks having a capacity of less than 101 gallons are not required to have permanent gauge devices;

(c) Accurately calibrated if used for any of the gauges described in this part. Further, if tanks or their gauging devices are moved in any manner subsequent to original calibration, the tanks shall not be used until recalibrated;

(d) Accessible through walkways, landings, and stairs that permit access to all parts of the tank;

(e) Equipped or situated so that they may be locked or secured; and

(f) Constructed to prevent access to the spirits or wines through vents, flame arresters or other safety devices.

(26 U.S.C. 5006, 5204, 5505)

(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, if the proprietor uses a tank to determine the distilled spirits tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5001, the tank must be mounted on scales and the contents of the tank must be determined by weight. The scale tank also must be equipped with a suitable device so that the volume of the contents can be quickly and accurately determined.

(b) The requirement to mount tanks on scales does not apply to tanks having a capacity of 55 gallons or less. Such tanks may be moved onto an accurately calibrated scale when a tax determination gauge needs to be made.

(26 U.S.C. 5006, 5204, 5505)

(a) The beams or dials on scale tanks used for tax determination must have minimum graduations not greater than the following:

(b) For scales having a capacity greater than 2,000 pounds, the minimum quantity which may be entered onto the weighing tank scale for gauging for tax determination will be the greater of:

(1) 1,000 times the minimum graduation of the scale, or

(2) 5 percent of the total capacity of the weighing tank scale.

(c) The weighing of lesser quantities for determination of tax may be authorized by the appropriate TTB officer where the beam of the scale is calibrated in 1/2 pound or 1 pound graduations and it is found by actual test that the scales are accurate at each graduation.

(d) Lots of spirits weighing 1,000 pounds or less shall be weighed on scales having 1/2 pound graduations.

(26 U.S.C. 5006, 5204, 5505)

(a) A proprietor who uses a scale tank for tax determination must ensure the accuracy of the scale through periodic testing. Testing of the scale must be conducted at least every 6 months and whenever the scale is adjusted or repaired.

(b) A proprietor also must test, at least once a month, the gallonage represented to be in a scale tank against the gallonage indicated by volumetric determination of the contents of the tank. However, if the scale is not used during a month, it is only necessary to verify against the volumetric determination when the scale is next used. The proprietor must make the volumetric determination in accordance part 30 of this chapter. If the variation exceeds 0.5 percent of the quantity shown in the tank, the proprietor must take appropriate action to verify the accuracy of the scale.

(c) If the appropriate TTB officer determines that a scale may be inaccurate, the proprietor must test the accuracy of the scale.

(26 U.S.C. 5006, 5204, 5505)

The proprietor of a distilled spirits plant must apply certain construction, equipment, and security standards at the plant. These standards are intended to ensure the protection of untaxed spirits at the plant and to ensure proper measurement and accountability for products on bonded premises. This subpart prescribes those standards.

(26 U.S.C. 5178)

Proprietors must ensure that scales used to weigh packages are tested at least every 6 months and whenever they are adjusted or repaired. However, if a scale is not used during a 6-month period, it is only necessary to test the scale prior to its next use. Scales used to weigh packages that hold 10 wine gallons or less must indicate weight in ounces or hundredths of a pound.

(26 U.S.C. 5204)

All pipelines, including flexible hoses, that are used to transfer spirits, denatured spirits, articles, and wines must be constructed, arranged, and secured so as to ensure protection of the revenue and permit ready examination. The appropriate TTB officer may approve pipelines that cannot be readily examined if they pose no jeopardy to the revenue.

(26 U.S.C. 5178)

(a) General. A proprietor of a distilled spirits plant must have accurate instruments and equipment at the plant for determining the proof and volume of spirits.

(b) Instruments. The hydrometers and thermometers that a proprietor uses to gauge spirits must show subdivisions or graduations of proof and temperature as specified in part 30 of this chapter. Proprietors must frequently test their hydrometers and thermometers to ensure their accuracy. If an instrument appears to be in error, the proprietor may not use the instrument until it is tested and certified as accurate by the manufacturer or another qualified person.

(c) Meters. A proprietor may use an accurate mass flow meter to measure the volume of bulk spirits. A mass flow meter used for tax determination of bulk spirits must be certified by the manufacturer or other qualified person as accurate within a tolerance of plus or minus 0.1 percent. A mass flow meter used for all other required gauges of bulk spirits must be certified by the manufacturer or other qualified person as accurate within a tolerance of plus or minus 0.5 percent. The proprietor must make corrections for the temperature of the spirits being measured in conjunction with the volumetric measurement of spirits by mass flow meter. The proprietor must also test mass flow meters at least every 6 months to ensure that they are accurate within the required tolerances.

(26 U.S.C. 5204)

(a) Buildings. The proprietor must mark each building at a distilled spirits plant where spirits, denatured spirits, articles, wine, or distilling or fermenting materials are kept with a distinguishing number or letter.

(b) Tanks. The proprietor must mark each tank or receptacle for spirits, denatured spirits, or wine to show a unique serial number and capacity.

(c) Stills. The proprietor must number and mark to show the use of each still, fermenter, cooker, and yeast tank.

(d) Other major equipment. The proprietor must identify the use of all other major equipment used for processing or containing spirits, denatured spirits, wine, distilling or fermenting material, and all other tanks, unless the intended purpose is readily apparent.

(26 U.S.C. 5178)

(a) When required by the appropriate TTB officer, the proprietor must provide a secure cabinet equipped for locking for use by TTB.

(b) If one or more TTB officers are assigned to a distilled spirits plant to supervise operations on a continuing basis, the proprietor must provide a suitable office at the plant for the exclusive use of the TTB officers in performing their duties. The appropriate TTB officer will determine if the office facilities are suitable.

(26 U.S.C. 5178)

The proprietor must place and keep a conspicuous sign on the outside of the place of business showing the name of the proprietor and the business, or businesses, in which engaged.

(26 U.S.C. 5180)

(a) General. The proprietor of a distilled spirits plant must provide adequate security measures at the plant in order to protect the revenue.

(b) Buildings. The buildings, rooms, and partitions must be constructed of substantial materials. Doors, windows, or any other openings to the building must be secured or fastened during times when distilled spirits plant operations are not being conducted.

(c) Outdoor tanks. Outdoor tanks containing spirits, denatured spirits, or wine must be individually locked or locked within an enclosure when they are not in use.

(d) Indoor tanks. Indoor tanks containing spirits, denatured spirits, or wines, or the rooms or buildings in which such tanks are housed, must be equipped so that they may be secured.

(e) Approved locks. Locks meeting the specifications prescribed in paragraph (f) of this section must be used to secure:

(1) Outdoor tanks used to store spirits, or an enclosure around such tanks;

(2) Indoor tanks used to store spirits, or the door from which access may be gained from the outside to the rooms or buildings in which such tanks are housed; and

(3) Any doors from which access may be gained from the outside to rooms or buildings containing spirits stored in portable bulk containers.

(f) Specifications for locks. Locks meeting the specifications in this section or other locks that have been approved for use by the appropriate TTB officer are approved locks for the purpose of 26 U.S.C. 5682.

(1) General. The following are the specifications for approved locks:

(i) A corresponding serial number on the lock and on the key, except for master key locking systems;

(ii) A case hardened shackle at least one-fourth inch in diameter, with heel and toe locking;

(iii) A body width of at least 2 inches;

(iv) A captured key feature (the key may not be removed while the shackle is unlocked);

(v) A tumbler with at least 5 pins; and

(vi) A lock and key containing no bitting data.

(2) Other approved locks. If the proprietor wishes to use locks of an unusual design, which do not meet the specifications in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, the proprietor must submit an example or prototype of the lock to the appropriate TTB officer, with a request that the lock be approved for use. The appropriate TTB officer will evaluate the lock and determine whether the lock should be approved for use.

(3) Master key systems. Master key locking systems using approved locks may be used at the option of the proprietor.

(g) Additional security. Whenever the appropriate TTB officer finds that construction, arrangement, equipment, or protection is inadequate, additional security (such as fences, flood lights, alarm systems, and guard services) must be provided or changes in construction, arrangement, or equipment must be made to the extent necessary to protect the revenue.

(26 U.S.C. 5178, 5202)

TTB may assign TTB officers to a distilled spirits plant and utilize controls, such as Government locks, if TTB determines that such measures are necessary to effectively supervise operations at the plant. The proprietor may not remove such Government locks without the authorization of the appropriate TTB officer, except when a person or property is in imminent danger from a disaster or other emergency. If the proprietor must remove Government locks under such circumstances, the proprietor must ensure that security measures are taken to prevent illegal removal of spirits. In addition, the proprietor must notify the appropriate TTB officer as soon as possible of the action taken and within 5 days of removing the locks submit a written report describing the emergency and the action taken.

(26 U.S.C. 5202)