oil gauging tape

Oil gauging tape with plumb bob, 1950-59. Used by the North-West branch of the National Industrial Fuel Efficiency Service (NIFES). Made by J Chesterman, Sheffield. This gauging tape measures up to 30 ft.

The fuel economy of the UK changed dramatically between the 1930s and 1940s. An excess of domestic fuel production in the 1930s became a serious deficiency by the late 1940s.

The government nationalised the fuel industry with the Electricity Act of 1947. It merged over 600 individual companies into 12 area boards. The National Industrial Fuel Efficiency Service (NIFES) was established in 1953 to advise on fuel efficiency for users and producers.

NIFES engineers performed energy audits and surveys, emissions testing, provided efficiency advice and delivered training courses. Today NIFES still supplies clients with independent energy related consultancy.

“NW 999” stamped on the handle of the winding mechanism shows this instrument was listed on the instrument room’s inventory. Engineers requested instruments for each job and took them out in NIFES vans. NIFES Northwest division was based on Oxford Road in Manchester then moved out to Altrincham.