Brulines claims tests show equipment is 'fit for purpose'

The National Measurement Office (NMO) has ducked claims made by Brulines that tests conducted in government laboratories on its controversial kit render it "fit for purpose".

Brulines, whose equipment is used by large pub operators and brewers to both police the beer tie and assess beer quality at the pumps, said that "the high level of accuracy and repeatability evidenced throughout the testing [by the NMO] confirms that both DMS and i-draught systems are fit for the purpose of draught dispense monitoring operations including the provision of accurate raw data, trend analysis and ultimately providing the operational transparency required to manage draught beer tied compliance".

However Paul Dixon of the NMO, who wrote the report on the testing process, said: "We've given no approval of the systems tested, or commented on its suitability for the purpose for which it is intended.

"We haven't given any opinion on whether the technology is good, bad or indifferent.

"We have just performed a range of tests and reported our findings. Because this technology is not prescribed under legislation there are no error limits. It is for the [pub] industry to determine a reliability measure," he added.

The NMO man said he was aware of the issues behind the technology and the claims being made for and against it.

His job, he added, was to "undertake tests, compile a report and then send it to members of the Business, Innovations and Skills (BIS) Select committee for them to consider".

James Dixon, Brulines' chief executive, admitted there was no "pass or fail" criteria that could be applied in relation to accuracy, however he was happy to say he believed the technology to be fit for purpose.

He added that Brulines was not "trigger happy" when it came to following up situation where there was a wide variance of beers bought and beers dispensed.

"Our engineers are highly qualified, we audit our systems weekly and we don't chase a licensee when the variable is less than three per cent. And when we do look at a case we do so carefully, to see whether it is the pub performing poorly or a licensee buying out.

"There are no accusations at that time."

He said he hoped the NMO report would "draw a line in the sand" surrounding the reliability of the group's equipment, although he acknowledged there would always be people who disputed its findings.

"We have done what we were asked to do by a number of MPs' committees," he added.

Brulines said its DMS flow monitoring system had recorded an error range of -0.71 per cent to +1.71 per cent for keg beer and cider in the NMO tests, and from -5.23 per cent to +3.66 per cent for cask ales.

Meanwhile its i-draught system recorded error ranges of -0.71 per cent to +2.45 per cent for keg beer and cider and from -5.06 per cent to +3.45 per cent for cask ales.

One DMS test contained an error, although this was said to be marginal.

Brulines has been embroiled in controversy with tied tenants ever since it technology was first installed into pub cellars several years ago. Its findings have been used to press home cases of buying outside the beer tie, despite claims the kit was inaccurate.

It was a hot topic at sessions of both the BEC and BIS select committee hearings into the tied pub trade, when claims over its accuracy were sternly challenged by MPs.

The group subsequently voluntarily submitted its equipment for independent testing by the NMO "in order to obtain further objective, independent evidence to reaffirm the robustness of our product".

Because the equipment is not prescribed Brulines paid for the tests to be conducted.

The NMO, an executive agency within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is the government's statutory body responsible for Weights and Measures legislation.

Brulines said it would be issuing an 87-page comprehensive guide to its kit, while the full 65-page NMO report is available on the Brulines website. .