FAQs

What do I do if I don’t know what testing I need?

Our Testing Services page will have the tests we offer organized in a couple of different ways. If you know your fuel type (i.e. diesel or biodiesel) you can look on the “By Fuel Type” page for a listing of tests we offer that apply to your fuel. If you are interested in a general property like cold flow parameters, then you could look on the “By Test Type” page. If you have an issue like a plugged filter or possibly contaminated fuel, it might be best to call us at 877-737-4853 or email at fuels@iowafuellab.com to discuss what testing you may need.

How much sample do I need to send?

Each test listed on the “Testing Services” page will give the needed volume of fuel for that test, usually in millimeters. If you need several tests, add up the total number of millimeters and send at least that amount. A little extra is always helpful in case we need to repeat a test. It’s always better for us to have more than we need rather than having to ask you to ship more sample which will take additional postage and time. Helpful reminder: 1000 milliliters is one liter which is about a quart.

I need my generator fuel tested. What should I do?

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) now requires annual fuel quality testing for standby generators used in nursing homes and hospitals. The NFPA allows some flexibility in how to accomplish this, so we offer several convenient options for you to meet this requirement. See our Generator Packages page for more details (LINK HERE)

What are your certifications?

We are currently certified as a BQ-9000 LAB® under the National Biodiesel Accreditation Program for our biodiesel testing. In addition, we hold a URS ISO 9001:2015 certification that covers all other testing performed in our laboratory.

Can I get a discount?

As a part of Iowa Central Community College, we are able to keep our prices low for our clients. Our operations are self-funded, and we operate on a non-profit basis. As such, we are generally unable to give a discount. We do, however, try to work with student projects (high school or college) to provide the lowest cost possible for educational purposes.

How much does testing cost?

Our “Testing Services” page will have an ala carte list of all our services including the price and volume required for that test. We have several convenient “Package Deals” that offer a substantial savings over the ala carte pricing. These package deals offer full certification testing according to the ASTM Standards, in addition to other commonly asked for test panels.

Can I get RUSH service?

Our standard turnaround goal for typical requests is 3 business days, not including weekends and holidays, from the time we receive your sample. Please be mindful of shipping times as it may take 1 – 3 days (or more) for your sample to arrive at our facility. We offer RUSH service for 2X the listed price if you need results in a hurry. RUSH service will guarantee that your sample goes to the head of the line to ensure faster service. In many cases, depending on the test, we may be able to complete the request the same day we receive the sample. In these situations, we will need to receive the sample by 10:00 AM if we hope to complete it the same day. Some test methods are not able to be completed the same day. In those cases, your sample will still go to the front of the line so that it may be completed as soon as possible. With RUSH service, it is always best to notify us ahead of time so that we can inform you of the anticipated turnaround time and be on the lookout for your sample’s arrival. This is especially important around weekends and holidays so we can plan accordingly.

What if you don’t have a test that I need. Do you outsource?

We work with several outsourced laboratories to handle testing that we are not able to perform in-house. We will gladly handle any outsourcing needs for you. Please keep in mind that the prices and turnaround times are set by the outsourced lab and not us. We will charge a small fee to cover shipping and handling to get your sample to the outsourced lab. In some cases, especially if RUSH service is needed, we may coordinate with you to have you ship your sample to the outsourced lab directly to save time.

I don’t understand my results. What do I do?

What do all those numbers mean? For tests that are required under the ASTM Standards, your results will show a value and then a Pass or Fail to show if it meets the ASTM requirement. For other tests that are not part of the official Standard, your results will show a value and “Report” to indicate that we are just reporting the value. For atypical work including chromatography, you may receive graphs (chromatograms) and a summary. All of these can be confusing to someone who is not familiar with the tests and methodologies. We strongly suggest you give us a call so that one of our staff can discuss your results and answer any questions you may have, free of charge.

What is your turnaround?

Do we use Fahrenheit or Celsius?

All of our reported temperatures (cloud point, plug point, pour point, distillation, flash point) follow the ASTM Standards reporting format and will be in Celsius. Online calculators can conveniently convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit. If you need results reported in Fahrenheit, please call or email to discuss.

What if I have a PO number?

If you have a PO number, please provide that number at the time you place your order. This will greatly facilitate our billing process and will help minimize any delays in sending you our invoice. If you have any questions regarding billing, please call 877-737-4853 or email fuels@iowacentral.edu. Please note that this email is different than our general inquiries email at fuels@iowafuellab.com.

How do I pay for services?

In most cases, we will complete your order and issue your results. If you are satisfied that no further testing is required, we will then invoice you for the total amount. Payment can be made by check, ACH, or credit card (please call 877-737-4853 for credit card payments). If you have any questions regarding billing, please call or email fuels@iowacentral.edu. Please note that this email is different than our general inquiries email at fuels@iowafuellab.com.

How do I ship samples to you?

In most cases, samples can be easily shipped to our facility, but there are some considerations to be aware of. Diesel, biodiesel, glycerin, feedstocks, filters and the like can be shipped ground without any special packaging considerations. We ask that all samples be bagged or double bagged for secondary containment purposes (in case they leak; zip-loc type bags are usually effective and convenient). We also ask that samples are very tightly packed with lots of stuffing to prevent breakage. Half quart and one quart Mason jars are very convenient for shipping samples, but please be sure they are very well cushioned to prevent breakage. Ethanol and gasoline samples can be shipped ground with a maximum volume of one liter per individual box and they must display the black and white hazard diamond (LINK TO EXAMPLE?). For sample bottles, glass works well because it is inert, and various plastic bottles will work but some samples can be corrosive depending on the type of plastic. Aluminum bottles also work well. We have shipping kits for purchase containing aluminum bottles; call 877-737-4853 or email fuels@iowafuellab.com for inquiry (LINK TO SHIPPING KITS). Our business address is listed on the “Contact Us” page (LINK)

Do you have shipping kits I can purchase?

You can purchase shipping kits from us. Please call or email to discuss what size, how many, and other details. Our shipping kits include an aluminum bottle, packing material, and return postage back to our facility. The standard kit price is $40 for a one-liter bottle kit including return postage, but call 877-737-4853 or email fuels@iowafuellab.com to discuss other options available.

I have a result that I’m questioning. Can I get a re-test?

Occasionally you may receive a test result that was not expected. We generally offer to do a re-test to confirm the value free of charge, but we may charge extra for excessive re-tests or if a re-test is requested as RUSH service. If a re-test value is found to be within our laboratory precision for that test, the value will be reported on the COA as the average of the two values and stated in a footnote. If the re-test value is outside our laboratory precision for that test, additional testing will be performed to determine the correct value which will then replace the original value on the COA.

What are your business hours?

We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We are closed weekends and most major holidays. The College has additional break days over the winter and spring break periods; laboratory staffing may be reduced during these additional breaks. We will send email notifications of hours and closures as appropriate and will post information on the website as well.

Are you open on holidays and weekends?

We are closed weekends and most major holidays. The College has additional break days over the winter and spring break periods; laboratory staffing may be reduced during these additional breaks. We will send email notifications of hours and closures as appropriate and will post information on the website as well.

Can I drop off a sample in person?

You may drop off samples in person at our facility located at 1310 A Street West in Fort Dodge, Iowa, during normal business hours. If you have a sample to drop off after hours, please call Campus Security at 515-574-1000 and make arrangements to meet with them. They will take your sample and bring it to our facility.

Do you travel on-site to pull samples?

Unfortunately, we are not equipped to pull samples on-site. If you are pulling your own sample, it will be very helpful to describe where the sample is being taken, i.e. top of bulk tank, bottom of bulk tank, from fuel line, drained from vehicle tank, etc.

Do you keep samples after testing and for how long?

We have a 60-day minimum sample retain policy. After this period, the samples will be properly disposed of. If you ever need your sample back, or if you would like to have us keep the sample for longer, just call us at 877-737-4853 or email us at fuels@iowafuellab.com to make arrangements. We do not charge for sample retention and disposal.

Do you test other things besides fuel?

We test many things related to the fuels industry. Some of the other materials we handle include crude glycerin from biodiesel refining, biodiesel feedstocks including fats and oils, and vehicle filters that may have plugged up. We can also help with small studies or projects such as additive testing for cold flow effectiveness. If you are wondering if we can test it, just ask!

Do you test jet fuel?

We are currently gearing up to offer the ASTM D1655 Standard Specification for aviation turbine fuels.

Do you test racing fuel?

We are able to test some parameters for racing fuel, but it might be best to call us at 877-737-4853 or email us at fuels@iowafuellab.com with your specific needs.

Do you test aviation gasoline?

We are able to test some parameters for aviation gasoline, but it might be best to call us at 877-737-4853 or email us at fuels@iowafuellab.com with your specific needs.

Do you use Iowa Central Community College students in the testing laboratory?

The Iowa Central Fuel Testing Laboratory offers professional services to the fuels industry. While we pride ourselves on being a part of the educational environment, we do not employ students in the laboratory due to our accreditations and training requirements. We only have trained professionals performing the testing procedures.

Where is the laboratory located?

The Iowa Central Fuel Testing Laboratory is located in a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility on Highway 169 across from the main campus. Parking is on the west side of the building. You will need to exit 169 at the lights and take the short service road. Our street address is 1310 A Street West, Fort Dodge, Iowa, 50501.