In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fluid dispensing system having a storage tank (12) and a piping system (36) having a maximum output flow rate threshold. The system includes a dispenser (32) configured to dispense fluid from the fluid dispensing system during a dispensing time interval, a metering device (FRM) in fluid communication with piping system, the metering device configured to measure a plurality of sample flow rates over time in response to fluid passing through the metering device, a gauge (20) for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during the dispensing time interval and a processor (72) for executing a monitoring application which generates an alert within a substantially real-time period in response to an event of interest, the monitoring application comparing the maximum output flow rate threshold to the plurality of sample flow rates over time to generate the alert when one of the sample flow rates exceeds the maximum output flow rate threshold.