Standardisation

Press, Volume C, Issue 29620, 16 September 1961, Page 10

Standardisation

Its annual report shows that the Standards Council provides valuable services for which there are increasing demands. As the report observes, the work of the Standards Institute (the executive body) on the model building by-law is a good example of service for the national interest In the absence of a standard, each local authority would have to formulate its own building by-laws, which would mean duplicating the services of architects, engineers, builders, and other experts. During last year, revision of the model building by-law occupied the attention of 59 committee meetings; and a special conference of city engineers was held to consider the details of the rearrangement and the form of publication. When the revision is published (it is expected early in 1962) everyone concerned with building will be helped. In addition to making legal requirements clear, the model building by-law will help to reduce the range of builders’ essential materials that need to be made and stocked. Standardisation work was carried on during the year in ceramics, electrical products, cement, plywood, asbestos cement, land drainage, safety standards, fireresisting construction, and means of egress. Later this year, for the first time, a New Zealand standard will become legally binding. The Electrical Wiring Regulations, 1961, which will come into force on December 1, lay down the general rule that all electrical apparatus and material used in an electrical installation must comply with the appropriate New Zealand standard specification. The institute is preparing for the additional work these new regulations will entail, notably in the laboratories, where apparatus will be tested as part of the work of enforcing the regulations. Standardisation procedure in New Zealand can fairly be said to represent democracy at work; the basic principle of the council is that a consensus must be reached of those substantially concerned with any proposed standard specification. In addition to the wide domestic representation on the council, the experience of other countries is brought to bear on New Zealand problems through the exchange (£

information available from the International Organisation for Standardisation. It is regrettable to notice in the report of the New Zealand body complaints that the staff is inadequate for the work, having declined from 59 in March, 1947, to 33 last December. Fortunately provision has been made in the latest Estimates for a substantially | increased vote for standardisation.