H.—44A

Four draft British and Australian Standard Specifications were examined and comments furnished. As most of the paint ingredients are now covered by Now Zealand Standard Specifications, the committee has commenced to investigate the position of ready-mixed paints. As an initial step, the private specifications of larger users are being examined to ascertain the extent to which it is possible to supersede these by national specifications. The committee has been active in supporting research into such paint problems as the drying efficiencies of the different driers and the quality of the white lead marketed. 11. Building Code Committee. Charged with the responsibility of preparing a National Building Code, the above committee has undertaken a task of some magnitude. The Municipal Association of New Zealand, Inc., has closely identified itself with the work, for the code is being drafted in a form suitable to enable its various parts to be incorporated in the by-laws of local authorities. In this way it is hoped, as far as building construction is concerned, to introduce gradually uniform and adequate by-laws throughout the Dominion. There has been an encouraging response in respect of the six parts of the code issued during the year. The City Councils and the Councils of the principal boroughs liavo intimated that the Parts I-VI will be written into their existing by-laws. Building Code Technical Sub-committee.—N.Z.S.S. 95, New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws —Parts I-IV, Basic Requirements for Building Construction; and Parts V-VI, Reinforced and Plain Concrete Construction, and Panel Walls in Framed Structures—have been issued. A further part —Steelwork —which will also provide for welding as an alternative to riveting or bolting, is nearing completion. There remain but two sections of the previous Standard Model Building By-law, issued in 1935, to be revised—namely, Masonry Buildings of Bearing Wall Construction, and Chimneys. Structural Welding Sub-committee—A part of the National Building Code to cover the application (workmanship) of metallic arc welding to building construction was prepared and circulated for comment in draft form. This draft has been the subject of overseas commendatory reference. Another draft New Zealand Standard Specification for Electrodes for Metallic Arc Welding in Mildsteel Construction, intended for use in connection with the Welding Code, is also under circulation. The issue of specifications for machines and equipment will complete the programme of work of this sub-committee. _ . Fire-prevention Sub-committee. —On the Bth September this sub-committee completed the diart Part XlV—Means of Egress—of the New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws. The clauses cover all types of exits from buildings, which includes factories, commercial houses, retail stores, hotels, public institutions, theatres, &c., and they provide for all matters concerning construction, design, alteration, repair, allocation, and maintenance of such exits. Further provisions to be developed by this sub-committee are to cover fire-prevention in respect of building construction, as well as fireprevention generally. _ Indoor Fire-prevention Equipment Panel.—This panel was set up for the purpose ot developing standard specifications for indoor fire-fighting appliances, and rules or codes covering the installation of such appliances. At the first meeting of the panel a programme of work was decided upon, and subsequently it proceeded to develop a Standard Code of Practice for the Installation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems. Reference is made to various English and American publications on the subject,, and the code will embrace not only the ordinary type of sprinkler, but also systems such as the multijet drencher and types used for the protection of electrical equipment. Although the work is being approached expeditiously, it is anticipated that this project will engage the attention of the panel for at least twelve months. The code will probably be comprised of nine or ten parts, the first of which has already been completed in draft. Further specifications to be developed by the panel will cover Fire-resisting doors: Wired glass: Indoor fire hydrants: Fire-hose couplings: Fire-hose: Fire-hose branches and nozzles. Flats and Apartment-house By-laws Sub-committee. —Another part of the National Building Code, prescribing general conditions for residential buildings, fiats, and apartment-houses, awaits the disposal of a few outstanding points before it will be released by the sub-committee m the final form. Trade Headings Sub-committee— The preparation of a New Zealand Standard Specification to establish a standard sequence of trade headings and specification items for building-work has the approval of the building industry. Its issue will do much to faciliate reference to works specifications and assist in the elimination of misunderstandings. 12. Town-planning Committee. In order that local authorities preparing town-planning schemes under the provisions of the Townplanning Act, 1926, may have a set of clauses for their guidance, a revision of the 1 rovisional Code of Clauses (N.Z.S.S. 181p), issued in March, 1939, has just been undertaken, lhe Department of Internal Affairs is closely associated with the work in an endeavour to produce a satisfactory code. It is not intended that the code should establish clauses for universal application, for conditions vary from town to town, but its issue is designed to assist local authorities without in any way infringing their discretion.

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