H.—44a,

In association with this work, the following British Standard Specifications have been examined and have been recommended for adoption as New Zealand Standards which can be cited in this part of the Standard Code :— B.S.S. 15-1936 Structural Steel for Bridges, &c., and General Building Construction. 275-1927 Dimensions of Rivets. 548-1934 High Tensile Structural Steel for Bridges, &c., and General Building Construction. The sub-committee has also given attention to the revision of Section IV, Masonry Buildings of Bearing Wall Construction, of the original Model Building By-law, Sections 1-X, but as yet this work has not progressed beyond the initial stages. In addition, the sub-committee has decided to prepare standard provisions in respect of lubricants, water-proofing substances, and colouring materials used in concrete. Structural Welding Sub-committee. —This sub-committee has completed its consideration of the comments made by the interested parties upon the draft proposals for Part VII, The Application of Metallic Arc Welding to Building Construction, of the New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws. This part of the Standard Code has now to be formally approved by the sub-committee and subjected to legal scrutiny before it is forwarded to the Standards Council as being suitable for adoption as a New Zealand Standard. Fire-prevention Sub-committee.—This sub-committee has made good progress with its consideration of the comments offered by the interested parties upon the draft proposals for Part XIV, Means of Egress, of the New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws, which will deal with the design, construction, and maintenance of exits from all types of buildings. As this is the first time that detailed by-law requirements in respect of this matter have been prepared in New Zealand, this work has entailed a considerable amount of careful investigation at all stages. The sub-committee has, however, now reached agreement upon the basic principles which should be adopted, and is thus able to proceed with the drafting of the detailed provisions. Preliminary attention has also been given to the preparation of Part XIII,. Fire-resisting Construction, of the New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws and to the formulation of a New Zealand Standard Fire-prevention By-law. Indoor Fire-prevention Equipment Panel. —This panel has been engaged in developing a New Zealand Standard Code of Practice for the Installation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems, which it is intended will deal with such matters as the method to be adopted in preparing buildings for the installation of sprinkler systems ; the minimum requirements acceptable for various sources of watersupply that may be used for such systems ; the general arrangement and the sizes of valves, fittings, and pipes ; the location and spacing of the sprinkler heads ; alarm systems ; fire-engine connections ; drencher systems ; multi-jet systems ; and special systems. When this work has been completed the panel will turn its attention to the formulation of standards for fire-resisting doors, wired glasses, indoor fire-hydrants, fire-hose couplings, and fire-hose. Flats and Apartment House By-laws Sub-committee.—This sub-committee has completed its consideration of the comments offered by the interested parties upon the draft proposals for Part XV, Residential Buildings, of the New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws. These draft proposals 'originally included provisions in respect of the licensing and control of boardinghouses, which are considered to be an essential contribution towards the prevention of undesirable living-conditions and the elimination of unnecessary fire hazards. As these latter provisions would require legislation to be enacted, and as the licensing and control of boardinghouses and the design and construction of residential buildings are two entirely different matters, the sub-committee has decided that the original draft proposals should be divided into two parts of the New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws as follows : — Part XV : Residential Buildings: Part XVI: Licensing and Control of Boardinghouses and Similar Premises. In. each case the draft proposals have now to be formally approved by the sub-committee and subjected to legal scrutiny before they are forwarded to the Standards Council as being suitable for adoption as a New Zealand Standard. Trade Headings Sub-committee.—This sub-committee has completed the preparation of a draft New Zealand Standard Sequence of Trade Headings and Specification Items for Building Work, which has been circulated to the interested parties for review and comment. This proposed New Zealand Standard is designed to promote uniformity in the arrangement and presentation of architects' specifications for building work generally. Town-planning Committee. (Five meetings.) Town Planning Subcommittee .. .. .. .. 1 meeting. Parent Committee.—This committee has revised the provisional New Zealand Standard Code of Clauses for Town Planning Schemes (N.Z.S.S. 181P) promulgated in March, 1939, in the light of comments which have been made thereon since the date of issue. The revised provisions have now been published as the New Zealand Standard Code of Clauses for Town Planning Schemes (N.Z.S.S. 181), which forms a reliable and authoritative guide for town-planning authorities and others interested in town-planning schemes. Town-planning Sub-committee.—The special sub-committee set up by the Town-planning Committee gave detailed consideration to the question of the courts necessary to provide adequate light and ventilation in buildings, and made recommendations in connection therewith to the main committee.

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