H—44A

Steelwork. —As stated in the last report, the more pressing demands of other work have necessitated that the steelwork part of the Standard Code of Building By-laws and the related Code of Practice for the Workmanship of Metal Arc Welding be held in abeyance for some time. Towards the end of the year, however, some attention' was given to both these projects, with the result that the final editing of both codes is well advanced, and it is hoped to issue them concurrently with the Masonry Code referred to above. Fire-resistance. —Further progress has been made with the formulation of a standard specification for fire doors and windows. Preliminary work has also been carried out in connection with the preparation of a standard schedule of fire-resistance ratings for building materials and methods of construction, and this project will be proceeded with as soon as necessary testing equipment is available. Measurement of Buildings.—The committee set up to formulate a standard method of measurement for building work has continued with this project, and has completed draft proposals for the following sections Preliminary and General Requirements. Excavation. Demolition. Piling. Concreting. Structural Steelwork. These six sections have been approved by the committee for circulation to affected interests for comment, so that these comments may be obtained while the committee iscontinuing with the drafting of the remaining sections. Experience during the drafting of the first sections has confirmed the statement appearing in the last report concerning the advantages which will accrue from the adoption of a uniform method of measurement which will eliminate confusion and conflict. Plumbing Sectional Committee Plumbing By-laws Committee .. .. .. .. Fifteen meetings. Plumbing Supplies Committee .. .. .. .. Two meetings. Plumbing By-laws.—Under the segis of the Plumbing Sectional Committee, the Plumbing By-laws Committee has continued with its review of the draft Standard Code of Plumbing and Drainage By-laws in the light of extensive comments received from affected interests. The committee has now considered eighty-two pages of comments, from over four hundred affected interests to whom the draft code was circulated,, and is proceeding with the final editing of the proposed code, which should be ready for issue during the ensuing year. The formulation of this Standard Code has been a major undertaking, involving an examination of all existing by-laws of local authorities, and of the Drainage and Plumbing Regulations administered by the Health Department, with the object of incorporating the most suitable provisions from these and variousother sources into one comprehensive co-ordinated code of plumbing by-laws based upon the most modern practice, suitable for use in New Zealand. The Health Department has indicated that the Standard Code, when issued, will replace its present Drainage and Plumbing Regulations. It is anticipated that local authorities will also take advantage of the code. Regulatory authorities will thus benefit from the consensus of competent knowledge and experience which the code embodies, while architects, tradesmen, and property-owners will all be assisted by the knowledge that the same requirements apply throughout the country. By avoiding the necessity of stock to supply material and equipment to a multiplicity of specifications for one and the same purpose, each only immaterially different, manufacturing and distribution costs will be correspondingly reduced. By so eliminating the need to manufacture, plan, and work to different requirements in respect of each authority the code will yield substantial cumulative economies to the country.

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