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Paints and Coatings Executive Committee. —The executive committee examined 16 Canadian Government purchasing standards and 2 American standards, and directed the circulation of those of interest to New Zealand to affected interests for comment. Plumbing Sectional Committee Plumbing By-laws Committee .. .. .. .. Five meetings. Plumbing Supplies Committee .. .. .. .. Three meetings. Plumbing By-laws. —The draft Standard Code of Plumbing and Drainage By-laws has been completed, but is to be placed before a conference of the Plumbing Sectional Committee and the City engineers before it is issued, in order to provide an opportunity for the engineers to discuss the Standard Code with the committee which formulated it, and so become acquainted with the provisions, before it is made available for adoption by local authorities. Plumbing Supplies. —The Plumbing Supplies Committee examined 9 draft British standards, 29 British standards, 1 amendment to a British standard, and 1 draft Australian standard. Of the British standards examined, 10 were found to be unsuitable under New Zealand conditions, 16 were directed to be circulated to affected interests for comment, and 3 were recommended for adoption as New Zealand standard specifications. Taps.—A. draft standard specification for bib, pillar, hose, and globe taps and stop-taps, in sizes from | in. to 1 in., was completed for circulation to affected interests. Resealing Traps.-—Comparative tests are at present being carried out with various types of resealing traps to determine the requirements which should be incorporated in an appropriate standard specification for citation in the Standard Code of Plumbing and Drainage By-laws. Floats for Ball-cocks.—A standard specification is in course of preparation for copper and bakelite floats for ball-cocks, in connection with which practical tests are being carried out to establish the suitability of open-bottom bakelite floats. Electric Hot-water Systems.—Following a request from a metropolitan local authority, a standard specification is being prepared for electric hot-water systems, which will make provision for size and construction of hot-water cylinders and cold-water storagetanks, the quality and efficiency of materials and components, and the design of the system, including the placing of elements, thermostats, inlet, and outlet pipes. Consideration will also be given to the British standards relating to electric water-heaters, recommended practice for the installation of hot-water services, and for copper cylinders. Ceramics Sectional Committee (Two meetings) Sanitary Ware Committee .. .. .. .. .. One meeting. Parent Committee. —In addition to reviewing the work being carried out under its direction, the Parent committee examined 7 draft British standards and 11 British standards. Salt Glazed-ware Pipes.—As a result of comments received, the parent committee approved an amendment to N.Z.S.S. 356, Salt Glazed-ware Pipes. Sanitary Ware Committee. —The Sanitary Ware Committee examined 4 draft British standards and 4 British standards. It also completed original draft New Zealand standard specifications for urinal stalls, lavatory basins, and fireclay sinks for circulation to affected interests. These draft specifications establish minimum requirements for materials, dimensions, construction, and essential design features which affect the utility of this equipment.

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