H.—34A.

In addition to the development of original New Zealand standards, the Plumbing Supplies Sub-committee has examined three draft and six standard specifications issued by standards organizations in other parts of the Empire. Of these, the three drafts have been deferred pending the receipt of the appropriate standards ; British Standard Specification 766-1938 —Bafflers or Draught Diverters on Gas Appliances, including recommendations for Flue Terminals —has been recommended as suitable for adoption as a New Zealand standard ; two have been found unsuitable for New Zealand conditions ; and three are still under consideration. At its inaugural meeting, the Plumbing By-laws Sub-committee reviewed the scope of its essential activities. A programme of work was drawn up which will be proceeded with upon the receipt of certain information now in the course of preparation. Timber Committee (Two Meetings). This committee has been responsible for the development of the following two original New Zealand standard specifications : — N.Z.S.S. 168 New South Wales Desapped and Dressed Desapped Hardwood Poles. N.Z.S.S. 169 Classification and Grading of New Zealand Building Timber (National Grading Rules). Since these specifications were issued they have been readily adopted by the timber industry to an extent that gives every indication that the activities of this committee can be extended to very definite advantage. Six draft and four standard specifications from overseas bodies have been referred to this committee. Two of the drafts have been found to have no application in New Zealand, while the remaining four drafts and the four standards are still under consideration. Paints and Coatings Committee (Four Meetings). This committee has adopted the policy of giving consideration to the adoption of specifications for base materials for paints before turning its attention to the more complex question of a specification for mixed paints. It has examined in detail the specifications for base materials issued by the British Standards Institution and the Standards Association of Australia, and has recommended the adoption of three draft and the ten standard specifications set out hereunder, while five drafts and seven standard specifications examined were considered to be of interest to New Zealand. With the completion of the work on paint materials consideration will be given to specifications for ready-mixed paints. The following British standard specifications have been recommended as suitable for adoption as New Zealand standards 239-1935 White Pigments for Paints. 255-1938 Extenders for Paints. 282-1938 Lead Chromes and Zinc Chromes for Paints. 283-1938 Prussian Blue for Paints. 284-1937 Black (Carbon) Pigments for Paints. 296-1935 Lithopone. 303-1935 Green Pigments for Paints. 314-1938 Ultramarine Blue for Paints. 320-1938 Vermilion and Red Pigments for Paints. 370-1938 Venetian Red for Paints. Other than Timber Building Code Committee (Two Meetings). Technical Sub-committee .. .. .. .. 17 meetings. Structural Welding Sub-committee .. .. .. 2 meetings. The parent committee has held two meetings. At the first the proposals of the Technical Sub-committee for the revision of Sections I to 111 of the Model Building By-law (N.Z.S.S. 95) were examined in detail, while at the second (which was held in conjunction with the Building Divisional Council) the whole of the revised Parts I to VI were reviewed and approved for publication. The Technical Sub-committee has pursued a very active programme in its revision of N.Z.S.S. 95. Having completely revised Sections I, 11, 111, V, and VI, it is now undertaking a revision of Section VII— Steel Work. It has under consideration, also, the question of developing a standard specification for timber connectors. The Structural Welding Sub-committee is proceeding with the preparation of a comprehensive Model Code for Welding, which will include provisions under the following headings : — Material and equipment: Machines and equipment: Design practice : Workmanship and inspection. Flats and Apartment-house By-laws Committee (Twelve Meetings). A section of the Standard Code of Model By-laws prescribing general conditions for residential buildings (flats and apartment-houses) has been finalized in draft form, and is now in the process of circulation to affected interests for review before it is finally issued as part of the Model Building By-law.

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