H—44a

TECHNOLOGICAL STANDARDIZATION Civil Engineering Sectional Committee (One meeting) Household Septic Tanks Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Parent Committee. —In addition to reviewing the work being carried out under its -direction, this committee examined 6 draft British, standards, 5 British standards, and 4 amendments to British standards which had been adopted as New Zealand standard specifications. In each case it directed circulation to affected interests and the other action necessary to determine the suitability of the specifications for adoption in this country. Three of the amendments were recommended for incorporation in the corresponding New Zealand standard specifications. Household Septic Tanks.—At the direction of the parent committee, the proposed standard specification for household septic tanks was recast to incorporate general design, construction, and performance requirements, rather than specifications of particular types of tanks. The standard specification, when issued, will, however, include •an appendix which will give details of types of tanks known to meet the general re•quirements incorporated in the specification itself. In this way, when cited in the proposed standard code of plumbing and drainage by-laws, it will ensure that such tanks will prove satisfactory in operation, without unnecessarily limiting freedom of design.. 'On the other hand, it will provide, by means of the appendix, detailed designs for people who will find them of assistance. The recast specification will shortly be circulated to interested parties for comment. Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee (Three meetings) Concrete Fencing-posts Committee .. .. .. .. One meeting. Concrete Fencing-posts Panel .. .. .. .. One meeting. Precast Concrete Pipes Committee .. .. .... .. Two meetings. Parent Committee.—Besides reviewing the work being carried out under its direction, the parent committee examined 8 draft British standards, 12 British standards, and 4 Australian standards, and directed circulation of these to interested parties for review •and comment, prior to considering their suitability for adoption in New Zealand. Hollow Load-bearing Concrete Blocks.—The parent committee reviewed the draft standard specification referred to in the last report in the light of the comments received from its circulation to affected interests, and is now awaiting the results of absorption and moisture tests being carried out. by the Dominion Physical Laboratory before recommending the specification for adoption. When issued, the standard specification will supplement the design requirements relating to concrete blocks already included in the Standard Code of Building By-laws. Concrete Fencing-posts.—During the year a draft standard specification for concrete fencing .posts and struts was circulated for comment. At the close of the year the committee was engaged upon the review of the comments received, which had indicated that further tests would be necessary before satisfactory provisions relating to testing could be formulated. Precast Concrete Drainage Pipes.—The appropriate committee reviewed the existing standard specification for precast concrete drainage pipes in the light of comments received during the period of its initial use. Arising out of this review, it was decided that the corresponding Australian standard contained more suitable provisions, and •consequently this was recommended for adoption in place of the existing standard' specification, subject to minor amendments to suit local conditions.

5