GNBS aims to update building codes as construction industry rapidly expands

As rapid growth in the country’s construction industry continues, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has reaffirmed its commitment towards ensuring consumers receive high quality services and products, the organisation which is tasked with maintaining standards across all sectors of the country is also aiming to update the necessary building codes.
Speaking with Guyana Times during an interview on Tuesday was Head Corporate Communications at the GNBS, Lloyd David, who highlighted the important role the bureau plays in ensuring quality products enter the market through the development of industry standards. However, he explained that some of these standards are not compulsory for businesses.
“In terms of building material offered for sale during the Christmas season particularly, the GNBS is instrumental in ensuring that quality exists there too. We do this through the development and implementation of standards. Unfortunately, quite a few standards are voluntary, standards are generally voluntary. Some of the standards are voluntary, while the others are compulsory. The GNBS is doing some amount of monitoring and certification as well to ensure quality.”

With regards to the construction industry, there are some standards that are compulsory and some that are voluntary. In both cases, he said that GNBS works around the clock to ensure stakeholders subscribe to the necessary codes.
“What we’ve recognised in terms of contractors, many of the contractors, whether for regulatory obligations, quite a few of them, have been reaching out to the GNBS for a particular standard relating to what they are doing. The GNBS has been selling these standards to the stakeholders with the hope that they are implementing the requirements of these standards. The GNBS also does its best to ensure that some quality building materials are available in the marketplace so that contractors can know where to access these quality materials. There is the option of selecting quality products over substandard products.”

Building code
According to David, the Bureau is looking to revise various sections of the building code, as part of an effort to keep up with the growing sector. Meanwhile, with regards to electrical fittings, equipment and wires, there are compulsory standards that manufacturers must upkeep. The GNBS spokesperson explained that the organisation continues to monitor these items at ports of entry and sale outlets to ensure conformity with the standards.
Moreover, the official also called for consumers to inspect the quality of products that they are purchasing noting that they also have a role to play in ensuring they are receiving high quality products.
“But the onus is on consumers as well to ensure that when they buy, they examine the products to ensure that they are of some sort of quality. Remember you’re constructing a building; you want to ensure that the quality materials go into that building because it should last a lifetime. Do not take on the role of trying to go cheap in order to save and then you compromise quality. Because in the short run, you will have not so good experiences with substandard product.”

Testing and calibration
Meanwhile, recognising the importance of accurate measurements in the construction sector, the GNBS has enhanced accuracy and reliability in the sector through its precision testing and calibration services.
In august the GNBS stated: “Measurement and accuracy are the key foundations of any infrastructure. From ensuring the right number of materials are ordered to having precise measurements at the design stages and throughout the project, it guarantees structural integrity and safety of buildings. To ensure accuracy, the GNBS as the National Measurement Institute (NMI) offers a wide range of calibration services to meet the needs of the industry, regulators, and laboratories.”
Through its Industrial Metrology and Testing (IMT) Department, the Bureau of Standards will now provide calibration services in the areas of mass, volume, temperature, dimension, electricity, torque and force. The Standards used are traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), PTB Germany, and other highly recognised NMIs internationally. Some measuring instruments calibrated for the construction sector include electrical multimeters, torque wrenches, callipers, measuring rules and tapes, ovens and more.
Additionally, in light of several local companies producing ready-mixed concrete to meet the demands of the rapidly growing construction sector the GNBS has developed the National Standard “GYS 227 – Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete.” This standard defines ready-mixed concrete as concrete delivered to the site or into the purchaser’s vehicle in a plastic condition, ready for placement without further treatment.
The standard also specifies the conditions for production and delivery of ready-mixed concrete, including methods for nominal mixes, specified strength mixes, and specialised mixes. It further outlines how purchasers can specify the required properties of the concrete in their orders. Additionally, the document provides guidance on the information that purchasers should provide when ordering ready-mixed concrete, the inspection facilities required from the supplier, and the necessary tests.
It distinguishes routine tests conducted by the supplier from those the purchaser is responsible for. However, the GNBS stated that standard does not cover the placement, compaction, curing, or protection of concrete after delivery, nor does it apply to materials for lean concrete or similar road base materials. Regarding materials used in ready-mix, the standard specifies that water should be clean and free from impurities that could affect the concrete mix adversely. Cement should be measured by weight or in whole bags as delivered by the manufacturer, while aggregate should be measured by weight.
The standard also sets requirements for concrete delivery, focusing on discharge time and the information that must be included on the delivery ticket. It stipulates that the basis of supply should be in cubic metres, as agreed between the purchaser and the supplier. The standard covers inspection, sampling, and testing of ready-mixed concrete to ensure confidence in the quality of the product supplied.