GNBS encourages companies to take advantage of traceable, affordable calibration services

…as Building Expo kicks off this week

As the highly anticipated International Building Expo 2024 is set to kickstart this week at the Guyana National Stadium themed, “Building on the foundation of sustainability and unity”, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is encouraging companies to readily take advantage of the opportunities in which they have in store.
Being amongst the exhibitors the GNBS plays an important role in ensuring accuracy and reliability is in the construction sector through its precision testing and calibration services.
The Building Expo event brings together various stakeholders in the construction industry to explore innovations and best practices for sustainable buildings.
This encouragement comes in a significant time as Local persons would be chiming in on the Building Expo this week in attempts to enhance their homes.
On this note the GNBS has encouraged companies to take advantage reiterating its high support to the public.
“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,” the GNBS stated.
Through its Industrial Metrology and Testing (IMT) Department, the Bureau provides 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.
In addition to calibration, the Bureau also wished to encourage members of the public that they offer testing of concrete hollow blocks, cement cubes and cylinders, concrete structures, and more.
As it relates to concrete hollow blocks, testing is offered for blocks measuring four, six, and eight inches in accordance with the National Standard – ‘GYS 215:2018 – Specification for Load Bearing Masonry Concrete Units.’ To ensure durability, these items are evaluated for compressive strength, moisture content, and absorption over three days.
This service is accessible to manufacturers who can also pursue Certification to the standard, or contractors and homeowners looking to determine the quality of blocks they are purchasing. Concrete cubes and cylinders are also tested for compressive strength.
Some measuring instruments calibrated for the construction sector include electrical multimeters, torque wrenches, callipers, measuring rules and tapes, ovens and more. Regular calibration ensures consistent data, reduces errors, and supports the quality and safety of construction materials. The GNBS encourages every company and laboratory to take advantage of its traceable, reliable, and affordable calibration services.
Finally, following complaints about the quality of residential and commercial buildings being constructed, the GNBS introduced the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for concrete structures. This test assesses strength, durability, and susceptibility to deterioration, eliminating doubts about substandard structures. It determines the compressive strength of existing structures with a range of 0 – 8,400 Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) per the ASTM Standard (C805) Standard Test Method for Rebound Number of Hardened Concrete.
Meanwhile, as the National Standards Body (NSB), the Bureau is also promoting the use of National, Regional, and International Standards related to the products and services used in the industry. There are several construction standards available at the GNBS to provide guidance to contractors and manufacturers of related products. These standards address the safety, durability, and resilience of structures against hazards such as floods and vibrations.
The International Building Expo 2024 is set to be a significant event, with thousands of certificates of title expected to be distributed on the opening night – August 8. (G2)