A.L.lloovER. (EG).

Modulqr Building Stqndqrds Assn. Formed to Hold Down Building Cosfs

\\rashington1,'or1r leading building inch-rstry groups have joined forces to lroost accclit:rnce of a program designed to holcl dol'n buildirrg costs through :rdoption oi a basic unit of measurelltelrt. The project got underu'av n.ith election of officers ancl approval of b1'-lau's of the nen'lv-organizecl Nlodular Builcling Standards Association at the first rneetir.rg of the boarcl of directors at \\'hite Sulphur Springs, \\r. Va., Aug. 12.

The associaticin rr'as incorporated July 15, 1957. in the District of Columbia under sDonsorshio of the ^\n.rerican Institute of Architects. the Asir,ciated Ceneral Contractors of America, the National Association of Home Builders, and the Producers' Council, 1nc. The four sponsoring organizations rvill initiate membershil) l)rograms l-ithin their respective industries. C. Il. Silling of Charlestc.rn, \\:. Va., architect and cl-rairma-n of the Anrericun Stanclarrls '\ssocia- tion's committee u'l'rich deals u'ith coor<'linlrtiorr of dimensions of building materials ar-rcl rcluipn'rent, \\'as elected presloent.

"The objectives of I'IBSA," said Sillirrg, "are tti promote the acceptance and application of the principles of Nlodular Dimensioning Standarcls :rs applied tt.r the field of planning Ior construction, and the dimensioning of the materials, appliances and items of equipment employerl in corrstruction lrn<1 relatecl actir.ities."

Mr. Silling noted that the adoption of the 4-inch module as the basic unit of measure will assist manufacturers in effecting economies by standardization. Thus, they would have to produce fewer sizes. "It is a saving which can be passed down the line," Silling pointed out, "for suppliers will have less of an inventory problem; and standard dimensioning means less labor cost for installation at the construction site." Eligibilty for nrcmbership in the Nforlular Brrilding Standards .\ssociatior-r is ollen to itnv l)ers()n, association. firm or corporation in syrnpathl' u,ith its oltjectir-es.

The mor.ement for the Promotion of modrrlar standards, or modular measllre, liegarr in 1935 u'herr the National Bureau of Standards of thc U. S. i)epartment of Commerce proposed a project for coortlirr:rting building nraterial sizes. Subsequent actir.ities in this clirection hale been closely iclentihed rl.ith the Americ:rn Standards -\ssociation. The movement has shon'n consitlerable l)r()gress sirrce the enrl of \\rorld \Var II, not only in the tlrritc<l St:Ltes lrrrt in other countries. The increasing itrterest irr motlul:tr stancl:rrrls on the part of architects. general colrtr:Ict()rs, home lruilclers ancl producers of materials led to the org:rnizatior.r of the Nftrclulur.r Building Standards Association.