Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards

World Metrology Day, May 20th 2013

admin — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:46:28 +0000

Brasil INMETRO visits TTBS

admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:23:22 +0000

The Certification Division of TTBS was visited by Mr Leonardo Machado Rocha for three (3) days whilst the organization reviewed its conformity assessment programs. Mr Rocha is the Head at the Division of Conformity Assessment Programs – DIPAC, from National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology – (INMETRO), Brasil. He visited the Bureau of Standards during the period from 07^th to 09^th May 2013.

Mr. Rocha brought with him a wealth of experience which was shared with staff members, particularly the members of the Certification Division. During his visit, some of the key topics discussed were:

Conformity Assessment and Enforcement of Regulations
The use of Product Certification in Conformity Assessment Programs
Regulatory Impact Analysis
The Development, Implementation, Maintenance and Improvement of Technical Regulations

This initiative was launched immediately following an agreed Memorandum of Understanding between TTBS and INMETRO which included among other things the improvement of mutual cooperation and trade between Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil, sharing expertise, information exchange, and other types of support in order for enhanced capabilities and effectiveness.

TTBS would like to thank Mr. Leonardo Machado Rocha for taking up the opportunity to visit, share and exchange ideas and information with the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards.

Front Row, Left to Right – Mr Rodney Ramnath, Head of Certification Division (Ag) TTBS; Mr Leonardo Machado Rocha Head at the Division of Conformity Assessment Programs – DIPAC, from National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology – (INMETRO), Brasil
Back Row, Left to Right – Ms Karlene Lewis Manager, Laboratory Accreditation, Mr Daryl Thomspon Standards Officer II, Standardization Division, Mr Roland Williams Standards Officer, Certification Division, Ms Michelle Beharry Standards Officer II, Certification Division, Mr Theodore Reddock Head, Metrology Division, Mrs Renee Abass-Lalla, Head, Laboratory Services Division, Ms Yannicka Brown, Standards Officer II, Certification Division. TTBS.

EPL Open Day Video Highlights

admin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:42:39 +0000

Cable Testing Open Day- This video is the presentation of the testing capabilities of the Electrical Products Lab by Mr. Javon Dhun. The Electrical Products Laboratory has been testing electrical cables for the past decade and the staff has been trained by BSI and is accredited by UKAS for the testing of electrical cables. The lab follows a strict maintenance schedule and is governed by the ISO 17025 quality system. The Electrical Products Lab continues to develop its facilities and competencies in order to ensure the quality of consumer products available for use on the local market.

Cable Testing Open Day Part 2 – This video featured the question and answer session of the open day, led by Mr. Doodnath Singh. He has been trained by BSI and is instrumental to the development of cable testing at the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards. During the session many questions concerning the identification of standard cables were discussed.

Electrical Cable Testing

admin — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:37:41 +0000

The Electrical Products Laboratory of the Trinidad & Tobago Bureau of Standards offers the testing of Electrical Cables according to the BS 6004:2000 Standard.

Roofing Sheets Consultation, May 1st 2013

admin — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:28:06 +0000

TTBS invites Manufacturers and Distributors to a Consultation on the declared standard; TTS69:2012 Steel Sheets- Zinc & Aluminum – Zinc Alloy Coated- Profiled for Roofing and General Purposes.

COST OF PARTICIPATION: FREE
PRE-REGISTRATION: Persons are required to pre-register on or before April 22nd , 2013. Space is Limited.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR RSVP CONTACT:
Ms Ann Marie Jennings -Tel no: 662-8827/4481 Ext 169/165, Email:certification@ttbs.org.tt
Ms Michelle Beharry – Tel no: 662-8827/4481 Ext 167, Email michelle.beharry@ttbs.org.tt

TTBS Coordinates Water Pollution Rules Proficiency Testing Scheme in 2013

admin — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:41:18 +0000

To participate please fill out the commitment form and email or fax to contact. The commitment form can be found here. Contact information below.

Email Contact:
metrology@ttbs.org.tt
Contact Person:
Ann-Marie Byer
Phone:
662-8827 ext 120
Fax: 663-4335

TTLabs News Vol1 Issue 3 – Feb 2013

admin — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:50:34 +0000

TTLabs News Vol1 Issue 2 – Sept 2012

admin — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:42:17 +0000

Improving Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

admin — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:25:21 +0000

BY ANDIA PERSAD-MAHARAJ

Imagine an evening stroll along the beach with your toes stinging from the still warm sand and the lapping waves glistening with the brilliant colours of a tropical sunset. This simple enjoyable event, experienced by most of us in the past, is not so simple for the wheelchair bound, the visually impaired or the otherwise impaired person. The experience, though, would be no less magnificent for any of these individuals, if only the beach would be accessible to them.

As the former term of reference for this group intoned, persons with disabilities are simply individuals who are differently abled. Members of the disabled (or differently-abled) community are able to perform the majority of everyday tasks, but usually in slightly different ways than the average person. Accessibility to buildings and other facilities coupled with relatively minor design additions will greatly aid in these task modifications and assist in the independent functioning of persons with disabilities.

In late 2011, the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), the Consortium of Disability Organisations (CODO) and the Ministry of the People and Social Development began discussions on the development of an Accessibility Code for Trinidad and Tobago. Fortunately, TTBS had previously identified the need and had begun researching the matter; the result was that these organizations were able to quickly partner on the project of developing a National Accessibility Code.

The ICC/ANSI A117.1- 2009, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, was selected as the base document and would therefore serve as the foundation in developing a Trinidad and Tobago National Accessibility Code (NAC). The requirements/provisions contained in this document were then reviewed by a Committee established for that purpose, with particular attention being given to those issues peculiar to Trinidad and Tobago. One of the desired outcomes of formulating such a Code is to allow persons with physical disabilities to independently approach enter and use buildings and related facilities. It should be noted that the ICC/ANSI A117.1-2009 is part of a family of Codes issued by the International Code Council (ICC) of the United States of America– all of which are compatible and interlinked with one another. Since it has also been decided that a National Building Code for Trinidad and Tobago will be formulated using the ICC family of Codes, it is envisaged that the National Accessibility Code would be incorporated by reference to the National Building Code (also in the development stage).

On Thursday 21^st March, 2013, a Stakeholder Consultation on the proposed National Accessibility Code was held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad. The event’s feature speaker was Dr. the Honourable Glenn Ramadharsingh, Minister of the People and Social Development. In his speech, the Minister highlighted the positive impact that the Accessibility Code and related standards would have on the disabled community; such standards would ensure that the special needs of this group are considered from the design to construction stage of new facilities. The Minister went on to state that the development of this Code was aligned with other government projects aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities. Special plaudits were also given to Ms Sharda Ramlakhan, President of CODO, for the initiative and championing role played in the development of the National Accessibility Code.

The Consultation attracted a broad spectrum of interest groups ranging from design professionals, (engineers and architects) to end users and persons with disabilities, thus fulfilling the main objective of the event: to obtain stakeholder analysis and feedback on the proposed document. The consultation was facilitated by dividing the subject matter into several segments which were then addressed in a series of workshops; in this setting, participants were able to hold in-depth discussions on various subjects such as plumbing and accessible routes.

By all indications and based on comments received from the facilitators and participants alike, the event was seen as a tremendous success. The next steps include the consolidation of the comments for review by the NAC Committee which would then identify areas where amendments are required. Following these modifications, the document will be prepared for final approval and declaration as a National Code of Practice. It is expected that several Ministries including the Ministry of the People and Social Development will then play a major role in getting the Code endorsed and enforced.

Tourism Standards – Advancing Quality in the Tourism Sector

admin — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:34:41 +0000

Click on the farthest icon to the right to expand PDF.