National Bureau of Standards--answers to Congressional Concerns: Report

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U.S. General Accounting Office, 1980 - 70 pages

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Page 30 - THE INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS RESEARCH conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement, standards, and data on the properties of well-characterized materials needed by industry, commerce, educational institutions, and Government; provides advisory and research services to other Government agencies; and develops, produces, and distributes standard reference materials. The Institute consists of the Office of Standard Reference Materials and the following divisions: Analytical Chemistry...
Page 39 - ... adopted or recognized by the Government; the construction, when necessary, of standards, their multiples and subdivisions; the testing and calibration of standard measuring apparatus; the solution of problems which arise in connection with standards; the determination of physical constants and properties of materials, when such data are of great importance to scientific or manufacturing interests and are not to be obtained of sufficient accuracy elsewhere.
Page 31 - Honorable Elmer B. Staats Comptroller General of the United States General Accounting Office 441 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20548 Dear Mr.
Page 30 - ... innovation in industry and Government; cooperates with public and private organizations leading to the development of technological standards (including mandatory safety standards), codes and methods of test; and provides technical advice and services to Government agencies upon request. The Institute also monitors NBS engineering standards activities and provides liaison between NBS and national and international engineering standards bodies. The Institute consists of the following...
Page 11 - These include the development and maintenance of the national standards of measurement and the provision of means and methods for making measurements consistent with these standards...
Page 39 - The development of methods for testing materials, mechanisms, and structures, and the testing of materials, supplies, and equipment, including items purchased for use of Government departments and independent establishments.
Page 41 - ... and fire protection devices and systems on a non-interference basis; (8) the development of purchase specifications, standards, and acceptance and validation test procedures for all such equipment and devices; and (9) operation tests, demonstration projects, and fire investigations in support of the activities set forth in this section. (b) LIMITATION. — The Administration shall not engage in the manufacture or sale of any equipment or device developed pursuant to this section, except to the...
Page 39 - That the functions of the bureau shall consist in the custody of the standards; the comparison of the standards used in scientific investigations, engineering, manufacturing, commerce, and educational institutions with the standards adopted or recognized by the Government; the construction, when necessary, of standards, their multiples and subdivisions; the testing and calibration of standard measuring apparatus; the solution of problems which arise in connection with standards; the determination...
Page 40 - December 18, 1977, and was responsible for providing scientific and technical knowledge applicable to the prevention and control of fires.
Page 40 - Secretary is authorized to conduct, directly or through contracts or grants, a fire research program, including — "(1) basic and applied fire research for the purpose of arriving at an understanding of the fundamental processes underlying all aspects of fire. Such research shall include scientific investigations of— "(A) the physics and chemistry of combustion processes: "(B) the dynamics of flame ignition, flame spread, and flame extinguishment ; "(C) the composition of combustion products developed...

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