Related groups move after M60 action occurs. Design
All metric projects being done in your organization
and construction firms trained workers. Builders and
or region, construction value of each, and the
unions sought assistance. Suppliers made changes, and
status (planning, survey, design, construction)
developed product literature.
This is the most powerful information you can have at
In short, once an organization decides to be metric, all
your disposal as a metric coordinator.
other activities fall into place.
We would give this to staff and the Task Force. If
Deciding to be a metric organization, ie M60, is by far
interested, please fax to either task force co-chair:
the most important activity in metric conversion.
Otto Schick Fax 215 656 5836 Tel 215 656 5822
This applies not only to government, but also to private
Joe Sacco Fax 703 693 6934 Tel 703 614 4879
and educational organizations.
3. Professional Rounding
Ex, Moving a college building program to M60 status
would have more impact than courses in metric
Over 90 % of products in construction today will not
architecture alone. M60 creates a laboratory on campus,
physically change during metric transition. We simply
actual uses of SI. Many educators say if industry used SI,
show dimensions in metric, ie, soft conversion.
english would vanish from schools.
These two terms help explain how to use 90 % soft
Rulers and posters create awareness, but M60 will move
metric products and still use round dimensions on
construction decisively to the SI system.
projects. Examples from varied areas follow.
Product Dimension: size of an item not easily modified
2. Strong Communication
Design Dimensions (dds): dimension that can be varied,
During much training, a major lesson learned,
predictably, is that people feel much more confident to
often through fabrication or installation
work in metric, when they know other projects nearby
Airports Concrete and soil have no dimension.
are being done in metric.
Structures of them are often governed by dds. Width of
It makes a great difference to know in the next county, a
runways and taxiways and dimensions of clear zones,
$ 15 million building, or a $ 10 million interchange, is in
can often be hard metric. Imaginary surfaces may also be
design or construction in metric.
dds, if the airport is frontal layout, finger system, split
finger, or other variety. Product dimensions for lighted
Most people know metric is here, but it galvanizes
runway and taxiway lights, beacons, wind indicators,
reality when projects, and exact locations, are known.
guidance signs and gangplanks, can often be soft
converted.
As metric coordinator, after starting the M60 program,
Bridges Rolled steel wide flanges to construct simple
the important task is letting those in and outside the
region know the metric projects.
steel bridges are soft converted products, yet beam,
girder, and lateral bracing lengths are dds which can be
This can involve as little as a one page list, or a message
varied. Vertical bridge clearances are dds.
on e-mail, as to what projects are being done.
Environmental In water supply and waste treatment,
The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS),
components (ex, clarifiers or centrifuges) could be soft
Construction Metrication Council, manages conversion
converted, yet structures for sedimentation tanks, grit
of US construction, involving agencies, producers,
chambers, sand filters, activated sludge process facilities,
builders, and professional groups. The Task Force on
oxidation ponds, sludge thickening facilities involve
Metric Projects is ideal to communicate your activities.
many dimensions which can be rounded.
You can improve confidence of those around you to go
Facilities Rooms are often from centerline to centerline
metric by relaying your activity. New projects by nearby
groups then enhance your ability to obtain metric
or face to face, if studs are hard or soft metric. Light
products and may lower costs or minimum orders.
switches are soft, but mounting heights are easily
We recommend a 1-2 page Metric Project List, giving:
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