National steel quality lab to be completed before December 28 election
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Hsu/Pearl (NP News)-Nov 18
Preparations are currently underway to complete the construction of a national-level steel quality testing laboratory before the upcoming election, according to sources familiar with the project who spoke to The Statesman.
Coordination is underway to establish internationally recognized laboratories capable of testing and ensuring steel quality across Yangon, Mandalay, and Sagaing Regions, and the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area. The initial phase involves plans to construct national laboratories in Yangon and Mandalay.
A source familiar with the process told The Statesman, “We are coordinating with the local steel and iron associations in Myanmar. Our main plan is to first establish the National Laboratory, followed by Regional Labs, which will primarily be located in industrial zones. In Yangon, we have the Myaung Tagar area, and Mandalay has several industrial zones. Since Sagaing has only three factories, priority for the first phase will be given to Yangon and Mandalay.”
Land for the laboratory construction has already been secured, and efforts are underway to complete the project before the upcoming election on December 28.
"We are trying to implement it as quickly as possible. We have now secured a location. The location will be in Kyaik Waing, owned by the Ministry of Industry in Yangon. We need to purchase the necessary materials, of course. Some materials and machinery are available immediately. But, some of them have production time. We are trying our best. We hope to complete construction before the election. The main thing is the National Labs. We will have to continue working hard. The testing can be done, of course. And then we also have to work on getting the relevant certification. Next, for the staff who will work in the laboratory, we also have to try to get skill certifications. Regarding the construction, we are trying to complete it before the election," he said.
Once completed, the laboratories will be equipped to test steel products to ensure that they meet the standards set by the Ministry of Construction and the International Building Code (IBC).
"The main focus will be on the mechanical properties of steel. Another focus will be on chemical properties. We will be able to analyze their chemical composition there. Then we can test the weight—the required weight per meter of iron and steel. Then, tensile strength—at what point does it fracture? We will test that. There are machines for testing bending. We will primarily conduct those tests. The key point is that now, in accordance with the National Building Code mandated by the Ministry of Construction, buildings constructed nowadays must be built accordingly. There are specific provisions, especially concerning areas that can be affected by earthquakes. We will test for compliance with those. If buildings are constructed in accordance with the code, it means the lives and property of the public are already protected," he continued. –