Why celebrating the science of measurements vital

In Tanzania, metrology activities are done by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) which is the custodian of national measurement standards.

The theme for the World Metrology Day 2016 is ‘Measurements in a Dynamic World’. The topic was chosen to align with the increasing rapid pace of change in measurement science, and indeed of the world around us.

Metrology plays a central role in scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, in improving the quality of life and in protecting the global environment.

Speaking during the event last week which was celebrated at national level in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) Acting head of metrology laboratory, Vida Rusimbi, said Tanzania is already determined to use SI units and the Tanzania Bureau of Standards’ Metrology Laboratory is the Custodian of National Measurement Standards.

The establishment of the Metrology Laboratory aims at ensuring accuracy and traceability of all measurements in the country. That is to say, when one measures the length of a piece of cloth in Tanzania and finds it to be one metre, the cloth should also measure one metre when measured in another laboratory in the UK or France.

In this sense, a 20oC temperature measured in Tanzania should be the same when measured in UK or any other country and one kilogram should be the same throughout the world.

We can only ensure that our measurements are compatible with measurements in other countries if we calibrate our measuring implements at TBS Metrology Laboratory.

Suppose you go to a hospital to check your body temperature and you are wrongly told that it is at 42oC. This means the doctor will give you wrong prescriptions.

You check the pressure and you are given wrong readings. You measure your weight and you get wrong readings. You measure carbon monoxide emission from a car and you get wrong readings. In totality, wrong measurements have very negative effects.

That is why we are compelled to sensitise the public in general and the industrialists in particular, on the importance of ensuring use of right measurements.

She said the government’s decision to establish the TBS Metrology Laboratory as the Custodian of National Measurement Standards is part of its efforts to ensure that Tanzanians use appropriate measurements.

The Metrology Laboratory is already accredited to ISO 17025 and is the first laboratory in Tanzania to reach such a step. This means the laboratory is capable to issue test reports which are recognized throughout the world.

The Metrology Laboratory has been given the statutory responsibility for establishing custody and maintenance of the National Measurement Standards related to all physical parameters, at internationally accepted level of accuracy and to disseminate the SI Units of measurement by providing traceability to the public via the National Measurement Standards.

The laboratory undertakes apex level calibration of measurement standards and precision instruments in various fields of measurements such as length, mass, temperature, Time Intervals, volume (including vertical and horizontal bulk storage tanks), pressure, electrical measurements in DC/AC Voltage (at low Frequency), Current and Resistance.

“I call upon the general public to utilize the services of this laboratory. Even when you go to hospital you can ask, is this thermometer/pressure gauge calibrated by TBS?” she said.

Commenting, TBS acting head of the Metrology Laboratory, Vida Rusimbi, said the World Metrology Day is a special occasion to commemorate the signing of the Metre Convention, which took place in Paris, France, on May 20, 1875.

The Metre Convention advocates for adherence to the International System of Units (SI units) of which the TBS Metrology Laboratory is the custodian of National Measurement Standards.

The establishment of the Metrology Laboratory aims at ensuring accuracy and traceability of all measurements in the country. As far as calibration is concerned and in the face of technological advances TBS needs support to cope with the challenges of changing technological equipment in telecommunication, power and energy.

Rusimbi urged manufacturers to take their equipment for calibration at the laboratory entrusted with the statutory responsibility for supervision and maintenance of the National Measurement Standards.

A time and frequency metrologist, Ramadhani Mfaume, laid emphasis on the need for calibration for trade development since measurements accredited by the laboratory will be accepted anywhere.

“There has been a good response for industrialists, manufacturers and hospitals who test their measurement before using them, thus creating harmonisation when it comes to calibration,” he says.

Apart from challenges in technological aspects, Rusimbi cited poor staffing; “we are spending a lot of financial resources to follow customers upcountry,” she said.

“However, we are optimistic that with the establishment of zonal offices, TBS is likely to serve customers without any delays,” she said.

The laboratory undertakes apex level calibration of measurement standards and precision instruments in various fields of measurements such as length, mass, temperature, time intervals, volume (including vertical and horizontal bulk storage tanks), pressure, electrical measurements in DC/AC Voltage(at low Frequency) ,Current and Resistance.

The Bureau’s Director General, Joseph Masikitiko , urged service providers to keep checking accuracy of their measurement equipment in order to increase trust , efficiency and productivity.

World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signature of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875 by representatives of seventeen nations.

The Convention set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and in its industrial, commercial and societal applications.

The original aim of the Metre Convention - the world-wide uniformity of measurement - remains as important today as it was in 1875.