TABLE OF CONTENTS As the federal government moves to convert the inch-pound units to the metric system, in accordance with the 1975 Metric Conversion Act, various parts of the construction industry will begin the conversion to this more universal method of measurement.
Metric units are often referred to as SI units, an abbreviation taken from the French Le Syst me International d Unit s. Another abbreviation that will be seen with more frequency is ISO the International Standards Organization charged with supervising the establishment of a universal standards system. For everyday transactions it may be sufficient to gain only the basics of the metric system.
| Name of metric unit | Symbol | Approximate size (length/pound) |
|---|---|---|
| meter | m | 39 1/2 inches |
| kilometer | km | 0.6 mile |
| centimeter | cm | width of a paper clip |
| millimeter | mm | thickness of a dime |
| hectare | ha | 2 1/2 acres |
| square meter | m2 | 1.2 square yards |
| gram | g | weight of a paper clip |
| kilogram | kg | 2.2 pounds |
| metric ton | t | long ton (2240 pounds) |
| liter | L | one quart and two ounces |
| milliliter | mL | 1/5 teaspoon |
| kilopascal | kPa | atmospheric pressure is about 100 kPa |
The Celsius temperature scale is used. Instead of referring to its measurement as degree centigrade, the term degree Celsius is the correct designation. Using this term, familiar points are:
Water freezes at 0 degrees
Water boils at 100 degrees
Normal body temperature is 37 degrees (98.6 F)
Comfortable room temperature 20 to 35 (68 to 77 F)
