ABSTRACT
Quality and standardization of all construction materials are of paramount importance and serve as yard sticks for measurement reflecting the level of development attained by a nation. Sandcrete hollow blocks are construction materials which have gained wide acceptance and use in the construction industries because of the many characteristics properties attached to them. In this research, the study has focused on the quality of blocks produced in Bauchi and Gombe states with a view to assessing their qualities in terms of strength, density, shrinkage, water absorption etc. The results reveal that the compressive strength of the sandcrete hollow blocks in use in this part of the country are very low with the highest as 1.04 N/mm2 as compared with 2.8 N/mm2 recommended by Bs 2028 (1968) and 2.76 N/mm2 by NIS (1974) . The following factors have been attributed to the low performance of the blocks they are: Experience and skill of production crew, poor workmanship, mix ratio and method of curing. The study has also suggested the importance of moderating the activities of these manufacturers by way of involving the standard organization of Nigeria and other professional bodies in the day to day activities of these industries.