Did You Know? offers a quick look at the broad scope of activities underway within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Federation of members and partners, highlighting recent accomplishments and new resources related to standardization.
The ASME Foundation and NASA Launch "Think Outside the Box" 3D Challenge for Future Engineers
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Foundation, in collaboration with NASA, has created a new space challenge competition that calls on future engineers to design a 3D model of an object that is useful to an astronaut living in microgravity on the International Space Station. The "Think Outside the Box" challenge is in celebration of the launch of BEAM, the first expandable habitat to the International Space Station, and the launch of AMF, the first commercial 3D printer in space.
The contest—open to K-12 students in the United States—is running until August 1, 2016, and will be judged on a point system based on innovation and creativity of the object's design, presentation, usefulness, quality, and size requirements. Finalist awards will range from gift cards to the grand prize, a trip to Las Vegas for a VIP tour of Bigelow Aerospace.
ASME is an ANSI member and accredited standard developer. More information on the contest details is listed on the competition site, www.futureengineers.org.
Strategic Globalization Website Encourages International Dialogue on Standardization
Key stakeholders and organizations can engage in dialogue related to strengthening standardization via the newly launched website www.strategicglobalization.com. The site was inspired by top standardization issues highlighted in the March 2016 article "
The site presents perspectives from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and DIN (Germany), as well as fundamental issues in standards education, globalization and standardization, and strategic globalization, with opportunities to comment.
Mr. Purcell, a member of the adjunct faculty for cyber law and strategic standardization at the Catholic University Schools of Law and Engineering, launched the site, and explains that it elaborates on issues addressed in his co-authored article, including the potential consequences from the failure to develop adequate support for national standardization systems in the field of technology standardization, and, in particular, in standards education.
To get involved in the discussions, visit www.strategicglobalization.com.
NFPA Offers Safety Tips for Peak BBQ Season
As summer barbeque season kicks off, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an ANSI member and audited designator, has released its grilling safety tips to reduce injuries. The association reports that an average of 8,900 home fires are caused by grilling, and close to half of all injuries involving grills are due to thermal burns.
Some key tips for safe grilling include:
Only using propane and BBQ grills outdoors
Making sure the gas grill lid is open before lighting it
Keeping children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area
More information and NFPA's tips, including a video, are available on the association's website.
NSF International Publishes Consumer Guide to Certified Water Filtration Devices for Lead Reduction
ANSI member and audited designator NSF International has released its new consumer guide that details water filters that have been tested and certified by NSF International to reduce lead in drinking water. The easy to read guide also explains the NSF standards and the process by which NSF International verifies a filter's ability to reduce lead in drinking water.
In its announcement, the organization also reminds consumers using NSF certified water filters to change the filter regularly, according to the manufacturer's recommended filter capacity, in order for the filters to continue to reduce lead and other contaminants for which they are certified.
More information on the consumer guide can be found in the NSF International press announcement.