In an effort to communicate the vital role that standards play in daily life, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes snapshots of the diverse standards initiatives undertaken in the global and national standards arena, many of which are performed by ANSI members and ANSI-accredited standards developers. Two of the latest selections follow:
Irrigation Systems
Historically, diesel was the primary source used by farmers to power irrigation systems. However, the rising costs of fuel combined with the potential environmental risks of liquid fuel storage near wells and surface water led farmers to seek alternative solutions for power. Increasingly, electric power has become the least expensive source of energy for irrigation and offers many advantages including increased environmental safety, greater energy efficiency, and remote operation capabilities.
A new ANS from ASTM International will ensure new residential, single-family homes keep occupants safe. ANSI/ASTM E2136-2013, Standard Guide for Specifying and Evaluating Performance of Single Family Attached and Detached Dwellings - Durability, provides guidance on performance statements for durable in-place materials, products, components, systems and subsystems, and site planning for single-family attached and detached dwellings, considering the effects of normal degradation factors to which they are anticipated to be subjected over their service lives. ANSI/ASTM E213602-13 is intended to serve managers of housing procurement projects, home builders, designers, product manufacturers, and evaluation services in addressing durability issues related to single family attached and detached dwellings, and can also serve to improve communications between producers and consumers leading to enhanced quality and housing performance.
ASTM International, an ANSI organizational member and audited designator, seeks to develop voluntary consensus standards to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and build consumer confidence.