Voluntary Standards Cover the Spectrum: from Underwater Sound from Ships to Chemical Dispensing Systems

In an effort to communicate the vital role that standards play in daily life, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) will publish, on an ongoing basis, a series of 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:

Underwater Sound from Ships
Noise generated by ships on an ocean's surface may be easily quantified when listening above ground, but the sound coming from that same ship may be at a completely different level from underwater. A new American National Standard (ANS) developed by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, provides a method for measuring underwater noise from ships.

ANSI/ASA S12.64-2009/Part 1, Quantities and Procedures for Description and Measurement of Underwater Sound from Ships -Part 1: General Requirements, describes the general measurement systems, procedures, and methodologies used for the measurement of underwater sound pressure levels from ships at a prescribed operating condition from a distance of one meter. The standard contains three different methods for measurement: Grade A is the precision method intended for contract requirement conformance testing; Grade B is an engineering method to be used for less critical contract requirements and/or periodic assessments; and Grade C is a survey method that can be used for periodic assessments and faster tests.

ASA is a voluntary organization serving the acoustics community in all branches of acoustics, both theoretical and applied.

Chemical Dispensing Systems
Chemical dispensing systems provide a means for mixing water with a measured amount of chemicals in order to create a solution that is ready for use. They are used in a variety of industries, including the janitorial, institutional, food service, commercial cleaning, industrial, and automotive care markets.

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, recently published ANSI/ASSE 1055-2009, Performance Requirements for Chemical Dispensing Systems, to address the safe and adequate performance of these tools. The ANS specifically guides devices that have a self-contained means of backflow protection, including those that have chemical(s) pressurized above atmospheric pressure, and those whose back pressure comes from an elevated hose.

Founded in 1911, ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety organization. Its more than 32,000 members manage, supervise and consult on safety, health, and environmental issues in industry, insurance, government and education.