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.
TUV Rheinland Publishes New White Papers
TUV Rheinland, an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has published three new white papers on their website.
ISO 14001Risk and Opportunity in Environmental Management addresses the purpose of an environmental management system (EMS), the benefits of implementing such a system, and ways to reduce risks in the process. The paper also provides information on how to get started in developing an EMS for a company.
Smart Home Product Design delves into some of the most critical factors for success of smart home devices, from ease of use to third-party interoperability. Readers will learn about market trends, key product design features, and the smart home ecosystem.
A Kinder, Gentler Collaborative Robot provides an overview of collaborative robots in the workplace, including safety requirements, testing, and mitigating risk. The paper discusses numerous relevant safety standards developed in the United States and abroad.
Access all three white papers at no cost on TUV Rheinland's website.
BPI Gives Energy Saving Tips for Fall
The Building Performance Institute (BPI), an ANSI member and accredited standard developer, has published a list of fall energy saving tips to make homes both comfortable and efficient.
One suggestion that BPI offers is to invest in insulation and air sealing. These measures help homes to keep in heat during the winter, reducing the workload of the furnace. Air sealing can be applied to window trim, recessed lights, and other areas where leaks may occur and let drafts into the home. The organization also guides residents to use the heat of the sun to their advantage, keeping shades and curtains open during the day so that sunlight can enter and heat the home. Other small changes that can have an impact include arranging furniture so that it isn't blocking vents, keeping doors and windows locked to press them more securely against weather stripping (further reducing air leaks), and installing a programmable thermostat that can be scheduled to lower the heat when no one is home.
To read all of the energy saving tips, see the BPI news item.
WQA Provides Water Quality Tips Related to Hurricanes and Flooding
The Water Quality Association (WQA), an ANSI member, has several resources on its website surrounding water quality for individuals impacted by hurricanes and flooding.
Following a hurricane or flooding, residents are recommended to be on alert for local boil water orders, as floods can cause disruptions with municipal water sources. Power outages, too, can affect the safety of a home's water supply, so WQA recommends that affected individuals use bottled water for drinking and cooking until the safety of their water is assured. Well owners must take precautions as well - storms can contaminate water with microorganisms that can cause serious illness, so well owners are urged to test their systems following a hurricane.
Learn more, including tips on disinfecting drinking water after a flood, managing a flooded well, and safety after a hurricane, on WQA's website.
PTI Offers Educational Resources on Power Tool Use and Safety
The Power Tool Institute (PTI), an ANSI member, provides free educational materials and teacher references on the safe and effective use of a variety of power tools.
The resources include lesson plans, student activities, quizzes, support materials, and references on the topics of: general power tool safety; safety terms; safety rules; saws; drills, impact wrenches, and percussion tools; grinders; routers; jointers, planers, and shapers; wood lathes; and safety symbols. Many materials are available in Spanish as well.
Learn more and access PTI's free resources on the Lesson Plans section on the company's site.