Did You Know? offers a quick look at the broad scope of activities underway within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Federation, highlighting the people and initiatives making waves in standardization.
Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office Issues Call for Comments
The U.S. Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office (AMNPO), hosted by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), is currently seeking public comments on recently issued drafts of management metrics and intellectual property management guidelines developed for the federal government's planned National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). The NNMI plans to establish up to 15 Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation (IMIs), regional bodies intended to bolster manufacturing innovation across the United States.
The proposed metrics are designed to help evaluate how effectively a given IMI is meeting performance objectives, and include six recommended performance areas: education and workforce development; financial; impact; industry value; network contribution; and portfolio. The draft intellectual property rights guidelines provide information on common legal issues associated with inventions resulting from the IMIs' work. The guidelines focus on three distinct levels of legal concerns - government rights and interests, institute rights, and project-specific concerns.
To view the two draft documents, visit the relevant posting on the U.S. Federal Register. All comments are due by December 13, 2013.
NFPA Partners with United States Fire Administration to Promote Winter Fire Safety
ANSI member and audited designator the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s United States Fire Administration (USFA), has announced a new public safety campaign targeting winter fires. The Put a Freeze on Winter Fires campaign is intended to boost public awareness of common winter fire risks and to provide guidance and approaches to reduce fires.
The campaign is focused on fire safety associated with cooking and home-heating, two of the largest causes of winter fires. Increased cooking during the holiday season translates to higher fire risk, with Thanksgiving fires occurring at three times the average rate. Similarly, the drop in temperatures over the winter in much of the United States results in more fires linked to heating, particularly in connection with the use of space heaters.
To access materials associated with the campaign, including videos, fact sheets, and the 10 Tips to Get Ahead of the Winter Freeze printable fire safety checklist, visit NFPA's official Put a Freeze on Winter Fires campaign website.
AIA to Offer 3-D Computer Models of NAS-Based Components
ANSI member the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) recently announced that it will begin offering three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) models of aerospace components that are based on the AIA-managed National Aerospace Standards (NAS). The launch of these new products, part of a partnership with CARDENAS PARTsolutions and IHS, is scheduled to take place in January 2014.
The NAS are an important resource in the design and development of a wide variety of vehicles, including aircraft and spacecraft, as well as other types of machinery. The CAD models are expected to allow engineers to reduce financial and time costs associated with the design process and to bolster consistency and quality assurance in connection with the design of these types of products.
For more information about the new CAD models or the NAS, visit www.aia-aerospace.org/standards.
ASPE Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the National Society of Professional Engineers
ANSI member and accredited standards developer the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Society of Professional Engineers in support of planned joint efforts to bolster the engineering profession in the United States and abroad. The two organizations are expected to exchange information on issues connected to the mechanical and plumbing fields, and to work together to promote professional ethics and licensing in the engineering profession.
For more information about ASPE and its activities, visit www.aspe.org.