In an effort to communicate the vital role that standards play in daily life, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes 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:
Lasers for Eye Surgery
Reshaping the curvature of the cornea through the use of a laser, a process known as refractive eye surgery, can reduce or cure common vision disorders such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Since its introduction in 1992, LASIK (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) surgery, which uses an excimer laser, has become a common choice for patients seeking a permanent alternative to eyeglasses or contact lenses. Today, with advancements in laser technology, patients have increased options to meet their visual acuity needs.
This ANS is a method for determining fire-test-response characteristics of a school bus seat assembly following ignition by a square gas burner, and is primarily useful to distinguish products that, when exposed to these fire conditions, will become fully involved in fire from other products that will not. Seat assemblies that exhibit little or no flame spread, short times to flame extinction, and little mass loss in this test are likely to exhibit improved performance in an actual fire situation, compared to seat assemblies that burn vigorously and have high mass loss.
ASTM E2574/E2574M-12a is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. This test method does not provide information on the fire performance of upholstered seating in fire conditions other than those conditions specified, nor does it purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use.
ASTM International, 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.