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.
ICC High School Building Code Program Supports a Stronger U.S. Workforce
The International Code Council (ICC), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, is doing its part to help America's high schools better equip graduates for the demands of a high-tech economy, a priority set out by the Obama Administration. The ICC-supported High School Technical Training Program teaches students the importance of building codes, and provides graduates with an advantage in the job market.
"Mastering building science, technology, engineering, and math is a must for a successful career in working with building codes to create safe structures," said ICC Board vice president Stephen Jones.
Continually growing in scope and reach since its launch in 2009, the program has been expanded this year to include masonry in addition to the four original areas of study aligned with the ICC's International Residential Code: building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. The program includes about 200 currently enrolled students at nine high schools nationwide, and is expected to add eight additional schools during the 2013-2014 school year.
"Building officials joining together and mentoring this program will provide the ICC and building code communities an opportunity to contribute to the workforce of the future, and ensure that the ICC remains a leader in code development and code education," said Jim Ellwood, senior plans examiner, Building Service Division, Harford County, and the originator of the pilot program at Harford Technical High School.
For more information, visit the program webpage or email Sara Yerkes, ICC's senior vice president for government relations, at [email protected].
ASSE International Applies to Become ANSI Accredited Standards Developer
The ASSE International Chapter of IAPMO, LLC (ASSE International) has submitted an application to become an ANSI accredited standards developer (ASD). ASSE International is the successor of the recently dissolved American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), a longtime ANSI member and ASD. The new organization's Procedures for the Development of Standards were based directly on ASSE's Procedures for the Development of Standards, which were previously accredited by ANSI.
ASSE International's proposed scope for its Product Standards Committee is focused on the development of product standards incorporating test procedures for assemblies, devices, fixtures, appliances, and materials associated with plumbing and piping systems, with the goal of advancing public health and safety. The proposed scope for its Professional Qualifications Standards Committee is the creation of professional standards containing educational, training, and industry experience requirements connected with the installation, inspection, or design of piping, plumbing, sprinkler or related systems, that also assist in the protection of public health.
For questions or to offer comments, contact Sara Marxen, ASSE International's compliance coordinator, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 440-835-3040. Please submit your comments by April 22, 2013, to ASSE International, with a copy to [email protected].
ASSE International's proposed operating procedures are available here.
CRSI Approved as ANSI Accredited Standards Developer
ANSI's Executive Standards Council (ExSC) has approved ANSI organizational member Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) as an ANSI accredited standards developer under its proposed operating procedures for documenting consensus on proposed American National Standards, effective March 20, 2013. For additional information, please contact Neal Anderson, PE, CRSI's vice president of engineering, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 847-517-1200.
Approval of U.S. TAG Accreditation for ISO Facilities Management Technical Committee
The ANSI ExSC has formally approved the accreditation of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 267, Facilities Management, with ANSI (with technical and financial support from ANSI member the International Facility Management Association) serving as TAG Administrator. For additional information, please contact Jason Knopes, ANSI senior manager for ISO outreach and enhanced services, by email at [email protected], or by calling 656-460-7897.