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.
ASTM Releases Free Professor's Toolkit for Technical Standards Education
ANSI member and audited designator ASTM International has launched a new online academic resource intended to encourage engineering and business professors to promote awareness of technical standards in their lesson plans. The ASTM Professor's Tool Kit, available here, includes sample syllabi, standards case studies, short videos on the value of technical standards, and articles on standards education, among other resources.
The Tool Kit, which includes materials that have been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin, is designed to allow professors select the standards-related informational tools that are the best fit for their specific classes.
NFPA Launches Interactive Map of U.S. Fire Departments
ANSI member and audited designator the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released an online tool that makes it easier for members of the public to quickly obtain contact and location information for local fire departments.
The interactive map, based on data obtained from the U.S. Fire Administration, covers 70% of U.S. fire departments, including both volunteer and career fire departments. The map can be accessed here.
NEMA Offers Guidelines for Reducing Impact of Electrical Outages and Guide to Evaluating Water-Damaged Electrical Equipment
ANSI member and accredited standards developer the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently made available for free online two documents intended to assist communities safely recover and rebuild from hurricanes and other related natural disasters.
"Evaluating Water-Damaged Electrical Equipment" is available for free download from NEMA's website. The guide provides instructions for the safe treatment of electrical equipment that has been exposed to water and includes information about which devices can be effectively repaired and which ones require complete replacement. The download can be accessed here.
The organization is also offering digital copies of "After the Storm - Strategies for reducing the impact of power outages through a stronger, smarter electric grid," a booklet of recommendations for public officials seeking to minimize safety risks associated with damaged power lines, portable generators, and other disaster-related electrical issues. The booklet, available here, also provides advice on how to bolster the resiliency of local sections of the electrical grid.
American Society of Landscape Architects Showcases Neighborhood Design Animation
ANSI member the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has posted a new 3-D animation providing guidance for homeowners seeking to bolster the environment by transforming their yards into wildlife habitats. The animation, titled "Designing Neighborhoods for People and Wildlife," covers issues related to habitat loss and declines in biodiversity, while also demonstrating how designed structures and native plants can be used to support native wildlife.
The animation, available here, is part of ASLA's Designing Our Future: Sustainable Landscapes website, which includes additional educational resources for students. The site received funding from the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).