International Standardization Organizations
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission | www.iec.ch
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. These serve as a basis for national standardization and as references when drafting international tenders and contracts.
The IEC’s work includes standardizing the symbols used on building construction and engineering drawings.
ISO International Organization for Standardization | www.iso.org
See the section on ISO in this chapter.
Canadian Standardization and Standards Writing Organizations
SCC Standards Council of Canada | www.scc.ca
See the section on the SCC in this chapter.
CNSC Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | www.cnsc.gc.ca/eng
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) protects the health, safety and security of Canadians as well as the environment, and respects Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
CCBFC Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes
Under the auspices of the National Research Council, the CCBFC produces the National Building Code (NBC), the National Fire Code (NFC), the Canadian Plumbing Code (CPC), the Canadian Farm Building Code (CFBC), and the Canadian Housing Code (CHC).
CGA Canadian Gas Association | www.cga.ca
CGSB Canadian General Standards Board | www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ongc-cgsb/index-eng.html
The CGSB, a part of Public Works and Government Services Canada, is mandated to provide standardization and conformity assessment services in support of government purchasing and other requirements. The CGSB is the only accredited federal government standards development body in Canada.
The CGSB’s services include:
- maintenance of approximately 350 standards, specifications, manuals, and guides in both English and French;
- listings of pre-qualified products and services;
- ISO 9001 conformity assessment services;
- accredited ISO 9001 quality system registration services;
- accredited ISO 14001 environmental management systems services.
CSA Canadian Standards Association Group | www.csagroup.org
CSA Group is a global organization dedicated to safety, social good and sustainability, and is a leader in safety and environmental certification around the world, including Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. The CSA Group mandate is to hold the future to a higher standard.
The CSA develops standards in the following areas of interest to architects:
- business/management systems;
- communications/information;
- construction: building materials and products; concrete; masonry; forest products; plumbing products and materials; industrialized building construction; structures (design)
- electrical and electronics: Canadian Electrical Code Part I; Canadian Electrical Code Part II, Wiring Products, Industrial Products, Consumer and Commercial Products; Canadian Electrical Code Part III, Electrical Engineering Standards, Performance of Electrical Products;
- energy: renewable energy; energy conservation in housing; fire safety and fuel burning equipment;
- environment: environmental technology; environmental management systems;
- gas equipment: food processing and food refrigeration; gas-fired domestic and commercial heating equipment and air conditioning; large input commercial and industrial equipment; domestic and commercial water heaters and boilers; incineration and accessories; laundry equipment; manual valves, hose, couplings, and assemblies;
- life sciences: health care technology; public safety; occupational health and safety;
- materials technology: welding, metals, and metal products;
- transportation/distribution: materials handling and logistics; oil and gas systems and materials.
ULC Underwriters Laboratories of Canada | https://canada.ul.com
ULC Standards is an independent, not-for-profit standards development organization. ULC Standards has developed safety and performance standards and specifications for 90 years and is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, under the National Standards System.
ULC Standards publishes and maintains close to 300 Canadian safety standards and other related documents. These standards play an important part in improving public safety. ULC Standards employs a consensus-based process of developing effective product safety standards, using input from consumers, manufacturers, government agencies, users, regulatory authorities and other interested parties.
The ULC develops standards in the following areas of interest to architects:
- automotive equipment;
- building construction materials;
- burglar alarm equipment and systems;
- factory-built fireplaces, chimneys, and vents;
- fire alarm equipment and systems;
- fire extinguishers, extinguishing systems, and fire extinguishing media;
- fire-fighting apparatus and equipment;
- fire protection equipment;
- fittings and associated equipment for flammable fuels;
- fittings and associated equipment for gases;
- kitchen exhaust equipment;
- physical security equipment;
- tanks and associated equipment;
- thermal insulation.
WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (Health Canada)
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada’s national hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS’s controlled products, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDS), and worker education and training programs.
North American Standardization and Standards Writing Organizations
ANSI American National Standards Institute | www.ansi.org
ANSI – a private, not-for-profit membership organization – is the administrator and coordinator of the U.S. private-sector voluntary standardization system. ANSI does not itself develop American National Standards (ANS). ANSI has accredited more than 220 distinct entities to develop standards.
ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers | www.ashrae.org
ASHRAE’s purpose is to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration through research, standards writing, continuing education, and publications. ASHRAE writes standards that set uniform methods of testing and rating equipment, and establishes accepted practices for the industry worldwide, such as the design of energy-efficient buildings. ASHRAE’s research program investigates numerous issues, such as identifying new refrigerants that are environmentally safe.
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers | www.asme.org
ASME International maintains and distributes codes and standards for the design, manufacturing, and installation of mechanical devices. The standards are used in more than 150 countries throughout the world. ASME also publishes technical journals, books and reports on mechanical engineering.
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials | www.astm.org
Organized in 1898, the ASTM is a not-for-profit organization that publishes standard test methods, specifications, practices, guides, classifications and terminology. The ASTM’s standards development activities encompass metals, paints, plastics, textiles, petroleum, construction, energy, the environment and many other areas. The ASTM has developed more than 12,000 technical standards, which are published each year in the more than 80 volumes of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
AWPA American Wire Producers Association | www.awpa.org
The AWPA is an international trade association for the ferrous wire and wire products industry in North America.
EPA Environmental Protection Agency | www.epa.gov
The EPA is a U.S. government agency mandated to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment.
NFPA National Fire Protection Agency | www.nfpa.org
The NFPA’s technical committees develop more than 300 codes and standards known collectively as the National Fire Codes. NFPA codes and standards are available through the National Fire Codes Subscription Service (NFCSS™).
NFPA periodicals supplement the Fire Protection Handbook with current information. Fire Technology provides reports on current research in the technical aspects of fire protection. The NFPA established the not-for-profit National Fire Protection Research Foundation to research fire risk assessment as well as new technologies and strategies.
Commonly used NFPA codes and standards include the following:
- National Electrical Code (NFPA 70);
- Life Safety Code (NFPA 101);
- Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA 30);
- Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA 13);
- Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (NFPA 58);
- Standard for Health Care Facilities (NFPA 99).
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology | www.nist.gov
NIST is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Technology Administration and was established to advance measurement science and develop standards.
SMACNA Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association | www.smacna.org
SMACNA is an international association of union contractors with chapters throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and Brazil. SMACNA develops technical standards and manuals for all facets of the sheet metal industry, including duct construction and installation, air pollution control, energy recovery, and roofing. SMACNA’s Technical Resources Department answers technical questions from architects and others.
UL Underwriters Laboratories | www.ul.com
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent product safety certification organization that has been testing products and writing standards for safety for over a century. UL evaluates products, components, materials and systems. UL’s worldwide family of companies and network of service providers includes 64 laboratory, testing and certification facilities serving customers in 104 countries.