Codes and Standards

A World Without Standards – Lights Out

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Code

a set of rules and specifications for the correct methods and materials used
in a certain product, building or process. Codes can be approved by local,
state or federal governments and can carry the force of law. The main
purpose of codes is to protect the public by setting up the minimum
acceptable level of safety for buildings, products and processes.
(Milwaukee School of Engineering, https://libguides.msoe.edu/me/codes)
Code

- exist for the purpose of safety, quality or other benefit

- a code is not a law that must be followed, but can be adopted into a
law or included in a business contract. Codes that have been adopted
by a city, state or country must then be followed.
- Codes may incorporate or refer to existing standards or specifications
- Minimum acceptable level for safety and quality
Technical Standard

is an established norm or requirement. It is usually a formal document that

establishes uniform engineering or technical criteria, methods, processes
and practices. Standards allow for interchangeability of parts, system
interoperability, and they ensure quality, reliability and safety. (Milwaukee
School of Engineering, https://libguides.msoe.edu/me/codes)
Technical Standard

A standard is an agreed way of doing something in a consistent and

repeatable way. Standards set minimum requirements in terms of safety,
reliability, efficiency and trust. (IEC,
https://www.iec.ch/understanding-standards)
Technical Standard

Standards are published documents that establish technical specifications

and procedures designed to maximize the reliability of the materials,
products, methods, and/or services people use every day. (IEEE SA,
https://beyondstandards.ieee.org/what-are-standards-why-are-they-impor
tant/)
A code tells you what you need to do, and a standard
tells you how to do it.
While a code provides requirements for the products (e.g. material
performance level) and processes (i.e. methodology of the design) involved
in installation, standards benefit both the contractors and engineers who
employ them, and also the end user.
Definitions (https://www.iso.org/certification.html)

Certification – the provision by an independent body of written

assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question

meets specific requirements.

Definitions (https://www.iso.org/certification.html)

Accreditation – the formal recognition by an independent body,

generally known as an accreditation body, that a certification body

operates according to international standards.

Definitions (https://www.iso.org/certification.html)

Conformity assessment - involves a set of processes that show your

product, service or system meets the requirements of a standard.

How about Specifications and Regulations?

•Unlike a code or standard, which can apply broadly to an industry and

region, specifications outline the requirements of a specific company

or product.
How about Specifications and Regulations?

•A specification provides specific requirements for the materials,

components or services used in an application and may go above and

beyond code or standard requirements.

How about Specifications and Regulations?

•A regulation is mandated by a government body and requires

that—by law—those in the industry comply. The regulation can

incorporate codes or standards, or be created completely on its own.

How about Specifications and Regulations?

•Unlike a code or standard, a regulation does not necessarily require

any industry consensus or knowledgeable body to put it in affect.

Simply put…
Codes are generally accepted sets of rules that tell you what you need
to do.
Standards provide the “how to” of executing codes.
Specifications, unlike codes or standards, outline the requirements of a
specific company or product.
Regulations, which can incorporate codes and standards, are mandated
by a government body and required, by law, to be complied with.
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Main forms of conformity assessment are testing,
certification, and inspection
CERTIFICATION
Certification is the provision by an independent body of written
assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question
meets specific requirements. Certification is also known as third party
conformity assessment.
Main forms of conformity assessment are testing,
certification, and inspection
TESTING
Testing is the determination of one or more of an object or product’s
characteristics and is usually performed by a laboratory.
Main forms of conformity assessment are testing,
certification, and inspection
INSPECTION
Inspection describes the regular checking of a product to make sure it
meets specified criteria.
Main forms of conformity assessment are testing,
certification, and inspection
CERTIFICATION
Certification is the provision by an independent body of written
assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question
meets specific requirements. Certification is also known as third party
conformity assessment.
Understanding standards

• International standards also form the basis for testing and certification.

• International standards are also often adopted by countries or regions to

become national or regional standards. For example, close to 80% of

European electrical and electronic standards are in fact IEC International

Standards.
Relevance of Automation Professionals

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International Codes and Standards

•ASCE - standards and technical guidelines for civil engineering

•ASTM standards - technical standards for a wide range of
materials, products, systems, and services developed and
published by ASTM International, formerly known as American
Society for Testing and Materials
•IEEE Standards - Standards published by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
International Codes and Standards

•International Building Codes (IBC) - A comprehensive code

addressing the design and installation of building systems
through requirements emphasizing performance, the IBC
establishes minimum regulations for building systems using
prescriptive and performance- related provisions.
•ASME standards - as standards, associated with the art,
science, and practice of mechanical engineering.
International Codes and Standards

•NFPA Codes - codes and standards that address fire, life, and
electrical safety published by The National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA). NFPA offers read-only access to their
codes and standards. Codes and standards cannot be
downloaded or printed.
International Codes and Standards

•NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) - an

ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization made up of
business leaders, electrical experts, engineers, scientists, and
technicians.
•ISO - ISO has over 19,500 standards covering aspects of technology
and business
International Codes and Standards

•IEC - headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is the organization that

prepares and publishes international standards and other publications
for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
• International Society of Automation (ISA) - a non-profit professional
association founded in 1945 to create a better world through
automation
Learn more about IEC
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95217

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A795217&index=2
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Codes
& Standards (https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards)
virtually every building, process, service, design, and installation is
affected by NFPA’s 275+ codes and standards.
• publishes more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to
minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. NFPA codes
and standards, administered by more than 250 Technical Committees
comprising approximately 8,000 volunteers, are adopted and used
throughout the world.
Popular NFPA codes
• NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code - Adopted in all 50 states, NFPA 70, National
Electrical Code (NEC) is the
benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect
people and property from electrical hazards.
• NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code -provides the latest safety provisions
to meet society's changing fire detection, signaling, and emergency communications
demands. In addition to the core focus on fire alarm systems, the Code includes
requirements for mass notification systems used for weather emergencies; terrorist
events; biological, chemical, and nuclear emergencies; and other threats.
• NFPA 70E - Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces.
ISO standards categories (https://www.iso.org/standards.html)

•Quality management standards to help work more efficiently and reduce product
failures.
•Environmental management standards to help reduce environmental impacts, reduce
waste and be more sustainable.
•Health and safety standards to help reduce accidents in the workplace.
•Energy management standards to help cut energy consumption.
•Food safety standards to help prevent food from being contaminated.
•IT security standards to help keep sensitive information secure.
Popular ISO Standards

•ISO 9000 FAMILY — QUALITY MANAGEMENT

•ISO 14000 FAMILY - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
•ISO 45000 FAMILY — OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
•ISO/IEC 17025 - TESTING AND CALIBRATION LABORATORIES
•ISO/IEC 27001 — INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT
•ISO 22000 - FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT
•ISO 31000 - RISK MANAGEMENT
•ISO 50001 - ENERGY MANAGEMENT
More about ISA

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More about IEEE standards

• IEEE 2030.1.1TM standard, published in 2015, specifies the design interface of EVs and
direct current (DC) quick chargers that promote interoperability and rapid charging.

• IEEE 1547TM, a standard for renewable energy and smart grid

•IEEE 802.15.1TM Bluetooth standard

• IEEE 802.11TM, one of the IEEE standards for Wi-Fi

•IEEE 142 - recommended practice for grounding of industrial and commercial power
system

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LOCAL CODES

• Philippine Mechanical Engineering Codes

• Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code covers basic principles and data used in the mechanical
engineering field.

• Typical user of the code:

– Building Official – Reading, Interpreting, or conceptualizing design

– Preparing or writing reports, specifications – Government Engineer

and other documents related to a project

– Trade Practitioner – Project Owner

– Consultant or an engineering supplier

LOCAL CODES
• Philippine Electronics Code

• Telecommunications, Facilities, Distribution System

• Fire Detection and Alarm System

• Cable Television System

• Distributed Antenna System

• Philippine Electrical Code

• The primary objective of the code is to establish basic materials quality and

electrical works standards for the safe use of electricity for light, heat, power,

communications, signaling and for other purposes

References
• American Society for Mechanical Engineers. (n.d.). About ASME Standards. Retrieved from ASME:

https://www.asme.org/codes-standards/about-standards

• ASTM International. (2021). Retrieved from

https://www.astm.org/Standard/standards-and-publications.html

• Erico. (2018, November 13). What Is The Difference Between a Code, Standard, Regulation and

Specification in the Electrical Industry? Retrieved from

https://blog.nvent.com/erico-what-is-the-difference-between-a-code-standard-regulation-and-spec

ification-in-the-electrical-industry/

• IEEE. (2021, January 11). What are Standards? Why are They Important? Retrieved from

https://beyondstandards.ieee.org/what-are-standards-why-are-they-important/
References

• International Organization for Standization. (n.d.). Standards. Retrieved from ISO:

https://www.iso.org/standards.html

• International Society of Automation (ISA). (n.d.). Setting the Standard for AutomationTM. Retrieved

from https://www.isa.org/standards-and-publications/isa-standards

• Milwaukee School of Engineering University. (2021, September 18). Code and Technical Standard

Resources : Code and Technical Standard Resources. Retrieved from Walter Schroeder Library:

https://libguides.msoe.edu/codes

• National Electrical Manufacturers Association. (n.d.). Standards that Power and Connect the

Electroindustry. Retrieved from https://www.nema.org/standards