In conjunction with the World Standards Day (WSD) Planning Committee, the Standards Engineering Society (SES) has announced “Standards Mean Business” as the theme for its annual paper contest. Open exclusively to U.S.-based organizations and individuals, the paper competition should focus on the overall theme by specifically illustrating issues, concerns and applications of standards and conformity assessment programs as they pertain to business. Papers may explore how standards affect the production, distribution, marketing, and/or sales of goods and services on a national, regional, or international level as well as how standards and conformity assessment programs help to foster a healthy economy. The first place winner will receive $2,500 and a commemorative plaque; second and third place winners will receive cash awards of $1000 and $500 respectively. Winning papers will be published in the SES journal, Standards Engineering, and the ANSI Reporter. To participate, please visit the SES Web site for an entry form and rules; all submissions should be received no later than Aug. 30, 2002.

Cement SRMs

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently completed certification of renewals for all 10 Standard Reference Materials in the cement SRM 1880 series. The series has been essential to laboratories that certify concrete products for performance and evaluate mechanisms for concrete corrosion and failure. The SRM 1880a renewal series reflects the newer cement types now being used. Ordinary and blended Portland cement products from around the world were selected, including blends with limestone, slag, and fly ash; low-iron white cement; and two calcium aluminate cements. For technical information, contact John Sieber (phone: 301/975-3920). For ordering information, contact NIST (phone: 301/975-6776).

New Aluminum Industry Foundation

A new charitable/scientific foundation has been created to serve the interests of the aluminum extrusion industry. The Extrusion Technology for Aluminum Profiles Foundation has been established by the Aluminum Extruders Council to develop, promote, provide, and fund education and research related to aluminum extrusion process and technology. Some of the programs previously undertaken by AEC will now be conducted by the foundation, among them the Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition and the International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminars held every four years. Contact the ET Foundation, Wauconda, Ill. (phone: 847/526-2010; ET Web site).

Code Information

Evaluation Services
The International Code Council (ICC) plans to consolidate the evaluation services offered by or on behalf of the Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA), International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI), and National Evaluation Service (NES). This is to be completed by Jan. 1, 2003. This new “one evaluation” concept will create an opportunity for national acceptance of testing laboratories, quality assurance agencies and building technology compatible with the “one code” desires of code enforcement officials and the building industry to which ICC has already responded. The new program will recognize reports issued by the services it will supercede for the existing term of the report.

Code Integration
Also, see ICC’s new integration Web site. The site can provide users with the most up-to-date and accurate facts about the integration as the full integration of BOCA, SBCCI, and ICBO into ICC approaches in January 2003.

Online Databases
The Web site of the National Alliance for Building Regulatory Reform in the Digital Age now has useful databases online. Click on the link to the National Alliance. There you will find the Proposed Secure Nationwide State-Managed Database (building designs and evacuation plans for critical structures), the Building Regulatory Software Listing (a listing of computer software supporting building regulatory processes and jurisdictions where the software is in use), and Models and Best Practices from the Streamlining Project (a partial listing of programs submitted under the Streamlining Project particular to information technology and its use). //

Copyright 2002, ASTM