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By David Walsh
Dec 05, 2025
Judging by this year’s list of most read stories on SN Online, it would be safe to say that SN’s content was “hot.” With not one, but two features covering fire safety-related standards, the topic was front of mind for many, possibly because of the wildfires that consumed much of the news cycle this past summer in the U.S. Add a story on standards for the coal industry, and a good percentage of the Top 10 was dedicated to heat, energy, and fire.
However, the remainder of the list contained some topics you might have guessed and others that seemingly came out of the blue. So read on to find out which stories stood out from all the others in 2025.
1) Standards Support Fire Safety was the most read story of 2025. With the horrifying Los Angeles wildfires capturing the attention of much of the world over the summer, this feature was one that intrigued many readers of SN Online.
2) The Brave New – Virtual – World of Amusement Parks comes in at number two on this year’s list. A collection of new standards being published by the committee on amusement rides and devices (F24), combined with the world’s love of thrills and adrenaline, pushed this story near the top of the list.
3) Two Standards for Composting: Having too much trash – and needing to dispose of it responsibly – is a topic everyone can relate to, which is probably why this story on standards for composting made the list.
4) Standards for the Hidden Dangers of Gates: This feature covering new standards for the ubiquitous horizontal sliding gates we see in everyday life, combined with the moving story of the non-profit Hummingbird Alliance, made it into the Top 5 of 2025.
5) Closing the Loop: Sustainability and Circular Design: Sustainability in the design process is becoming more and more of a priority in industry, and standards from the committee on sustainability (E60) will help companies and government achieve their goals.
6) Standards and the Future of Stem Cell Research: The revolutionary field of stem cell research has been advancing at such a rapid pace, standards have had difficulty keeping pace. New standards published this year from ASTM are propelling the field forward.
7) Climate Mapping Standard Aims to Make Climate Local: Many aspects of the world’s climate are still being studied, but much of these efforts are at the macro level. A new standard aims to measure climate at the local level.
8) Digging Deep on Coal Standards: New standards continue to be published for one of the world’s oldest energy sources: coal. This story covering the standards that help the industry run came in at number eight on the year.
9) Exoskeleton Standards for Firefighters Enter the Breach: Exoskeleton technology is gaining traction in everyday life and one area in particular is firefighting, where enhanced abilities can save lives.
10) 4 Standards for Safer Correctional Facilities: Correctional facilities are one area of society where it may be surprising to learn standards play a significant role. From door assemblies to window glazings, correctional facilities use a number of standards to run safely and efficiently.
