Pedestrian bollards protect walkways from vehicle intrusion, guide foot traffic, snow plows and can provide heating and illumination. They should be positioned in front of energy utility services (such as natural gas and electrical power switchgear). at sidewalk entrances, crosswalks, and near pedestrian-heavy zones. Join us today at 16:00 UTC when we examine best practice literature and a few construction details as time allows.
International & General Standards
ASTM F3016 – Standard Test Method for Surrogate Testing of Vehicle Impact Protective Devices at Low Speeds.
ASTM F2656 – Standard Test Method for Crash Testing of Vehicle Security Barriers.
ASTM A53 / A500 – Standards for steel pipe and tubing used in bollard construction.
ISO 22343 – Vehicle security barrier standards.
U.S. Codes & Regulations
ADA Standards for Accessible Design – Ensures bollards do not create accessibility barriers.
IBC (International Building Code) – Covers structural requirements for bollards in buildings.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is a standards setting body which publishes specifications, test protocols, and guidelines that are used in highway design and construction throughout the United States. Despite its name, the association represents not only highways but air, rail, water, and public transportation as well. Its technical committees are responsible for route numbering recommendations.
Although AASHTO sets transportation standards and policy for the United States as a whole, AASHTO is not an agency of the federal government; rather it is an organization of the states themselves. Policies of AASHTO are not federal laws or policies, but rather are ways to coordinate state laws and policies in the field of transportation.
One of its consensus products — the so-called “Green Book” — is heavily referenced in campus design guidelines and construction contracts because most education communities exist within municipal infrastructure. Power, water supply, sewers to schools and campuses large and small all tend to follow transportation pathways. The Green Book is revised periodically, the 2018 Edition the most recent.
We do not advocate in this product at the moment but follow the movement in concepts relevant to education communities; notably the recent reorganization that emphasizes transportation of people, rather than focusing primarily on moving vehicles. A new chapter discusses multimodal level of service and puts greater emphasis on lower-speed, walkable, urban zones in which new mobility technologies are emerging (such as micro-scooters on campuses)
We maintain the AASHTO catalog on our Pathways, Zoning and Mobility colloquia. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting, open to everyone.
Founded in 1904 in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the ACI has the most widely adopted catalog of consensus-based standards for design, construction, educational programs, certification programs, and proven expertise for individuals and organizations involved in concrete design, construction, and materials, who share a commitment to pursuing the best use of concrete — the most widely used construction material in the world.
Q. How is brickwork different from masonry? A. Brickwork and masonry are related terms in construction, but they are not exactly the same.
Masonry refers to the broader practice of building structures using a variety of materials like stone, brick, concrete blocks, or tiles. It encompasses all forms of stonework, brickwork, and blockwork. Masonry is a general term for the craft and the materials used in creating walls, structures, and even decorative elements in construction.
Brickwork, on the other hand, is a specific subset of masonry that involves the use of bricks as the building material. It focuses solely on the techniques and practices of laying bricks to build walls, arches, and other structural or decorative elements.
While all brickwork is masonry, not all masonry is brickwork. Masonry can also involve stone or other materials, whereas brickwork is specifically about bricks.
Q. What is the difference between cement and concrete? A. Cement and concrete are two different materials, although they are often used together in construction projects. Cement is a powdery substance that is used as a binder in building materials, while concrete is a composite material made up of cement, water, and aggregates (such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone).
Cement is produced by grinding clinker (a mixture of raw materials such as limestone, clay, and iron ore) with gypsum and other additives, to produce a fine powder. This powder is then mixed with water to create a paste that can be used to bind building materials together, such as bricks or blocks, or to create mortars and grouts for masonry work.
Concrete, on the other hand, is a mixture of cement, water, and aggregates. The aggregates are typically added to provide strength and bulk to the concrete. The type and size of aggregates used can vary depending on the desired strength, texture, and other properties of the concrete.
Q. What skill standards are required of certified practitioners? A. Concrete work requires knowledge of materials, tools, techniques, safety practices, and local building codes. The specific skill standards may vary depending on the scope and complexity of the concrete work, as well as the location and applicable regulations. Some of the common skills and knowledge required for managing or installing concrete include:
Knowledge of materials: Understanding the properties of cement, aggregates, admixtures, and other materials used in concrete, as well as their interactions and effects on the final product.
Ability to read plans and specifications: Being able to interpret blueprints, drawings, and other project documents to understand the scope of work, the required concrete mix design, and any special requirements or constraints.
Concrete mixing and placement techniques: Knowing how to properly mix concrete ingredients, and how to place and finish concrete using various techniques and tools, such as screeds, trowels, and floats.
Safety practices: Understanding and following proper safety practices when working with concrete, such as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), using proper lifting techniques, and ensuring proper ventilation.
Knowledge of local building codes: Being familiar with local building codes and regulations related to concrete work, such as minimum thickness and strength requirements, reinforcement specifications, and other standards.
Q. What other organizations are involved in standards setting in this domain? A. There are several organizations that develop standards for concrete construction. These standards are used to ensure that concrete structures are safe, durable, and meet the requirements of building codes and regulations.
ASTM International: ASTM International is a global organization that develops and publishes technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM has published many standards related to concrete materials and construction, including specifications for concrete mix design, testing methods for concrete strength and durability, and guidelines for concrete repair and maintenance.
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA): The NRMCA is a trade association that represents producers of ready-mixed concrete and provides education and resources on the use of ready-mixed concrete. The NRMCA develops standards and guidelines related to concrete mix design, quality control, and sustainability.
International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI): The ICRI is a professional association that focuses on concrete repair and restoration. The ICRI develops standards and guidelines for concrete repair and maintenance, including guidelines for surface preparation, repair materials, and application techniques.
Hops are a major ingredient for beer brewing. Read more about a new design for a hops dryer for small-scale producers by the @University of Tennessee's Department of Biosystems Engineering in the latest issue of Resource. #hops#beer#brewinghttps://t.co/CSQgQp5EXcpic.twitter.com/6S5k8OD5zT
Dutch student radios (known as studentenzenders or campus radios) are typically non-commercial, educational broadcasting initiatives run by universities or student associations. They operate primarily as cable radio stations (kabelradio) distributed via campus or university cable networks, rather than over-the-air FM/AM transmissions. This avoids the need for expensive ether frequency licenses and aligns with their limited, non-public reach. Over-the-air broadcasting is rare for student radios due to regulatory hurdles and costs, but if pursued, it falls under general broadcasting rules.
Standards are governed by the Dutch Media Act (Mediawet), enforced by the Dutch Media Authority (Commissariaat voor de Media, CvdM) for content and permissions, and the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure (Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur for technical aspects. For cable distribution, no broadcast license is required if confined to private/university networks, but equipment must comply with EU directives.
Tune in to our latest podcast ‘Building a global Quantum Industry: Explaining, Scaling and Standardising Quantum Technologies’ where experts draw upon quantum’s most exciting applications.https://t.co/dFun1MTkDE
Evolution of the standards system in Australia is tracking the evolution of the United States standards system administered by the American National Standards Institute. In many economic sectors adherence to Australian Standards is mandated by legislation, however, access to the standards are often cost prohibitive, particularly to small business and sole traders.
Principal petitioner Andrew Gardso, an electrical engineer, states,
“This in essence will force small organisations and sole traders out of business or necessitate services being performed without having access to these standards.”
Access to Standards Australia Construction codes can cost more than $2673 for three years’ access to the National Construction Code set of standards. A petition to the Australian parliament’s House of Representatives seeks free or affordable access to essential standards that govern the safety and consistency of products services and systems, including design and construction.
This content is accessible to paid subscribers. To view it please enter your password below or send mike@standardsmichigan.com a request for subscription details.
Data centers in colleges and universities are crucial for supporting the extensive technological infrastructure required for modern education and research. These centers house critical servers and storage systems that manage vast amounts of data, ensuring reliable access to academic resources, administrative applications, and communication networks. They enable the secure storage and processing of sensitive information, including student records, faculty research, and institutional data.
Moreover, data centers facilitate advanced research by providing the computational power needed for data-intensive studies in fields like bioinformatics, climate science, and artificial intelligence. They support virtual learning environments and online course management systems, essential for the increasingly prevalent hybrid and online education models. Efficient data centers also contribute to campus sustainability goals by optimizing energy use through modern, eco-friendly technologies.
Additionally, robust data center infrastructure enhances the university’s ability to attract top-tier faculty and students by demonstrating a commitment to cutting-edge technology and resources. They also play a vital role in disaster recovery and business continuity, ensuring that educational and administrative functions can resume quickly after disruptions. Overall, data centers are integral to the academic mission, operational efficiency, and strategic growth of colleges and universities.
We have followed development of the technical standards that govern the success of these “installations” since 1993; sometimes nudging technical committees — NFPA, IEEE, ASHRAE, BICSI and UL. The topic is vast and runs fast so today we will review, and perhaps respond to, the public consultations that are posted on a near-daily basis. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
