Author Archives: mike@standardsmichigan.com

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Bucolia 400

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

— William Butler Yeats

Anglo-americká vysoká škola, z.ú. Czech Republic

Today we walk through literature governing the safety and sustainability of the open space features of education community estates.   Unlike the titles for the building envelope, which are known to most design professionals and contractors, the standards for grounds and landscaping are widely scattered; many of them occupational safety related; created, administered and enforced by units of government.

Bucolia 100.  We present a broad overview of the dominant standards catalogs incorporated by reference into public safety and sustainability legislation.

Bucolia 200.  We drill into technical specifics of the titles in Bucolia 100.

Bucolia 400.  We pick through case studies in landscape, garden, tree and water literature.  We also track titles about the reclamation of building roofs for permeable surfaces and gardens.

Smart Garden Watering and Lighting System Integrated with Machine Learning Model to Maintain Urban Gardens

During the winter months (Bucolia 200) in the northern hemisphere we include snow and ice management; while covering summer month technologies for southern hemisphere (and vice-versa).  Snowfalls in the southern hemisphere are mainly contained to the highlands and mountain ranges, which are almost exclusively in Victoria and Southern New South Wales, as well as the mountains in Tasmania.   Winter does not pose as much of a cost burden to education facilities in the southern hemisphere as it does in the northern hemisphere.

Landscape standards refer to guidelines or regulations that specify the requirements for the design, installation, and maintenance of outdoor spaces such as parks, gardens, streetscapes, and public spaces. Landscape standards typically cover various aspects of landscape design, including vegetation selection, planting arrangements, irrigation systems, hardscape materials, and lighting.

These standards may be set by government agencies at the federal, state, or local level, or by professional organizations such as the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Landscape standards aim to ensure that outdoor spaces are safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing while also promoting sustainability and environmental protection.

Landscape standards may also address issues such as accessibility for people with disabilities, water conservation, stormwater management, and erosion control. They may vary depending on the specific location, climate, and intended use of the outdoor space. Compliance with landscape standards may be required for approval of development projects, public funding, or other permits.

We track the standards catalog of two ANSI-accredited standards developers:

American Hort

Tree Care Industry Association

Additional practice titles applicable to accessory systems:

ASABE/ICC 802 Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler and Emitter Standard 

ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

National Electrical Code: Article 411 Low-Voltage Lighting

Upcode Article 411

National Electrical Code: Article 225: Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders

Illumination Engineering Society (Lighting Library)

Land F/X: Landscape Lighting, Codes, Guidelines and Techniques  

OSHA Landscape and Horticultural Services

Sports Turf Managers Association

As a cross-cutting subjectSports Turf Managers Association ( involving soil and water and sun many other standards developers, and all levels of government, produce best practice literature for today’s topic.  We’ll have a look at what’s moving among those.

To join us use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Recent Research:

Smart Garden Watering and Lighting System Integrated with Machine Learning Model to Maintain Urban Gardens

World Soil Museum

Nederland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The World Soil Museum hosts a range of educational programs and workshops for students, researchers, and other visitors who are interested in learning more about soil science. These programs cover topics such as soil classification, soil management, and soil conservation, and they are designed to help people understand the vital role that soils play in supporting agriculture, ecosystems, and human societies around the world.

 

Getting to Know Your Soil

Captain Kangaroo

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Fire Safety

“Creation of humanity by Prometheus as Athena looks on”

Fire safety leadership usually finds itself involved in nearly every dimension of risk on the #WiseCampus; not just the built environment but security of interior spaces with combustibles but along the perimeter and within the footprint of the education community overall.

The Campus Fire Marshal, for example, usually signs the certificate of occupancy for a new building but may be drawn into meetings where decisions about cybersecurity are made.   Fire protection systems coincide with evacuation systems when there is no risk and both may be at risk because of cyber-risk.

The job description of a campus fire safety official is linked below offers some insight into why fire safety technologies reach into every risk dimension:

University of California Santa Cruz Office of Emergency Services

University of Tennessee Emergency Service Training

The development of the highest level fire safety consensus product in the world is led by the British Standards Institute, under the administration of the International Standardization Organization, with Committee E05 on Fire Standards of  ASTM International as the US Technical Advisory Group Administrator.  The business plan and the map of global participants is linked below:

BUSINESS PLAN ISO/TC 92 Fire safety EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The consensus products developed by TC 92 are intended to save lives, reduce fire losses, reduce technical barriers to trade, provide for international harmonization of tests and methods and bring substantial cost savings in design. ISO/TC 92 standards are expected to be of special value to developing countries, which are less likely to have national standards.  As with all ISO standards, the TC 92 consensus product is a performance standard suitable for use in prescriptive regulations and provide for a proven route to increased fire safety.

We do not advocate in this standard at the moment; we only track it.  The International Fire Code and the Fire Code have been our priorities since 2006.  The fire safety space is well populated with knowledgeable facility professionals because conformity budgets in the fire safety world — i.e. the local or state fire marshal — usually has a budget.  When you have a budget you usually have people keeping pace with best practice.

We encourage our colleagues in the United States on either the business or academic side of the education facility industry to communicate directly with ANSI’s ISO Team and/or the ASTM Contact: Tom O’Toole, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 Phone: (610) 832-9739, Email: totoole@astm.org

We maintain this title on the agenda of our periodic Global and Prometheus colloquia.  See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting;  open to everyone.

Issue: [19-104]

Category: Fire Safety, Fire Protection, International

Contact: Mike Anthony, Joe DeRosier, Alan Sactor, Joshua Elvove, Casey Grant

More:

The Challenges of Storage and Not Enough Space, Alan Sactor

Mushroom Coffee

University of Miami Net position: 2023 $7.774B  | MapFacilities & Operations

Standards Florida

Mushroom coffee (Michigan State University), a blend of coffee and medicinal mushroom extracts like lion’s mane and chaga, has gained traction on college campuses due to its perceived health benefits and social media buzz. Students, often seeking alternatives to high-caffeine drinks, are drawn to its lower caffeine content—about 40-60 mg per cup compared to 95 mg in regular coffee—reducing jitters while maintaining focus.

Claims of enhanced cognition, immunity, and stress relief resonate with health-conscious Gen Z, fueled by ancient medicinal traditions and trendy marketing. Campus coffee shops and online retailers make it accessible, though its higher cost (often $20-$40 for 30 servings) is a drawback for budget-conscious students.

Despite limited scientific backing for health claims, the earthy taste and functional appeal align with the wellness culture, making mushroom coffee a niche but growing staple among students balancing academics and self-care

Are Mushrooms Magical?


 

Iced Americano

University of Michigan Net Position 2024: $22.335 billion

Michigan Central | Michigan West | Michigan Upper Peninsula | Michigan East

Bert Askwith worked his way through college shuttling students to and from Detroit Metropolitan Airport until his graduation in 1931; when two semester tuition cost $300.  With no student debt he founded and grew Campus Coach Lines that still provides the same services at many other US campuses.  He donated part of his fortune to establish a cafe in the Undergraduate Library; which now serves an expanding and bewildering catalog of caffeine-based drinks found in educational settlements worldwide.


When new foreign national students arrive at U.S. colleges and universities, they often enter environments where a left-leaning worldview is prominent and pervasive. Many campuses today emphasize themes of social justice, equity, and systemic critique that align with a preference for larger, more interventionist government. Faculty and administrative messaging can reinforce these ideas, portraying government as the primary instrument for addressing inequality, redistributing resources, and regulating social behavior.

For many international students, this can be both eye-opening and disorienting. They may come from countries with different political traditions, including skepticism of state power due to experiences with corruption or authoritarianism. Yet, in the university setting, they encounter curricula and campus cultures that valorize activist government solutions while often criticizing markets, traditional institutions, or individual responsibility. Programs in the humanities and social sciences in particular tend to frame policy questions through a progressive lens that sees expansive government action as not just beneficial but morally necessary.

This immersion—some might call it a “marination”—shapes perspectives over time. Students adopt the language of social justice, climate policy, and identity politics, often without exposure to robust counterarguments. While this experience can broaden horizons and foster empathy for marginalized groups, it also risks narrowing intellectual diversity and suppressing debate about the limits and costs of government power. For international students, it can mean graduating with a worldview significantly more aligned with the American academic left than with the diverse political traditions of their home countries.

Kitchenettes

Chilled Banana Pudding Overnight Oats

Banana Pudding Overnight Oats is a delicious and nutritious breakfast dish made by combining rolled oats, mashed bananas, milk, and other flavorings, and allowing them to sit and “soak” in the refrigerator overnight. This results in a creamy, flavorful, and satisfying bowl of oats that are ready to eat in the morning without any cooking required. It’s convenient make-ahead breakfast option that can be customized to suit individual tastes and dietary preferences.  Here’s a simple recipe for Banana Pudding Overnight Oats:

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk (any type of milk, such as dairy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk)
1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sweetener of choice (such as honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar)
Additional banana slices, crushed cookies, or whipped cream for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

In a medium-sized bowl, mash the ripe banana with a fork until smooth.  Add the rolled oats, milk, chia seeds (if using), vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and sweetener to the bowl with the mashed banana. Stir well to combine. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4-6 hours, to allow the oats to absorb the liquid and soften.

In the morning, give the oats a good stir and adjust the sweetness or consistency to taste by adding more sweetener or milk if desired.  Serve the Banana Pudding Overnight Oats in bowls or jars, and garnish with additional banana slices, crushed cookies, or whipped cream if desired.

Enjoy your delicious and creamy Banana Pudding Overnight Oats for a nutritious and convenient breakfast!

More:

Spoon University 

Texas A&M University: Banana Nut Overnight Oats

Harvard University: Oats the Nutrition Source

Colorado University: Overnight Oats

US Food & Drug Administration: Gluten-Free Labeling of Foods

Nourriture d’automne

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