Author Archives: mike@standardsmichigan.com

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Standard Reference Material

Metrology is the scientific discipline that deals with measurement, including both the theoretical and practical aspects of measurement. It is a broad field that encompasses many different areas, including length, mass, time, temperature, and electrical and optical measurements.  The goal of metrology is to establish a system of measurement that is accurate, reliable, and consistent. This involves the development of standards and calibration methods that enable precise and traceable measurements to be made.

The International System of Units is the most widely used system of units today and is based on a set of seven base units, which are defined in terms of physical constants or other fundamental quantities.  Another important aspect of metrology is the development and use of measurement instruments and techniques. These instruments and techniques must be designed to minimize errors and uncertainties in measurements, and they must be calibrated against recognized standards to ensure accuracy and traceability.

Metrology also involves the development of statistical methods for analyzing and interpreting measurement data. These methods are used to quantify the uncertainty associated with measurement results and to determine the reliability of those results.

National Institute for Standards & Technology

Federal Participation in Consensus Standards

ARCHIVE: UM Welcomes ANSI 2015

Flying Tigers

The Flying Tigers, officially the First American Volunteer Group (AVG), were American pilots led by Claire Lee Chennault, formed in 1941 to aid China against Japanese forces during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Equipped with Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, they were tasked with defending Chinese skies and supply lines. However, the Flying Tigers did not directly stop the Rape of Nanking, which occurred from December 1937 to January 1938, as they were not yet formed.

By the time they saw combat on December 20, 1941, after Pearl Harbor, Nanjing had already fallen. Their role was significant later, defending key areas like Kunming and the Burma Road, disrupting Japanese air operations, and boosting Chinese morale. With only 62 combat-ready pilots, they destroyed 296 Japanese aircraft, but their impact came post-Nanjing, aiding China’s broader resistance against Japanese aggression.

SAVE OUR SOULS: United States Library of Congress: Wartime Messages from China to the American People (1943–1945)

 

Gallery: Other Ways of Knowing Climate Change

Life-cycle cost of education community settings are informed by climate change assumptions.  In addition to the flow of research money to faculty for laboratory space, graduate student support, supercomputer installations, conference travel; these assumptions inform the architectural character of a campus — i.e. the design and operation its buildings and infrastructure.  These assumptions swing back and forth over these eternal institutions with cyclical assumptions about global cooling and global warming.  In the late 1960’s academic researchers found evidence of global cooling.  Fifty years on academic researchers assume the earth is warming.  We just roll with it as we do with all the other policy “givens” we accommodate.    Stewardship of the planet — keeping it clean for those who follow us — Yes.  Catastrophilia — the love of catastrophone so well documented in history — not so much.

As with all emotional issues, language changes mightily.  We refer you to our journey through technical standard language HERE.

According to a report by the Congressional Research Service, federal funding for climate research and related activities totaled approximately $13.8 billion in fiscal year 2020. This funding was distributed across various agencies and programs, including the National Science Foundation’s Climate and Large-Scale Dynamics program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s climate Program Office, and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

Not included in this figure is the opportunity cost and loss of brand identity of not conforming to the climate change agenda.

The “Narrative”

Mass Formation Psychosis

Climate Psychosis

Climate Science: What Does it Say?

Dialectic: Climate Change

Readings / The Administrative State

If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself. - Joseph Goebbels

Energy Standard for Sites & Buildings: Lighting

University of Michigan

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is an ANSI-accredited continuous-maintenance standards developer (a major contributor to what we call a regulatory product development “stream”).   Continuous maintenance means that changes to titles in its catalog can change in as little as 30-45 days.  This is meaningful to jurisdictions that require conformance to the “latest” version of ASHRAE 90.1

Among the leading titles in its catalog is ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.  Standard 90.1 has been a benchmark for commercial building energy codes in the United States and a key basis for codes and standards around the world for more than 35 years.  Free access to ASHRAE 90.1 version is available at the link below:

READ ONLY Version of 2022 ASHRAE 90.1

If you cannot access it with the link above, try the link below and select 90.1 from the title list:

Current Popular ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines

Chapter 9: Lighting, begins on Page 148, and therein lie the tables that are the most widely used metrics (lighting power densities) by electrical and illumination engineers for specifying luminaires and getting them wired and controlled “per code”.   Many jurisdictions provide access to this Chapter without charge.  Respecting ASHRAE’s copyright, we will not do so here but will use them during today’s Illumination Colloquium, 16:00 UTC.

Keep in mind that recently ASHRAE expanded the scope of 90.1 to include energy usage in the spaces between buildings:

25 January 2023: Newly Released ASHRAE 90.1-2022 Includes Expanded Scope For Building Sites

At this time, there are no redlines open for public comment

Online Standards Actions & Public Review Drafts

Education industry facility managers, energy conservation workgroups, sustainability officers, electric shop foreman, electricians and front-line maintenance professionals who change lighting fixtures, maintain environmental air systems are encouraged to participate directly in the ASHRAE consensus standard development process.

Univerzita Karlova

We also maintain ASHRAE best practice titles as standing items on our Mechanical, Water, Energy and Illumination colloquia.  See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.

Issue: [Various]

Category: Mechanical, Electrical, Energy Conservation, Facility Asset Management, US Department of Energy, #SmartCampus

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Larry Spielvogel, Richard Robben

Under Construction:  ASHRAE WORKSPACE

More:

Consulting-Specifying Engineer (March 4, 2025): Why and how to adopt the IECC for energy-efficient designs

US Department of Energy Codes Program: Power and Lighting

Rightsizing Electrical Power Systems

N.B. We are knocking on ASHRAE’s door to accept proposals for reducing building interior power chain energy and material waste that we cannot persuade National Electrical Code committee to include in the 2026 revision of the National Electrical Code.

Secretariat: China

Standards Administration of China

Selected Global Leadership Projects

ISO/TC 37
Terminology (principles and coordination)
Secretariat
Held by SAC/CNIS expert Zhou Changqing since 2008.
ISO/TC 37/SC 1
Terminology work in the field of metallurgy
Secretariat
Held by SAC/CNIS expert Zhou Changqing since 2008.
SO/TC 59/SC 19
Prefabricated building
Secretariat & Chair
Secretariat held by SAC; Chair: Boyue Yin (China). Established recently; focuses on prefabricated construction standards.
ISO/TC 69/SC 7
Application of statistical and related methods to administration
Chair
Held by SAC/CNIS expert Ding Wenxing since 2008.
ISO/TC 186
Services for fire safety
Secretariat
Held by SAC/CNIS expert Duan Min since 2016.
ISO/TC 207/SC 7
Greenhouse gas management and related activities – Organizational and operational level
Joint Secretariat
Held by SAC/CNIS expert Liu Mei since 2010.
ISO/TC 242
Management consultancy
Vice Chair
Held by SAC/CNIS expert Li Aixian since 2008.
ISO/TC 257
Energy conservation
Secretary (Energy Conservation Secretariat)
Held by SAC/CNIS expert Li Pengcheng since 2010.
ISO/TC 349
Cultural heritage conservation
Secretariat
Based in Beijing, China (SAC); established in 2024 to standardize terms and practices for heritage protection and restoration.
ISO/TC 130
Graphic technology
Past Chair & Secretary
Past Chair: Jialing Pu (SAC); long-term secretary support by SAC expert Yuanchao Cui.
ISO/TC 336
Laboratory design
Secretariat
Held by SAC (Beijing, China) since establishment in 2023. Scope: Standardization of laboratory design for functional, safe, energy-efficient, and sustainable facilities, including personnel safety, health, environmental protection, and energy-saving devices integral to labs. Excludes general lab equipment (covered by ISO/TC 48

Related:

ISO 7098:2015Information and documentation — Romanization of Chinese

Laboratory Design

US-held ISO Secretariats

Athletic Equipment Safety Standards

“The National Game” | Arthur Streeton (1889)

Recreational sports, athletic competition, and the facilities that support it, are one of the most visible activities in any school, college or university.   They have requirements for safety and sustainability at the same scale as the academic and healthcare enterprises.   According to IBISWorld Market Research, Sports Stadium Construction was a $6.1 billion market in 2014, Athletic & Sporting Goods Manufacturing was a $9.2 billion market in 2015, with participation in sports increasing 19.3 percent by 2019 — much of that originating in school, college and university sports and recreation programs.

Accordingly, we have been following movement in the standards suites developed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the American Society of Testing Materials, and the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)   We also follow developments in the International Standards Organization’s  ISO/TC 83: Sports and other recreational facilities and equipment; a standard suite with the German Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) as the global Secretariat and the American National Standards Institute as the US Technical Advisory Group.

NOCSAE, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, is an independent and nonprofit standards development body with the mission to enhance athletic safety through scientific research and the creation of performance standards for athletic equipment.  From its mission statement:

NOCSAE is comprised of a board of directors representing stakeholders from a number of groups – including consumer and end users, equipment manufacturers and reconditioners, athletic trainers, coaches, equipment managers, and academic and sports medicine associations. These diverse interests have joined forces in an attempt to arrive at a common goal of reducing sports-related injuries.

The NOCSAE suite of standards follows American due process requirements set by ANSI.  Its standards development landing page is linked below where you will find instructions about how to comment on all NOCSAE titles at any time:

NOCSAE Standards Matrix

Wagner College v. Sacred Heart

At the moment, our advocacy resources give priority to athletic facilities (and their integration into #SmartCampus safety and sustainability systems) over athletic products There is sometimes interaction between the two — artificial turf and protective equipment standards need to support one another; for example.  However, our priority lies in persuading the leadership of the education industry get the user-interest (i.e. athletic facility managers) to participate in ANSI standards development processes.

The NOCSAE suite, and all other athletic and recreational product, facility and management standards is on the standing agenda of our periodic Sport colloquia.   See our CALENDAR for the next teleconference; open to everyone.

Issue [15-169]

Contact: Mike Anthony, Jack Janveja

Category: Athletics and Recreation

#StandardsMassachusetts


I-Code Group B Committee Action Results

Code Development Schedule

Complete Monograph (2630 Pages)

Voting Results

IBC Rebuttal on G153-25 Performance Electrical Design

(response with hyperlinks to supporting research)

 

Partial listing.  We have until July 15th to comment on committee action

Our proposal G153-25: Page 754

Michigan Modular G195-25: Page 859

“Clinical Need” definition for enhanced security: Page 765

“Electric Vehicle Charger” definition by the  National Parking Association/Parking Consultant’s Council: Page 457

“EV Charging Space” definition: Page 458

“EV Supply Equipment” definition: Page 460

ADM20-25 Authority of building official in natural disasters and high hazard regions, p141

ASM3-25 Electrical equipment re-use, p195

G2-25.  New definition for Animal Housing Facilities, p438

S57-25.  Quite a bit of back and forth on wind and PV “farms, p1053, et. al (“Wind and solar farms are different from animal and produce farms” — Mike Anthony)

G143-25 Lighting Section 1204L remote rooms, windowless rooms, University of Texas Austin student accommodation costs, p. 737-

PM31-25 Housekeeping and sanitation in owned property as law, p1794

PM50-25, Sleeping units to be private, p.1829

RB146-25.  Energy storage systems installed in garages, requirements for physical protection, p. 2195

RB144-25, Load capacity ratings and compliance with NFPA 855, p. 2186

RB143-25, Working roof walking access around solar panels, p. 2180

SP1-25 New definition of base flood elevation for purpose of correlating requirements for electrical safety, et. al, p. 2578

Landing Page for Group B 2025

cdpACCESS 

Link to Track 1 and Track 2 Webcast

Performance-Based Electrical Power Chain Design

Architectural Billings

Architectural Record September 24, 2025 

AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design

Selecting architects for designing large educational campus buildings typically involves a structured process that ensures the chosen architect meets the project’s functional, aesthetic, and budgetary requirements. Here’s an overview of the typical steps involved:

1. Defining Project Goals and Requirements

  • The institution or client identifies the purpose of the building, the estimated budget, sustainability goals, and any specific design or functional needs.
  • A detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is prepared, outlining project objectives, scope, timeline, and submission requirements.

2. Public Announcement or Invitations

  • The RFP/RFQ is distributed through professional networks, industry publications, or procurement platforms.
  • Invitations may also be sent directly to pre-identified firms with expertise in similar projects.

3. Initial Submissions

  • Interested architectural firms submit their qualifications or proposals. These typically include:
    • Firm portfolio: Highlighting past projects, especially in educational architecture.
    • Design approach: How the firm plans to address the project goals.
    • Team composition: Key personnel and their relevant experience.
    • References and certifications.

4. Shortlisting Candidates

  • A committee reviews submissions and shortlists firms based on criteria such as experience, design philosophy, project understanding, and compatibility with the client’s goals.

5. Interviews and Presentations

  • Shortlisted firms are invited for interviews to present their ideas, discuss their approach, and answer questions.
  • Some institutions may request preliminary concept designs to gauge creativity and alignment with the campus’s vision.

6. Evaluation of Proposals

  • Proposals are evaluated based on:
    • Design capability: Innovation, sustainability, and functional design.
    • Experience: Success in similar projects.
    • Cost efficiency: Ability to meet the budget without compromising quality.
    • Cultural fit: Alignment with the institution’s mission and values.

7. Final Selection

  • The committee selects the architect based on scoring, deliberations, and sometimes a voting process.
  • Contract negotiations follow, detailing scope, fees, and deliverables.

8. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

  • In some cases, stakeholders, including faculty, students, and local communities, are involved in providing feedback or participating in design workshops.

9. Formal Approval

  • The governing board of the institution or a similar authority often gives final approval.

This process ensures transparency, accountability, and the selection of the most qualified architect for the project.

 

Related:

American Planning Association

Society for College and University Planning

Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963

Carnegie Classifications

Bechtel Projects

Beauty in a World of Ugliness

Duncan Stroik Architect

American Vitruvius

Robie House

Architecture and Aesthetic Education

Energy Standard for *Sites* and Buildings

Addendum av to ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2022, Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. This addendum creates more exacting provisions for envelope alterations. The new format is intended to better communicate the requirements, triggers, and allowances associated with performing an envelope alteration to promote energy efficiency within the impacted area(s).  Consultation closes October 6.

ANSI Standards Action Weekly Edition | Given ASHRAE’s revision redlines are frequently uploaded here

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is an ANSI-accredited continuous-maintenance standards developer (a major contributor to what we call a regulatory product development “stream”).   Continuous maintenance means that changes to its consensus products can change in as little as 30 days so it is wise to keep pace.

Among the leading titles in its catalog is ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.  Standard 90.1 has been a benchmark for commercial building energy codes in the United States and a key basis for codes and standards around the world for more than 35 years.  Free access to ASHRAE 90.1 version is available at the link below:

READ ONLY Version of 2022 ASHRAE 90.1

Redlines are released at a fairly brisk pace — with 30 to 45 day consultation periods.  A related title — ASHRAE 189.1 Standard for the Design of High Performance Green Buildings — first published in 2009 and far more prescriptive in its scope heavily  references parent title 90.1 so we usually them as a pair because 189.1 makes a market for green building conformance enterprises. Note the “extreme prescriptiveness” (our term of art) in 189.1 which has the practical effect of legislating engineering judgement, in our view.

25 January 2023: Newly Released ASHRAE 90.1-2022 Includes Expanded Scope For Building Sites

ASHRAE committees post their redlines at the link below:

Online Standards Actions & Public Review Drafts

Education estate managers, energy conservation workgroups, sustainability officers, electric shop foreman, electricians and front-line maintenance professionals who change lighting fixtures, maintain environmental air systems are encouraged to participate directly in the ASHRAE consensus standard development process.

We also maintain ASHRAE best practice titles as standing items on our Mechanical, Water, Energy and Illumination colloquia.  See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.

Issue: [Various]

Category: Mechanical, Electrical, Energy Conservation, Facility Asset Management, US Department of Energy, #SmartCampus

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Larry Spielvogel, Richard Robben

Under Construction:  ASHRAE WORKSPACE


More

The fundamental concept in social science is Power, in the same sense in which Energy is the fundamental concept in physics. - Bertrand Russell

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2019: Energy Standard For Buildings

ARCHIVE 2002-2016 / ASHRAE 90.1 ENERGY STANDARD FOR BUILDINGS

US Department of Energy Building Energy Codes Program

ASHRAE Guideline 0 The Commissioning Process

Why Software is Eating the World


* Many standards-developing organizations aim to broaden their influence by entering the product standard and certification domain. Although our primary focus is on interoperability standards (within a system of interoperable products), we also consider market dynamics when product performance specifications are incorporated by reference into public law.

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