This is what will change culture pic.twitter.com/11A9GM8hJw
— Anna Lulis (@annamlulis) November 25, 2024
Involuntary Childlessness: Academia and Collapsing Birth Rates
“The only true measure of wealth is children” | Tucker Carlson
How my husband and I split bills: pic.twitter.com/mYpmTFwwXw
— Barefoot Pregnant (@usuallypregnant) May 18, 2025
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
Kids raised right….
— Carissa (@njoyzgrl81) April 6, 2024
Today we scan the status of literature that informs the safety and sustainability of the built environment for animals large and small. Animals are found in education communities as pets. sporting partners, agricultural research and teaching settings, as medical research subjects and clinical care facilities. ANSI-Accredited standards developers with a footprint in this domain are listed below:
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
ASHRAE International
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
Animal Kingdom: A Large and Diverse Dataset for Animal Behavior Understanding
International Code Council
National Fire Protection Association
Underwriters Laboratories
Government agencies at all levels borrow from best practice recommendations in the catalog of the foregoing standards developers. Conversely, those same standards developers borrow from the best practice recommendations from the same government agencies.
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National Research Council: Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
National Library of Medicine: Regulation of Animal Research
Most education communities use the foregoing regulations upon which to build their own standards. For example:
Financial Statement 2024: C$1.411B
Walking the Dog
— Billy Collins
Two universes mosey down the street
Connected by love and a leash and nothing else.
Mostly I look at lamplight through the leaves
While he mooches along with tail up and snout down,
Getting a secret knowledge through the nose
Almost entirely hidden from my sight.
We stand while he’s enraptured by a bush
Till I can’t stand our standing any longer
And haul on the leash to bring him away.
He lives in the moment, which is good for him,
But when I see a stone wall, I think of Greece,
The sort of place he’d have a lot to say about—
The sniffable pots and broken statues,
The seas, the Ionic evenings all in a row.
But he just gives a yelp and comes running over
To smell my palm, and what can I do but
Smile and bend down to give him a hello?
Congrats on earning your bark-elor’s degree 🐾 🎓 pic.twitter.com/X35yiNPOer
— York University (@YorkUniversity) June 13, 2025
York University Facilities Services
The recent undetected introduction and rapid spread of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom highlights the importance of the integration of effective biosecurity practices in every livestock operation within the US. Showing and exhibiting animals presents a risk for the spread of foreign or domestic infectious disease. Infectious diseases such as respiratory disease, contagious mastitis and bovine viral diarrhea, can present signs within a relatively short time frame, whereas Johne’s disease may not show signs for years after exposure. Taking the precautions listed below before, during and after fairs can help decrease the exposure to infectious disease.
NFPA 150 Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities Code has entered its s025 revision cycle. Many education communities are responsible for animal safety in academic units, research enterprises. museums and even — as in the United Kingdom — large farm animals that wander freely on campus with students, faculty and staff. The number of colleges and universities that permit students to live with their pets has expanded; and with it the responsibilities of university administration.
From the document scope:
This standard shall provide the minimum requirements for the design, construction, fire protection, and classification of animal housing facilities. The requirements of NFPA 150 recognize the following fundamental principles:
(1) Animals are sentient beings with a value greater than that of simple property.
(2) Animals, both domesticated and feral, lack the ability of self-preservation when housed in buildings and other structures.
(3) Current building, fire, and life safety codes do not address the life safety of the animal occupants. The requirements found in NFPA 150 are written with the intention that animal housing facilities will continue to be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the applicable building, fire, and life safety codes.
The requirements herein are not intended to replace or rewrite the basic requirements for the human occupants. Instead, NFPA 150 provides additional minimum requirements for the protection of the animal occupants and the human occupants who interact with those animals in these facilities.
A full description of the project is linked below:
Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities Code
Access to the 2025 Edition is linked below:
We provide the transcript of the back-and-forth on the current 2022 edition to inform how education communities can contribute to the improvement of this title; a subject that stirs deep feelings about animal safety in research enterprises.
We contribute to NFPA 150: SAFETY IN ANIMAL HOUSING FACILITIES https://t.co/PxSznGDGw1 #TotalCostofOwnership pic.twitter.com/BmJ0HgvpQ3
— Standards Michigan (@StandardsMich) March 9, 2016
Public comment on the Second Draft of the 2025 Edition will be received until March 27, 2024.
We have been advocating risk-informed animal safety concepts in this document since the 2013 Edition and have found that it is nearly impossible to overestimate the sensitivity of educational communities to the life safety of animals — either for agriculture or medical research.
We maintain the entire NFPA catalog on the standing agenda of our Prometheus colloquia. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.
Kids raised right….
— Carissa (@njoyzgrl81) April 6, 2024
Issue: [11-1] and [19-5]
Category: Fire Protection, Facility Asset Management, Academic, Risk Management
Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Josh Elvove, Joe DeRosier
More:
”Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.„ Psalms 51:10
Have a blessed Sunday all who feed humanity! #dairy #beef … pic.twitter.com/BG68A4Sn5h— Ion Moraru 🇺🇦 (@IonMoraruDairy) February 18, 2024
‘Tension and Uncertainty’: How a diverse technical committee rife with opposing viewpoints created the new NFPA 150 https://t.co/sqam82C0G7 pic.twitter.com/BvcveX6dwM
— NFPA (@NFPA) December 31, 2018
Bibliography:
National Institute of Health: Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
International Building Code: Section 304 (Business Group B): Animal hospitals, kennels and pounds
Terrestrial Animal Health Code
IEEE Guide for Animal Deterrents for Electric Power Supply Substations
IEEE Livestock Monitoring System
Ventilation Design Handbook on Animal Research Facilities
HVAC Design in Animal Facilities
USDA Animal Welfare Information Center
US Department of Agriculture: Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations
S. 4288: Reducing Animal Testing Act
Protecting Animals When Disaster Strikes
The Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Stillwater was named after David Boren, who played a significant role in securing funding for Oklahoma’s only animal medical research and clinical delivery facility during his tenure as the Governor of Oklahoma in the 1970s. An additional $250 million has been allocated by the state for upgrades and operational costs — essential for maintaining the program’s accreditation.
Standards Oklahoma | GHW Architect Tulsa | Manhattan Construction Oklahoma City
https://vethospital.okstate.edu/
Congratulations to the seven outstanding researchers from the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine who were named on the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List! We’re proud to celebrate their achievements! 🎉https://t.co/9R6z518v6z
— OKStateVetMed (@OKStateVetMed) May 1, 2025
Free Journeyman Electrician Practice Test 2025 Study Guide
United States national electrical trade standards prioritize safety, reliability, and economic efficiency in electrical systems. Governed primarily by the National Electrical Code upon which the University of Michigan has had a vote since 1996.
The NEC outlines requirements for wiring, equipment installation, grounding, and overcurrent protection to prevent hazards like electrical shocks, fires, and equipment failures. Compliance ensures safe operation in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Standards also promote energy efficiency, encouraging practices like proper insulation, energy-efficient lighting, and renewable energy integration to reduce costs and environmental impact.
Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) further enforce safety through regulations and product certifications. Adherence to these standards minimizes risks, ensures system longevity, and supports economic benefits through reduced energy waste and maintenance costs, fostering a safe and sustainable electrical infrastructure.
European Union electrical trade standards prioritize safety, interoperability, and economic efficiency across member states. Governed by the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU and harmonized standards from the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), these regulations ensure electrical equipment operates safely between 50-1000V AC or 75-1500V DC. Standards like EN 60335 address appliance safety, while EN 50110 outlines safe maintenance and operation practices. Compliance with CE marking requirements certifies adherence to safety, health, and environmental standards, facilitating market access.
For economy, the EU promotes energy efficiency through directives like the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC, mandating efficient lighting, motors, and renewable energy integration to reduce consumption and costs. National regulations align with EU standards, ensuring consistency. These measures minimize electrical hazards, enhance system reliability, and support sustainability by reducing energy waste, fostering cost-effective, safe electrical infrastructure across the EU’s diverse markets.
Non-profit organizations and unions play a critical role in training electricians, ensuring skilled, safe, and competent professionals. Organizations like the National Electrical Contractors Association And unions such as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Offer structured apprenticeship programs combining classroom instruction with hands-on training.
These programs cover electrical theory, National Electrical Code compliance, safety practices, and emerging technologies like renewable energy systems. Non-profits often provide certifications, scholarships, and continuing education to promote workforce development. Unions advocate for fair wages and safe working conditions, while their training centers emphasize practical skills, ensuring electricians meet industry standards and contribute to reliable, efficient electrical systems.
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Providing reliable internet to Alaska’s rural communities has long been a challenge. Now, members of #IBEW Local 1547 are readying to fix the problem for good, starting work on the Alaska Communications’ FiberOptic project later this year. https://t.co/cxwCug9Sfn pic.twitter.com/W0kNjYA6Kk
— IBEW (@IBEW) January 27, 2025
Calling all apprentices! Get ready for a day of inspiration, learning, & activities at Apprentice Appreciation Day at #NECA25. Connect with peers, hear from industry leaders, & take on challenges to help you build skills & advance your career. Learn more: https://t.co/Rhs3cgmhKR pic.twitter.com/sHLKWd57XD
— NECA (@necanet) July 29, 2025
Want the opportunity to give something back and help to build the next generation of the electrotechnical industry?#ECA #Skills Committee wants someone with #careers or local skills engagement experience to get in touch. Deadline – Friday 19 September: https://t.co/hljTXUg5PL. pic.twitter.com/WEG8JarB4r
— ECA – Electrical Contractors’ Association (@ECALive) August 20, 2025
The requirement for a licensed electrician and a certified inspector to perform and certify any electrical work above $100 is prohibitive for homeowners and facility managers. To the best of our knowledge, no other US state imposes this requirement. There are more efficacious approaches to supporting effective public electrical safety services.
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs | Electrical Administrative Board
Next Meeting: February 13, 2025 10:00 am
Meeting Minutes: August 8, 2024 (not yet available)
Meeting Minutes: October 31, 2024 (submittals for agenda items due September 26th)
Related:
Michigan Public Service Commission
MPSC takes next steps in enabling interconnection and distributed energy resources
Of considerable importance is the criteria set by this board to determine whether a journeyman electrician is permitted to practice his or her trade in the State of Michigan.
We have been advocating for changes to the State of Michigan Electrical Administrative Act that currently requires all electrical work valued above $100 to be installed by a licensed journeyman electrician and inspected by an accredited electrical inspector. The $100 threshold was set decades ago and has never been challenged by another other advocacy enterprise representing the user interest. Almost all of the stakeholders on the present Electrical Administrative Board are stakeholders who benefit economically from the $100 threshold. Much of the reason for the apparent imbalance of interests lies in tradition; but also because no user interest has been present to advocate for an update of the formal, fee schedule.
This advocacy priority was on the Do-List of the original University of Michigan codes and standards advocacy enterprise which was focused on strengthening the voice of the user/owner/final fiduciary in the promulgation of regulations affecting Michigan educational facilities (CLICK HERE for link to the legacy Advocacy Project 14-1). Of all the trades covered in the parent legislation — Stille-Derossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (Act 230 of 1972) — the electrical power discipline is the only discipline in Michigan building technology regulations that sets a dollar criteria for electrical work to be performed and inspected. While we recognize the need for safe installation of the electrical power chain within a building; we propose another criteria for establishing the requirement for a licensed electrician and a licensed inspector should be determined (as it is in all other construction disciplines administered by the Bureau of Construction Codes, a division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs).
The actual text of the present regulation is available by clicking here: 338.881 Definitions | Electrical Administrative Act 217 of 1956
As a consequence of former Governor Snyder’s Office of Regulatory Reinvention significant changes to both the Bureau of Construction Codes, a division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) have taken place within the past twelve months; which make us optimistic about political support for our proposals. We will be collaborating with our colleagues at Michigan State University to make necessary legislative changes we believe will lower the #TotalCostofOwnership of education facilities in the State of Michigan.
We will refer the Michigan Electric Code, and other state electrical codes to the IEEE Education and Healthcare Facilities Committee which hosts bi-weekly breakout teleconferences with electrical professionals in the education facilities industry as required by the demand for them.
Electrical Administrative Board Responsibilities and Meeting Schedule
The next meeting of the Michigan Electrical Board is November 2nd. We have been attending the meetings in Lansing and have made our proposal to revisit the dollar criteria known to the entire board. We hope the Electrical Administrative Board will develop another criteria; inspired by the electrical administrative boards of other states.
Issue: [14-1]
Contact: Mike Anthony, Jack Janveja, Richard Robben, Kane Howard
Category: Electrical, State & Local Legislation
Link to Issue 14-1 Legacy Website
LEARN MORE:
Wide Variations in State Adoptions of the NEC® Reveal Neglect of Electrical Safety
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/njrDAbSpwB pic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
— USPTO (@uspto) July 13, 2023
Standards Michigan Group, LLC
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