NOAA National Weather Service: Storm Total Maps and Verification
ASCE Codes & Standards Catalog
Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee
Code and Standards Open for Comment
Public Comment for ASCE/EWRI 78-XX Guidelines for the Physical Security of Water and Wastewater/Stormwater Utilities (Comment Deadline 12/18/2023)
America’s Infrastructure Score: C-
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2024 GROUP A PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE I-CODES
“Landscape between Storms” 1841 Auguste Renoir
When is it ever NOT storm season somewhere in the United States; with several hundred schools, colleges and universities in the path of them? Hurricanes also spawn tornadoes. This title sets the standard of care for safety, resilience and recovery when education community structures are used for shelter and recovery. The most recently published edition of the joint work results of the International Code Council and the ASCE Structural Engineering Institute SEI-7 is linked below:
2020 ICC/NSSA 500 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters.
Given the historic tornados in the American Midwest this weekend, its relevance is plain. From the project prospectus:
The objective of this Standard is to provide technical design and performance criteria that will facilitate and promote the design, construction, and installation of safe, reliable, and economical storm shelters to protect the public. It is intended that this Standard be used by design professionals; storm shelter designers, manufacturers, and constructors; building officials; and emergency management personnel and government officials to ensure that storm shelters provide a consistently high level of protection to the sheltered public.
This project runs roughly in tandem with the ASCE Structural Engineering Institute SEI-17 which has recently updated its content management system and presented challenges to anyone who attempts to find the content where it used to be before the website overhaul. In the intervening time, we direct stakeholders to the link to actual text (above) and remind education facility managers and their architectural/engineering consultants that the ICC Code Development process is open to everyone.
The ICC receives public response to proposed changes to titles in its catalog at the link below:
2024/2025/2026 ICC CODE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
You are encouraged to communicate with Kimberly Paarlberg (kpaarlberg@iccsafe.org) for detailed, up to the moment information. When the content is curated by ICC staff it is made available at the link below:
We maintain this title on the agenda of our periodic Disaster colloquia which approach this title from the point of view of education community facility managers who collaborate with structual engineers, architects and emergency management functionaries.. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting, open to everyone. 
Readings:
FEMA: Highlights of ICC 500-2020
ICC 500-2020 Standard and Commentary: ICC/NSSA Design and Construction of Storm Shelters
Students presenting posters on how to be prepared for natural disasters and emergencies #onedistrictoneteam #D59learns @CCSD59 @D59Byrd pic.twitter.com/NOsa3ekkTD
— Mrs. Darga (@MrsDarga) September 19, 2023
"Tornado over St. Paul" 1893 Julius Holmhttps://t.co/EzXTdOrQWZ
Minneapolis Institute of Arts@artsmia pic.twitter.com/tKWTtqJxO3— Standards Michigan (@StandardsMich) May 6, 2021
Statement of Financial Statement 2024: $5.191B (Page 26) | Standards Nebraska
These views can’t come soon enough 🌸 pic.twitter.com/2DIBfkAhEs
— University of Nebraska-Lincoln (@UNLincoln) March 21, 2025
The Princeton Review has rated NEBRASKA among nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education ›› https://t.co/b82EdI0pyh. #UNL pic.twitter.com/osKkqR3xJn
— University of Nebraska-Lincoln (@UNLincoln) August 1, 2017
University of Nebraska Lincoln | 90.3 KRNU
Dogs have been bred for a variety of purposes throughout history, including as working animals to support agriculture. Dogs have been bred for specific traits that make them well-suited to work on farms, such as intelligence, obedience, strength, and endurance*.
History and Architecture | University of Oxford Estates Services
Supported by funding from the European Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council, a large international team of scientists compared genetic data with existing archaeological evidence and show that man’s best friend may have emerged independently from two separate (possibly now extinct) wolf populations that lived on opposite sides of the Eurasian continent.
* Here are a few examples of how dogs were bred to support agriculture:
Herding dogs: Dogs such as the Border Collie, Australian Cattle Dog, and German Shepherd were bred to help farmers manage livestock by herding them from one place to another. These dogs have a natural instinct to gather and control herds of animals, and they can be trained to respond to a farmer’s commands.
Hunting dogs: Many breeds of dogs, such as the Labrador Retriever, were originally bred as hunting dogs to assist farmers with hunting game for food. These dogs have a keen sense of smell and are skilled at tracking and retrieving prey.
Guard dogs: Certain breeds of dogs, such as the Great Pyrenees, were bred to protect livestock from predators such as wolves and bears. These dogs are fiercely protective of their flock and will guard them from any perceived threat.
Draft dogs: Some large breeds of dogs, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Saint Bernard, were bred to pull carts and wagons on farms. These dogs are strong and muscular and can move heavy loads across long distances.
Overall, dogs have been bred for centuries to support agriculture in a variety of ways. Their intelligence, loyalty, and hardworking nature have made them invaluable assets to farmers and have helped to shape the course of human history.
Benefits of power (electric utility) and telecommunication utilities sharing utility poles (joint use) include significant cost savings and efficiency. Erecting separate poles for each service would be prohibitively expensive and consume excessive land/space in urban/suburban areas, driving up service prices for consumers. Sharing allows faster deployment of broadband, phone, cable, and power services, generates rental revenue for pole owners (typically electric utilities), reduces overall infrastructure duplication, and minimizes environmental impact by limiting new pole installations.
Hazards arise from increased complexity and risks. Overloaded poles from multiple attachments can lead to structural failure, especially during storms or high winds. Improper installations may cause clearance violations, increasing dangers of electrical contact, shocks, or electrocution for workers and the public. Additional telecom equipment can heighten fire risks (e.g., via sparking from contact or added stress), contribute to outages if maintenance conflicts occur, and complicate repairs—requiring close coordination to maintain safety and grid reliability.
Today at the usual hour we examine the sections of the IEEE National Electrical Safety Code and the NFPA National Electrical Code that present first principles for campus power and telecommunication planners and engineers with special attention to the changes proposed for the 2028 National Electrical Safety Code. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
Today at the usual hour we shall sort through the issues in the transcripts linked below:
CMP 16 Public Input with Responses | Note our proposal on broadband reliability Public Input No. 3683-NFPA 70-2023 [ Section No. 800.1 ]
CMP 16 Public Comment with Responses
CMP 17 Public Input with Responses
CMP 17 Public Comment with Responses
CMP 18 Public Input with Responses | Note our proposal on exterior illumination Public Input No. 3283-NFPA 70-2023 [ Section No. 410.1
CMP 18 Public Comment with Responses
Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
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.
Uptime Institute Tier Classification
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.
ANSI/TIA 942 Data Center Infrastructure Standard
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.
Related:
Ernst & Young LLP: Why there is no silver bullet for data center financing
Power Management For Data Centers Challenges And Opportunities
University of Wisconsin System Financial Report | $6.4B (2023)
The Haus always wins. 🃏 pic.twitter.com/SbHaIQtECT
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) April 10, 2026
University of Wisconsin | Dane County
The University of Wisconsin in Madison, ladies and gentlemen.
As a University of Florida 🐊 grad it’s hard for me to admit, but this is the prettiest campus I’ve ever seen. #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/9rxGFScZa5
— Marc Ryan (@MarcRyanOnAir) August 4, 2025
Democrat Wisconsin Secretary of State refuses to remove RFK from ballot
“Liberal woman WILL NOT date conservatives” – Bombshells
Heather McDonald: The feminization of the American university is all but complete
Heather McDonald: Why have young women been so prominent in the recent campus chaos?
Facilities Planning & Management
I’m so excited to share that I will be joining the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Neurology as a Neuropsychologist this fall, with a special focus on neuro-oncology and epilepsy! #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/JuS1Von6AB
— Taylor McMillan, PhD (@McMillanNeuro) August 27, 2025
March 10, 2026 Update:
November 11, 2025 Update:
The project, located on the Texas A&M University System’s Rellis Campus in Bryan (Brazos County), has faced significant delays. Originally slated to begin construction by November 2021, it was pushed back due to the 2021 Winter Storm Uri. In November 2023, construction was announced to start in 2024, with an expected opening in Q3 2024 (July–September). However, no sources confirm completion or operations.Recent developments include:
The project’s official site (rellisdrc.com) states “Site will be available soon,” indicating it’s still under preparation. It’s designed as a 225,000 sq ft Tier III facility with colocation, cloud services, and educational spaces for workforce training.
FYI:
Company building RELLIS Campus Data & Research Center files for bankruptcy
Construction to begin on Rellis data center in Texas in 2024kbtx.com/…/company-building-rellis-campus-data-research-center-files-bankruptcy
The RELLIS Data and Research Center will be a public – private development with Texas A&M University. The data center will be built on the new RELLIS Campus located in College Station, Texas. It will offer cloud storage and outstanding managed services. The RELLIS Academy and Research Lab offers the ability for Texas A&M University to give real world data center experience to both students and faculty.
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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