In stabilized standards, it is more cost effective to run the changes through ANSI rather than a collaborative workspace that requires administration and software licensing cost. Accordingly, redlines for changes, and calls for stakeholder participation are released in ANSI’s Standards Portal:
Send your comments to Dave Panning. (See Dave’s presentation to the University of Michigan in the video linked below.
John Peace Laptop Library Lounge | University of Texas, San Antonio
We find a great deal of interest in sustainable furniture climbing up the value chain and dwelling on material selection and manufacture. We encourage end-users in the education industry — specifiers, department facility managers, interior design consultants, housekeeping staff and even occupants — to participate in BIFMA standards setting. You may obtain an electronic copies for in-process standards from David Panning, (616) 285-3963, [email protected] You are encouraged to send comments directly to BIFMA (with copy to [email protected]). David explains its emergent standard for furniture designed for use in healthcare settings in the videorecording linked below:
Issue: [15-267]
Contacts:Mike Anthony, Christine Fischer, Jack Janveja, Dave Panning
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:
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:
You are encouraged to communicate with Kimberly Paarlberg ([email protected]) 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.
“View of the Colosseum” 1747 Giovanni Paolo Panini
Play is the making of civilization—how one plays the game
more to the point than whether the game is won or lost.
The purpose of this standard is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability and safety to life and property relative to the construction, alteration, repair, operation and maintenance of new and existing temporary and permanent bench bleacher, folding and telescopic seating and grandstands. This standard is intended for adoption by government agencies and organizations setting model codes to achieve uniformity in technical design criteria in building codes and other regulations.
This title is on the standing agenda of our Sport, Olahraga (Indonesian), رياضة (Arabic), colloquia. You are welcomed to join us any day at with the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
At the April International Code Council Group A Hearings there were three candidate code changes related to the safety standard of care for athletic venues:
These concepts will likely be coordinated with another ICC regulatory product —ICC 300 – Standard on Bleachers, Folding and Telescopic Seating, and Grandstands — covered here previously. ICC 300 is a separate document but some of the safety concepts track through both.
The ICC Public Comment Hearings on Group A comments in Richmond Virginia ended a few days ago (CLICK HERE). The balloting is being processed by the appropriate committee and will be released soon. For the moment, we are happy to walk through the proposed changes – that will become part of the 2021 International Building Code — any day at 11 AM Eastern time. We will walk through all athletic and recreation enterprise codes and standards on Friday, November 2nd, 11 AM Eastern time. For access to either teleconference, click on the LIVE Link at the upper right corner of our home page.
Issue: [15-283]
Category: Athletics & Recreation, Architectural, Public Safety
Contact: Mike Anthony, Richard Robben, Jack Janveja
The International Code Council has launched a new revision cycle for its consensus document — ICC 300 – Standard on Bleachers, Folding and Telescopic Seating, and Grandstands. The purpose of the effort is the development of appropriate, reasonable, and enforceable model health and safety provisions for new and existing installations of all types of bleachers and bleacher-type seating, including fixed and folding bleachers for indoor, outdoor, temporary, and permanent installations. Such provisions would serve as a model for adoption and use by enforcement agencies at all levels of government in the interest of national uniformity.
Comments are due December 4th. The document is free. You may obtain an electronic copy from: https://www.iccsafe.org/codes-techsupport/standards/is-ble/. Comments may be sent to Edward Wirtschoreck, (888) 422-7233, ewirtschoreck@iccsafe with copy to [email protected])
* With some authority, we can claim that without Standards Michigan, many education industry trade associations would not be as involved in asserting the interest of facility managers in global consensus standards development processes. See ABOUT.
The Robie House is maintained and operated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the works of Frank Lloyd Wright. The trust focuses on the restoration, preservation, and education related to Wright’s architectural legacy. The Robie House, located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, is one of the trust’s key properties.
Building codes for houses and museums may have some similarities but also key differences due to the distinct functions and occupancy types. Building codes are typically established to ensure the safety, health, and general welfare of the occupants and the public. While some requirements may be consistent, the specific regulations can vary based on the use and characteristics of the building. Here are some general considerations for how building codes might differ between houses and museums:
Occupancy Type: The primary factor that influences building codes is the occupancy type. Residential houses are generally classified as Group R (Residential), while museums might fall under Group A (Assembly) or Group B (Business). Each occupancy group has specific requirements related to fire safety, egress, accessibility, and structural integrity.
Fire Safety: Museums often house valuable artifacts, and fire safety is a critical concern. Museums may have more stringent fire protection measures, such as fire suppression systems, fire-resistant construction materials, and specialized storage requirements for certain materials. Residential homes also have fire safety requirements but may not have the same level of protection as cultural institutions.
Accessibility: Museums, as public buildings, are usually subject to more stringent accessibility requirements to ensure that people with disabilities can navigate the space. This includes features like ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms. Residential buildings have accessibility requirements as well, but they are typically less extensive compared to public spaces.
Structural Requirements: Museums may have specialized structural requirements to support the weight of exhibits, particularly for large and heavy artifacts. Residential homes, while still subject to structural codes, may not have the same load-bearing considerations unless they incorporate unique features like extensive libraries or art collections.
Zoning and Land Use: The location and zoning regulations can also impact both houses and museums differently. Museums might be subject to additional zoning requirements related to cultural institutions, parking, and public access.
Energy Efficiency: Both residential and commercial buildings are subject to energy efficiency codes, but the specific requirements may differ. Commercial buildings, including museums, might have more extensive requirements for HVAC systems, lighting, and insulation.
With acoustic considerations a substantial contributor to the effectiveness of learning spaces — classrooms, lecture hall, performance arts and athletic venues, etc. — we follow action in the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) suite of ANSI-accredited standards.
For example, building codes in the United States identify horizontal and vertical acoustic insulation between floors and between walls, respectively, as design considerations. Section 1206.2 of the International Building Code deal with horizontal and vertical wall sealant applications for “airborne sound” mitigation, for example. Fire protection and mass notification systems identified in NFPA 72 and UL 2572 depend upon alarms actually being heard by the occupants underscore the importance of acoustic design. When lively art spaces are also instructional spaces we seek to understand the standard of care for acoustic design of classroom spaces. Of particular interest to us in the ASA bibliography is the title linked below:
This is a fairly stable standard; though other sound related technologies we cover in other sound related technologies (ISO TC/43 Acoustics and IEC Electroacoustics TC 29). Last year’s update was required by ANSI and we had no comments to submit; absent queries from students, faculty and staff. It is wise to keep it on our radar, however, given the step-change in education communities owed to the pandemic.
On your own you may communicate with Caryn Mennigke at ASA: (631) 390-0215, [email protected]. The ASA uses ANSI Standards Action for issuing live public consultation notices.
Since acoustic technologies cut across many disciplines we maintain it on the standing agenda of our Construction, Lively Art and Nota Bene teleconferences. See our CALENDAR next scheduled meeting; open to everyone.
Campus exterior lighting systems generally run in the 100 to 10,000 fixture range and are, arguably, the most visible characteristic of public safety infrastructure. Some major research universities have exterior lighting systems that are larger and more complex than cooperative and municipal power company lighting systems which are regulated by public service commissions.
While there has been considerable expertise in developing illumination concepts by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Illumination Engineering Society, the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers, the International Electrotechnical Commission and the International Commission on Illumination, none of them contribute to leading practice discovery for the actual power chain for these large scale systems on a college campus. The standard of care has been borrowed, somewhat anecdotally, from public utility community lighting system practice. These concepts need to be revisited as the emergent #SmartCampus takes shape.
Electrical power professionals who service the education and university-affiliated healthcare facility industry should communicate directly with Mike Anthony ([email protected]) or Jim Harvey ([email protected]). This project is also on the standing agenda of the IEEE E&H committee which meets online 4 times monthly — every other Tuesday — in European and American time zones. Login credentials are available on its draft agenda page.
Issue: [15-199]
Category: Electrical, Public Safety, Architectural, #SmartCampus, Space Planning, Risk Management
Contact: Mike Anthony, Kane Howard, Jim Harvey, Dev Paul, Steven Townsend, Kane Howard
This project restores the Old Art Gallery building for a new electrical switching station. The 1904 building was originally the campus powerhouse, supplying electricity and steam to the young Berkeley campus. As the campus grew, power demands exceeded its capacity and, in 1930, a new central plant opened in the southwest part of campus. In 1934, the former powerhouse building reopened as a gallery to display art and served this purpose until a new University Art Museum opened on Bancroft Way in 1970. The building was subsequently used for storage for more than 50 years.
In restoring and structurally improving the Old Art Gallery building to house the new Switch Station #8, the small brick building that began its storied life as a powerhouse more than 100 years ago will become a key component in UC Berkeley’s 100% clean energy future.
Note the following proposed changes in the transcript above: E59-24, F62-24, Section 323
Modular classrooms, often used as temporary or semi-permanent solutions for additional educational space, have specific requirements in various aspects to ensure they are safe, functional, and comfortable for occupants. Today we will examine best practice literature for structural, architectural, fire safety, electrical, HVAC, and lighting requirements. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
Structural Requirements
Foundation and Stability: Modular classrooms require a stable and level foundation. This can be achieved using piers, slabs, or crawl spaces. The foundation must support the building’s weight and withstand environmental forces like wind and seismic activity.
Frame and Load-Bearing Capacity: The frame, usually made of steel or wood, must support the load of the classroom, including the roof, walls, and occupants. Structural integrity must comply with local building codes.
Durability: Materials used should be durable and capable of withstanding frequent relocations if necessary.
Architectural Requirements
Design and Layout: Modular classrooms should be designed to maximize space efficiency while meeting educational needs. This includes appropriate classroom sizes, storage areas, and accessibility features.
Accessibility: Must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other relevant regulations, ensuring accessibility for all students and staff, including ramps, wide doorways, and accessible restrooms.
Insulation and Soundproofing: Adequate insulation for thermal comfort and soundproofing to minimize noise disruption is essential.
Fire Safety Requirements
Fire-Resistant Materials: Use fire-resistant materials for construction, including fire-rated walls, ceilings, and floors.
Sprinkler Systems: Installation of automatic sprinkler systems as per local fire codes.
Smoke Detectors and Alarms: Smoke detectors and fire alarms must be installed and regularly maintained.
Emergency Exits: Clearly marked emergency exits, including doorways and windows, with unobstructed access paths.
Electrical Requirements
Electrical Load Capacity: Sufficient electrical capacity to support lighting, HVAC systems, and educational equipment like computers and projectors.
Wiring Standards: Compliance with National Electrical Code (NEC) or local electrical codes, including proper grounding and circuit protection.
Outlets and Switches: Adequate number of electrical outlets and switches, placed conveniently for classroom use.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Requirements
Heating and Cooling Systems: Properly sized HVAC systems to ensure comfortable temperatures year-round.
Ventilation: Adequate ventilation to provide fresh air and control humidity levels, including exhaust fans in restrooms and possibly kitchens.
Air Quality: Use of air filters and regular maintenance to ensure good indoor air quality.
Lighting Requirements
Natural Light: Maximization of natural light through windows and skylights to create a pleasant learning environment.
Artificial Lighting: Sufficient artificial lighting with a focus on energy efficiency, typically using LED fixtures. Lighting should be evenly distributed and glare-free.
Emergency Lighting: Battery-operated emergency lighting for use during power outages.
By adhering to these requirements, modular classrooms can provide safe, functional, and comfortable educational spaces that meet the needs of students and staff while complying with local regulations and standards.
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
Issue: [15-267]
