The Icelandic tradition of lighting candles and placing lights on graves in cemeteries during the Christmas and New Year’s period. These capture the serene, glowing atmosphere in the winter darkness, often in places like Reykjavík’s cemeteries.
“Actors from the Commedia dell’Arte on a Wagon in a Town Square” 1640 Jan Miel
A walk through the status of best practice literature that sets the standard of care for safety and sustainability in the education facilities built for the performance arts.
One of the most contentious aspects of best practice discovery and promulgation in any domain, and no less so in educational settlements, is an agreed-upon vocabulary and shared understanding. As we explain elsewhere in this history, when a counter-party disagrees with you, he simply switches out the vocabulary — i.e. changes definitions or adds or subtracts from the traditional meanings of things. So we approach this topic several times a year to confirm our bearing on the meaning of things.
We observe National Poetry Month in the United States and Canada every year with an inquiry into changes in the (meaning of) definitions at the foundation of best practice literature; frequently the subject of sporty debate among experts writing codes and standards for the built environment of education communities.
In the United Kingdom, National Poetry Month is celebrated in October, and it is known as “National Poetry Day” which has been observed since 1994. It is an initiative of the Forward Arts Foundation, which aims to encourage people to read, write and perform poetry.
Other countries also have their own poetry celebrations, such as World Poetry Day, which is observed annually on March 21 by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to promote the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry worldwide.
In past years we used a Tamil mnemonic because Tamil is the oldest surviving language and remains the spoken language of 80-odd million people of South Asia. Alas, use of Tamil confounds our Wordpress content management system so in 2024 we began coding this topic in American English
Once median household income is adjusted for cost of living, Utah emerges as the wealthiest state in the nation and Mississippi yet again ranks last. Source: https://t.co/AN3JZqtNnFpic.twitter.com/kv8U3LZlvh
Frederick Bourchier Taylor (1906-1987) Hockey On Henri Julien Street At Pine Avenue East, Montreal 1948
An overview of public commenting opportunities on proposed standards for sports and recreation equipment and athletic facilities. Send email to bella@standardsmichigan.com for access to the agenda.
US Wintersport Traditions:
Basketball: Basketball is one of the most popular NCAA winter sports. The season typically starts in November and runs through March, culminating in the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, commonly known as March Madness.
Wrestling: Wrestling is another winter sport in the NCAA. The wrestling season usually begins in November and extends through the NCAA Wrestling Championships, which take place in March.
Indoor Track and Field: Indoor track and field competitions take place during the winter months, with athletes competing in various events such as sprints, distance races, jumps, and throws.
Gymnastics: Collegiate gymnastics competitions are held during the winter and early spring months. Both men’s and women’s teams compete in events such as floor exercise, vault, uneven bars, parallel bars, and rings.
Ice Hockey: Ice hockey is a winter sport in the NCAA, with the season typically starting in October or November and continuing into the early months of the following year. Both men’s and women’s teams participate in NCAA ice hockey competitions.
Skiing: Skiing competitions, including alpine and Nordic events, are part of NCAA winter sports. Athletes compete in skiing disciplines such as slalom, giant slalom, and cross-country.
Swimming and Diving: Swimming and diving competitions take place during the winter months. Athletes participate in various swimming events and diving disciplines, with the season culminating in NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
Bowling: Bowling is considered a winter sport in the NCAA, with competitions taking place during the winter and early spring.
Today we update our understanding of the regulations, codes, standards and ethical considerations in the care of animals in education communities. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
In partnership with @Yeatssocietyirl, we are hosting a special virtual event to mark the 100th anniversary of the #poem ‘The Second Coming’ by WB #Yeats. Join us on Friday, 13 Nov at 7pm for an evening of discussion and #poetry readings.
“Composition in red, yellow, blue and black” (1921) / Piet Mondrian
Status check on open source consensus products — and practical applications — evolving around distributed ledger technologies for financing, planning, design, operation & maintenance of the #WiseCampus.
Today we explain our collaboration with other education settlements in the US and other nations. We conform to participation requirements set by ANSI US Technical Advisory Groups to the International Organization for Standardization but we also have liaison with other universities in the European Union who conform to the participation requirements of their own national standards bodies.
Below is a concise glossary of terms of art commonly used in the new-building commissioning (Cx), inspection, and certification process. These are drawn from standards such as ASHRAE Guideline 0, ASHRAE Standard 202, LEED v4/BD+C, IECC, IBC, and industry bodies (USGBC, ACG, BCA, NIBS, etc.).
A. Commissioning Phases & Processes
Term
Definition
Commissioning (Cx)
A quality-oriented process for verifying that building systems are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR).
Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)
Document defining the owner’s functional, performance, and sustainability goals for the project.
Basis of Design (BOD)
Designer’s narrative explaining how the OPR will be met through selected systems and strategies.
Pre-Functional Testing (PFT)
Checklist-based verification that equipment is installed correctly and ready for functional testing (e.g., duct leakage, insulation continuity).
Functional Performance Testing (FPT)
Scripted testing of systems under load to confirm they meet OPR/BOD (e.g., chiller at 100% capacity, VAV reheat modulation).
Integrated Systems Testing (IST)
End-to-end testing of multiple interacting systems (e.g., fire alarm + HVAC shutdown + emergency power).
Retro-Commissioning (RCx)
Cx applied to existing buildings (not new construction).
Re-Commissioning
Periodic Cx of previously commissioned systems.
B. Commissioning Roles
Term
Definition
Commissioning Authority (CxA)
Independent third-party (or in-house) responsible for managing the Cx process.
Commissioning Provider (CxP)
Synonym for CxA; often used in LEED.
Commissioning Team
Includes CxA, owner, designers, contractors, TAB firm, controls contractor, etc.
C. Inspection & Acceptance Terms
Term
Definition
Substantial Completion
Stage when the building is sufficiently complete for occupancy (per AIA A201). Cx FPT usually occurs after this.
Certificate of Occupancy (CO or C of O)
Issued by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) after life-safety and code inspections pass.
Punch List
List of minor defects to be corrected before final acceptance.
Beneficial Occupancy
Owner begins using the building before full completion (triggers warranty clock).
Final Acceptance
Formal sign-off after all punch list items, FPT, and training are complete.
D. Certification & Verification Programs
Term
Definition
LEED Certification
USGBC third-party verification of sustainability performance; includes Enhanced Commissioning (Option 1 or 2).
Enhanced Commissioning (EAc2)
LEED credit requiring CxA review of OPR/BOD, systems manual, and 10-month post-occupancy review.
WELL Certification
Focuses on occupant health; includes Fundamental Commissioning of air/water systems.
Energy Star Portfolio Manager
EPA benchmarking; often requires TAB report and Cx verification.
IECC Compliance Path
International Energy Conservation Code; allows Performance Path with Cx or Prescriptive Path with inspections.
Title 24 (California)
Requires Acceptance Testing by certified ATT (Acceptance Test Technician) for lighting, HVAC, envelope.
E. Testing, Adjusting, Balancing (TAB)
Term
Definition
Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB)
Process to ensure HVAC airflow, water flow, and temperatures match design (AABC, NEBB, TABB standards).
TAB Report
Certified document required for Cx, LEED, and code compliance.
Certified TAB Technician
Credential from AABC, NEBB, or TABB.
F. Documentation Deliverables
Term
Definition
Commissioning Plan
Roadmap of Cx scope, schedule, and responsibilities.
Commissioning Report
Final summary of all tests, issues, and resolutions.
Systems Manual
O&M manuals + BOD + as-built sequences + recommissioning plan (required by LEED, ASHRAE 202).
Training Plan & Record
Documentation that owner staff were trained on systems operation.
G. Code & Authority Terms
Term
Definition
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
Local building official, fire marshal, health department, etc.
Overview of codes and standards relevant to the food service enterprises in K-12 schools, college and university student housing, athletic venues and university-affiliated healthcare systems.
Famous People Discussing the Divine Comedy with Dante
Periodic walk-through of Human Resource best practice catalog for labor markets generally; and units within the education facility industry specifically. We inform our discussion based upon periodic release on the Employment Situation Summary from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The tradition of naming terms after religious feasts is rooted in medieval ecclesiastical calendars. The use of “Hilary” for this period originated in the English legal system during the Middle Ages, where the courts divided the year into four sittings: Hilary, Easter, Trinity, and Michaelmas. Universities like Oxford adopted similar naming conventions, reflecting their historical ties to the church and legal professions.
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This naming has persisted as a tradition, even as modern calendars have standardized dates. At other UK universities (e.g., Cambridge), the equivalent January-starting term is called Lent term instead.
Alone is where the magic happens…apparently although I got so bored. This 10 mile run was the first time I’ve ran double digits since October 2021! The last two miles felt dreadful however, it’s done. I’m now going to smash a 🍕 #ukrunchat#trainingpic.twitter.com/fUP43c5yGi
We follow the construction spend rate of the US education industry; using the US Census Bureau Construction Spending figures released the first day of every month.
We encourage our colleagues in the education facilities industry to respond to Census Bureau-retained data gathering contractors in order to contribute to the accuracy of the report.
The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), published by the IEEE as ANSI C2, is the current edition as of January 2026: the 2023 Edition (published in 2022, effective February 1, 2023). The next edition is scheduled for 2028.Table of Contents for the 2023 EditionGeneral Sections
Section 1: Introduction
Section 2: Definitions of Special Terms
Section 3: References
Section 9: Grounding Methods for Electric Supply and Communications Facilities
Part 1: Rules for the Installation and Maintenance of Electric Supply Stations and Equipment
Section 10: Purpose and Scope
Section 11: Protective Arrangements in Electric Supply Stations
Section 12: Installation and Maintenance of Equipment
Section 13: Rotating Equipment
Section 14: Storage Batteries
Section 15: Transformers and Regulators
Section 16: Conductors
Section 17: Circuit Breakers, Reclosers, Switches, and Fuses
Section 18: Switchgear and Metal-Enclosed Bus
Section 19: Photovoltaic Generating Stations
Part 2: Rules for the Installation and Maintenance of Overhead Electric Supply and Communication Lines
Section 20: Purpose, Scope, and Application of Rules
Section 21: General Requirements
Section 22: Relations Between Various Classes of Lines and Equipment
Section 23: Clearances
Section 24: Grades of Construction
Section 25: Loadings for Grades B and C
Section 26: Strength Requirements
Section 27: Line Insulation
(Additional sections on overhead rules, including guys, supports, etc.)
Part 3: Rules for the Installation and Maintenance of Underground Electric Supply and Communication Lines
Part 4: Work Rules (Rules for the Operation of Electric Supply and Communications Lines and Equipment)
Sections 40–44: Covering employer and employee rules, including approach distances, fall protection, and arc flash requirements.
Appendices and Annexes
Appendix A: Uniform system of clearances
Appendix B: Uniform clearance calculations
Appendix C: Example applications for loadings
Appendix D: Practical approaches to reducing overvoltages
Appendix E: Bibliography
Annex 1: Metric tables and figures
Annex 2: Letter symbols for units
Index
The NESC also includes numerous figures, tables (e.g., clearance tables like 232-1, 235 series, loading tables 250–253, strength tables), and supporting rules within each section.For the full document, including exact rule numbering and details, refer to the official IEEE publication (available via IEEE Xplore or purchase). The structure has remained consistent across recent editions, with updates primarily in content (e.g., new rules for energy storage, distributed generation, and wireless attachments in 2023).
Congratulations to @MaumeeHS band members Bridget Braithwaite and Henry Herman for being invited to perform in this year’s BGSU Honor Band. They performed in a concert on Saturday, November 22, at BGSU’s Kobacker Hall. pic.twitter.com/qYjPE1KwCs
Today we update our understanding of the regulations, codes, standards and ethical considerations in the care of animals in education communities. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
In partnership with @Yeatssocietyirl, we are hosting a special virtual event to mark the 100th anniversary of the #poem ‘The Second Coming’ by WB #Yeats. Join us on Friday, 13 Nov at 7pm for an evening of discussion and #poetry readings.
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
