Claudia Bach

New Amendment A2 issued for BS EN 55022 2006 Edition on Radio Disturbance Characteristics

The BS EN 55022:2006 — Information technology equipment, Radio disturbance characteristics, Limits and methods of measurement — has just been modified by Amendment A2 dated 3/1/2011. The consolidated BS EN 55022:2006+A2:2010 supersedes (replaces) the BS EN 55022:2006+A1:2007, which will be withdrawn on December 1, 2013.

This new BS EN 55022 (the Official English language edition of EN 55022) is an adoption of the CISPR 22, 5th Edition, with modifications. The differences in the 2 documents are noted by specific tags within the EN copy. Tags also define the changes generated by the 2 amendments, A1 and A2.

Since the CISPR 22 standard has recently been revised to the 6th Edition, there may be some question as to why the EN edition of the same source material is lagging behind. With these documents that originate with IEC and then are adopted at the European regional level by CENELEC, there is often a greater necessity for modifications and a longer adaption period for the countries affected. This reflects the inherent difficulties generated by standards having to do with electricity, where protocols for its usage vary from country to country and region to region.

Since the BS EN 55022:2006+A2:2010 is interfiled, the document must be repurchased in its entirety. The standard (and all BSI and BS EN specifications) are available from Document Center Inc. on our website, www.document-center.com. Or you may contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). All questions are welcome.

New TIA 11-1 for NFPA 70 2011 National Electrical Code

A new TIA (Tentative Interim Amendment) 11-1 has been issued for the recently released 2011 Edition of the NEC (National Electrical Code) NFPA 70. This particular TIA provides 2 exceptions in section 680.42(B) of the code.

A TIA is an amendment to an NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) document processed in accordance with specific NFPA protocols. It is not required to go through the entire codes and standards-making process of being published for review and comment. It is labeled “interim” because it is effective only between editions of a particular standard. A TIA automatically becomes a proposal for the next edition of the standard.

Requests for TIAs need to provide the recommended revision and the reason as to why it is of an emergency nature requiring prompt action. The submitter must also provide the appropriate endorsments in writing of two members of the applicable technical committee or technical correlating committee within NFPA.

It is different from an Errata, which is a correction of the text of the standard. A TIA provides a technical modification of the document itself.

All NFPA Standards, as well as the Erratum and TIAs, are available from Document Center Inc. through our website, www.document-center.com. Or contact us via phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We’re always happy to assist you with any standards-related issues.

New ASME B31.1 2010 Edition of the Power Piping Code

The ASME B31.1 Power Piping Code has recently been released in the new 2010 Edition. The ASME standard regulates the proper installation, inspection, and maintenance of power piping systems, dictating the proper design, materials, fabrication, erection, and testing of piping. It is one of the most frequently requested ASME standards sold by Document Center Inc. during the first quarter of 2011.

Rules for this Code Section have been developed considering the needs for applications which include piping typically found in electric power generating stations, in industrial and institutional plants, geothermal heating systems, and central and district heating and cooling systems.

Piping as used in this Code includes pipe, flanges, bolting, gaskets, valves, relief devices, fittings, and the pressure containing portions of other piping components, whether manufactured in accordance with Standards listed in Table 126.1 or specially designed. It also includes hangers and supports and other equipment items necessary to prevent overstressing the pressure containing components.

Rules governing piping for miscellaneous appurtenances, such as water columns, remote water level indicators, pressure gages, gage glasses, etc., are included within the scope of this Code, but the requirements for boiler appurtenances shall be in accordance with Section I of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, PG-60.

Of course, this and all ASME standards are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com, by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) and by email (info@document-center.com). Should you have additional questions about this or any other standard, please get in touch.

SAE’s AMS Index – A useful tool for Aerospace Material Specifications

SAE International publishes the AMS Index every January and July and we at Document Center Inc. regularly sell it. Why would people continue to purchase a paper index in today’s online world? Because you can use it to locate standards based on specified conditions like material, form, quality and so on. And not only are the AMS documents identified, but similar documents from other organizations, UNS numbers and Alloy information are included as well.

Let’s take a common AMS specification as an example: AMS 5518, on corrosion resistant steel. The first section of the index is in numerical order, so the document can be found in the numerical section, further classified by it’s position under Wrought Corrosion and Heat Resistant Steels and Alloys.

We see the revision level is L, the complete title is “Steel, Corrosion Resistant, Sheet and Strip 18Cr – 8Ni Cold Rolled, 150 Ksi (1034 MPa) Tensile Strength,” the UNS number is S30100, the alloy is 30301, and a similar specification is ASTM A480/A480M.

We could have also found the same document in the subject index under the alloy number, or in the similar specifications index under the ASTM A480/A480M number. The subject index makes it fairly simple to find the references by the UNS number as well.

For folks who are using various metals and other materials for the aerospace industry, this index can prove very helpful in identifying which AMS standards or other documents should be used.

The index and all SAE documents (like the AMS, AS, MAM, and J Standards) can all be purchased from Document Center Inc. under licensed agreement with SAE. Order on our website, www.document-center.com, or by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). And if you have any questions on these documents, please let us know.

New JESD22-B107 2011 Edition on Marking Permanency released by JEDEC

JESD22-B107, Revision D, on Marking Permanency for Integrated Circuits, has just been released at the beginning of March. It replaces all previous editions of the standard.

The JESD22 series is a set of test methods for integrated circuits that are widely used in the semiconductor industry. It is composed of both JESD22-A and JESD22-B series standards.

The B107 test method provides two tests for determining the marking permanency of ink marked integrated circuits. A new non-destructive tape test method is introduced to quickly determine marking integrity. The test method also specifies a resistance to solvents method based upon MIL-STD-883 Test Method 2015.

This and all JEDEC standards are available under license agreement from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com. You can also order via phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) and email (info@document-center.com). Feel free to contact us with any questions about JEDEC standards that you may have.

New ASTM D445 2011 Edition on Kinematic Viscosity issued

ASTM D445:2011 titled Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity) has just been issued by ASTM’s D02.07 committee. The standard is widely used in a variety of industrial settings.

Many petroleum products, and some non-petroleum materials, are used as lubricants, and the correct operation of the equipment depends upon the appropriate viscosity of the liquid being used. In addition, the viscosity of many petroleum fuels is important for the estimation of optimum storage, handling, and operational conditions. Thus, the accurate determination of viscosity is essential to many product specifications.

This test method specifies a procedure for the determination of the kinematic viscosity, ν, of liquid petroleum products, both transparent and opaque, by measuring the time for a volume of liquid to flow under gravity through a calibrated glass capillary viscometer. The dynamic viscosity, η, can be obtained by multiplying the kinematic viscosity, ν, by the density, ρ, of the liquid.

ASTM-D445:2011, as well as past revision levels and all ASTM standards, is available from Document Center Inc. at our website www.document-center.com. More information on the standard can be found at our StandardsCatalog.com development site too. Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com) with document requests or questions. Our expert staff is always happy to help.

New ASME A17.1 2010 Edition for the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators

ASME A17.1 (also known as ASME A17.1/CSA B44), Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, has just been released as the new 2010 Edition. This Code covers the design, construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, and repair of elevators, escalators, moving walks, materials lifts and dumbwaiters.

Major changes for the 2010 edition include:

(a.) former periodic inspections now being covered under maintenance requirements;
(b.) additional types of suspension means;
(c.) elevator illumination updated;
(d.) allowance of energy conservation methods in escalator usage;
(e.) revisions of folding car-door requirements covering top-of-car clearances;
(f.) updated communication requirements in elevators and;
(g.) additional Type B Material Lift requirements.

While the ASME A17.2 companion standard, Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks, has also been released as a new 2010 Edition, it does not fully reflect the latest requirements in this new A17.1 Code.

These new documents and all ASME standards may be purchased from Document Center Inc. at our website www.document-center.com. Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). Any questions you might have on these or any standards will be welcomed.

JESD47 New Revision H on Stress-Test-Driven Qualification of Integrated Circuits released February, 2011

JESD47, Stress-Test-Driven Qualification of Integrated Circuits, has just been released as the new Revision H dated 2/2011. The standard describes a baseline set of acceptance tests for use in qualifying electronic components as new products, a product family, or as products in a process which is being changed.

This qualification standard is not aimed at extreme use conditions such as military applications, automotive under-the-hood applications, or uncontrolled avionics environments, nor does it address 2nd level reliability considerations, which are addressed in JEP150.

Tables in the standard list qualification requirements not only for new components but also for a qualification family or category of change. It is expected that the IC sampling lot will pass all appropriate qualification tests derived from these tables.

The new JESD47 Revision H and all JEDEC standards can be purchased from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com. Or call (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email us (info@document-center.com). We’re happy to help you with your procurement needs or with any standards questions you might have.

Japanese earthquake reminds us how Building Codes save lives

With the news today of the devastating earthquake in Northern Japan, I find myself reminded of our San Francisco earthquake in 1988. The difference in the magnitude of the two quakes is significant and gives us a moment to be thankful for all the hard work the Japanese have done over the years to improve the seismic requirements of the Building Standard Law of Japan.

Living in an earthquake area means preparing for the inevitable. There is never a question about “If” but only “When.” One cannot turn a blind eye to the kind of damage caused by this phenomena if one cares about human life and suffering.

The Japanese starting thinking about seismic requirements for buildings back in the 1920’s, with the revision of Law Enforcement Regulations in 1924. This was the first time the Japanese building codes included seismic design forces.

After World War II, with massive rebuilding necessary in the country, the modern structure of the building code was developed. It includes references to standards from both the Architectural Institute of Japan and the Japan Concrete Institute.

There have been two significant seismic design code revisions to the Building Standard Law of Japan. The first occurred in 1981, when a two-phase earthquake design was introduced. Then a second revision in 2000 allowed for performance based requirements and verification relying on accurate earthquake response and limit states of a building.

There is no doubt that the attention paid to earthquake vulnerability of buildings has saved countless lives in the current massive earthquake off the shores of Japan. Our hearts go out to the victims but our hats are off to a country that has worked so hard to minimize the devastation that this natural phenomena brings.

New 2011 Edition of the NBS HDBK 44 on weighting and measuring devices is now available

NBS HDBK 44, Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices, is now available in the 2011 Edition. The 479 page standard was adopted by the 95th National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) in 2010.

Handbook 44 was first published in 1949, having been preceded by similar handbooks of various designations and in several forms, beginning in 1918. It is reviewed annually by the NCWM.

The handbook conforms to the concept of primary use of SI (metric) measurements recommended in the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. In some cases, however, trade practice is currently restricted to the use of inch-pound units; therefore, some requirements continue to specify only inch-pound units until the NCWM achieves a broad consensus on the permitted SI units.

The purpose of Handbook 44 is to prevent the use of weights and measures and weighing and measuring devices that give readings that are false, faulty (that is, that are not reasonably permanent in their adjustment or will not repeat their indications correctly), or that facilitate the perpetration of fraud.

It has been designed to be a working tool for federal, state, and local weights and measures officials, the equipment manufacturers, installers, and service agencies/agents. Many organizations cite the Handbook in calibration or quality documentation.

This NBS Handbook, and other standards on calibration and measurement, is available from Document Center Inc.’s website, www.document-center.com. You can also order by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). If you have any questions about this standard, please get in touch.