New SAE J995 2012 Edition on Mechanical and Material Requirements for Steel Nuts

SAE International has just released a new 2012 Edition for J995, “Mechanical and Material Requirements for Steel Nuts,” and it’s available now from Document Center Inc.  The new 9-page revision covers the mechanical and material requirements for three grades of steel nuts used in automotive and related engineering applications.

Nuts are covered in sizes 1/4 to 1-1/2 inch, inclusive, and with dimensions conforming with the requirements of the latest issue of SAE J482 or ASME B18.2.2.  However, machine screw nuts are not covered in this standard.

SAE J995 does not include limits for surface discontinuities. Where usage requires such control, limits may be specified separately. For sizes 1/4 through 1 inch, this may be done by the statement: “Surface discontinuities shall not exceed the limits specified in ASTM F812/F812M.”

Changes in this edition include the following:

Grade 2 has been added to all nut types.  And nut types that are in use but not previously covered have also been added.

Appendix Tables A2 and A3 are provided for easier use when determining specific proof load values.

Modifications to the quality requirements bring them into line with those of ASTM to simplify the evaluation of product in testing laboratories.

And there is a new illustration to better explain the grade markings for the various SAE nuts (no disrespect intended)…

All current SAE International standards and many obsolete revisions are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or consider getting in touch with us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’ve provided standards to tens of thousands of customers through the years and would be pleased to become your Standards Library as well.

New BS EN 397 2012 Edition on Industrial Safety Helmets

EN 397, ” Industrial Safety Helmets,” was released in a new revision recently and the official English language edition, BS EN 397:2012, is now available from Document Center Inc.   This European Standard specifies physical and performance requirements, methods of test, and marking requirements for industrial safety helmets.

The mandatory requirements of BS EN 397 apply to helmets for general use in industry in the European Union as mandated by 89/686/EEC for personal protective equipment. Additional optional performance requirements are included to apply only where specifically claimed by the helmet manufacturer.

Industrial safety helmets (also known as headgear) are intended primarily to provide protection to the wearer against falling objects to avoid brain injury and skull fracture.

EN 397:2012 is written by Technical Committee CEN/TC 158 on “Head protection.”  Countries in Europe are expected adopt it as a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, by July 2012, as well as withdrawing conflicting national standards at the same time.

Since EN standards are not published as stand-alone documents, they are available from Document Center  in the many adoptions from the various countries in Europe.  Normally we suggest using the official English language editions, the BS EN documents.  You’ll find them on our website, www.document-center.com.  Please feel free to contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com) should you have questions or prefer to order off-line.

New Revision B released for MIL-HDBK-6870, Nondestructive Inspection Program Requirements for Aircraft and Missile Materials and Parts

MIL-HDBK-6870 Revision B, “Nondestructive Inspection Program Requirements for Aircraft and Missile Materials and Parts,” has just been released and is now available from Document Center Inc.  This 28-page handbook provides the guidance for defining the requirements for establishing a nondestructive inspection (NDI) program for evaluation of structural components in development, production or sustainment of U.S. military aircraft and missiles systems. It is directly applicable when referenced in the item specification contract or order.

MIL-HDBK-6870 is the replacement document for the old MIL-I-6870, which was withdrawn in 1996.  It applies to structures for aircraft and missiles when the design activity or system specification requires nondestructive inspection for production acceptance, and recurring nondestructive inspection for long-term sustainability.

This handbook may also be applicable to mechanical equipment, subsystems and propulsion systems but the guidance should be tailored for such use. This handbook applies to all phases of the system life cycle: acquisition, modification and sustainment.

The NDI Program Plan should be developed at the beginning of the development phase and should define all NDI requirements to be adhered to during system development, test, production, and sustainment.

Like all military handbooks, this document is for guidance only and cannot be cited as a requirement.  Marginal notations are not used in this revision to identify changes with respect to the previous issue due to the extent of the changes.  Revision B replaces the previous edition, MIL-HDBK-6870A, which is now obsolete.

All publicly distributed (non-classified) military specifications, standards, and handbooks are available from Document Center Inc.  We have an extensive collection of obsolete documents as well as the current editions.  Use our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We are available Monday to Friday from 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time to help you with any questions you may have.

Standards Publishers plagued by “intellectual property piracy Internet sites”

For the second time in the last two months, I’ve run across sites put up by intellectual property pirates.  These sites harm the international standards community in any number of ways, and I’m going to count them out for you!

1.  The unauthorized sale of standards without compensation to the copyright holder ends up making the cost of standardization rise for the rest of us.

If there’s one thing that standards users hate, it’s the rising costs of standards documents.  However, the price you pay for standards pays for the work that goes into developing that standard, and it ain’t cheap.

Standards are the product of many months, even years, of effort by technical experts and other interested parties, administrated by professional not-for-profit organizations.  The work is published and maintained by these folks in our best interests, making the products and services we use safe, interoperable, and innovative.

2. When the cost of standards rise, the costs of the goods we buy also goes up.  Having standards distributed without paying for the development and distribution of those same standards negatively affects our economy.

3.  You have no way of knowing if the document you purchase is the latest edition.  You will not be notified when the technical content of the standard changes.  There is no service here.  This interaction aims to take your money and run.

4.  You negatively impact the way that standards organizations monitor the usefulness of the documents they publish.

Standards organizations want to make sure that the standards they develop and maintain are worthwhile.  They keep statistics on what standards are getting lots of use as well as considering the necessity of a standard for public well-being.   This information helps to focus standards resources on those areas that will benefit us all the most.

When standards are promulgated illegally, the picture we have of the impact of standards on commerce and public safety is skewed.

5.  There is a cost to Standards Developing Organizations to shut down these sites.  As if the cost in lost revenue wasn’t enough…

How do you spot a site that is selling pirated copies of standards?

It’s easy.  The prices are too good to be true.

The first site I spotted had standards selling for $19.00 and up.  The second was similar, with the true prices X’ed out and substantially lower prices offered as the sale price.

Another thing to consider: If you’re going to purchase from a site that is stealing the goods they offer you, there’s no guarantee that they won’t also steal your information at the point of purchase.  After all, if these guys are willing to steal from ANSI, ASME, ASTM, ISO and the rest, why wouldn’t they steal from you?

I can’t stress enough the benefits of purchasing your standards from legitimate distributors like Document Center Inc.  We handle all our sales either under contract or like a bookstore, purchasing our stock for resale.  You’ll get superior service, both at the point of sale and afterwards, with confidence that the information you give us during the business transaction is not being exploited.

We’ve been in business since 1982 and under contract with our publisher partners since the 1980’s.  You can put your trust in us to keep your standards collection current, while knowing that both the funds and sales records are correctly being channeled to the intellectual property owners as well.

New ANSI B77.1, Passenger Ropeways – Aerial Tramways, Aerial Lifts, Surface Lifts, Tows and Conveyors – Safety Requirements

Since we’ve finally got some snow up in the Sierras, it’s a good time to look the latest revision of ANSI B77.1, “Passenger Ropeways – Aerial Tramways, Aerial Lifts, Surface Lifts, Tows and Conveyors – Safety Requirements.”  Released in 2011 and editorially corrected in October, this standard deals with passenger transportation systems that use cables, ropes or other flexible elements for power transmission in the system. These systems include aerial tramways, detachable and fixed grip aerial lifts, surface lifts, tows, and conveyors.  It’s available now from Document Center Inc.

The B77 standard had its inception in 1956. At that time, the industry dealings with recreational passenger transportation had reached such proportions that safeguards were required for the protection of the public and progress of the industry.

At the request of the Eastern Ski Area Operators Association, one of the original sponsors of the project, a general conference was held in New York City. As a result of that conference, the American National Standards Committee B77, composed of operators, users, authorities having jurisdiction, designers, and manufacturers of aerial passenger tramways, was established to develop safety requirements.

The first ANSI B77.1 standard was approved on June 8, 1960, and revisions were developed and approved in 1970, 1973, 1976, 1982, 1990, 1992, 1999 and 2006.  The current standards developer is the National Ski Areas Association.

The new 2011 Edition is 190 pages in length and is available from Document Center Inc. via our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We are able to help you with any questions you have about ANSI standards, as we have been working with ANSI since the 1980’s.

New AS 4373 Revision E released on Test Methods for Insulated Electric Wire

SAE International has just released AS4373 Revision E, “Test Methods for Insulated Electric Wire,” and it’s available from Document Center Inc. now.  This standard describes test methods for insulated, single conductor, electric wire intended for aerospace applications.

Particular requirements for the wire being tested need to be specified in a procurement document or other detail specification.  Suggested minimum requirements are included in the notes at the end of some of the test methods.  SAE Performance Standard AS4372 uses some of the tests in this document for evaluating comparative performance of aerospace wires.

SAE AS 4373 was developed by the Ae8-D Wire And Cable Committee.  The previous edition, AS4373 Revision D, was released in February, 2010, and is now replaced by the new Revision E.

SAE International Standards,  including all current editions as well as many obsolete ones, are available from Document Center Inc. via our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Our expert staff is available to assist you from 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Standard time, Monday through Friday.  Count on us to solve all your standards needs!

New NFPA 497 2012 Edition, Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas

There’s a new NFPA 497 2012 Edition, “Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas,” available now from Document Center Inc.  NFPA 497 provides the criteria to determine ignitability hazards so you can properly select electrical systems and equipment for safe use in Class I hazardous (classified) locations.

NFPA 497 applies to locations where flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, or combustible liquids are processed or handled and where their release into the atmosphere could result in their ignition by electrical systems or equipment. It also provides information on specific flammable gases and vapors, flammable liquids and combustible liquids whose relevant combustion properties have been sufficiently identified to allow their classification into the groups established by NFPA 70 for proper selection of electrical equipment in hazardous locations.

Changes in the 2012 edition include:

  • Approved amendments to physical and chemical property data for materials included in the document
  • Added definition for unclassified locations
  • Added guidance on the use of portable electronic products, such as watches, cell phones, indicating where their use is permitted in Division 2 locations
  • Revised and expanded Annex B
  • Updated reference standards and extracted text to the most current editions

Various edits and formatting changes were also made to improve usability and consistency with other documents. This document is an essential on-the-job tool for installers and maintainers of industrial equipment using electrical power that is to be located in or near areas where flammable or combustible liquids, or flammable gases or vapors are stored, handled or used; equipment manufacturers providing equipment suitable for use in such electrically classified areas; design engineers/consultants; loss prevention or safety engineers; insurance; enforcing officials; owner/operator of industrial facilities.

It is available now from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or you may prefer to contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Our expert staff can assist you with any standards documents you need.

New Commercial Item Description A-A-59588 Revision B on Silicone Rubber

A-A-59588, the commercial item description titled “Rubber, Silicone,” has just been released as a new Revision B edition.  Available from Document Center Inc., the new document covers six classes of silicone rubber, in various grades.  GSA (the General Services Administration) has authorized it’s use by all federal agencies.

A CID (commercial item description) is an indexed, simplified product description that describes by function or performance characteristics of available, acceptable commercial products (often referred to as “off-the-shelf”) that will satisfy the Government’s needs.

The six grades covered by A-A-59588B are:

Class 1A – Low temperature resistant.
Grades – 40, 50, 60, 70, 80
Class 1B – Low temperature resistant and low compression set at high temperature.
Grades – 40, 50, 60, 70, 80
Class 2A – High temperature resistant.
Grades – 25, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80
Class 2B – High temperature resistant and low compression set.
Grades – 25, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80
Class 3A – Low temperature, tear and flex resistant.
Grades – 30, 50, 60
Class 3B – Tear and flex resistant.
Grades – 30, 50, 60, 70, 80

The silicone rubber is usually provided in the form of sheets, strips or tape; extruded shapes or tubing; or molded shapes, as specified in the government contract or purchase order.  Normally, dimensions and tolerances are indicated in the contract or purchase order as well.  If not, there’s 2 tables in the specification which cover commercial tolerances that can be used.

In this new edition, where changes from the previous issue were made, the margins are marked with vertical lines.  FYI: This was done as a convenience only and the Government assumes no liability whatsoever for any inaccuracies in these notations.

A-A-59588 is the document that replaced ZZ-E-765 (Rubber Fabricated Materials) when it was withdrawn in 2001.  For more information on other government documents on Rubber Fabricated Materials, see our page for the Federal Supply Classification number FSC 9320.

All publicly available federal level government documents are available from Document Center via our website, www.document-center.com.  You may prefer to contact us via phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’re happy to assist you with all your standards requirements, including obsolete revisions, supersession information, monitoring, and auditing.  Just ask!

New ASTM D3638 2012 Edition released for Standard Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials

ASTM D3638-12, “Standard Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials,” is now available from Document Center Inc.  This test method evaluates relatively quickly the low-voltage (up to 600 V) track resistance or comparative tracking index (CTI) of materials in the presence of aqueous contaminants.

Electrical equipment can fail as a result of electrical tracking of insulating material that is exposed to various contaminating environments and surface conditions. There are a number of ASTM and other tests designed to quantify behavior of materials, especially at relatively high voltages.

ASTM D3638 is an accelerated test which uses relatively low test voltages.  It provides a comparison of the performance of insulating materials under wet and contaminated conditions. The comparative tracking index is not related directly to the suitable operating voltage in service.

While tracking tests serve to differentiate materials under given conditions, the results should not be used to infer either direct or comparative service behavior of an application design.  Instead these test results provide a tool for judging the suitability of materials for a given application. This suitability then needs to be verified through testing the design in actual end use or under conditions which simulate end use as closely as possible.

All current ASTM standards and many of the obsolete revisions are available from Document Center Inc. in both paper and pdf format.  Use our website, www.document-center.com, to order.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’ve been selling standards and helping folks with their standards questions and requirements for 30 years now, so we have the expertise to help you too!

Errata released for NFPA 70 2011 Edition, the National Electrical Code

NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, has just had an errata released modifying the new 2011 Edition.  It is the second errata released for this edition of the NEC  so far.  Additionally, there have been four Tentative Interim Amendments released which also impact the use of the document.

Errata are numbered using first the Code number, then the year of the edition and finally the numeric identifier.  So the first Errata for NFPA 70 was Errata 70-11-1, from 4/8/2011.  This errata made pen-and-ink changes to 23 different pages.  The new second Errata is 70-11-2, from 1/24/2012, with changes for 8 different pages.

Tentative Interim Amendments (TIA’s) follow a similar numbering scheme.  A TIA is tentative because it has not been processed through the entire standards-making procedures.  It is interim because it is effective only between editions of the standard.  A TIA automatically becomes a proposal  for the next edition of the standard.

TIA 11-1 for the NEC, released on 3/1/2011, makes 2 exceptions for section 680.42(B).  TIA’s 11-2, 11-3, and 11-4 were all released 10/19/2011.  TIA 11-2 modifies section 625.13 on Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Connection.  TIA 11-3 impacts section 625.14, Rating for Electric vehicle supply equipment.  And TIA 11-4 is a change for section 230.44(5).

NFPA 70 is an essential Code for U.S. industry.  Be sure to keep your copy up-to-date by keeping track of the errata and amendments.  If you need help with this, count on Document Center Inc. to provide you with timely update information by email notifications.  The service is free when you buy a standard from us, or may be purchased separately.

All NFPA standards may be purchased on our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’ve been selling standards for 30 years now and can provide you the expertise you need to keep your standards collection current.