New ASTM C150 / C150M 2011 Edition on Portland Cement has been released

New ASTM C150 2011 / C150M 2011 Edition, entitled Standard Specification for Portand Cement, has just been released.  The new edition replaces the 2009 version and covers both metric and inch-pound units.

ASTM C150 / C150M covers ten types of portland cement: Type I, Type IA, Type II, Type II(MH), Type II(MH)A, Type IIA, Type III, Type IIIA, Type IV, and Type V.  The cement covered by the specification only contains the following ingredients: portland cement clinker, water or calcium sulfate (or both), limestone, processing additions, and air-entraining addition for air-entraining portland cement.

Portland cements must meet various physical and chemical requirements which are detailed in this specification. Examples include limits on aluminum oxide, ferric oxide, magnesium oxide, sulfur trioxide, tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, and tetracalcium aluminoferrite.

Applicable properties enumerated in this specification are determined by the following test methods: air content of mortar, chemical analysis, compressive strength, false set, fineness by air permeability, fineness by turbidimeter, heat of hydration, autoclave expansion, time of setting by Gillmore needles, time of setting by Vicat needles, sulfate resistance, calcium sulfate, and compressive strength.

Cement is to be stored in such a manner as to permit easy access for proper inspection and identification of each shipment, and in a suitable weather-tight building that will protect the cement from dampness and minimize warehouse set.

This specification, and all ASTM standards, can be purchased from Document Center Inc. 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’re available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm California time.

New IEEE C2 2012 Edition due in August – National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)

The new 2012 Edition of the IEEE C2 – National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) – is scheduled for release in paper format in August 2011.  The document covers basic provisions for safeguarding of persons from hazards arising from the installation, operation, or maintenance of (1) conductors and equipment in electric supply stations, and (2) overhead and underground electric supply and communication lines.

It also includes work rules for the construction, maintenance, and operation of electric supply and communication lines and equipment. The standard is applicable to the systems and equipment operated by utilities, or similar systems and equipment, of an industrial establishment or complex under the control of qualified persons.

IEEE-C2 consists of the introduction, definitions, grounding rules, list of referenced and bibliographic documents, and Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4.

It will be available in August 2011, but can be pre-ordered now from Document Center Inc. 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) for more information.  This and all IEEE standards are available from Document Center Inc., your Standards Experts.

The new UL 1419 3rd Edition is now available – Standard for Professional Video and Audio Equipment

The new UL 1419 3rd Edition dated 5/31/2011 is now available from Document Center Inc.  Titled “Standard for Professional Video and Audio Equipment,” the document covers video and audio equipment operated and maintained by trained personnel under the conditions of controlled access.

The requirements cover such equipment as video tape recorders, audio/video editing equipment, audio/video receiving and processing equipment, signal transmission equipment, television cameras, video digitizers, video monitors, metering equipment and similar equipment.  The standard also covers auxiliary equipment and accessories which are used in addition to or as a supplement to the basic equipment (remote controls, convertors, stands, etc.).

UL 1419 requirements cover equipment rated 600 volts or less for use in accordance with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.  There are also additional standards referenced for equipment employing circuits that are intended to connect directly to a telecommunications network.

The 3rd edition replaces UL 1419 2nd Edition with changes through June, 2010.  It, and all UL Standards, are available from Document Center Inc. Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We have the expertise to assist you with all your standards questions and requirements.

New AMS-B-20148 Revision B released on Brazing Sheet, Aluminum Alloy

New AMS-B-20148B, dated 5/24/2011, is titled “Brazing Sheet, Aluminum Alloy.”  It covers aluminum alloy brazing sheet for use in brazed aluminum joints.  The document is another standard that migrated from a military specification to an industry standard in the late-1990’s.

The document was originally released as MIL-B-20148 in 1951.  It was cancelled at the Revision D level in 1998 and was replaced by the AMS-B-20148 at that time.  Since then, the AMS version has undergone two revisions, with the Revision B being the latest.

There are no relevant Alloy or UNS numbers for this particular standard.

The new revision recognizes technical equivalency for two recently published specifications; brazing sheet #23-F is superseded by AMS-4465, brazing sheet #24-F is superseded by AMS-4460.

Additionally, paragraph 3.1 provides the complete list of superseding requirements applicable to #11-0, #12-0, #21-F, #22-F, #23-F, and #24-F.

AMS-B-20148B and all AMS Standards are available from Document Center Inc. You can also reach us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  These items are in stock for immediate processing.

MIL-STD-171 New Revision F released — It’s the military standard on Finishing of Metal and Wood Surfaces

Document Center recently notified its customers about the new MIL-STD-171 F dated 5/31/2011 on Finishing of Metal and Wood Surfaces.  The widely used standard covers the minimum requirements for finishing, and otherwise treating, metal and wood surfaces.  It replaces the MIL-STD-171E with Change Notice 1.

The document’s stated purpose is to establish finish system codes which link or cross reference specific specification information for finishing and otherwise treating metal and wood surfaces. It also serves as a general guide to the selection of suitable finishing materials, procedures and systems.  It covers both organic (paint, varnish, and so on) and inorganic (metal plating, phosphatized metal, and the like) coatings.

Of course, specialized systems particular to individual agencies are covered by drawings, specifications and standards published by those organizations and supplement MIL-STD-171.  Those procurement documents should make direct reference to the applicable specification. For example, MIL-STD-186 covers painting and other finishing of Army Missile weapon systems.

Finish system code numbers in the tables of MIL-STD-171 are intended to remain stable, since those code numbers are commonly referenced on drawings, in contracts and in end items specifications.

Where a system in a previous edition of the standard has been deleted from this new revision, the system to be used as a substitute is noted in the tables.

This standard, and all publicly distributed military standards, are available from Document Center Inc. Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Staff is available to help you with all your standards questions and requirements.

New ASTM A29 / A29M 2011 Edition on Carbon and Alloy Steel Bars

Document Center Inc. announces the availability of the new 2011 edition for ASTM A29/A29M, “Standard Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements for.”   This specification covers a group of requirements for carbon and alloy steel bars under each of the following specifications: hot-rolled carbon steel bars, cold-finished carbon steel bars, hot-rolled alloy steel bars, and cold-finished alloy steel bars.

Requirements include heat and product analysis for several grades of carbon steel bars, to confirm the material conforms to the required chemical composition for carbon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur. Similar requirements are provided for several grades of alloy steel bars to meet the required chemical composition for carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum.

When compositions other than those indicated in the specified chemical components are required, ranges and limits for carbon steel and alloy steel are given. An additional grain size test and mechanical tests are specified for the steel test specimens.

ASTM A29/A29M, and all ASTM standards, are available from Document Center Inc. via our website, www.document-center.com.  Or you can order by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) and email (info@document-center.com).  Our staff are available from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday California time to assist you with all your standards needs.

New Amending Correction has just been released for BS EN 60601-1

BS EN 60601-1:2006, “Medical electrical equipment – General requirements for basic safety and essential performance,” has just been modified by a new Corrigendum 1 correction.  The document is the official English language edition of EN 60601-1.

The corrigendum dated May 31st, 2011, is a consolidated implementation of IEC corrigenda dated in December 2006 and December 2007 (tagged) for the source document IEC 60601-1.   It’s also the  implementation of CENELEC corrigendum March 2010, as well as the  modification of CENELEC Foreword and Annexes ZA and ZZ.

The start and finish of text introduced or altered by IEC corrigendum December 2006 is indicated in the text by one tag. Text altered by IEC corrigendum December 2007 is indicated in the text by another.  There are no clear indications of the location of the modifications to the foreword, the two annexes or the CENELEC Corrigendum.  A review of the previous edition against this one will be necessary.  However, the page count of both the 2006 Edition and this new issue remains constant at 384 pages.

This corrected issue supersedes BS EN 60601-1:1990 and BS EN 60601-1-4:1997 which are declared obsolete and are scheduled for withdrawl on June 1, 2012.  It also supersedes BS EN 60601-1-1:2001 which is withdrawn with the publication of this new revision.

For a copy of the new BS EN 60601-1 or any BS standard, please 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’re available to assist you with all your standards requirements.

New ISO 18292 2011 Edition lets you calculate the energy performance of windows, doors and skylights

The new ISO 18292:2011, “Energy Performance of Fenestration Systems— Calculation Procedure,” is a new standard that enables the energy performance rating of a window, door or skylight, rather than just the thermal transmittance.

It’s based on the effects of the frame, sash, glazing, and shading components combined with building heating/cooling loads and environmental conditions.  It is designed to accommodate all climatic conditions – both internal and external – and relevant building characteristics and installation details.

ISO 18292 was created for manufacturers to compare products and to show the energy benefits of new designs or technology, for building officials and others involved in code development and enforcement to determine if products meet local codes, and for homeowners to compare different products and make informed product choices.  It has already been adopted for use in Great Britain.

This standard, and all ISO standards, are available from Document Center Inc. through our website, www.document-center.com.  Or you can order by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’re available from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday California time to help you with all your standards requirements and questions.

There’s a new Code in town — NFPA-2, Hydrogen Technologies Code

In response to the increasing interest in using Hydrogen as a fuel source, the National Fire Protection Association has released NFPA-2, the Hydrogen Technologies Code.   It’s a new document that consolidates all the fire and life safety requirements applicable to generation, installation, storage, piping, use, and handling of hydrogen in compressed gas form or cryogenic liquid form into a single comprehensive resource.

It includes fundamental requirements for hydrogen in both gaseous and liquid phases and contains additional use-specific categories, such as:

  • Vehicle fueling facilities
  • Systems for fuel cell power and generation
  • Applications involving combustion processes and special atmospheres
  • Operations in the lab

Among the key topics are indoor fueling, hydrogen fueling stations, backup power, and electrolytic production of hydrogen. The most advanced commercial applications for hydrogen technologies are backup power using polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and forklifts.

The Code is intended to benefit enforcing officials when reviewing permits for occupancies storing, handling or using hydrogen or when inspecting existing facilities.

Annexes include a sample ordinance adopting NFPA 2, an example of Class C furnace operational and maintenance checklist, and supplementary information on explosion hazards and protection in laboratories.

The Code is dated 2011 and already has 1 Errata issued.  This document, and all NFPA standards and Codes, are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or feel free to contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com) with your standards requirements and questions.

93/42/EEC – The Medical Device Directive and it’s Harmonized Standards

When Medical Device companies do business in Europe, they are required to conform to the EU’s Medical Device Directive, 93/42/eec.  One important way to comply is to use the applicable standards from the Harmonised List for Medical Devices.

What is a European Directive?  It’s a legislative act, rather than a regulation, that requires a specific outcome but does not dictate how that outcome is to be achieved.  Countries are given a specific timetable for conformance with the directive.    The Treaty that created the functioning of the  European Union states,  “A directive shall be binding, as to the result to be achieved, upon each Member State to which it is addressed, but shall leave to the national authorities the choice of form and methods.”

With the adoption of the New Approach methodology for directives, there is the ability to create a directive that is not based on specific limits or tests, but on “essential requirements.”  This allows for the European market itself, through the mechanism of the EN Standards, to set the details of limits and tests rather than through specific language in the directive itself.

So for a limited number of directives, there are lists of Harmonized Standards that define the requirements for each.  These European Standards are created at the regional level and then adopted as national standards in each member country.  However, the standards are not mandatory — their use is still considered voluntary.  So in principle an alternative means of proving compliance with the safety requirements of the directives is possible.

This is the case with the Medical Device Directive, 93/42/eec.  The MedDev List of Harmonized Standards provides the easiest way to meet the requirements of the directive.

One last question to answer — How are directives amended?  Due to the way in which directives are generated, it takes a directive to modify a directive.  So 93/42/eec has been amended 5 times, by 98/79/EC, 2000/70/EC, 2001/104/EC, 2003/32/EC, and 2007/47/EC.  Luckily, there is a consolidated reprint of the Medical Device Directive, issued in 2007, that consolidates the original text with these 5 amendments.

The Directives and European Standards are all available 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).  Our expert staff is available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm California time, to help you with your Standards needs.