Finding Engineering Standards

Reading Standard Numbers

Standard numbers may include some or all of the following information, appearing in order from left to right (e.g., ISO/IEC 8859-1: 1998):

• ratifying body (e.g., ISO)
• developing body (e.g., IEC)
• number (e.g., 8859)
• part number (e.g., 1)
• year developed (e.g., 1998)
• year renewed (not given)

Finding Standards at Western

Canadian Standard Association (CSA)  We have the complete current print version in the Taylor Reference collection at call number TA368.N383. We also have a one year trial for CSA Standards online, starting in March 2011. Please let us know your experience using the online version of CSA Standards. This will help us evaluate the resource.

ACI (American Concrete Institute): We have ACI's Manual of Concrete Practice, a print collection of standards and technical guidelines.

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers): We have several revisions of the ASME boiler and pressure vessel code (aka the "Pressure vessel code"). Our most recent is in Taylor (Section 2 - Materials is available online), while older revisions are available from the ARCC.

ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials): We have the complete ASTM active standards online, and some older print editions in the RDL or ARCC. Check the print index or the ASTM website for information on their standards.

Building Code (aka The Ontario Building Code Compendium, produced by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Building and Development Branch): We have the 2006 edition in the Taylor Reference collection at call number TH227.O6O56 2007.

CGSB (Canadian General Standards Board): We have the complete current print versions in the Taylor Reference collection at call number T 59.2.C2 C343. Check the CGSB website for information on their standards.

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineerings): We have the complete current versions online.

ISO: We have a few of these. If you're after one in particular, ask us for assistance.

Note: If it's not listed above, then we probably don't have it in the Library.

Equivalency of Standards

While we may not have the standard you are after, we may have an equivalent. E.g., an ISO standard may have a CSA or CAN equivalent. Search IHS Global Engineering Documents for equivalence information on the standard you are after.

Currency of Standards

Standards are typically reviewed every 5-7 years. Check the standard's body's website on a particular standard. They should have some information about how current a standard is, and whether or not it's still in effect.