New MSS SP 55, Quality Standard for Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Other Piping Components – Visual Method for Evaluation of Surface Irregularities

There’s a new 2011 Edition of the MSS SP 55, “Quality Standard for Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Other Piping Components – Visual Method for Evaluation of Surface Irregularities.”  This Standard Practice provides a series of reference photographs typical of the various surface irregularities common to steel pressure castings and illustrations of generally acceptable and generally rejectable quality.  It is an ANSI-approved American National Standard.

The document is intended to supplement the requirements of ASTM Specifications A216/A216M, A217/A217M, A351/A351M, A352/A352M, A389/A389M, A487/A487M, and A744/A744M.

Table 1 of Section 5 is provided to show MSS interpretation as to the relationship between this Standard Practice and the levels of surface quality illustrated by the comparators and the photographs of the Steel Casting Research and Trade Association (SCRA TA) Comparators for the Definition of Surface Quality of Steel Castings.
For additional nondestructive examinations defining quality of steel castings, MSS SP 55 may be supplemented by the following Standard Practices:

MSS SP-53 “Magnetic Particle Examination Method”,

MSS SP-54 “Radiographic Examination Method”,

MSS SP-93 “Liquid Penetrant Examination Method”,

MSS SP-94 “Ultrasonic Examination Method”, and

MSS SP-112 “Visual and Tactile Method”.

This new standard and all MSS documents may be purchased from Document Center Inc. at 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 are ready to assist you with all your standards requirements and questions.

ISO 50001 2011 Edition tackles the problem of Energy management systems – Requirements with guidance for use

The new ISO 50001:2011 specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system.  The new document, titled “Energy management systems — Requirements with guidance for use,” is expected to be adopted by the European Union as EN-ISO-50001 and will replace EN-16001.

ISO 50001:2011 specifies requirements applicable to energy use and consumption, including measurement, documentation and reporting, design and procurement practices for equipment, systems, processes and personnel that contribute to energy performance.  And Annex A provides informative guidance on its use.

The ISO standard applies to all variables affecting energy performance that can be monitored and influenced by the organization. However, it does not prescribe specific performance criteria with respect to energy.

ISO 50001 has been designed to be used independently, but it can be aligned or integrated with other management systems.

It is applicable to any organization wishing to ensure that it conforms to its stated energy policy and wishing to demonstrate this to others, such conformity being confirmed either by means of self-evaluation and self-declaration of conformity, or by certification of the energy management system by an external organization.

Energy management can reduce energy consumption, leading to:

  • Reduced energy costs
  • Reduced carbon emissions
  • A more secure supply of energy
  • Improved reputation when implemented with certification

    • ISO 50001 enables organizations to take a systematic approach to energy management. It’s goal is to help companies achieve continual improvement of energy performance, energy efficiency and energy conservation.

    Who should buy this standard?

  • Anyone who wants to reduce their energy costs, reduce carbon emissions or improve their organization’s reputation
  • Those who want a better understanding of international best practice energy management
  • Users of ISO 14001 who want to further develop their management of energy and increase their performance and savings
  • Those responsible for planning and implementing an energy management system

    • ISO 50001:2011 is 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).   We have been an authorized distributor of ISO standards since the 1990’s.

    There’s a new ACI 318 2011 Edition, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary

    The American Concrete Institute has just released the new 2011 Edition of ACI 318, “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary.”  There’s also a new 2011 Edition for the ACI 318M Metric version as well.  The new revision covers the materials, design, and construction of structural concrete used in buildings and where applicable in non-building structures.  The Code also covers the strength evaluation of existing concrete structures.

    Among the subjects covered are: contract documents, inspection, materials, durability requirements, concrete quality, mixing, and placing, formwork, embedded pipes, construction joints, reinforcement details, analysis and design, strength and serviceability, flexural and axial loads, shear and torsion, development and splices of reinforcement, slab systems, walls, footings, precast concrete, composite flexural members, prestressed concrete, shells and folded plate members, strength evaluation of existing structures, provisions for seismic design, structural plain concrete, strut-and- tie modeling in Appendix A, alternative design provisions in Appendix B, alternative load and strength reduction factors in Appendix C, and anchoring to concrete in Appendix D.  In particular, Chapter 21 covers earthquake-resistant structures.

    The quality and testing of materials used in construction are covered by reference to the appropriate ASTM standard specifications. Welding of reinforcement is covered by reference to the appropriate American Welding Society (AWS) standard.

    Uses of the Code include adoption by reference in general building codes, and earlier editions have been widely used in this manner. The Code is written in a format that allows such reference without change to its language. Therefore, background details or suggestions for carrying out the requirements or intent of the Code portion cannot be included.

    The Commentary is provided for this purpose. Some of the considerations of the committee in developing the Code portion are discussed within the Commentary, with emphasis given to the explanation of new or revised provisions.

    Much of the research data referenced in preparing the Code is cited for the user desiring to study individual questions in greater detail. Other documents that provide suggestions for carrying out the requirements of the Code are also cited.

    The ACI 318, all ACI publications and the referenced ASTM and AWS standards are all available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or you can reach us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We have many publications available to assist those involved in construction and design.

    New Amendment 2 for AAMI-ST79, Comprehensive guide to steam sterilization and sterility assurance in health care facilities

    AAMI ST79, “Comprehensive guide to steam sterilization and sterility assurance in health care facilities,” has just been modified by Amendment 2.  This is a 134 page amendment that makes corrections to the original text.

    You have a choice when purchasing the document.  You can get the whole document as a corrected reprint with the corrections interfiled (included).  Or you can purchase the amendment 2 as a standalone item, making the pen and ink changes to your original copy manually.

    The document itself covers steam sterilization in health care facilities. The recommendations are intended to promote assurance of sterility and to guide health care personnel in the proper use of processing equipment.

    Included within the scope of AAMI-ST79 are functional and physical design criteria for sterilization processing areas (decontamination, preparation, sterilization, and sterile storage areas), staff qualifications, education, and other personnel considerations, processing procedures, installation, care, and maintenance of steam sterilizers, quality control, and quality process improvement.

    Document Center provides AAMI standards via our website, www.document-center.com.  Or you can contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com) to order copies.  Most AAMI standards are available in both paper and electronic format.

    New MIL-STD-881 Revision C, Work Breakdown Structures for Defense Materiel Items

    MIL-STD-881 was reinstated on 3 October 2011 with the release of Revision C so that it can be used for new and existing designs and acquisitions.  Titled “Work Breakdown Structures for Defense Materiel Items,” the new revision replaces both the MIL-STD-881B from March 1993 and the MIL-HDBK-881A from July 2005 (which is cancelled by this new release).

    A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) provides a consistent and visible framework for defense materiel items and contracts within a program. This Standard offers uniformity in definition and consistency of approach for developing all levels of the WBS. Generating and applying uniform work breakdown structures improves communication in the acquisition process. It also provides direction to industry in extending contract work breakdown structures.

    MIL-STD-881C presents direction for effectively preparing, understanding, and presenting a Work Breakdown Structure. It provides the framework for Department of Defense (DoD) Program Managers to define their program’s WBS and also to defense contractors in their application and extension of the contract’s WBS. Section 1 defines and describes the WBS. Section 2 provides instructions on how the WBS is applied as well as how to develop a Program WBS in the pre-award timeframe. Section 3 provides direction for developing and implementing a Contract WBS and Section 4 examines the role of the WBS in the post-award timeframe. This Standard also provides WBS definitions for specific defense materiel commodity systems in Appendices A through K. Appendix L addresses WBS elements that are common to all systems.

    The document supports mandatory procedures for all programs subject to DoD Instruction 5000.02.  It is is applicable to all defense materiel items (or major modifications) (a) established as an integral program element of the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP), or (b) otherwise designated by the DoD Component or the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition). This Standard is mandatory for all Acquisition Category (ACAT) I, II, and III programs.

    MIL-STD-881C and all publicly distributed (non-classified) military specifications and standards are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  You can also reach us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (650-591-7617).  We have been known throughout the years for low prices on these government documents, with superior notification services for updating information on changes.

     

    New IPC-T-50 Revision J on Terms and Definitions for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits

    IPC-T-50 Revision J, titled “Terms and Definitions for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits,” has just been released.   This essential industry standard provides descriptions and illustrations of electronics interconnect industry terminology to help users and their customers break down language barriers.

    The new 121-page Revision J contains nearly 400 new or revised terms, including new terminology for chip scale and area array packaging, cable and wire harness technology, assembly processing, moisture sensitive components, and microvia technology.  IPC-T-50 also includes commonly used industry acronyms.

    The standard was developed by the Terms and Definitions Committee of IPC.  It replaces all previous editions of the standard through Revision H dated 2008.

    This standard and all  IPC documents are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or you can contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’ve been an authorized distributor of the IPC standards since the 1980’s.

     

    New ISO 8362-4 2011 Edition on Injection containers and accessories – Part 4: Injection vials made of moulded glass

    The new ISO 8362-4 3rd Edition, “Injection containers and accessories – Part 4: Injection vials made of moulded glass,” has just been released.  The 12-page document specifies the shape, dimensions and capacities of glass vials for injectable preparations. It also specifies the material from which such containers are made and the performance requirements for the containers.

    ISO 8362-4:2011 applies to colorless or amber glass containers molded from borosilicate or soda-lime glass, with or without an internal surface treatment, and intended to be used in the packaging, storage or transportation of products intended for injection.

    The other standards in the series are:

    ISO 8362-1: 2009, “Injection containers and accessories — Part 1: Injection vials made of glass tubing”

    ISO 8362-2: 2008, “Injection containers and accessories — Part 2: Closures for injection vials”

    ISO 8362-3: 2001, “Injection containers and accessories — Part 3: Aluminium caps for injection vials”

    ISO 8362-5: 2008, “Injection containers and accessories — Part 5: Freeze drying closures for injection vials”

    ISO 8362-6: 2010, “Injection containers and accessories — Part 6: Caps made of aluminium-plastics combinations for injection vials”

    and ISO 8362-7: 2006, “Injection containers and accessories — Part 7: Injection caps made of aluminium-plastics combinations without overlapping plastics part.”

    The set has been adopted for use within the European Union as well (as the EN ISO 8362 series).

    All ISO Standards (and EN adoptions) 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).  We have been a licensed dealer of ISO standards since 1994.

    New ASTM D1929 2011 Edition, Standard Test Method for Determining Ignition Temperature of Plastics

    The new ASTM D1929-11 Edition, “Standard Test Method for Determining Ignition Temperature of Plastics,” has just been released.  The 5-page standard replaces ASTM D1929 2010 Edition, which is now obsolete.  It covers a laboratory determination of the flash ignition temperature and spontaneous ignition temperature of plastics using a hot-air furnace.

    Tests made using this test method can be of considerable value in comparing the relative ignition characteristics of different materials. Values obtained represent the lowest ambient air temperature that will cause ignition of the material under the conditions of this test. Test values are expected to rank materials according to ignition susceptibility under actual use conditions.

    ASTM D1929 is not intended to be the sole criterion for fire hazard. In addition to ignition temperatures, fire hazards include other factors such as burning rate or flame spread, intensity of burning, fuel contribution, products of combustion, and others.

    However, ASTM does warn that during the course of combustion, gases or vapors, or both, are evolved that may be hazardous to personnel. Adequate precautions should be taken to protect the operator.

    This new ASTM standard, as well as the other current and many of the obsolete editions of ASTM documents, are 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).  We’ve been an authorized distributor of the ASTM standards since 1988.

    New MIL-HDBK-103 Revision AJ released, List of Standard Microcircuit Drawings

    The 923-page MIL-HDBK-103 Revision AJ, “List of Standard Microcircuit Drawings,” was released on 9/19/2011.  This list has been prepared for use by or for the Government in the acquisition of products covered by SMDs (Standard Microcircuit Drawings).  Microcircuits are listed by SMD PIN (Part Identification Number) and by generic PIN, and a list of approved sources is included as well.

    The Standard Microcircuit Drawing Program (SMDP) is directly under the auspices of the DoD Parts Management Program (PMP).  The PMP is implemented by MIL-STD-3018, “Parts Management.”  The PMP is an avenue for screening candidate parts for the SMDP by the DLA Land and Maritime Military Parts Control Advisory Group (MPCAG).

    The proliferation of industry prepared drawings for the same part used in a variety of military applications has become an ever increasing item of expense to the DoD.  Numerous situations have arisen where one military acquisition document would be more appropriate and cost effective than the multiplicity of contractor prepared drawings.

    Standard Microcircuit Drawings (SMDs) are being prepared to eliminate the need for the multitude of contractor prepared drawings for the same device when the minimum requirements of SMD’s are sufficient to meet the requirements of the application on an interim or permanent basis.

    Information on requirements and configuration management for SMDs is also included.

    This current MIL-HDBK-103AJ, as well as all publicly distributed Military Handbooks, Specifications and Standards, 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).  We can assist you with any standards-related questions or issues you may have.  And we can provide you with notification services so that you can keep track of changes to the standards you use.

    New ASTM F1169 2011 Edition on Full-Size Baby Cribs

    With the publication of an article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday about the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation regarding the use of “bumpers” in baby cribs, interested parties should also be alerted to the new 2011 Edition of ASTM F1169, “Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Full-Size Baby Cribs.”  The document replaces the ASTM F1169-10a Edition.

    This consumer safety specification establishes the performance requirements and test procedures to determine the structural integrity, design requirements addressing entanglement on corner post extensions, and requirements for warning labels and instructional material for full-size baby cribs.

    ASTM F1169-11 also covers bassinet, changing table, or similar accessories to a crib that when in the manufacturer’s recommended use position are in the occupant retention area. These accessories shall also comply with the applicable requirements of the ASTM International standards addressing those accessories. For example, a changing table that attaches to a crib shall also comply with the applicable requirements in Consumer Safety Specification ASTM F2388. This specification does not cover inflatable products.

    Fully-furnished cribs shall be tested on, and correspondingly conform to the following test requirements: mattress support system vertical impact properties; drop and stationary side (static and cyclic) properties; crib side spindle/slat torque properties; drop and folding side latch properties; and plastic teething rail properties.

    The new 20 page specification and all ASTM Standards are 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).  We have many obsolete editions of the ASTM standards available as well.