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Proposed New ASTM International Homeland Security Standard to Provide Preparedness Plans for SchoolsThe mass murder at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., in 1999 brought the subject of school security into the U.S. national spotlight and subsequent events, including other school-related incidents and the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, have kept it there. A proposed new ASTM International standard will help schools and school districts prepare for and mitigate against both large-scale…
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Over the last three years, single-point spray systems have emerged as a leading form of oil spill dispersant, which has led to the development of a new standard by ASTM International Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response. The standard, F 2465, Guide for Oil Spill Dispersant Application Equipment: Single-Point Spray Systems, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee F20.13…
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The ongoing need to deal with oil in stranded ships, especially those in remote areas, is the impetus behind a proposed new standard being developed by ASTM International Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response. One possible response to such a crisis, burning the oil on the ship before it can damage the environment, is the subject of the proposed standard, F 2533, Guide for…
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Robots have a long and storied history in science fiction, but the rapid advance of technology has placed robotics very much within the realm of science fact. A new ASTM International initiative has now been launched that will investigate the role of robots in search and rescue operations. ASTM International has recently been selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a…
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Each year, over 1,000 structures are lost to wildfires in the state of California alone. A new ASTM subcommittee, E05.14 on External Fire Exposure Tests, is now developing standards designed to reduce the structural damage due to wildfires in California and throughout the United States. The new subcommittee is under the jurisdiction of ASTM International Committee E05 on Fire Standards. The scope…
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A new ASTM International subcommittee, E54.08 on Operational Equipment, is devoted to the development of standards related to operational equipment for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) incident response. The subcommittee, which is under the jurisdiction of Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications, defines operational equipment as specialized equipment…
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After an investigation of three years, the National Institute of Standards and Technology released a report on the fires and collapses of New York Citys World Trade Center towers following terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The report, published on June 23, details recommendations made to organizations that develop building and fire safety codes, standards and practices for specific…
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A longtime need for better standardization and testing of sporicides has led to the approval of a new ASTM International standard, E 2414, Test Method for Quantitative Sporicidal Three-Step Method (TSM) to Determine Sporicidal Efficacy of Liquids and Vapor or Gases on Contaminated Carrier Surfaces. The newly approved test method, under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E54.03 on Decontamination,…
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At a press briefing today in New York City, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released draft recommendations from its building and fire safety investigation of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. The findings resulting from the investigation will be a valuable resource for ASTMs technical committees in identifying future standards development needs. ASTM…, Advisory Group Is Established, Earlier this month, ASTM International Committee E05 on Fire Standards at its biannual standards development meeting established an advisory group to focus specifically on technical findings related to E05 standardization activities arising out of the World Trade Center investigation. Formed within ASTM International Committee E05 on Fire Standards the advisory group will: 1) review the draft…, Analysis Is Commissioned, In addition, ASTM has commissioned an analysis of the NIST report as it relates to ASTMs standards. The analysis will provide timely assistance to ASTM International in studying the NIST report and will suggest standards development initiatives within Committee E05 and other ASTM technical committees. By commissioning this analysis, ASTM International will be able to continue its tradition…, Fire Resistance Task Group Is Formed, Committee E05 also established a new Task Group within Subcommittee E05.11 on Fire Resistance. E05.11 has jurisdiction over significant test methodology regarding fire resistance. The NIST report will provide a unique examination of engineering practices and test method needs., Open Participation, E05 next meets on December 4-7, 2005, in Dallas, Texas. If you would like to attend the meeting and contribute to the enhancement of existing standards or the development of new methods, guides, and practices, ASTM meetings are open to all interested parties. For additional information, please contact Tom OToole, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9739; totoole@astm.org ); or visit the…
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ASTM International Subcommittee E54.05 on Building and Infrastructure Protection has reorganized itself to better reflect the needs of industry. The subcommittee is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications. "The reorganization focuses the efforts of the subcommittee more along the lines of various disciplines and areas of interest seen in industry," says Curt…