Voluntary Standards cover wide spectrum.
Press Release Summary:
Revised ANSI/ASAE EP282.21993 (R2013) provides data and guidelines to assist in designing emergency ventilation, feeding, watering, and lighting systems for livestock and poultry for unexpected events that may require temporary emergency ventilation. ANSI/ASTM F30132013 provides test method to determine undisturbed in-place bulk-density, moisture content, and unit weight of topsoil and blended soil growing mediums using Core Displacement Method.
Original Press Release:
Voluntary Standards Cover the Spectrum: from Emergency Preparedness for Livestock to Topsoil Density
In an effort to communicate the vital role that standards play in daily life, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes snapshots of the diverse standards initiatives undertaken in the global and national standards arena, many of which are performed by ANSI members and accredited standards developers. Two of the latest selections follow:
Livestock Emergency Preparedness
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the meat and poultry industry is the largest segment of U.S. agriculture. In 2012 there were eight billion chickens valued at over $5 billion processed, and 32 million cattle valued at over $85 billion processed. Safeguarding these animals during natural disasters and other unexpected events such as power interruptions, equipment failures, and extreme weather conditions is vital to U.S. consumers and the economy.
A revised American National Standard (ANS) was recently published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) to guide farmers and engineers in implementing emergency preparedness protocols requiring temporary emergency ventilation. ANSI/ASAE EP282.21993 (R2013), Design Values for Emergency Ventilation and Care of Livestock and Poultry, provides data and guidelines to assist designing emergency ventilation, feeding, watering, and lighting systems for livestock and poultry for unexpected events that may require temporary emergency ventilation.
ASABE, an ANSI organizational member and accredited standards developer, is an educational and scientific membership organization of agricultural, food, and biological engineers seeking to develop efficient and environmentally sensitive methods of producing food, fiber, timber, and renewable energy sources.
Topsoil Density
Topsoil is used as the foundation for lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, gardens, and other planting areas requiring seeding. In the U.S., lawns and golf courses alone cover over 50,000 square miles of earth requiring top soil. For seeding to be successful, the top soil must provide an appropriate soil density at the time of planting. To aid architects, builders, landscapers, and maintenance staff in determining in-place density of topsoil and blended soils, a new ANS has been released by ASTM International.
ANSI/ASTM F30132013, Test Method for Density of Topsoil and Blended Soils In-Place by the Core Displacement Method, provides a test method to determine the undisturbed (in-situ) in-place bulk-density, moisture content, and unit weight of topsoil and blended soil growing mediums using the Core Displacement Method.
ANSI/ASTM F30132013 is intended for soil typical of growing mediums suitable for sports fields, golf courses, and lawn areas that may include organic material, silts, clays, and sand. This test method is not recommended for soils that are soft or friable (crumble easily) or in a moisture condition such that water seeps into the hand excavated hole, nor is it applicable for soil conditions in which the root mass is excessive or in which the root mass includes woody roots.
ASTM International, an ANSI member and audited designator, seeks to develop voluntary consensus standards to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and build consumer confidence.
