How do you look up ASTM standards?

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Author Message David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1453 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Friday, January 22, 2016 - 02:10 pm:    More and more I see specifications rely on ASTM standards to dictate materials, testing methods and installation methods. On occasion I need to verify what is actually in those standards. When I worked in an architectural office I used those big four volume ASTM standards. Recently I checked the ASTM website and can not longer find that set available. ASTM, like everybody else, is probably going to online subscriptions, but that is very expensive. So my question is how do you look up ASTM standards? David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant/Web Publisher www.localproductreps.com Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP, EDAC Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 534 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, January 22, 2016 - 02:48 pm:    I cheat. By that I mean that I do a web search for the ASTM number or the name + number and parse the results. You will get ASTM's on-line store where you can buy the standard, but you often get a grab bag of articles talking about the standard or giving a detailed description of the contents, but occasionally you score with the record of a public meeting or invitation to bid with some or all of the standard burned into the minutes. 90% of the time I am just checking to see what is the most recent edition as I update a specification. David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 132 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Friday, January 22, 2016 - 02:54 pm:    Many times product representatives have access to ASTM and other SDO standards that pertain to their particular business interests and they are usually happy to share them. I am lucky that the firm I work for will purchase the standards I ask for so I can stay apprised of their content. It is a significant investment on their part, but it is viewed as good risk management. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2056 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, January 22, 2016 - 03:02 pm:    I don't think the paper version is offered any more. Flad purchased an electronic subscription that gave access to basically the same ASTMs as the 4 volume paper version. I don't recall the cost, but it's substantial. Probably better to rely on trusted advisers and public internet postings. J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 885 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Friday, January 22, 2016 - 04:32 pm:    There are a few that I really, really need; the one I am thinking about buying right now is the one related wind-borne debris resistance. There is Miami-Dade and some stuff from TDI (Texas Department of Insurance), but I am seeing more projects with this kind of requirement. I really, really, wish that ASTM would offer the hardcopy (it's probably 5 volumes now). It is more cost effective for smaller firms. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 976 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, January 22, 2016 - 07:23 pm:    At the risk of sounding mercenary, I'd say this is as much a need by your clients as it is yours. While I'm lucky to work for a firm that buys us access to many standards (I still have to buy some on my own dime), when I was consulting I included a clause in my agreement that I was going to rely on the accuracy of the master specifications I was using (MasterSpec, Specsintact, or the A/E's in-house master) in terms of Reference Standards. Researching accuracy of standards is an extra though I agree with Steven about doing some research. You can usually find copies of the last version online. It's a good starting point when you call your reps to find out what has changed since the last edition. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 113 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Friday, January 22, 2016 - 08:45 pm:    Idea: Perhaps SCIP or other benevolent organization buys an online subscription for its members. Let's all applaud NFPA for putting read-only copies of its standards online. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2057 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, January 22, 2016 - 09:47 pm:    Something for SCIP to consider, Michael. Mark Gilligan SE, Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 775 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Saturday, January 23, 2016 - 11:55 am:    As a minimum the subject matter expert who authors or maintains a technical specification should have access to a full copy of the standards referenced in the specification sections. I appreciate the cost issues and am aware that in many cases we may fall short of this goal. Still failure to have access to these standards can come back to haunt the engineer or architect if there is a problem. Brian E. Trimble, CDT Senior Member Username: brian_e_trimble_cdt Post Number: 80 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Monday, January 25, 2016 - 04:47 pm:    As a member of ASTM and currently chair of their Committee on Standards, selling standards is how they make the money to pay for the development of the standards. As was mentioned you can go to ASTM's website and look up any standard and get the most current standard along with the Scope section which often contains a lot of information. So if you just need the current date of the standard, you can find it there. If you need the actual standard, you can purchase it, but it could cost you upwards of $50. They do offer print and pdf versions. You can also purchase select volumes (for wind borne debris the volume you want is 04.11 which will set you back a few hundred dollars). Your best bet is to actually JOIN ASTM. For the membership fee of $75 you can get a free volume or some type of yearly access to standards as a part of your membership. So it you plan on buying two standards, being a member would pay for itself. And you can have a say in how standards are written! Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 114 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Monday, January 25, 2016 - 06:37 pm:    Brian, Excellent reminder about joining ASTM. I have served on committees and it was gratifying to have a hand in the consensus process. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1454 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - 02:40 pm:    Brian, I called ASTM and was told ASTM members receive one free volume if they join a technical comittee. A person can join as a non-voting member. Here are the volumes to choose from: http://www.astm.org/BOOKSTORE/BOS/index.html I was also told ASTM members receive only a 10 percent discount on individual standards. David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant/Web Publisher www.localproductreps.com Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1403 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 - 06:45 pm:    David: there are also subscription services with ASTM and other standards. As a large office, we belong to IHS, but as an independent, I used to get the 25 standard a year subscription.