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Frequently Asked Questions
Cement & Concrete
Technology Home > FAQs> Codes,
Standards and Specifications
Q: What are the differences between Codes, Standards,
and Specifications, and how are they related?
A: In the U.S. construction industry
“Codes” typically refer to model building codes, which
are requirements for safety and performance of structures. These
become legal requirements when adopted by state or local authorities.
An example is the International
Building Code (IBC), which provides minimum requirements
to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare for most
non-residential buildings. State and local jurisdictions typically
reserve the right to amend the model codes to assure that the requirements
for design and construction of buildings are appropriate for the
climatic, geographical, geological, political, and economic conditions
within their jurisdiction. More.
“Standards” are typically adopted by reference in codes.
Standards cover specific details such as test methods, specifications,
practices, or design provisions. This allows for simplification
of the codes because technical details for defining specific products,
such as portland cement, can be discussed in material specifications
such as ASTM C150, Specification for Portland Cement, or
in specific test methods, like ASTM C39, Test Method for Compressive
Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens (www.ASTM.org).
ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete
is an important design standard, which is adopted by the IBC and
many other model codes for concrete design and construction provisions.
Standards are often developed by consensus-based organizations,
such as ASTM International,
the American Concrete Institute
(ACI), the American
Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and many others.
“Specifications” are either material or reference specifications.
Reference specifications, such as ACI 301, Specifications for
Structural Concrete, are specifically written for use in contract
documents (also known as project specifications). Material specifications,
such as ASTM C150 (see above), are referenced in codes as well as
in reference specifications.
Thus, Codes, sometimes with local amendments or modifications,
become the governing rules by which concrete structures (and other
objects) are built. For clarity and conciseness, they refer to standards,
including material specifications.
For more information on material standards, click
here.
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