AASHTO HB-17: Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition (2002) provides comprehensive criteria for the design, construction, and maintenance of highway bridges throughout the United States. This edition is the final update prior to the nationwide adoption of Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) standards.

Highlights:

• General provisions for bridge design, structural analysis, and performance
• Criteria for superstructures, substructures, abutments, culverts, and piers
• Service load and load factor design methods for concrete, steel, timber, and prestressed components
• Requirements for foundations, retaining structures, and soil-structure interaction
• Specifications addressing load distribution, fatigue, seismic considerations, and strength evaluation
• Commentary and notes incorporating interim revisions through 2003
• References to supporting standards from AASHTO, ASTM, AWS, and others
• Applicable to rehabilitation, legacy design validation, and maintenance planning for non-LRFD bridges

Who It’s For:
A critical reference for bridge engineers, transportation officials, and contractors working with legacy structures or evaluating designs developed before the transition to LRFD.

HB-17-2002

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2019: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality establishes minimum requirements for ventilation system design, installation, and maintenance in commercial and institutional buildings. This standard is a foundational reference for achieving acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) and reducing health risks associated with poor ventilation.

Highlights:

• Updated Ventilation Rate Procedure with enhanced zone-level calculation methods
• Revised Natural Ventilation Procedure, including outdoor air quality and mechanical integration
• Prohibits use of ozone-generating air-cleaning devices
• Requires humidity control using dew point rather than relative humidity
• Separates patient care areas now governed under ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170
• Clarifies definitions for spaces, ventilation zones, and contaminant sources
• Outlines requirements for design documentation, commissioning, and IAQ performance testing
• Includes appendices with ventilation rate rationale, IAQ procedures, and engineering tools

Who It’s For:
A critical reference for mechanical engineers, HVAC designers, facility managers, and code officials involved in ensuring compliant ventilation design and indoor air quality performance.

ASHRAE-62.1-2019

ASCE 24-14: Flood Resistant Design and Construction provides minimum requirements for the planning, design, and construction of buildings in flood-prone areas. Referenced by the International Building Code (IBC) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), this standard supports floodplain management regulations and promotes resilience through engineering best practices.

Highlights:

• Defines Flood Design Class (1–4) to guide risk-based design criteria
• Specifies elevation requirements based on flood hazard zones, building type, and occupancy
• Includes wet and dry floodproofing methods for commercial and residential applications
• Updates flood opening requirements including engineered vent systems and louvers
• Provides structural design standards for Coastal A Zones and coastal high hazard areas
• Identifies acceptable flood damage-resistant materials and construction techniques
• Covers tanks, utilities, egress, garages, and parking structures in flood-prone zones
• Offers guidance for substantial improvements and retrofitting of existing buildings
• Coordinates with ASCE 7 and NFIP regulations to ensure code consistency and compliance

Who It’s For:
Essential for civil engineers, architects, code officials, and builders involved in flood zone development, permitting, and compliance with FEMA, IBC, and local floodplain standards.

ASCE 24-2014

ASME BPVC.CC.BPV-2023 compiles official code cases that provide approved alternatives and interpretations to the rules of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC). These cases address urgent industry needs, emerging technologies, and special design considerations before they are incorporated into the main code.

Highlights:

• Contains over 3,000 code cases covering boilers, pressure vessels, nuclear components, piping, materials, and welding
• Offers alternatives for design, fabrication, inspection, and testing requirements
• Organized with numeric and subject indexes for fast and accurate reference
• Reflects current case status including approvals, revisions, and annulments as of Supplement 7 to the 2021 Edition
• Highlights changes and updates incorporated into the 2023 code cycle
• Cross-references all BPVC Sections (I–XIII) with supporting notes and applicability
• Includes cases addressing advanced materials and innovative manufacturing technologies
• Guidance provided on submitting new code case requests or seeking formal interpretations

Who It’s For:
Design engineers, code compliance professionals, inspectors, and manufacturers seeking ASME-approved alternatives for pressure equipment design, testing, and fabrication.

BPVC.CC.BPV-2023

ASME BPVC Section II, Part C – 2023 compiles welding consumable specifications used in the fabrication of pressure-retaining components under the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Aligned with American Welding Society (AWS) standards, this section ensures consistency in filler metal classification, procurement, and application.

Highlights:

• Incorporates AWS specifications (SFA-5.1 to SFA-5.39) for ferrous and nonferrous welding consumables
• Covers carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, copper, titanium, and specialty alloys
• Details for flux cored, metal cored, submerged arc, electroslag, and gas-shielded welding processes
• Includes brazing filler metal and flux specifications
• Establishes procurement, testing, and certification requirements for compliance and traceability
• Appendices cover lot classification, testing frequencies, labeling, packaging, and documentation
• Fully cross-referenced with ASME Section IX for welding procedure and performance qualification
• Reflects updates to AWS standards and ongoing international harmonization efforts

Who It’s For:
Welding engineers, QA/QC inspectors, fabricators, and material procurement professionals responsible for code-compliant pressure equipment fabrication.

BPVC.II.C-2023

ASME BPVC 2023 Section III, Division 1, Subsection NCD defines the mandatory requirements for the design, construction, inspection, and certification of Class 2 and Class 3 pressure-retaining components in nuclear power plants. Developed under ANSI-accredited consensus procedures, it ensures safety, integrity, and regulatory compliance in moderate- and low-risk nuclear systems.

Highlights:

• Material qualification and welding consumable certification
• Design-by-analysis criteria for vessels, piping, valves, and pump components
• Standards for fabrication, brazing, mechanical joints, and heat treatment
• Nondestructive examination (NDE) techniques and personnel qualifications
• Hydrostatic and pneumatic testing protocols
• Relief device and overpressure protection certification
• ASME marking, stamping, and documentation requirements

Key 2023 Revisions:

• Advanced manufacturing: NCD-2121(a) supports unlisted product forms per Appendix XXVIII
• Testing modernization: NCD-2321.2 removes full-size specimen mandate, aligns with SA-370
• Inservice monitoring: NCD-3124 permits use of Section XI Division 2 RIM programs
• Expanded NDE pathways: NCD-5540 includes CP-189 alongside SNT-TC-1A for personnel qualifications

Who It’s For:
Nuclear engineers, QA/QC professionals, code inspectors, and manufacturers engaged in Class 2 and Class 3 component compliance under ASME Section III.

BPVC.III.1.NCD-2023