March 11, 2014

>>RESNET Calls for Comments on Proposed CAZ Testing Standards Removal

Deadline: March 12, 2014

Source: bpi.org

BPI encourages all industry stakeholders to provide their valuable input on these important standards revisions

RESNET is calling for public comments on its revisions of the RESNET CO and CAZ Depressurization Testing Standard. If adopted RESNET would amend its standard to remove CO testing and CAZ depressurization testing protocols. Instead RESNET proposes to point to ANSI/ACCA 12 QH, Appendix A, which is currently undergoing an ANSI public comment process.

If the amendment is adopted, RESNET will supply ACCA with Sections 807 and 808 of Addendum 2 as a proposed amendment to their ANSI Standard Protocols for CO Testing and Depressurization Test of the Combustion Appliance Zone. That document, together with the proposal from the CAZ Working Group comprised of ACCA, American Gas Association, and other stakeholders, would provide ACCA with input into their ANSI Standard.

While ACCA's Standard 12 does point to BPI standards with respect to CO and CAZ depressurization testing, RESNET's press release states that RESNET will continue to require the CAZ and Work Scope academic exam and the CAZ simulator exam for certification for all Rating Field Inspectors, Raters, Trainers, and Quality Assurance Designees.

Please note that the RESNET academic exam cited above is a simulation based exam that has proven to be very good as a diagnostic reasoning exam; however, it does not require the skills and abilities competency field exam with the diagnostic equipment that is required under BPI certification.

Public comments on the proposed amendment will be accepted until Wednesday, March 12, 2014.

To submit your comments click on RESNET Amendment Comment Online Form.

Comments are posted real time and you will be able to review comments that were submitted by clicking on Comments Submitted on Proposed RESNET Combustion Appliance Testing Standards Amendment.

To download the amendment, click on Revisions to RESNET CO and CAZ Depressurization Testing Standard. Only comments made through the online system will be accepted.

After the comment period, the RESNET Standards Development Committee will consider and document each of the comments submitted and make appropriate changes. The revised proposed amendments then will be submitted to the RESNET Board for adoption.

>>Comments on OMB Proposed Update of Circular A-119 Are Due May 12

Source: nibs.org

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a proposed updated version of OMB Circular A-119, "Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities," for public inspection and comment. The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), of which NIBS is a member, strongly encourage representatives of standards developing organizations (SDOs), industry, academia, government agencies and other relevant stakeholders to review the proposed draft, which is expected to have a significant impact on future U.S. government use of privately developed voluntary consensus standards.

The current version of Circular A-119, which was last revised by the OMB in 1998, and the associated National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) of 1995 jointly serve to direct U.S. federal agencies to consider the use of private-sector-developed standards in lieu of government-unique standards whenever possible. The proposed changes focus on numerous topics, including the use of voluntary consensus standards in federal regulations, incorporation by reference and intellectual property rights, and government participation in standards development activities, among many other issues. Comments are due May 12. Read the ANSI release. View the Federal Register.