This Week's Codes And Standards, August 7

3D printing industry working to implement standards for products, processes

The three-dimensional (3D) printing industry is taking steps toward implementing standards that will “bring coherence and interoperability to 3D printing products and processes,” according to a report in Design News.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has partnered with the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute to create a standards initiative. The two groups launched the Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collective (AMSC) to “facilitate the development of industry-wide additive manufacturing standards and specifications to promote the growth of the additive manufacturing industry.”

AMSC published a standardization roadmap for additive manufacturing, identifying existing standards and specifications and those under development, earlier this year. Industry standards can help users verify that the products will perform as they claim they will, an ANSI official said.

AMSC will coordinate and accelerate the development of standards, and make them consistent with the needs of both manufacturers and users. It will not actually develop the standards, though.

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UpCodes aims to make researching building codes, regulations easier through searchable app

A startup called UpCodes wants to make code compliance easier for architects and builders through a new app.

The app, which is accessible on mobile devices, enables users to search building codes of 40 states and New York City. It puts building regulations from multiple jurisdictions in one place and includes collaboration tools so team members can research and share notes on projects.

The tools allow users to hyperlink to sections of code and create project folders that they can share with other team members. Saving project notes can help firms build institutionalized knowledge that can be accessed while working on future projects, UpCodes says.

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Builders claiming their homes are Zero Net Energy face legal risks

Demand for energy efficient homes is on the rise, but builders shooting for Zero Net Energy (ZNE) status should keep in mind some legal risks. Buyers interested in ZNE homes will have high expectations about energy savings, home performance, and indoor comfort, a California lawyer says in a GlobeSt.com article.

Those disappointed with their homes may make a variety of claims, including those based in tort and contract theories, in lawsuits. Builders can protect themselves by instituting peer review, quality assurance, carefully drafted disclosures and sales and customer-service staff training, along with protective provisions in project documents. A strong insurance program can also reduce risks.

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