What do I need to know?

Standards are available for almost every topic you can think of. They may guide the process, testing, and definition of the topic you are researching. Finding the right standards can often be difficult. Several organizations that publish standards are listed below, but there are hundreds of others.

If we do not have access to the standard you are looking for (for example, an ISO standard), you can use interlibrary loan to request that we borrow it from another library.

Where to Find Standards

ASTM Standards and Engineering Digital Library

The ASTM Standards and Engineering Digital Library is a standards and technical engineering collection from ASTM International. Subscription includes active, redline, historical, and withdrawn standards.

IEEE Xplore (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)

The IEEE Xplore® digital library provides access to IEEE journals, transactions, magazines, conference proceedings, standards, and dictionary, as well as Bell Labs Technical Journal and VDE VERLAG Conferences.

ASABE Technical Library (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers)

Full text access to agricultural engineering technical papers and periodicals from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).

ASCE Library

The ASCE Library contains papers from ASCE journals and conference proceedings as well as e-books and standards.

NFPA National Electric Code

Standards Incorporated by Reference (IBR)

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Incorporated by Reference (IBR) Portal provides a one-stop mechanism for access to standards that have been incorporated by reference in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These standards incorporated by the U.S. government in rulemakings are offered at no cost in “read only” format and are presented for online reading. There are no print or download options.

Standards in Print

ACI Manual of Concrete Practice

Call Number: Main Library Reference - 1st Floor (TA681 .A14 2017 )

The ACI Manual of Concrete Practice(MCP) is the most comprehensive concrete reference set available. It contains all of the widely used ACI concrete and masonry code requirements, specifications, guides and reports.

Machinery's Handbook

Call Number: Main Library Reference - 1st Floor (TJ151 .M3 2016)

For more than 100 years, Machinery's Handbook has been the most popular reference work in metalworking, design, engineering and manufacturing facilities, and technical schools and colleges throughout the world. It is universally acknowledged as an extraordinarily authoritative, comprehensive, and practical tool, providing its users with the most fundamental and essential aspects of sophisticated manufacturing practice. The 30th edition of the “Bible of the Metalworking Industries” contains major revisions of existing content, as well as new material on a variety of topics. It is the essential reference for mechanical, manufacturing, and industrial engineers, designers, draftsmen, toolmakers, machinists, engineering and technology students, and the serious home hobbyist.

Building Codes

North Dakota adopted codes

Listing of currently-adopted codes as well as links to state-specific codes.

2015 International Building Code

Online access to the 2015 IBC. Other codes are available through this website.

2015 International Residential Code

The International Residential Code applies to one and two family dwellings with other structures covered by the International Building Code.

2010 ADA standards for accessible design

The 2010 Standards set minimum requirements – both scoping and technical – for newly designed and constructed or altered State and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

Need Help?

Lisa Eggebraaten, Research and Access Librarian, Klai Juba Wald Architectural Studies Library and Business Learning Center