Codes & Standards

ASCE Standards provide technical guidelines for promoting safety, reliability, productivity, and efficiency in civil engineering. Many of our standards are referenced by model building codes and adopted by state and local jurisdiction. They also provide guidance for design projects around the world.

Standards Development Process

Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), ASCE has a rigorous and formal process overseen by the Codes and Standards Committee (CSC). Standards are created or updated by a balanced, volunteer standards committee, followed by a public review period.

All standards are updated or reaffirmed at least every 5 years. ASCE's standards program is regularly audited to ensure compliance with the ASCE Rules for Standards Committees and that it is consistent with ANSI requirements.

• ASCE Rules for Standards Committees
• ASCE Standards Writing Manual
• ANSI Essential Requirements

Anyone can submit a proposal to change or create a standard. Please contact Codes and Standards Director for proposal form.

Step 1: Proposal

• Proposal for New Standards Activity
• Propose new or change to existing standard
• Propose an amendment to an ASCE Standard

Step 2: Balloting

The committee shapes a proposal into a standard through meetings and ballots. The volunteers writing standards are experts with knowledge and expertise in the particular field.

• Join an ASCE Standards Committee
• Standards in ballotin process Web-based balloting

Upcoming Meetings

• Buried Concrete Pipe (ASCE/CI 15, 26, 27 & 28) wil have a conference call on Sunday, September 9, 2018. Contact  Margarita Takou for more information. 
• ASCE 10 Standards Committee will meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, September 25-26, 2018 at Falcon Steel America Plant in Conroe, TX. Contact Mary Jane McMillen for more information. 
• Wind Speed Estimation in Tornadoes will meet on Tuesday, September 25, 2018  through Friday, September 28, 2018 at iHotel and Conference Center in Champaign-Urbana IL. Contact James LaDue for more information.
  
• Wind Tunnel Testing (ASCE/SEI 49) will meet on Thursday, October 4, 2018 and Friday, October 5, 2018 at SOM in Chicago, IL. Contact  Gregory Kopp for more information. 
  

Step 3: Public Comment

Public comment- In accordance with ASCE Rules for Standards Committees, ASCE conducts a minimum 45-day Public Comment period on any new, revised, or reaffirmed standard. Any individual who is not a member of a Committee shall be permitted to participate in a public comment period on a standard. Comments submitted after the close of the public comment period will, at the discretion of the chair, be resolved during the current public comment period or will be considered during the next revision cycle of the standard.

Please find Standards accepting Public Comments. 

Public comment open for ASCE/SEI 7-16 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures Supplement 1- Deadline for comments is September 18, 2018. 

Accessing the Public Comment System will require using or creating an ASCE web user account. For additional questions please contact ASCE’s Codes and Standards Coordinator James Neckel or at (703) 295-6176.

Step 4: Publication

There are over 60 published ASCE Standards.