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

ASCE rules require a 30 day advance meeting announcement. Please complete this form, to request a meeting date and time. 

• Atmospheric Water Management Standards Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in conjunction with WMA Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ. Contact  Conrad Keyes for more information.
• Design Loads During Construction (ASCE/SEI 37) will meet on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at Structures Congress in Orlando, FL. Contact  Alan Fisher for more information.
• Design Loads During Construction (ASCE/SEI 37) will meet on Thursday, May 9, 2019, at ASCE Headquarters in Reston, VA. Contact  Alan Fisher 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 for ASCE EWRI MAR 69 – Deadline for comments: March 28, 2019.
• Public Comment on ASCE/SEI 48 Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures – Deadline for comments: April 14, 2019.

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.