LibGuides: Historic Preservation: Standards, Codes, & Specifications

Finding the Right Standards Database

To gain access to standards from a known organization, use the table below and click on the title link to go directly to the appropriate database. Please read the corresponding notes.

BEFORE using the Accuris (formerly IHS) databases --- ACI, ASCE, ASHRAE, ASME, ICC, IESNA, or NFPA:

These subscriptions only include current standards [although for some Codes we do have earlier editions --- usually that would be in print.]
ICC requires users to download and use a free Adobe Acrobat plug-in to view their secure PDF standards. Once in the database, click on the yellow lock icon for more information. The plug-in may not work properly in Chrome.

Please Note: International Standards (ISO, IEC, ITU, DIN, etc.) are not collected by the University of Texas Libraries. Go to the Standards Store to purchase copies of standards from all national or international organizations and many companies.

ALSO: We don't subscribe to ANSI standards, UNLESS they are co-sponsored by one of the following groups:

Society	Notes
AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials	You may limit to AASHTO by going (in ASTM Compass) to "My Subscription" and then going down the page to select AASHTO. AASHTO's academic subscription --- the one offered to us --- excludes some current standards.
ACI American Concrete Institute	Once in the database select "Engineering Workbench"
API American Petroleum Institute	You may limit to API by going (in ASTM Compass) to "My Subscription" and then going down the page to select API.
ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers	Once in the database select "Engineering Workbench"
ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers	Once in the database select ”Engineering Workbench”
ASHRAE Handbooks [older print handbooks can be found in the catalog]	Once in the database select ”Engineering Workbench” and type "ashrae handbook" in the keyword search field.
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers	Once in the database select "Engineering Workbench”
ASME BPVC Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code	Once in the database, select "IHS Engineering Workbench" and then look on the left for "ASME BPVC" [includes the following versions: 2019, 2015, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2004, 2001, 1998]
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials	You may limit to ASTM content by going (in ASTM Compass) to "My Subscription" and then going down the page to select ASTM. In addition to ASTM standards and research reports - ASTM Compass includes full-text access to all ASTM journals, Special Technical Publications (STP), manuals/monographs, data series, proceedings, bulletins, and materials research and standards. We also have many ASTM STPs (special technical publications*) in print. Go to the catalog and type in "ASTM special technical publications" in the title field.
AWS American Welding Society	You may limit to AWS by going (in ASTM Compass) to "My Subscription" and then going down the page to select AWS.
ICC International Code Council Only the current* editions are available online, for historical editions go to the catalog and search by the title of the code. Example: International Building Code (in print)	Once in the database select ”Engineering Workbench” type ICC in the document number search box. ICC requires users to download and use a free Adobe Acrobat plug-in to view their secure PDF standards. For more information, once in the database, click on the yellow lock icon This plug-in may require extra steps with Chrome. IHS staff advise turning off the built-in viewer in Chrome if a "Failed to Load PDF" message displays.
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers	Click on Browse near the top left and select Standards
IESNA Illuminating Engineering Society of North America	Once in the database select ”Engineering Workbench”
NESC National Electrical Safety Code and Handbook	National Electrical Safety Code (NESC): C2-2017 NESC handbook: contributor commentary on the 2017 NESC
NFPA National Fire Protection Association	Once in the database select ”Engineering Workbench." The NFPA does not allow downloads.
SAE SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Mobilus	To limit your search to standards, go to the "Standards" tab near the top right of the "landing page"