Applicable Technical Standards Research Articles

Implementasi Kebijakan Standar Pelayanan Minimal Pemenuhan Kebutuhan Pokok Air Minum di Kabupaten Paser

The application of the Minimum Service Standard policy for Fulfilling Daily Drinking Water Basic Needs in Paser Regency has followed the applicable technical standards, both from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, as well as from regulations issued by the Regional Government of Paser Regency itself. But actually, it is necessary to identify what are the factors that support and hinder the implementation of SPM policies. From the results of data analysis, it was found that the process of implementing the MSS policy for the drinking water sub-sector was still not under technical standards because the basic data used in calculating service needs did not refer to the local BPS Susenas data, and there was no determination of priorities and targets for implementing SPM. The supporting factors identified included: Policy standards and targets, budgetary support, organizational internal and external communications, suitability of the duties and functions of the DPUTR in Human Settlements (organizational characteristics), positive responses and support from the community, a relatively conducive political situation, full support (response) from implementers/employees, and the level of implementer tendencies were quite high and positive. Meanwhile, the inhibiting factors include the lack of number and competence of employees in the implementing organization (Cipta Karya Division of the Paser Regency DPUTR), the unstable social and economic conditions of Paser Regency, and the low level of understanding of SPM policy implementers in the drinking water sub-sector.

Assessing the effectiveness of compliance inspection in ensuring the quality of ICT products and services: a case of the compliance department at ICASA

This study assesses the effectiveness of compliance inspection in ensuring the quality of ICT products and services at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is an independent regulatory body of the South African government, established in 2000 by the ICASA Act to regulate both the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors in the public interest. The ICASA approved label, found on internationally manufactured products, implies the products meet quality standards, stipulated by ICASA. A qualitative study using interviews from a sample of 13 participants was carried out. The study found that there are functional integration challenges that are reflected in inspection activities and outcomes, which are not reported to relevant departments, while other supporting activities, such as the provision of security personnel during site inspection, are not made available to support effective compliance inspection activities and effectiveness. The study also found randomized inspections help to cut down on risks. Lastly, the study noted a profound lack of a post-market surveillance in place to continuously ensure that the equipment and the systems, placed in the market, maintain conformance with the applicable technical standards. The study further revealed that licensees lack adequate information and knowledge regarding compliance regulations and acts, which fosters non-compliance and renders compliance inspection ineffective

Fire Characteristics of Upholstery Materials in Seats.

The article deals with selected upholstery flammability test materials that, in the case of fire, can cause fire spread. For the research, frequently used materials for upholstery based on polyester were utilized: imitation leather, suede, and microplush. Initiation of initiating spontaneous flammability with various sources of ignition were measured including a smoldering cigarette and a match flame. Results were measured as smoldering time and length of the burnt-though sample. Upholstery materials are an integral part of seat construction. To be used in transport, upholstered material must meet safety measures such as the strength, sanitariness, and fire resistance. All tests were performed in accordance with applicable technical standards. Impact assessment of the sample (weight) on “smoldering time” and “length of degradation” was carried out using an ANOVA. Significant differences in length of degradation was observed between samples. Tests cannot provide reliable information about the flammability course of the final product. Upholstery is composed of external covering, of inner liner, and padding. Results of the research presented in this paper indicate the need to continue the research in a broader aspect.

Forensic Analysis of Fire in a Substation of a Commercial Center

In this article, the authors discuss the legal liabilities of the professional engineer as both the engineer of record of a project and the construction site manager. In particular, this article analyzes the case of a fire at the end-user medium voltage–low-voltage (MV–LV) substation of a shopping center in Italy, which occurred a few years after the maintenance works on the electrical installation. The professional engineer who had designed and overseen the construction of the substation was accused of professional negligence. The authors through the examination of applicable technical standards, as well as of safety regulations, demonstrate that the professional engineer had acted diligently and that there was no ground for the negligence charges. The analysis of the substation fire is provided, and the importance of the chain of custody, the chronological documentation, and the secure storing of all the artifacts and fire-damaged evidence is discussed. The authors believe that this article can be a useful reference for electrical forensics engineers, investigating similar accidents.

IT in development of express method for consumer goods quality control

Implementation of IT significantly increases opportunities of the leading operators on the commodity market in the sphere of efficient quality and safety monitoring throughout the food products life cycle. Development of the compact analytical equipment for control of physical and chemical parameters regulated by the applicable technical standards at production, storage and marketing of food products is the important task having social implication. Represented in the article as an IT application solution is the express method for determination of casein concentration in dairy products packed with the help of the units using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) effect. With the aid of this express method the adulterated dairy products (milk, condensed milk, curd, etc.) can be revealed which are produced on the basis of dry skimmed milk containing a dry milk serum by substitution of the milk protein — casein. According to the preliminary assessment the minimum concentration of casein reported by such method is approx. 0.5%. The method is based on investigation of the hydration process of casein micelles participating in formation of structural-mechanical properties of protein coagula created at fermented milk products generation.

Electrical Safety of Plug-In Electric Vehicles: Shielding the Public from Shock

This article discusses fundamental electrical safety issues, especially protection against electric shock, for those interacting with electric vehicles (EVs). The safety of users may be challenged by the vehicle's increased operating voltages, at different frequencies, possibly making the protection against direct and indirect contacts more complex. The article examines vehicles' electrical safety under both normal operating conditions and in the case of electrical and/or mechanical failure. Safety during charging in reference to different charge modes is also discussed. Furthermore, solutions are proposed for improving safety in light of applicable technical standards and the evolution of the technology.

Identification of shorelines for natural watercourses with the use of point cloud

The article presents the method of identifying the shorelines for natural watercourses located in agricultural and forest areas in accordance with applicable law. In the process of developing methods for identification and verification of the actual course of watercourses, data from the cadastral map was used in the form of a vector drawing of borders and a database with border points in ZRD, BPP attributes, metadata and point clouds. The identification of the course of a watercourse on shrubbery and wooded areas as well as on-screen vectorization of the shoreline is cumbersome, and in some cases even impossible. In connection with the above, it has been proposed to use a point cloud and vertical sections prepared on their basis that run perpendicular to the edge of the watercourse. On their basis, the course of the shoreline was recognized in accordance with the definition contained in the Act on Water Law. Pursuant to § 9 para. 3a, beginning of the regulation that the land occupied by the natural seepage constitutes a separate cadastral plot within the boundary line, the suggested procedures for verifying the boundaries of watercourses can be used to update the land and building register databases. The identification of the boundaries of registered parcels made on the principles described in the publication may precede the activities of accepting the boundaries to the division of real estate. On the other hand, the course of the identified, in the mode of § 82a, the regulation the boundaries of registration plots constituting natural watercourses can be shown in the land and building register on the terms specified in art. 24 sec. 2b point 2) geodesy law, in order to replace data inconsistent with the actual state and applicable technical standards, respectively, data consistent with the actual state and applicable technical standards (§ 45 section 1 point 1 of the Regulation).

A novel model for the evaluation of heat accounting systems reliability in residential buildings

Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency has set the obligation to install individual meters or indirect systems (e.g. heat cost allocators) for heat accounting in multi-apartment buildings supplied by district heating or common central heating. Unfortunately, despite the need of consumers’ protection, neither legal metrology requirements are available for indirect heat accounting systems nor applicable technical standards specify the related on-field maximum permissible errors. In fact, the peculiarity of such systems is the high number of interconnected devices and the influence of installation and operative conditions on their on-field metrological performances should be significant.In this paper, a statistical model to estimate and predict the on-field reliability of heat accounting systems is proposed. The developed model has been applied and validated in three different case studies (i.e. a two-family house, a small building, a large multiple building) showing a good agreement with experimental data. The uncertainty of indirect heat accounting systems in different operating conditions ranges from about 2.7% (i.e. in a large multiple building in optimal conditions) to about 11.7% (i.e. in a two family house in critical conditions). The developed model allows to assess the influence of installation conditions with particular reference to the number and type of radiators and their installation, also in respect with single apartments’ peculiarities and usage. Therefore, the model can be adopted to design appropriate accounting systems in new buildings and to assess the system reliability in the existing ones.

Safety Against Burns From Hot Touchable Parts of Electrical Equipment

Touchable parts of electrical products and equipment can be thermally hot. Unintentional contact with hot surfaces during the normal operations of products may cause burns, and severity depends on the thermal resistivity of the material of the exposed part, the contact duration, the contact pressure, and skin conditions (i.e., dry, water wet, etc.). Currents flowing through equipment surfaces due to intentional choice or wiring errors can also elevate their temperatures, compounding the thermal effect; this causes an increased risk of triggering explosive atmospheres and fires in locations where combustible/flammable materials are processed or stored. In this paper, in light of applicable technical standards, the authors discuss and propose applicable burn thresholds, and permissible contact times with hot parts, based on different groups of users who may unintentionally touch the surfaces. The risk assessment of burning can be performed by comparing actual maximum temperatures of parts of electrical equipment against safe temperatures that a person may withstand for a given time without suffering a second degree burn.

Safe Utilization of Existing Grounding Systems for Expansions and Upgrades of Substations

Utilization of existing grounding systems for the expansions and upgrades of substations offers unique challenges. The identification of current conditions of grounding systems is crucial for safety and for the proper design of their expansions and/or upgrades, which may include the interconnection of an existing grid to a new one. It is also important to note that the evaluation of the conditions of existing substation ground grids may require personal protective equipment to be worn, as well as appropriate safety precautions. In this paper, the authors provide procedures to evaluate the prospective performance of existing grounding systems based upon measurements, as-built and/or contract drawings, site inspections, and examination of key grid points utilizing nonintrusive methods. Safety solutions that can be utilized during the construction phase of the project are also illustrated. A case study that addresses the upgrade of an existing grid is discussed. This paper seeks to clarify for practitioner engineers the problems and variables introduced by the work to be performed on older substation grounding systems. Readers will be provided with tools in compliance with applicable technical standards, which can assist in ensuring continued operation of the substation grounding system during construction.

Response to a legal challenge. Five steps to defensible credentialing examinations.

In 1975 the National Board for Respiratory Therapy (currently the National Board for Respiratory Care) was named as a defendant in a class action suit field on behalf of three individuals seeking relief for alleged violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as the Sherman Antitrust Act. Although a pretrial settlement was reached, the conduct of this case demonstrates the potential vulnerability of credentialing examinations to complaints regarding discrimination and the necessity for credentialing organizations to be socially responsible for the potential use of test results by employers. The board has since instituted a systematic five-step research and development process that is used for all of its examinations to ensure and document that they are fair, valid, and defensible. This article recounts the salient aspects of the class action suit, discusses implications and current applicable technical standards and legal guidelines, and describes the components of the "Five Step Examination Development Process."