Codes and Reference Standards Subscription Services
Codes and Reference Standards Subscription Services
(OP)
The purpose of this thread is to inquire about what cost effective means exist for small business to have access current industry codes and reference standards.
I am a PE currently working for a large company. As a PE, I rely heavily upon reference standards and codes. My current company subscribes to the IHS online library of codes and standards -- which is great...for a large company where the whole company benefits from sharing one individual's purchase of a standard. For an individual practitioner I do not see that this service provides any real benefit due to the fact that each standard must be purchased.
I would like to form my own small company of my own. I am preparing a business plan. As a part of the business plan I am attempting to estimate start up and operating expenses. One of the anticipated expenses will be the cost of codes and standards (e.g., ASTM, ASME, etc.). I have done some quick internet searching but have not revealed a cost effective service for the independent practitioner.
What approaches to codes and reference standards libraries have the small business owners out there seen/used/liked/disliked?
Thank you in advance!
I am a PE currently working for a large company. As a PE, I rely heavily upon reference standards and codes. My current company subscribes to the IHS online library of codes and standards -- which is great...for a large company where the whole company benefits from sharing one individual's purchase of a standard. For an individual practitioner I do not see that this service provides any real benefit due to the fact that each standard must be purchased.
I would like to form my own small company of my own. I am preparing a business plan. As a part of the business plan I am attempting to estimate start up and operating expenses. One of the anticipated expenses will be the cost of codes and standards (e.g., ASTM, ASME, etc.). I have done some quick internet searching but have not revealed a cost effective service for the independent practitioner.
What approaches to codes and reference standards libraries have the small business owners out there seen/used/liked/disliked?
Thank you in advance!





RE: Codes and Reference Standards Subscription Services
RE: Codes and Reference Standards Subscription Services
Like Ron we simply buy codes we need the need arises.
RE: Codes and Reference Standards Subscription Services
One tip: buy second hand books on Amazon. It is hard to get the latest codes that way, but for example the NYC Building code references the 2002 version of ASCE07 which is available on Amazon for ~$20. Also, some codes are available on the internet for free these days.
RE: Codes and Reference Standards Subscription Services
Thank you each for your helpful feedback. I really appreciate it. It seems as though the path forward for the small business is pretty straightforward and sensible in this regard.
- Buy (don't rent) the codes and reference standards, as necessary for the business only.
- To the extent practical, purchase once and keep forever model (a philosophical personal favorite approach of mine in all aspects of life).
- ball park budget of $2,000 + $400/yr updates (this is especially helpful to the business plan - Thank you).
- Buy second hand references on Amazon whenever possible (I will add that I have also had some good fortune with abebooks.com where they sell second hand books, including engineering references.)
Thank you! I really appreciate the insights/feedback!!!!
RE: Codes and Reference Standards Subscription Services
http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/index.htm
Any NFPA codes are free to
http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/free-acces...
RE: Codes and Reference Standards Subscription Services
TTFN

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Of course I can. I can do anything. I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
RE: Codes and Reference Standards Subscription Services
e-Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), including OSHA standards