When a Current Standard is not Available
Engineers are dependent on standards to ensure that their designs are compliant to the current standards.The dilemma of engineers is when the current standard is not readily available or if they have access to standards at all.
Some companies have access to online standards archive which ensures that the standards they are using are the current publications. Not everyone however were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, thus making the design task of some engineers much more difficult. Likewise, due to legalities, keeping standards for personal use is not allowed unless the standard was issued particularly for your own use.
Why is a standard withdrawn?
A standard is withdrawn for different reasons. By retaining a standard as current, the committee that created it are obliged to regularly review it. By withdrawing a standard, it is up to date until its withdrawal date and there aren’t any revisions or amendments in hand that are likely to change its status.
Can a withdrawn standard still be used?
Withdrawn standards are essential for legal cases, historical research or when maintaining old machinery. Withdrawn standards offer a unique insight into industrial history and are often the only source of historic technical information.
However, a withdrawn publication is not considered current and does not have ‘standard’ status. We can say that an installation made in accordance with a standard after the withdrawal date would not be made in accordance with a current standard, irrespective of when the design was undertaken. Design and installation are two separate matters, and standards users would need to consult all interested parties (client, insurance companies, etc…) as to what they consider acceptable.