Standards and Best Practices Acronyms and Associations
Associations
AAJ- Academy of Architecture for Justice: For 65 years, the American Association
for Justice, also known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA®), has
supported plaintiff trial lawyers—as the collective voice of the trial bar on Capitol Hill
and in courthouses across the nation and by providing exclusive services designed for trial
lawyers.
www.justice.org
AEM- Association of Equipment Manufacturers: a trade association that provides
services on a global basis for companies that manufacture equipment, products and
services used worldwide in the following industries: Agriculture, Construction, Forestry,
Mining and Utility. AEM's membership is made up of more than 750 companies and
represents 200+ product lines.
www.aem.org
AES- Audio Engineering Society: Founded in the United States in 1948, the AES has
grown to become an international organization that unites audio engineers, creative
artists, scientists, and students worldwide by promoting advances in audio and
disseminating new knowledge and research.
www.aes.org
ANSI- American National Standards Institute: As the voice of the U.S.
standards and conformity assessment system, the American National Standards
Institute empowers its members and constituents to strengthen the U.S.
marketplace position in the global economy while helping to assure the safety
and health of consumers and the protection of the environment.
http://ansi.org
APEX- Accepted Practices Exchange: An initiative of the Convention Industry
Council that promotes development and implementation of industry-wide accepted
practices to create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions, and
exhibitions industry.
http://www.conventionindustry.org/StandardsPractices/APEX.aspx
ASA- Acoustical Society of America: Since its organization in 1929, the Society has
grown steadily in membership and stature. At this time nearly 7,000 men and women who
work in acoustics throughout the U.S. and abroad belong to this prestigious Society. A
variety of fields related to sound are represented: Physics, Measurement Technologies
and Instrumentation, Nearly All Engineering Disciplines, including: Electrical,
Mechanical, Civil, and Aeronautical; Robotics and Computer Sciences, Oceanography,
Ocean Engineering, Underwater Propagation, Biology, Physiology, Psychology,
Architecture (e.g., Concert Hall Design), Speech and Hearing, Music, Noise and Noise
Standards and Best Practices Acronyms and Associations
Control, Noise Effects, Animal Bioacoustics, and Structural Acoustics and Vibration.
http://acousticalsociety.org
ASHRAE- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers: Founded in 1894, is an international organization of 51,000 persons.
ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and
refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research,
standards writing, publishing, and continuing education.
www.ashrae.org
ASIS- American Society for Industrial Security: Founded in 1955, ASIS is dedicated
to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals by developing
educational programs and materials that address broad security interests, such as the ASIS
Annual Seminar and Exhibits, as well as specific security topics.
www.asisonline.org
ASTM- American Society for Testing and Materials: Established in 1898, originally
as the American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM International is one of the
largest voluntary standards developing organizations in the world. ASTM is a not-forprofit organization that provides a forum for the development and publication of
international voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services.
ASTM’s members, representing producers, users, consumers, government, and academia
from over 135 countries, develop technical documents that are a basis for manufacturing,
management, procurement, codes and regulations.
www.astm.org
BACnet- Building Automation and Control Networks: BACnet is "a data
communication protocol for building automation and control networks." A data
communication protocol is a set of rules governing the exchange of data over a computer
network. The rules take the form of a written specification (in BACnet's case they are also
on compact disk) that spells out what is required to conform to the protocol.
www.bacnet.org
BICSI- Building Industry Consulting Service International: BICSI is a professional
association supporting the information technology systems (ITS) industry. ITS covers the
spectrum of voice, data, electronic safety & security, and audio & video technologies. It
encompasses the design, integration, and installation of pathways, spaces, fiber- and
copper-based distribution systems, wireless-based systems and infrastructure that supports
the transportation of information and associated signaling between and among
communications and information gathering devices.
https://www.bicsi.org
bSa- building SMART alliance: It has been established to coordinate the profound
changes coming to the fragmented real property industry in North America. The
Standards and Best Practices Acronyms and Associations
collective goal is open interoperability and full lifecycle implementation of building
information models. The focus is to guarantee lowest overall cost, optimum sustainability,
energy conservation, and environmental stewardship to protect the earth's ecosystem.
www.buildingsmartalliance.org
CEA- Consumer Electronics Association: The industry authority on market research
and forecasts; consumer surveys; legislative and regulatory news; engineering standards;
training resources and more.
www.ce.org
CEDIA- Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association: An international
trade association of companies that specialize in planning and installing electronic
systems for the home. These systems include home networking, home automation and
communication systems, media rooms, single or multi-room entertainment systems, and
integrated whole-house subsystems providing lighting control, security, and HVAC
systems.
www.cedia.net
CIC- Convention Industry Council:
The 31 member organizations represent over
103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties involved in the meetings,
conventions, and exhibitions industry. The mission of the Convention Industry Council is
to provide a forum for member organizations to exchange information on global trends
and topics, promulgate excellence in best practices and guidelines, collaborate on industry
issues and advocate the value of the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events
industry.
http://www.conventionindustry.org/StandardsPractices/GreenMeetings/APEXASTM.aspx
DOE- Department of Energy: Their mission is to ensure America's security and prosperity by
addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science
and technology solutions. They will achieve their mission by establishing an operational
and adaptable framework that combines the best wisdom of all Department stakeholders.
Goal 1:
Catalyze the timely, material, and efficient transformation of the nation's energy
system and secure U.S. leadership in clean energy technologies.
Goal 2:
Maintain a vibrant U.S. effort in science and engineering as a cornerstone of our
economic prosperity, with clear leadership in strategic areas.
Goal 3:
Enhance nuclear security through defense, nonproliferation, and environmental
efforts.
http://energy.gov
IALD- International Association of Lighting Designers: Founded in 1969 and based
in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) is
an internationally recognized organization dedicated solely to the concerns of
independent, professional lighting designers. The IALD strives to set the global standard
Standards and Best Practices Acronyms and Associations
for lighting design excellence by promoting the advancement and recognition of
professional lighting designers. Value Lighting designers are a tremendous resource of
innovative, practical and economically viable lighting solutions. They understand the role
of lighting in architectural and interior design and utilize their extensive experience and
knowledge of lighting equipment and systems to enhance and strengthen design.
www.iald.org
IEC- International Electrotechnical Commission: Founded in 1906, the IEC is the
world’s leading organization for the preparation and publication of International
Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. These are known
collectively as “electrotechnology”. IEC provides a platform to companies, industries and
governments for meeting, discussing and developing the International Standards they
require.
www.iec.ch
IEEE- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: IEEE creates an
environment where members collaborate on world‐changing technologies – from
computing and sustainable energy systems, to aerospace, communications, robotics,
healthcare, and more. The strategic plan of IEEE is driven by an envisioned future that
realizes the full potential of the role of IEEE in advancing technology for humanity. The
IEEE Brand Identity Toolkit explains the basic usage rules for all corporate identity
elements and how to utilize them to create powerful and consistent communications
pieces.
www.ieee.org
IES- Illuminating Engineering Society: A collegial community dedicated to
improving the lighted environment. The IES is composed of a diverse membership, all
with an interest in and a dedication to good lighting. 25% of the membership is involved
in manufacturing (lamps, sources, luminaires, accessories); another 25% is composed of
lighting designers and architects. The remaining 50% is composed of consultants,
electrical and building contractors, distributors, and wholesalers, individuals working in
affiliated lighting fields, those working for utilities and energy services, and people in
government and education.
www.iesna.org
ISA- International Society of Automation: Founded in 1945, the International Society
of Automation is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for
automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve
difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career
capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards;
certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and
technical articles; and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals.
ISA is the founding sponsor of the Automation Federation.
www.isa.org
Standards and Best Practices Acronyms and Associations
ISO-
International Organization for Standardization: It is the world's largest
developer and publisher of International Standards. It is a network of the national
standards institutes of 160 countries, one member per country, with a Central
Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. It is a nongovernmental organization that forms a bridge between the public and private sectors.
On the one hand, many of its member institutes are part of the governmental structure
of their countries, or are mandated by their government. On the other hand, other
members have their roots uniquely in the private sector, having been set up by
national partnerships of industry associations. Therefore, ISO enables a consensus to
be reached on solutions that meet both the requirements of business and the broader
needs of society.
www.iso.org
NFPA- National Fire Protection Association: The mission of the international
nonprofit NFPA, established in 1896, is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other
hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards,
research, training, and education. The world's leading advocate of fire prevention and an
authoritative source on public safety, NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more
than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects
of fire and other risks.
www.nfpa.org
NIST- National Institute of Standards and Technology- An agency of the U.S.
Department of Commerce, was founded in 1901 as the nation's first federal physical
science research laboratory. Over the years, the scientists and technical staff at NIST have
made solid contributions to image processing, DNA diagnostic "chips," smoke detectors,
and automated error-correcting software for machine tools. Just a few of the other areas in
which NIST has had major impact include atomic clocks, X-ray standards for
mammography, scanning tunneling microscopy, pollution-control technology, and highspeed dental drills.
www.nist.gov
SES- The Society for Standards Professionals: SES was founded in 1947 as a nonprofit, technical association dedicated to furthering the knowledge and use of standards
and standardization. SES is unique in that it is the only organization in North America
committed exclusively to furthering public awareness and knowledge of standards and
standardization. SES provides a neutral forum where standards users and developers can
come together to address mutual issues, opportunities, and interests in ways that work to
the benefit of everyone involved with, or affected by, standards. The Society's members
are standards developers, users, managers, and information specialists from industry,
government, standards developing organizations, trade associations, and academia.
http://ses-standards.org
SID- Society for Information Display: The 6000 members of SID are professionals in
Standards and Best Practices Acronyms and Associations
all of the technical and business disciplines that relate to display research, design,
manufacturing, applications, marketing, and sales. Each member belongs to the SID
chapter of his or her choice. They are developing and manufacturing the displays for the
21st century, and applying them to exciting information, telecommunications, medical,
commercial, government, entertainment, and consumer products.
www.sid.org
SMPTE- Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers: SMPTE was founded
in 1916, to advance theory and development in the motion imaging field. Today, SMPTE
publishes ANSI-approved Standards, Recommended Practices, and Engineering
Guidelines, along with the highly regarded SMPTE Journal and its peer-reviewed
technical papers. SMPTE holds conferences and local Section meetings to bring people
and ideas together, allowing for useful interaction and information exchange.
www.smpte.org
SynAudCon- Synergenic Audio Concepts: Establishes a baseline of audio and
acoustic understanding for audio practitioners.
www.synaudcon.com
USGBC- U.S. Green Building Council: A 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders
working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.
www.usgbc.org
USITT- United States Institute for Theatre Technology: It is the design, production,
and technology professionals in the performing arts and entertainment industry that the
USITT has served since 1960.
http://usitt.org
Certifications
CTS- Certified Technology Specialist: A Certified Technology Specialist (CTS)
performs general technology solution tasks by creating, operating, and servicing AV
solutions, while conducting AV management activities which provide for the best
Audio visual resolutions of the client’s needs, both on time and within budget. It is a
certification that is recognized worldwide as the leading AV specialist credential.
http://www.infocomm.org/cps/rde/xchg/infocomm/hs.xsl/7009.htm
CTS-D- Certified Technology Specialist-Design: A Certified Technology SpecialistDesign (CTS-D) is an AV systems designer who assesses client’s needs, designs AV
systems and prepares AV design documents, by coordinating and collaborating with other
professionals to create AV systems that satisfy clients’ requirements.
http://www.infocomm.org/cps/rde/xchg/infocomm/hs.xsl/7009.htm
Standards and Best Practices Acronyms and Associations
CTS-I- Certified Technology Specialist-Installation:
Installs and maintains audiovisual systems by following specifications, schematics, codes,
and safety protocols; administering installation process logistics; troubleshooting and
problem-solving systems; maintaining tools and equipment; and communicating with
clients, designers, other trades, other installers and staff to provide the best audiovisual
solutions for client needs, on time and within budget.
http://www.infocomm.org/cps/rde/xchg/infocomm/hs.xsl/7009.htm
LEED- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design: LEED certification
provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest
green building and performance measures. Sustainable building strategies should be
considered early in the development cycle. An integrated project team will include the
major stakeholders of the project such as the developer/owner, architect, engineer,
landscape architect, contractor, and asset and property management staff. Implementing
an integrated, systems-oriented approach to green project design, development and
operations can yield synergies and improve the overall performance of a building. Initial
LEED assessment will bring the project team together to evaluate and articulate the
project's goals and the certification level sought.
There are both environmental and financial benefits to earning LEED certification.
LEED-certified buildings are designed to:
• Lower operating costs and increase asset value.
• Reduce waste sent to landfills.
• Conserve energy and water.
• Be healthier and safer for occupants.
• Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
• Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities.
• Demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social
responsibility.
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=64
PE: Professional Engineer: A Professional Engineer is an engineer who is licensed
within certain jurisdictions to offer professional services directly to the public. The
professional status and the actual practice of professional engineering is legally defined
and protected by a government body. In some jurisdictions only registered or licensed
engineers are permitted to use the title, or to practice professional engineering. The
earmark that distinguishes a licensed or registered engineer is the authority to sign and
seal or "stamp" engineering documents (reports, drawings, and calculations) for a study,
estimate, design or analysis, thus taking legal responsibility for it.
www.ncees.org
Standards and Best Practices Acronyms and Associations
Magazines
InAVatehttp://www.inavateonthenet.net/
Lighting and Soundhttp://www.lsionline.co.uk/
http://www.lightingandsoundamerica.com/
ProAVhttp://www.proavmagazine.com/
SCN- Systems Contractor News
http://www.systemscontractor.com/
Other
OEM- Original Equipment Manufacturer: A manufacture’s products or components
that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand
name. Related Association: see AEM