The document outlines the distinctions between codes, standards, specifications, procedures, and techniques in engineering. Codes are mandatory regulations that ensure safety and performance, while standards provide voluntary guidelines for quality consistency. Specifications detail the materials and processes required, procedures offer step-by-step task instructions, and techniques refer to the specific methods used for completing tasks.

1. Difference between code, standards, specification,
Procedures & Techniques in Engineering
• Engineering is a complex field that requires a clear
understanding of different concepts, including codes,
standards, specifications, and procedures. These terms are
often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings
and purposes. In this article, we will discuss the difference
between code, standards, specification, and procedures in
engineering.
code a collection of written laws gathered together, usually
covering specific subject matter. Thus, a state may have a
civil code, corporations code, education code, evidence
code, health and safety codes, insurance code, labor code,
motor vehicle code, penal code, revenue and taxation code,

2. CODE
A code is a “set of rules and
regulations that govern the
design, construction, and
operation of engineering
systems.” Codes are
developed by organizations
such as the International
Code Council (ICC) and the
American Society of
Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
and are typically enforced by
local and state governments.
Codes are mandatory and
must be followed by
engineers and contractors to
ensure that structures and
systems are safe and meet
the minimum requirements
for safety and performance.
For example, in the
construction industry, the
International Building Code
(IBC) is a code that sets
standards for the design and
construction of buildings.
Standards
Standards are
“guidelines that
provide a common
set of practices” for
engineers and
contractors to
follow. Standards are
developed by
organizations such
as the American
National Standards
Institute (ANSI) and
the International
Organization for
Standardization
(ISO). Standards are
not mandatory and
are intended to
provide a level of
quality and
consistency in the
design and
construction of
engineering
systems.
Specifications
Specifications are
detailed “technical
documents” that
describe the
materials,
equipment, and
processes used in
the design and
construction of
engineering
systems.
Specifications are
typically developed
by the engineer or
contractor and are
used to ensure that
materials and
equipment meet the
required standards
and codes. For
example, an
engineer may
specify that the steel
used in the
construction of a
Procedures are “step-
by-step instructions for
performing specific
tasks” in engineering.
Procedures are used to
ensure that tasks are
performed consistently
and correctly and can
include instructions for
the installation,
operation, and
maintenance of
engineering systems.
For example, a
procedure for
performing a magnetic
particle inspection may
include instructions for
preparing the surface,
applying the magnetic
particles, and
evaluating the results.
Techniques
Techniques refer
to the methods or
approaches that
are used to
accomplish a
“specific task” or
process. These
techniques may
vary depending
on the specific
task or project
and are often
used in
conjunction with
procedures to
achieve the
desired outcome.
For example, the
technique of
checking
lamination defect
in plate using
longitudinal
ultrasonic sound
waves.