This document outlines the contents and structure of a lecture on differences among codes, standards, and specifications for electro-mechanical systems. The lecture will cover international standards like IEC, firefighting codes from NFPA, HVAC standards, and international building codes. It will be graded based on midterms, assignments, experiments, and a final exam. References will include Egyptian codes, IEC, NFPA, ASHRAE, and IEEE standards. Definitions provided clarify that standards describe how to do something, codes are legally enforceable and reference standards, and specifications provide additional product or application requirements beyond codes and standards.

1. Lecture 1
DIFFERENCES AMONG CODES,
STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Codes and Specifications of
Electro-Mechanical Systems
EME508
Course Coordinator: Dr. Beshoy Abdou
Aziz

3. Course Contents
 International standards.
 IEC standards regarding the main
specifications, testing, inspection and
commissioning of electrical equipment and
drives.
 Firefighting system international codes and
standards.
 NFPA, HVAC codes and standards.
 International building codes.

4. Grading System & Distribution
Total
score
(100%)
Midterm 1
7th Week
(30%)
Midterm 2
12th Week
(20%)
Written
(10%)
Experimental
(10%)
Assignments
(10%)
Final Exam
(40%)

5. Course References
 Egyptian Local Codes.
 IEC standards and NEC codes.
 NFPA codes.
 ASHAREA Codes and Standards.
 International building codes.
 IEEE, NEMA and BS standards
 International building codes.

6. Definitions
 Standards
• Standards are documents that establish
engineering or technical requirements for
products, practices methods or operations. (a set
of technical definitions and guidelines)
Examples for standards: ASTM (American Society
for Testing and Materials) – ISO (International
Organization for Standardization) – API – MSS etc.
• “How to” instructions for designers and
manufacturers.
Why standard is required:
 Build confidence about quality in users
 Lower the cost of production as requirements are
standardize.

7.  Code
• A code is a standard that has been adopted by one
or more governmental bodies and can be enforced
by law or
• when it has been incorporated into a business
contract.
• Codes provides a set of rules that specify the
minimum acceptable level of safety and quality for
manufactures, fabricated or constructed objects.
Also, codes refer out to standards or specifications
for specific details on additional requirements not
specified in the code itself.
• Examples for codes: ASME code – BS – DIN – IS –
IEC - NEC etc.
Code: What you need to do
Standard: How to do it
‫مثال‬
:
‫وجود‬ ‫المبنى‬ ‫فى‬ ‫يشترط‬ ‫الكود‬
Fire alarm System
‫الـ‬ ‫نوع‬ ‫هيحدد‬ ‫المعيار‬
system
‫الحريق‬ ‫طفايات‬ ‫وعدد‬ ‫تشغيلة‬ ‫وكيفية‬
‫والحرارة‬ ‫الدخان‬ ‫حساسات‬ ‫وعدد‬

8.  Specifications
• provide specific/additional requirements
for materials, components or services
beyond the code or standard
requirements. Often generated by private
companies to address additional
requirements applicable to a specific
product or application.
• Specifications allow purchaser to include
special requirements as per design and
service condition.
• Specifications must meet requirements.
• Example: product specification.

9. Difference between code, standard and specification
There are several differences between code, standard and specification, the
most important of which are: