BS 7430:2026 has now published

Thanks Graham -- sound very interesting. Just a pity it costs so much more than even BS 7671....

   - Andy.

AJJewsbury said:

Thanks Graham -- sound very interesting. Just a pity it costs so much more than even BS 7671....

That is something for BSI to consider, or the government or the local government.

Here in Lancashire, anyone with a public library card can access British Standards free to read on-line (but not download as a PDF) - so it's totally free! 

I'm not sure how this works in other counties, but I've just checked Greater Manchester, who offer this through the Central Library (not online wherever you are).

If this is something that's important to you as an individual, business owner, etc., please lobby your local government to get the appropriate access through the local library service.

AJJewsbury said:

it costs so much more than even BS 7671.

Indeed ... yet the IET are criticised incessantly for 'turning the handle to make money'???

I assume that standards are expensive because relatively few people require them.

For example, all the type testing information in BS 60898 may be necessary for a manufacturer, but not an installer. There are tables of maximum permitted I²t, but a designer really needs the manufacturer's figures, which may be lower.

British Standards used to be available through Hampshire Libraries, but not for 20(?) years. All they seem to have nowadays is things like ancestry.co.uk at libraries, but the level of access is so low as to be of little value.

I have access to BSOL through the Open University. At one time, one could download a fairly standard .pdf, but now we require FileOpen software and there is a finite lifespan. Copying text and printing are not available.

Another resource which Hampshire used to make available is the Oxford English Dictionary. That is not too expensive at £100/year.

ETA: going back to the paper v digital debate: quite a lot of space is required for the 20 volume set and it is not cheap at £862.50. Nor does it get updated, so digital for me please.

Hi AJJewsbury 

My name is Yen and I work as part of the Library and Archives team at London Savoy Place. 

Apologies for the delayed response, but I am happy to confirm that the IET can now provide access to the recently updated BS 7430:2026 through your IET membership benefits.

IET Members can get read-only access to the twelve modules of British Standards Online that the IET Library subscribes to for its members, including BS 7430:2026. 

Remote access to this service is available for 4 weeks, and can be self-renewed up to 3 times through our library catalogue or by contacting the library. After this, a librarian will need to renew it. To get started, simply email the IET Library at libdesk@theiet.org with your membership number and we will be happy to help set up your access.

Alternatively, if you're ever visiting us as London Savoy Place, you can freely access our BSI subscription by connecting to the IET Guest Wi-Fi and visiting the BSI platform: https://bsol.bsigroup.com/ 

For more information on the library resources you can enjoy as an IET member, visit: https://www.theiet.org/membership/library-archives/the-iet-library/ 

I hope this helps! 

Best wishes,

Yen

(She/They)

Digital Resources and Engagement Librarian

"Alternatively, if you're ever visiting us as London Savoy Place, you can freely access our BSI subscription by connecting to the IET Guest Wi-Fi and visiting the BSI platform: https://bsol.bsigroup.com/ "

Hi Yen, sounds like anyone, even non-members, can rock up outside Savoy Place, connect and peruse the standards. Is that correct?

Not sure the Wi-Fi connection outside Savoy Place is very good, so we recommend coming inside the building and using the library space instead. It's much warmer too! 

Non-IET Members can use the Library to access the collections, including our BSI subscription, for reference purposes. Access is by appointment only. We are open from Monday to Friday, and non-members can visit between 10am to 4pm. Contact the Library to arrange a visit.

E: libdesk@theiet.org
T: +44 (0)20 7344 5461

That's brilliant news Yen, to be honest in my nearly 30 years of membership / fellowship I think that's by far the most useful service the IEE / IET has ever provided!!!!

So often all we need to do is to check one line of what a standard says - or even just check whether it really is the right standard. Many of us will have known the sad experience of paying several hundred pounds for a standard only to discover that it wasn't actually the relevant one for what we were doing.

I think it's worth emphasising that "twelve modules" actually covers several thousand standards (it's hard to tell how many as lots appear in several modules).

Of course inevitably the first one that most of us look for will turn out not to be in one of the subscribed modules, but that's Life  Those of us who are used to subscribing to standards databases are already used to that feeling...

Good morning Yen

I am an IET member of longstanding and a frequent visitor to Savoy Place. I already have access to British Standards Online (BSOL) but was totally unaware  that the IET provide access to all IET members . That is a really good thing  for members who like me may also be unaware of this tangible benefit to members.

Many thanks for the information.

JP

Good morning Yen

I am an IET member of longstanding and a frequent visitor to Savoy Place. I already have access to British Standards Online (BSOL) but was totally unaware  that the IET provide access to all IET members . That is a really good thing  for members who like me may also be unaware of this tangible benefit to members.

Many thanks for the information.

JP