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Standards Resources

This is a basic subject guide to standards resources that are paid by subscriptions, individual purchase, or freely available.

Databases for Identifying Standards

Are you searching for specific standard(s)?

ASTM Compass. ASTM Standards.SAE Mobilus (formerly SAE Digital Library). SAE Standards. ASCE Research Library. ASCE standards.Engineering Workbench, ICAO standardsTechStreet Enterprise. AASHTO, AHAM, ANS, ASHRAE, ASME, ICC, ISO, NFPA standards.

Not sure what standard(s) you need?

Engineering Workbench, Search by keywords, phrases, synonyms, issuing bodies, etc.TechStreet Enterprise. AASHTO, AHAM, ANS, ASHRAE, ASME, ICC, ISO, NFPA standards.

Tips to improve your results:

  • Consider synonym - e.g. "life jacket" could be referred to as a "life preserver" or "personal flotation device"
  • To view all of the results in a database on a topic, not just those with full text access, de-select "my subscription" options
  • Focus your search by first identifying a Standards Issuing Body that is likely to create standards for your area of interest (e.g. Search for ASTM standards if you are looking for "testing" standards, search SAE standards if your topic has automotive or aerospace applications, etc.)
  • Use parentheses to search key terms as a phrase, rather than independent keywords (e.g. "life preserver" instead life preserver).

Need standards not listed above?

Searching for Specific Standards

Frequently used standards databases at Purdue University:

More resources:

Not sure which standard(s) you need?

Step 1: Use the following resources to identify standards of interest:

Tip to improve your results:

  • Consider synonyms - e.g. "life jacket" could be referred to as a "life preserver" or "personal flotation device" 
  • Tp view all of the results in a database on a topic, not just those with full text access, de-select "my subscription" options
  • Focus your search by first identifying a Standards Issuing Body that is likely to create standards for your area of interest (e.g. Search for ASTM standards if you are looking for "testing" standards, search SAE standards if your topic has automotive or aerospace applications, etc). 
  • Use parentheses to search key terms as a phrase, rather than independent keywords (e.g. "life preserver" instead of life preserver)

Step 2: Use the resources in the "Searching for a Specific Standard" box to search for the full text of your standard(s)