2.7.1 Standards
Update Z
Section 2.7.1 of the "Engineer's Textbook," which aims to convey the appeal of engineering to elementary, junior high, and high school students.
In engineering work, the task of
reading, following, and sometimes creating "standards" is unavoidable.
A standard is a document that records the criteria that a product or system must meet.
They are used to ensure quality, safety, and compatibility, and exist in multiple layers, such as international standards (ISO), national standards (JIS), industry standards, and internal company standards.
1. Standards are a beautiful pyramid structure
Standards are easy to understand when thought of as a pyramid structure.
There are international standards that illuminate everything like sunlight, and beneath them, national, industry, and product group standards, followed by
internal company standards and departmental standards stacked on top.
The higher the standard, the more it has the characteristics of:
・Not containing detailed information
・Containing many conceptual expressions
Therefore,
it is the role of lower-level standards to decide "how to actually follow them."
The more frequently a team's internal standards are revised,
the easier it is for the field to operate.
2. Standards are documents
Standards are documents.
Therefore, they have the following properties:
・Written to avoid misunderstanding
・Things that cannot be done are not written from the start
・Created with the premise of weathering and revision over time
While laws have "penalties,"
standards only indicate "criteria."
However, when an accident or defect occurs,
"Did you follow the standard?" is always asked.
3. How to read standards (a little etiquette)
When reading standards, knowing the following makes it a little easier.
(I have listed examples of standards in the "Reference Materials / Website" section).
・Start with the glossary
For words you don't understand, this is the official definition.
・The main text is sometimes intentionally not written specifically.
This is because it is written in an inclusive expression of the methods used by major manufacturers.
For example.
In the "Electric Shock Protection" chapter of home appliance standards,
the concepts/methods generally practiced by each manufacturer are written.
・Annexes are surprisingly useful
They often contain specific examples and ways of thinking,
which serve as hints when creating internal company standards.
4. Work that adheres to standards
Standards are created by veteran engineers and researchers through
extensive coordination.They are the crystallization of technical skill and human insight as well.
Following them correctly is also an important part of an engineer's job.
The "evidence documents (*)" that young engineers are often responsible for
are exactly the proof of this.
* What is evidence?
Evidence generally means "proof," "basis," or "corroboration." It is mainly used in business, medical, and scientific fields to prove that claims or hypotheses are correct based on objective data and facts.
It emphasizes eliminating assumptions and rules of thumb in favor of having reliable grounds.
For example, you leave behind (it is your job to leave behind) documents like the following:
･ Standard: As a countermeasure against electric shock, follow ○○.
･ Evidence: Based on the standard, countermeasures are implemented using the ○○ method.
Write concisely and without ambiguity.
It is common to have many red pen corrections here.
5. Japanese Standards
Japanese Standards (read as JIS) can be viewed on the JISC website.
If you only need to read them, you can study without buying expensive books.
6. Motivation Boost Points
✅ Standards are messages from our predecessors and historical heritage.
They are not "things that bind you," but "wisdom to make manufacturing easier."
In the future, you too will be on the side that leaves them behind.
✅ It is natural for higher-level standards to be vague.
Rewrite them into documents that your team can understand using lower-level standards.
Make your own work easier too. Put them into a format that won't confuse team members.
✅ Check for revisions to standards frequently.
Revision means reviewing and
resetting rules in line with the latest technological trends, market environments, and legal changes.
Just confirming that there are "no" changes will reduce the need for rework.
7. Reference Materials / Websites
1. JISC Japanese Industrial Standards Committee
A recommended search is "JIS B9700".
Safety of machinery - General principles for design -
Risk assessment and risk reduction
About Industrial Standardization
Standardization means
"making things that would otherwise become diverse, complex, and disorderly if left alone, into something smaller, simpler, and more orderly." Also,
Standards are defined as "agreements" established through standardization.
99_History
(A request to our readers: Please point out any typos, errors, or areas for improvement.)
Revision Date Symbol Changes
2026/01/31 Z First Edition
9A_Overview
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