A Process for C2P Harmonization: Electrical Standards in North America

Recent events have shown that natural and human made disasters, acts of terrorism and massive technological failures can have a profound impact on the safety and security of people and critical infrastructure. Given the scope of existing codes and standards, the development work sponsored by the ASCE/AEI, "Recommended Practices for Control, Communication and Power (C2P) of Critical Facilities", to identify ways to improve the resistance of critical electrical infrastructure to disaster, is essential. These recommended practices are intended to augment and not replace engineering requirements promulgated or enforced by the regulatory bodies and authorities having jurisdiction. This work presents a compelling opportunity to embrace a harmonized solution — a single document that will draw on the experiences and lessons of the standards community throughout North America to address issues that are mutually imperative. A harmonized approach is preferred over a national one for several reasons, as this paper will explore. The interests of manufacturers, regulators, specifiers, and users will best be served if Canadian and U.S. representatives undertake the C2P work jointly, with a harmonized document as its outcome. The experience of the standards community in harmonization efforts provides important insights that may be applied to a harmonized C2P process.