ANSI Standard (American National Standards Institute)

Definition of "ANSI Standard (American National Standards Institute)"

Sue Ann Taubert real estate agent

Written by

Sue Ann Taubertelite badge icon

RE/MAX Elite

What is the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Standard?

Before arriving at the definition of ANSI standard, you must know that ANSI stands for The American National Standards Institute founded on October 19, 1918 as a private, not-for-profit organization. This institute creates thousand of guidelines, norms, and definitions that apply in almost any business, including the real estate industry. All the standards and norms are conceived in order to protect the consumers (such as property owners/homeowners) and ensure their safety while also making the products more competitive.

These standards work best when integrated horizontally, in the same industry, and vertically, in interconnected economic sectors. These standards are not mandatory. The definition of an ANSI standard could be the best way someone is expected to do something, for maximum security and durability. The ANSI codes are available for sale on their website.   

For example, In April 1996, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) adopted a standard for measuring single-family residential buildings. ANSI standards have been adopted by most MLS services and real estate agents. When measuring the gross living area, appraisals and real estate agents must know the definition of the gross living area by heart. They must pay attention to finished and unfinished areas, whether rooms or other buildings are connected to the main house or not, and also if the rooms are below grade or above grade.

ANSI codes and standards cover building and demolition, electronic communications, cloud security, lasers, machine safety and many more.

When it comes to construction, there are safety measures that need to be taken for example when working in a confined space, working with electricity, or on a scaffold. The ANSI standards and training are also protecting the workers when applied, although they are not enforced like the OSHA laws.

On  April 30, 2013, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation officially designating May as Building Safety Month.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Rental income received from property that exceeds the costs of owning and maintaining the property. ...

An opening that lets the outside air come in or out of a structure. A ventilation fan lets the structure have access to outside air when the switch is in open position. ...

Another residence in addition to the main residence where a person or family resides. An example is a second home out of the city used on weekends and during vacations. Interest and real ...

To secure a listing by a real estate agent for a certain parcel of property. For example, a real estate broker wishes to list as many properties a possible to built an inventory of future ...

Amount the taxpayer gets back when he or she files the tax return at the end of the reporting year because taxes were overpaid for that year. The tax overpayment equals the tax payments ...

Linear measurement of property abutting a road or water body acting as a boundary market. ...

Sewer whose sole purpose is o carry away domestic waste water. ...

Branch of economics that is concerned with the study of factors that explain, and policies that promote, regional economic growth and development. Regional economic factors affect ...

Extended area of land commonly held for subdividing and development into residential units. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions