The American National Standards Institute has launched a Homeland Security Standards Database to air new standards being devised for everything from first response to building code revision, data management or infrastructure protection. The site, at www.hssd.us, was built for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.

The initial standards are grouped under Threats; Emergency Preparedness and Response; Borders and Transportation; Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection; and the DHS’s own adopted standards. Subcategories delve into the details. The system will be expanded as more homeland security-related standards are created.

"The intended market for this thing is anybody who would be dealing with elements of homeland security," says project leader Ken Peabody, director of content management. He says the original task ANSI was given was "kind of nebulous," but now says the database "is beginning to gel."

Peabody welcomes comments or suggestions. Send them to Peabody at kpeabody @ansi.org.