ASHRAE Insights

New procedures to uphold and defend ASHRAE’s newly revised Code of Ethics are now in place.

The Board of Directors approved the procedures and the code, which is a revision of the earlier version, last amended in 1986. Member input into the latest revision was sought via the ASHRAE Web site.

“ASHRAE is responding to the strong movement in the construction and engineering professions to review and clarify the Code of Ethics,” said Lynn Bellenger,  Fellow ASHRAE, who chaired an ad hoc committee overseeing the revision. “The code recognizes that ASHRAE is a professional society writing technical guidance for members engaged in multidisciplinary activities. Through our revised code, ASHRAE promotes the highest levels of excellence and good practice in defining and applying knowledge and respects the competitive basis of our members. Our members are expected to commit themselves to the code.”

According to Bellenger, the new procedures include a formal written complaint process allowing members to request that the Board of Directors investigate a breach of ethics by a member. The Board could censure, warn, suspend or expel a member if he or she is found to have violated the code.

ASHRAE Code of Ethics

As members of ASHRAE, we pledge to act with honesty, fairness, courtesy, competence, integrity and respect for others in our conduct.
• Efforts of the Society, its members, and its bodies shall be directed at all times to enhancing the public health, safety and welfare.
• Members and organized bodies of the Society shall be good stewards of the world’s resources including energy, natural, human and financial resources.
• Our products and services shall be offered only in areas where our competence and expertise can satisfy the public need.
• We shall act with care and competence in all activities, using and developing up to date knowledge and skills.
• We shall avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and disclose them to affected parties when they do exist.
• The confidentiality of business affairs, proprietary information, intellectual property, procedures, and restricted Society discussions and materials shall be respected.
• Each member is expected and encouraged to be committed to the code of ethics of his or her own professional or trade association in their nation and area of work.
• Activities crossing national and cultural boundaries shall respect the ethical codes of the seat of the principal activity.