Q&A | Normative vs. Informative

Question: Is  ANSI/IIAR 2-2008 Equipment, Design, and Installation of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Mechanical Refrigerating Systems normative or informative?

Answer: Normative. All sections within IIAR 2 should be considered normative unless it is specifically stated that the section is informative.

The second paragraph on the first page of the document reads as follows:

This standard includes both Normative (required) and Informative (advisory) language. The body of the standard and labeled appendices are Normative. The foreword, notes, and any appendices labeled Informative are nonmandatory. Informative material shall never be regarded as a requirement.

The Table of Contents also helps to illustrate which areas are normative and which are informative.