Raising industry standards for members

The committees include BD 038 – AS 3740

Waterproofing of Domestic Wet Areas which sets out the requirements for the materials, design and installation of waterproofing for domestic wet areas for residential buildings, BD 044 – AS 3958.1 Guide to the Installation of Tiles which provides guidance on the preparation of the background, the fixing and grouting of floor and wall tiles, and mosaic tiles, and BD 094 – AS 4586 Slip-Resistance Classification of New Pedestrian Surfaces. This Australian Standard for slip resistance was first published in 1993 and requires that the floor surface achieve a minimum coefficient of friction of 0.4 in wet and/or dry conditions using the wet pendulum test and the dry floor friction test.

There is also HB 198 – Guide to the Specification and Testing of Slip Resistance Pedestrian Surfaces which goes into detail regarding the new changes to the Building Code of Australia slip requirements. The new slip requirements include prescriptive testing to ensure that nosings, stairs and ramps are adequately slip resistant when constructed.

Tile Today recently asked Fred Gray (Laticrete) and member of the ATC’s National Technical Committee about some of the specifics of the council’s involvement and what it can mean for members.

Tile Today (TT): How did the ATC get involved with Standards Australia

Fred Gray (FG): Given the Australian Tile Council is the peak body representing the ceramic tile and tiling industry, representation on the Standards Australia Committees for tiling, waterproofing and slip resistances is important to ensure good guidance and outcomes for our members and the industry at large.

It follows that being a stakeholder and actively participating on the relevant Standards Australian committees is a major focus. We are involved in activities such as proposing and participating on projects like the current Australian Standard AS3958 Installation of ceramic and stone tiles.

TT: What is the main mission for the Standards Australia Committee?

FG: To produce a standard or other relevant document outlined in the Standards Proposal by bringing together key parties and other stakeholders to form a technical committee to develop these standards. These generally expert technical committees, collaborate and work together to produce a document based on the scope of the proposal approved by Standards Australia.

TT: What is involved in being part of these committees?

FG: The committees meet to assess the scope of the proposal and set time frames for completing the project.

The complexity of the project, number of technically capable people available, external deadlines all play a part in planning the timetable for the project. The work can be divided into parts to be handled by different groups or the group as a whole can work on the project. Groups or individuals will bring revisions or new content to the committee at meetings which is reviewed and agreed upon by consensus for insertion into a draft. Some standards have a short time frame and large amount of work which means very regular meetings.

In addition, the ATC’s affiliate membership of the Building Products Industry Council (BPIC) allows an ATC technical expert on the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Waterproofing and Water Shedding – Technical Reference Group, which will review all waterproofing measures within the National Construction Code (NCC) for 2025.

Become

Supporting

Member benefits:

- Industry support from the Australian Tile Council (ATC)

- Technical and Industry related information and support

- Free access to the Tile and Tiling Guide

- Free access to the Tile Reference Manual

- Member Benefits programme with exclusive offers

- Tiling literature, brochures and notices

- Professional recognition as a member of the only recognised national body industry