As scheduled ASAA has produced the first of a number of guides which will assist in the selection, installation and maintenance of stone. The ‘Residential Stone Countertop Guide’ is produced in two formats. The prime guide is a 26 page document which includes 16 pages of detailed drawings.

Members can purchase the guide online from April 8 at a cost of $16.50. Non-members can buy the guide for $27.50.

A free two page mini version of the guide, which is available as a free download for industry and consumers, will also be available on April 8.

The next ASAA guide will cover ‘Sealing, cleaning & maintenance of stone’. The guides which have been modified to suit local conditions are based on original publications produced by the Marble Institute of America, who gave their kind permission for ASAA to use their material.

The guide was launched at ASAA member WK Marble & Granites premises in Braeside Victoria where 70 architects, designers and industry professionals gathered to hear ASAA directors Ian Lamble ( Melocco Stone) and Jim Mann (Stone Initiatives & Materials Testing) present information about the new Countertop Guide and the formation of a working committee to produce AS 3958.3, the first standard solely dedicated to installation of stone. ASAA is partially funding development of the new standard.

An ABC TV crew recently visited ASAA to film a short interview which will be included in a broader segment of Landline (Channel 2- midday Sunday March 29). The show examines a developing trend whereby farmers with stone deposits on their property investigate the potential for developing those resources. The ‘Buyer’s Guide’ in the forthcoming March edition of Discovering Stone features 55 local quarries that are producing stone. A similar number of deposits are inactive at the moment for a variety of reasons. Many more potential sites await development.

ASAA members and companies or individuals involved with the sale, specification or installation of natural and engineered stone products are invited to attend the first ASAA seminar of 2009 which will be held at WK Marble and Granite’s stunning showroom located in Braeside , Victoria . Drinks and finger food will be provided.

Thursday March 19
WK Marble & Granite P/L
7 Helen-Kob Drive, Braeside VIC 3195
Time: 6.00 pm

Programme:

6.00 pm: Drinks on arrival
6.30 pm: Welcome from WK Marble Pty Ltd
6.45 pm: Framework of new stone standard AS 3958.3

For many years installers of natural stone tiles have had to refer to American or British standards for information. The only local alternative was AS 3958 part 1 which primarily dealt with installation of ceramic tiles.

Now a working group has been established to develop the framework for AS 3958 part 3 which is titled ‘Guide to Design and Fixing of Natural and Agglomerated Stone Tile Systems’. ASAA Director Jim Mann will discuss the standard development process and invite attendees to make suggestions about the scope and content of the standard.

7.20 pm: Questions
7.30 pm: Launch of ASAA ‘Residential Stone Countertop Guide’

ASAA receives a growing number of calls about issues related to fixing. To date the majority of calls relate to countertop installation. ASAA is about to launch an extensive guide which is based on a document produced by the Marble Institute of America. ASAA Director Ian Lamble (Melocco Stone) will present a brief overview of the documents contents. The official launch will coincide with publication of the March edition of Discovering Stone (March 31) when an electronic version will be placed on the ASAA web site.

Come along and learn about the latest developments in your industry, talk to your peers and enjoy a drink in one of Australia’s truly excellent showrooms. Attendance is free – seating is limited, so call Rowena Rowbotham on 03 9888 3587 to book seats.

As previously reported, ASAA directors are working on the development of an ASAA guide to bench top installation, which is based on a Marble Institute of America (MIA) publication. The bench top installation guide will be released in February. Initially it will be published on the ASAA web site and Discovering Stone.

The guide will include the logos of ASAA and the MIA, and in accordance with the MIA document it will exclusively cover the installation of natural stone bench tops. Members can contact Anthony Stock or Rowena Rowbotham on (03) 9888 3587 for more information.

Welcome to the first ASAA e-News for 2009.

New members include Grampians Sandstone and Luxury Stone Imports.

2009 promises to be a busy year as ASAA funds standards, hosts several seminars, produces a variety of stone related on-line and print publications. Check our ASAA web site for information on some of the great benefits available to members. Look out for the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo seminar programme which will be announced in February.

ASAA director Jim Mann of Stone Initiatives & Materials Testing, is the ASAA representative on a working group established to incorporate natural stone into the Australian standard, as an extension of AS 3958 Parts 1 & 2. The working group has already developed a framework for development of a first working draft of AS 3958.3, which is titled ‘Guide to Design and Fixing of Natural and Agglomerated Stone Tile Systems’.

Consideration will be given to the content of ASTM 1528 and BS 5385.5 (draft). The standard will cover many aspects related to size, classification, selection, design, workmanship, installation, suitability for use, finishes and durability.

The draft document will contain information related to sealing and efflorescence.

ASAA is providing some funding for initial development of the standard.